Khartoum Orders UNMIS Out Of Sudan

The Khartoum government rejected any extension of the U.N. Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) despite the strong recommendation of world leaders to maintain U.N. presence in the region after the independence of South Sudan, effective on July 9.

The UNMIS, composed of a 10,400-strong peacekeeping force, was established to monitor the implementation of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) that ended the north-south civil war and paved the way for the independence of South Sudan. It ensured the protection of civilians and promoted human rights.

The termination of the UNMIS mandate was the focus of the U.N. Security Council meeting on July 1, as security challenges still remain high in the region. The Security Council especially warned of the serious risk of escalating violence in the contested oil-rich border area of Abyei and the state of Southern Kordofan.  Human Rights Organizations report ongoing violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations Mark Lyall Grant pointedly stressed that “civilians continue to suffer the impact of conflict, including aerial bombardment by Sudanese armed forces and other abuses, reportedly including extrajudicial killings, forced displacement and arbitrary arrests and detentions.”

U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Susan Rice echoed Grant and expressed her deep concerns regarding the Sudan government’s decision to compel the departure of the U.N. mission in Sudan. She called for Sudanese representatives to reconsider their demands.

Without the support of the UNMIS, lasting peace will be a tougher challenge to meet as the nation emerges onto the world stage.