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.

UNMIS gives furniture to Omdurman school

5 Nov 2009

UNMIS gives furniture to Omdurman school

Upgrading a needy primary school in the impoverished West Omdurman area of Khartoum, UNMIS handed furniture over to the institution on 3 November.

Supplying basic facilities like desks and benches, the quick impact project (QIP) benefited more than 1,300 schoolchildren in Hai Elrahma village, about 32 kilometres west of Khartoum center.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, state Ministry of Education representative Abdul Gaadir Al Amin noted that 10 years ago the area had totally lacked schools, but now had 95.

"This project is a good start, showing collaboration between UNMIS and the Sudanese authorities. This partnership should continue until all Sudanese receive adequate education," Mr. Al Amin added.

By providing 320 student worktables, 15 chairs, teachers' desks and cupboards, the $24,850 QIP aimed at supporting basic education needs of Hai Elrahma's residents.

The area was densely populated, mainly by internally displaced people from war-affected areas of the southern and western parts of Sudan, said Project Officer Lt. Col. Saleem Ahmad Khan. "There are 46 different tribes living together in the same area."

Addressing the participants, school headmistress Sumaiya Omer said that such projects helped the population understand what the role of UNMIS was in bringing peace and security in Sudan.

"This project will not change the situation in Sudan but it will create a small change in the life of the students of this school ... these children are the future of Sudan," UNMIS Force Commander Maj. Gen. Paban Thapa said during the ceremony..

UNMIS Chief of Staff Farid Zarif commended the mission's Civil-Military Co-operation unit for its project management, adding that the 1.5-month QIP was an example to follow.