De-Mining Authority

Chairperson:
Hon. Brig. Jurkuc Barach Jurkuch

Vision:
A society free from threats, effects, impacts of landmines and Explosives Remnants of War (ERW).

Mission:
To formulate and enforce mine action policies, coordinate and plan the reduction of threats, effects, impacts of antipersonnel landmines/ERW and destroy known stockpiles of antipersonnel landmines as well as lobby and advocate for the prohibition, use, sale, production and transfer of antipersonnel landmines in South Sudan

Philosophy:
Landmines/ERW are dangerous to the society, therefore together we must fight to win the battle.

South Sudan has along history of armed conflict that started decades ago. Following the first civil war (1955-1972), the southern Sudan autonomous region was established in 1972 through the Addis Ababa Agreement. This accord was a set of compromises that were incorporated in the constitution of Sudan. A decade or relative peace followed although this agreement did not completely eliminate tensions with the central government in Khartoum.

The North/South conflict again resumed during the second Sudanese civil war in 1983 when the Sudan People’s Liberation army/Movement (SPLA/M) initiated a new rebellion with stronger liberation objectives. The war has been one of the deadliest and longest wars of the 20th century resulting in 4 million displaced people and more that 2 million people deaths as a result of violence, famine and disease. The conflict officially ended on 9/1/2005 with the signing of the comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in Naivasha Kenya.

The CPA aimed at terminating the second civil war, developing democratic governance and sharing of oil revenues. It also established a timeline for conducting 2010 general election and the 2011 referendum and the subsequent independent of the Republic of South Sudan on the 9/7/2011 and on 14/7/2011, South Sudan became the number 193 United Nation Member state.

Functions:

National Mine Action Authority (formally South Sudan De-Mining Authority) was established is 2006 through presidential decree number 45/2006 of the formation of independent GoSS Commissions/institutions to act as the main government authority for coordination, formulation, and supervision of the implementation of plans for removing mines from roads, paths and other places where mines are suspected to be laid or buried. Prior to its confirmation as an Authority/Commission, the institution was in existence since 2004 as a Directorate under the name of New Sudan Mine Action Directorate.

The authority works in partnership with UNMAO, UNDP, UNICEF, NPA, MAG, DDG, OSIL, SLR, SIMAS and other national and government institutions. SSDA’s vision is ‘A society free of the threats, and impacts of landmines and Explosives Remnants of War (ERW) and where people live in peace and harmony’.

The NMAA has several duties and responsibilities, which include, among others to

• Provide direction of day-to-day operations
• Supervise and Appraise Subordinates
• Ensure detailed Financial and Budgetary Controls
• Make detailed plans, implement, monitor and evaluate the plans/programs of NMAA
• Implement the organization policy in an accountable and transparent manner
• Motivate, train and develop staff
• Collaborate with the Commissioners on resource mobilization and development i.e. proposal writing
• Network with other organizations on organizational matters.
• Draft operating guidelines/policies for the Board’s approval.
• Develop clear job description for all the approved positions.
• Ensure safe custody and proper utilization of the Authority/Commission’s assets.
• Prepare and submit reports to the Commissioners and also to other stakeholders on timely basis
• Ensure effective public relations, networking and partnerships at the various levels, including indigenous organizations, government, international and UN agencies.
• Ensure that discipline is maintained among staff
• Ensure compliance of the relevant laws and regulations.
• Monitor the performance of the organization against the set standards/guidelines.
• Ensure that NMAA maintains sound and responsive governance and management systems and structures.
• Ensure that the strategic and operational plans for NMAA are prepared in a timely manner, are effectively monitored and periodically reviewed.
• Oversee resource mobilization initiatives to ensure sufficient funds for mine action in South Sudan.
• Ensure prudent management/stewardship of financial resources of NMAA, adequate budgeting and budgetary controls, proper books of accounts are maintained, and accountability to stakeholders.

Structure:

The Authority is governed by five constitutional post holders headed by the Chairperson, others are the Deputy Chairperson and three members. The Authority has another. The Authority also have a senior management led by the Director General for Mine Action, the others composed of the head of the following directorates: Operations, programs, Public Relations, MRE/VA, and the department of Finance and Adminstration beside three regional offices headed by regional coordinators.

The Authority has a Senior Management Team (SMT) led by the Director General for Mine Action and the Directors of the following Directorates:

• Directorate of General Administrations and Finance
• Directorate of Operations
• Directorate of Mine Risk Education
• Directorate of Public Relations
• Directorate of Victim Assistant
• Directorate of Regional Administrations and
• A legal Advisor attached from the Ministry of Justice.

Projects and Programs:

The Directorates within the Authority includes the following: Operations, Programmes, Mine Risks Education/Victims Assistance, Public Relations, Administration and Finance beside three regional offices headed by coordinators in (Wau, Malakal and Yei.

Publications and Documents:

• Newsletter
• Brochure
• Annual Report
• Human Resource Policy for Mine Action Organizations
• Human Resource Policy for Mine Action Organizations

Contacts:

Peter Duku Wani
Ag. Director General for Mine Action,
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.