Land Release in Sudan

Background

Sudan became State Party to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC), also known as the Ottawa Treaty, in April 2004. In 2018 Sudan was granted a second extension to fulfil its obligation under Article 5 of the treaty by April 2023.

In 2002 the United Nations established a presence in support of mine action in Sudan, under the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS). UNMAS closed its operation in Sudan in December 2013 but, in response to the request from the government of Sudan, re-engaged in the country as of April 2015. Since this time, the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) Sudan programme, headquartered in Khartoum, has worked as the UN-lead in mine action in non-Darfur regions namely South Kordofan, Blue Nile, and Kassala states. Gedaref, Red Sea and Kassala states were announced free of registered landmines in 2016, 2017 and 2018 respectively.

UNAMID is present in Darfur since 2007 with a mandate on protection of civilians, facilitation of humanitarian assistance, and mediation among the parties to the armed conflict. Mine action is an important component of UNAMID, given the extensive contamination with ERW of Darfur states. UNAMID is now preparing its withdrawal from four sectors (South, North, West and East Darfur states) by June 2019 and its complete closure by June 2020, in accordance with Security Council Resolution 2429. Currently, the UNAMID Ordnance Disposal Office (ODO) deals with ERW hazard issues, including RE and VA, in the entire Darfur states. The planned changes outlined in the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) – UNAMID joint State Liaison Function (SLF) Concept Note stipulate UNMAS Sudan will assume the responsibility to deal with explosive hazards, including RE and VA, in the areas from which UNAMID has withdrawn.

The selected organization will conduct its activities through a grant support agreement with the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).

Objectives of the Grant

• The civilian populations in Sudan including refugees, IDPs, Returnees and local people can move safely with increased access to land for productive uses and routes opened for humanitarian workers to enable humanitarian aid projects to take place without hindrance from landmines and ERW.

• The proposed capacity development activities are expected to mainstream, upscale and replicate local lessons/experiences resulting from the target community interventions to generate policy, and remove barriers to implementation.

• To ensure that the capacity of key partners is continually invested in across a variety of competencies that will see improvements to activities, funding levels, and strategic planning in mine action in Sudan

• The selected Grantee(s) will be expected to have exclusive control over the completion of the objectives although aspects of the quality and progress of the work shall be subject to review by UNOPS.