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Verification/Monitoring Mechanism – 2006

The CJMC was the mechanism to verify and monitor the implementation of the ceasefire component of the CPA in addition to investigating violations and resolving disputes through discussions. While, CJMC’s role had avoided many incidents that would have otherwise triggered wider conflict, the Sudan Armed Force (SAF) notified UNMIS that a number of towns in the north of UNMIS Sector VI were to be excluded from monitoring and verification, restricting the area operation of the UNMOs. Also, in September 2006, the SPLA imposed restrictions on the movement of UNMIS monitors south of Abyei.¹ In October and December 2006, movement restrictions in Abyei were lifted temporarily.²

The CPA requires its signatories to demobilize children in their ranks by July 2005. It was verified that 1,000 children were released one year later. The reason for the delay was the denial of the SAF of the presence of children in their units. The SAF, however, accepted the fact at the CJMC that there are children in unincorporated other armed groups and in incorporated armed groups in the SAF in southern Sudan. It was estimated that there were approximately 19,000 soldiers in those units and significant number of them were under 18 years of age.³

The CJMC, through the Joint Monitoring and Coordination Office, had successfully trained 66 national monitors (of a planned total of 225) who had been deployed to the sector.⁴ According to the Ceasefire agreement, the SPLM was to redeploy its troops in Eastern Sudan. The redeployment took place in the observation and monitoring of the UN mission in East Sudan. The UN had deployed 10,000 troops to observe the commitment of the government and the SPLM.⁵ The UNMIS verified the redeployment of 5,672 troops out of a declared strength of 8,763. The troops unaccounted for were considered to have abandoned the SPLA.⁶ The redeployment of SAF was on schedule. According to the same report, the security mechanisms such as Ceasefire Joint Military Committee and the Area Joint Military Committees were functioning as intended. It was reported that although each party had provided the CJMC with a list of aligned other groups, their actual alignment status, composition and location of these groups remained vague.⁷

The UNMIS continued its civilian monitoring and protection activities, as well as their human rights monitoring and promotion activities, across the Sudan.

1. “The CPA Monitor-Monthly report on the Implementation of the CPA,” UNMIS, March 2006.
2. “The CPA Monitor-Monthly report on the Implementation of the CPA,” UNMIS, February 2009.
3. “Report of the Secretary-General on children and armed conflict in the Sudan,” United Nations (S/2006/662), August 17, 2006.
4. “Report of the Secretary-General on the Sudan,” United Nations (S/2006/160), March 14, 2006.
5. “UN to withdraw its mission from eastern Sudan,” BBC Monitoring Middle East, July 6, 2006.
6. “Report of the Secretary-General on the Sudan,” United Nations (S/2006/728), September 12, 2006.
7. Ibid.