Closure of UNMIS
UNMIS wound up its operations on 9 July 2011 with the completion of the interim period agreed on by the Government of Sudan and Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), signed on 9 January 2005.
The mission ended its six years of mandated operations the same day South Sudan declared independence, following a CPA-provided referendum on 9 January 2011 that voted overwhelmingly in favour of secession.
In support of the new nation, the Security Council established a successor mission to UNMIS – the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) – on 9 July for an initial period of one year, with the intention to renew for further periods as required.
21 Nov
2010
18 November -- The UN panel monitoring Southern Sudan's referendum would be satisfied with the process if it was carried out peacefully, freely and without intimidation, one of its members said in Wau today.
During a meeting with Acting Governor Western Bahr El-Ghazal State Governor Effisio Kon, former Portugese Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Monteiro added that the panel would make recommendations once voting was completed.
Stressing that the referendum (on whether to remain united with the north or secede) was a step marking the end of the country's Comprehensive Peace Agreement, the former minister urged people to register for the vote.
The UN Secretary-General's Panel on the Referenda in the Sudan , led by former Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkaba, had toured two registration centres in the area to acquaint themselves with the exercise. "The visit's aim is to monitor, supervise and facilitate the process," said Mr. Monteiro.
Acting Governor Kon told the delegation, which also includes Bhojraj Pokharel, former Chairman of the Election Commission of Nepal, that he was convinced registration would be peaceful.
Adding that he had visited 27 registration centres the day before, Mr. Kon said that security was being well maintained by the state government. "The government is supporting the process to see that it is free and fair and carried out in a peaceful environment."
However, he also pointed to a few logistical challenges, such as means of transport, communication and food for referendum staff, including police providing security.