South Sudan

Mine Action

Last updated: 25 November 2016

Contaminated by: landmines (heavy contamination), cluster munition remnants (medium contamination), and other unexploded ordnance (UXO). 

Article 5 Deadline: 9 July 2021
(Not on track to meet deadline

Non-signatory to the Convention on Cluster Munitions

As of the end of 2015, the Republic of South Sudan had a total of nearly 98km2 suspected to contain antipersonnel mines and more than 6.5km2 suspected to contain cluster munition remnants. New hazardous areas continue to be identified on a monthly basis. 

Despite the challenges posed by ongoing armed conflict, 2015 was one of the most productive years in over a decade of mine action in South Sudan, with the largest ever amount of mined area released through clearance and technical survey. 5.2km2 of mine contaminated land was released through clearance and technical survey, and just over 1.4km2 of cluster munition contaminated land was released through clearance.

Recommendations for action

  • South Sudan should increase its financial support for operational mine action. Greater support should also be provided to the National Mine Action Authority (NMAA) to build its capacity to develop effective mine action plans and policies.
  • Continued efforts should be made to ensure accurate reporting by operators of mine action data and recording according to International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) land-release terminology.
  • South Sudan should develop a resource mobilization strategy and initiate policy dialogue with development partners on long-term support for mine action.
  • South Sudan should ensure that every effort is made to identify and address all cluster munition remnants on its territory as soon as possible.
  • Operator and national reporting formats should disaggregate submunitions from other UXO.

Contamination 

South Sudan is heavily contaminated by antipersonnel mines, antivehicle mines, and other explosive weapons which were used regularly during nearly 50 years of Sudanese civil war in 1955–1972 and 1983–2005, prior to the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in January 2005, leading to the independence of South Sudan in July 2011. Following two years of independence and relative peace in South Sudan, heavy fighting erupted in the capital city, Juba, on 15 December 2013, commencing a new multi-dimensional conflict across the country.

Civilians continued to be killed and injured by antipersonnel mines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) in 2015. A total of 75 victims of antipersonnel mines and ERW were recorded in 2015, of whom 18 were killed and 57 injured; this represented an alarming increase on the 38 victims recorded in 2014.[1] As of 1 August 2016, a further 38 victims had been reported, of whom 10 were killed and 28 injured.[2] (See the Casualties and Victim Assistance country profile for further details.)

In 2016, the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) reported that the socio-economic cost of mines and ERW in South Sudan in terms of interrupted agricultural production, food insecurity, halted commerce, and the lack of freedom of movement was “incalculable.”[3] UNMAS estimated that explosive hazards threatened eight million people, including more than 1.66 million internally displaced persons (IDPs), local communities, peacekeepers, and humanitarian aid workers.[4] 

Mine contamination

As of the end of 2015, South Sudan had a total of 303 areas suspected to contain antipersonnel mines, covering a total area of nearly 98km2, as set out in the table below.[5]

Mine and ERW contamination as at end 2015[6]

Type of contamination

CHAs

Area (m2)

SHAs

Area (m2)

Antipersonnel mines

0

0

303

98,403,022

Antivehicle mines

0

0

81

1,925,118

Cluster munition remnants

0

0

116

6,539,394

Other UXO

0

0

403

3,425,974

Total

0

0

903

110,293,508

Note: CHAs = confirmed hazardous areas; SHAs = suspected hazardous areas. 

All 10 of South Sudan’s states contain suspected mined areas, with Central Equatoria the most heavily contaminated, followed by East Equatoria and Jonglei (see table below).[7] 

Antipersonnel mine contamination by province as at end 2015[8]

Province

SHAs

Area (m2)

Central Equatoria

176

5,530,095

East Equatoria

61

6,138,069

Jonglei

33

30,671,671

Lakes

3

35,537

North Bahr El Ghazal

2

80,100

Unity

4

13,252,160

Upper Nile

8

39,173,412

West Bahr El Ghazal

3

2,827,433

West Equatoria

13

694,545

Total

303

98,403,022

 

The full extent of South Sudan’s mine and ERW contamination remains unknown. SHAs continue to be identified, while the existing threat is being compounded by the renewed heavy fighting since December 2013, which continues to result in new UXO contamination, particularly in Unity, Upper Nile, Greater Equatoria, and Jonglei states.[9] Ongoing conflict in these states persisted in making access to certain areas extremely limited, severely impeding efforts to confirm or address contamination.[10] 

Despite the signature of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan in August 2015, UNMAS reported that sporadic fighting continued across the country in 2016, which it said “continues to litter vast swathes of land, roads and buildings with explosive hazards.”[11] Even with an increase in clearance activities in 2015, UNMAS reported that up to 150 new hazardous areas were recorded in the IMSMA database each month, including antipersonnel and antivehicle mine contamination from past conflicts in areas previously unsurveyed.[12]

In 2015, the Monitor recorded a number of allegations of new use of antipersonnel mines by government and non-state armed groups. (See the Mine Ban country profile for further details.

