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.
29 Jun
2011
23 June 2011 – To discuss and obtain views about its draft public information (PI) strategy, the Southern Sudan Disarmament Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) Commission and UNDDR held a one-day workshop today in Malakal, Upper Nile State.
The participatory workshop was attended by 16 representatives who mapped out a DDR information strategy in post-independent South Sudan.
In opening remarks, Upper Nile State SSDDRC Coordinator David Jal outlined the facilitators' task.
"The facilitators have come purposely to help in orientation on public information (PI)," Mr. Jal said. "You are well aware about the importance of PI even in DDR. Without PI our ideas and what is meant by DDR would mean nothing."
The state coordinator added that PI was instrumental in creating awareness among ex-combatants, the military, government institutions and civil society.
"The ex-combatants themselves are not aware of what is waiting for them in the process," said Mr. Jal. "This is where PI comes in to manage the expectations of the beneficiaries of the programme."
Johanna Laurila, public information advisor for SSDDRC-Juba, said the session was an opportunity for those at state level to give their ideas and views of the draft public information strategy.
"We are making this presentation today so that we hear your views or opinions, because you are the eyes and ears in the field at the state level," Ms. Laurila said. "Whatever we get could be incorporated into the strategy."