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.
7 Jul
2010
Maj. Rene Grigat's life in Sudan changed after he accidentally ran across Youth with a Mission School in Yei, Central Equatoria State, out patrolling with his colleagues one day.
"We ... noticed the school and an unfinished building ... I wanted to see if there was something that could be done to help, and that's how it all started," said the German Air Force officer, who is serving at UNMIS Yei as a UN Military Observer (UNMO).
The major said he wanted to leave a "positive footprint", showing the children that soldiers could be normal people. "I think this is a good opportunity. You can't do everything, but I think if everyone could do their part, it would be a great effort".
That was three months ago. Ever since, Major Grigat, who holds a Masters degree in Education and Science, has been volunteering at the school, teaching Mathematics and English to the Primary 3 class.
"At the beginning, it was very strange, and the students were shy to answer questions. Now, they invite me to play football with them, they borrow my camera, and they tell me about their families and their lives," the German UNMO said.
He was helped along by "Stulle", a little stuffed animal denoting a figure popular in German children's books, to "get on their (the children's) level".
Maj. Grigat brought Stulle, a gift from his nephew for his first mission abroad in Kosovo in 2005, to Nasser in 2006, where he also served as an UNMO. "Stulle comes to every class, and is the class hero, giving the kids the courage to solve mathematics problems."
His community at home in Germany had been a great help to the school, which is run on private donations and lacking basics like desks, chairs, chalk and porridge, said Maj. Grigat.
"The small school in my hometown, my squadron, friends and family have together raised more than 1,250 euros, as well as donated soccer balls, teddy bears, soccer uniforms, and school supplies," he said.
The money would be used to buy food and books, with some going to the teachers, the major said. "If the teachers are hungry, how can they concentrate on teaching?"