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| UNMIS
FAQ |
- What is UNMIS?
UNMIS is the acronym for the United Nations Mission in Sudan. UNMIS is a UN peace support operation set up under Chapter VI of the United Nations Charter. It is made up of civilian, military and police components. The UN Security Council authorized the establishment of UNMIS through its adoption of Resolution 1590 on 24 March 2005, following the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).
- Why is UNMIS here?
- UNMIS is in Sudan to support the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army in implementation of the CPA.
- The GoS and the SPLM signed the CPA into existence on 9 January 2005, formally bringing an end to Africa’s longest-running civil war.
- The GoS and the SPLM invited the United Nations to Sudan to monitor and support implementation of the CPA.
- How long will UNMIS stay for?
- UNMIS is planned to stay in Sudan for a total of seven years.
- This covers the six-year “interim period” which runs from July 2005 until July 2011, as well as the six-month pre-interim period and the six-month phase-out stage.
- What is UNMIS’ aim?
- UNMIS’ overall aim is to help the people of Sudan promote national reconciliation, lasting peace and stability and to build a prosperous Sudan in which human rights are respected and the protection of all citizens is assured.
- The UN Security Council has asked UNMIS, on the basis of the CPA, to work towards making unity an attractive option for the Sudanese people.
- What has UNMIS been doing to achieve its aim?
- UNMIS monitors and supports the implementation of the various political, military, humanitarian and developmental aspects of the CPA.
- UNMIS is also tasked with other activities such as facilitating the voluntary return of refugees and displaced persons, providing de-mining assistance; and contributing towards international efforts to protect and promote human rights in Sudan.
- In addition, UNMIS is the lead coordinator for the UN system in Sudan, helping synchronize the activities of the various UN agencies and programs in the country.
- How is UNMIS structured?
- UNMIS is headed by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Sudan.
- Working closely with the SRSG are his deputies: the Principal Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, and the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (Resident Coordinator/Humanitarian Coordinator); as well as the UN Force Commander.
- What is the relationship between UNMIS and other parts of the UN system in Sudan?
All parts of the UN system in Sudan are working towards the same goal: the long-term benefit of all Sudanese people. However, each UN agency has its own organizational structures and different operations. UNMIS facilitates coordination of all the UN system’s activities throughout the country.
- What is the role of the UNMIS Military Component?
- In order to assist the GoS and SPLM in implementation of the Sudanese peace process, the UNMIS Military component has deployed a peace support operation consisting of 750 Military Observers
- In addition there is a protection force under Chapter VI of the UN Charter, as well as logistical support for the Military Observers.
- The total UN military peace-keeping force deployed across Sudan is 10,000.
- Where is the UN Military deployed?
The UN Military is deployed in two key locations and 6 other areas, known as sectors. They are:
- Head Quarters: Khartoum
- Logistics Base: El Obeid
- Sector I: The Equatoria area, including the states of West Equatoria, Bahr Al Jabal and East Equatoria. The Sector HQ is collocated with the Ceasefire Joint Military Committee and Joint Integrated Units (JIU) HQ in Juba.
- Sector II: The Bahr el Ghazal Area, including the states of West Bahr el Ghazal, North Bahr el Ghazal, Warab and Al Buhairat. The Sector HQ is located in Wau.
- Sector III: The Upper Nile Area, including the states of Jongley, Unity and Upper Nile. The Sector HQ is located in Malakal.
- Sector IV: The Nuba Mountains area, which has the same boundaries of the former Southern Kordofan Province when Greater Kordofan was sub-divided into two provinces. The Sector HQ is located in Kadugli.
- Sector V: Southern Blue Nile, which is Blue Nile State. The Sector HQ is located in Ed Damazin.
- Sector VI: The Abyei area. The Sector HQ is located in Abyei.
- Who are UNMIS' police officers and where do they come from?
The police officers are seconded to UNMIS from various United Nations member states and are usually attached for duties in the mission for one year.
- What are the main tasks of the UNMIS Police?
- The most important task of the UNMIS Police Force is to work with and support the National Police services of the parties, to help develop and coordinate bilateral and multilateral assistance programs.
- UNMIS Police interacts with local police and the community at every level, in order to assess both their policing needs and identify ways to assist in the training and development of policing, to internationally acceptable standards.
- Do UNMIS Police conduct patrols?
Yes. UNMIS police conduct patrols both with local police and alone, in order to observe how local police and the community interact with each other.
- Do UNMIS police officers wear uniforms?
Yes. They wear the police uniform of the country from which they come from, but with a distinctive blue UN shoulder patch and blue UN beret.
- Are UNMIS police officers able to arrest people, guide traffic or solve crimes?
No. UN police officers have no powers as police; for the same reason they will not carry weapons. Ordinary police duties will remain the responsibility of the Sudanese police.
- Are UNMIS police officers involved in crowd control or public order events?
They sometimes attend such events as observers but will not be involved in the policing of them.
- How can civil society contact UNMIS?
UNMIS can be contacted at the following telephone number +(249) 187 086 000 (operator)
E-mail: ecomment-pio@un.org
- Will UNMIS be successful?
Each UN peacekeeping operation has its own mandate and its outcome depends on the work and the willingness of the member states participating in it, as well as that of local counterparts. The success of the United Nations in Sudan will depend on the same factors.
- How can I get a job with UNMIS?
Paramount in employment in the United Nations is securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity. Vacancies are issued in the newspapers and are posted on the websites of UN agencies.
Applicants must submit their applications by sending a completed UN Personal History Form (known as a P-11).
Applicants can also send their P-11s electronically to the following email: unmis-recruitment@un.org. Check our recruitment page for more details.
- How important is it to have a fair balance of National and International staff at UNMIS, and why is it so?
The United Nations puts high importance on recruiting staff from as wide a geographical and gender basis as possible. Along these lines, it is important to have a fair balance of all components of staff.
National staff not only bring technical and substantive expertise to the mission, but also local culture, knowledge and language.
Given that the peace agreement is for and by the Sudanese, the majority of the available posts are dedicated to National staff.
International staff bring with them extensive peacekeeping and technical knowledge, and act as coaches and trainers to National staff in many instances, and hand over many of their tasks gradually as the mission matures.
In UNMIS, 70% of the posts are dedicated to National Staff, and a third of all professional posts are for National Professional Officers.
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About UNMIS