Cluster munition contamination

At the end of 2015, South Sudan had a total of 116 areas suspected to contain cluster munition remnants, with a total size estimated at more than 6.5km2.[13] Areas of cluster munition contamination from decades of pre-independence conflict continued to be identified in 2015, and the threat was compounded by the fighting that broke out in December 2013.[14] 

Eight of the 10 states in South Sudan have areas suspected to contain cluster munition remnants (see table below); Central, Eastern, and Western Equatoria remain the most heavily contaminated.[15] Cluster munition remnants have been found in residential areas, farmland, pastures, rivers and streams, on hillsides, in desert areas, in and around former military barracks, on roads, in minefields, and in ammunition storage areas.[16]

As of the end of 2014, UNMAS reported that 108 known dangerous areas containing cluster munition remnants remained totaling 7.5km2.[17] In 2015, an additional 70 cluster munition-contaminated areas were identified in seven states. Of these, 26 were cleared during the year.[18]

Cluster munition contamination by province as at the end of 2015[19]

Province

Hazardous area

Area (m2)

Central Equatoria

44

2,527,992

East Equatoria

45

2,411,127

Jonglei

5

121,917

Lakes

3

920,186

Unity

1

40,000

Upper Nile

2

0

West Bahr El Ghazal

2

55,962

West Equatoria

14

462,210

Total

116

6,539,394

  

From 1995 to 2000, prior to South Sudan’s independence, Sudanese government forces are believed to have air dropped cluster munitions sporadically in southern Sudan. Many types of submunitions have been found, including Spanish-manufactured HESPIN 21, US-manufactured M42 and Mk118 (Rockeyes), Chilean-made PM-1, and Soviet-manufactured PTAB-1.5 and AO-1SCh submunitions.[20]

UNMAS discovered evidence of new cluster munition contamination in February 2014, south of Bor in Jonglei state.[21] Evidence indicated the cluster munitions had been used in previous weeks during the conflict between opposition forces supporting South Sudan’s former Vice President Riek Machar and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) government forces, which received air support from Uganda.[22] In September 2014, South Sudan reported that a joint government-UNMAS team had investigated and established that cluster munitions had been used, but could not determine the user.[23] 

UNMAS reported that sporadic fighting continued across the country in 2016, which it said “continues to litter vast swathes of land, roads and buildings with explosive hazards.”[24] Ongoing insecurity, particularly in Greater Upper Nile region (Jonglei, Unity, and Upper Nile states), persisted in preventing access to confirm or address cluster munition contamination.[25] 

Cluster munition contamination in South Sudan continues to pose a physical threat to local populations, prevents the delivery of vital humanitarian aid, curtails freedom of movement, and significantly impedes the development of affected communities.[26] In May 2016, Mines Advisory Group (MAG), which conducted cluster munition survey and clearance in South Sudan in 2015, reported that clearance in and around Juba county, as well as in parts of Eastern Equatoria state, had begun to address some of the humanitarian impacts of cluster munition contamination, and allowed for the delivery of food aid by the World Food Programme and the release of land for agriculture and cattle farming.[27] 

Program Management 

The NMAA is responsible for coordination, planning, and monitoring of mine action in South Sudan.[28]

UN Security Council Resolution 1996 of 2011 tasked UNMAS with supporting South Sudan in demining and strengthening the capacity of the NMAA. UNMAS, with the NMAA, has been overseeing mine action across the country through its main office in Juba, and sub-offices in Bentiu, Bor, Malakal, and Wau. UNMAS is responsible for accrediting mine action organizations, drafting national mine action standards, establishing a quality management system, managing the national database, and tasking operators.[29] The NMAA takes the lead on victim assistance and risk education.[30] 

While it is planned that eventually the NMAA will assume full responsibility for all mine action activities, South Sudan’s national strategic plan for mine action for 2012–2016 notes that the government did “not have the financial and technical capacity to support its mine action program. UN agencies, development partners, and international organizations will need to support the program in providing technical and financial assistance.”[31] 

In May 2014, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2155 in response to the conflict that broke out in December 2013. This resolution, which marked a significant change from Resolution 1996, focuses on four areas: protecting civilians; creating the conditions for humanitarian access; reporting and investigating human rights violations; and supporting the Cessation of Hostilities agreements. Significantly, most capacity development for government institutions is no longer part of the mission’s mandate.

Strategic planning 

UNMAS reported that there were no significant changes in 2015 to the current national mine action strategic plan for 2012–2016, which was developed by the NMAA with assistance from the UN and the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD).[32] The main objectives of the plan are to ensure that:

  • South Sudan is in a position to comply with all international instruments related to mines and ERW and can conduct and manage the national mine action program.
  • The scope and location of the mine and ERW contamination are fully recorded, and all high-impact contaminated areas are identified, prioritized, cleared, and released.
  • The national mine action program contributes to reducing poverty and increasing socio-economic development by being mainstreamed into development program.[33] 

In June 2016, UNMAS reported that a new national mine action strategic plan was under development and would be presented in January 2017.[34]

Operators 

Four international demining NGOs operated in South Sudan in 2015: DanChurchAid (DCA), Danish Demining Group (DDG), MAG, and Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA). Four commercial companies also conducted demining: G4S Ordnance Management (G4S), Mechem, Dynasafe MineTech Limited (DML, formerly MineTech International, or MTI), and The Development Initiative (TDI). No national demining organizations were involved in clearance in 2015.[35] 

NPA deployed three non-technical and technical survey teams integrated with eight mine detection dog (MDD) teams, along with two multi-tasking explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) teams.[36] MAG changed in mid-2015 from primarily conducting EOD spot clearance and community liaison to deploying multi-task teams (MTT) on large-area tasks. It deployed one MineWolf 330 and one Bozena 4 machine, along with a total of 57 demining personnel.[37] DDG did not conduct mine clearance in 2015, but operated on a call-out basis for ERW spot tasks and employed 20 staff.[38] It began a cluster munition clearance task at the end of 2015.[39] DCA deployed two teams conducting survey, BAC and EOD.[40] TDI reported deploying between two and four MTTs and two Route Assessment and Clearance Capacity (RACC) teams in 2015.[41] G4S had a capacity of two Integrated Clearance Capacity (ICC) teams, four quick response teams, and eight MTTs. MECHEM deployed two mine action teams and DML two ICC teams and six explosive dog detection teams.[42] UNMAS assigns cluster munition tasks to operators.

Standards

The National Technical Standards and Guidelines (NTSGs) for mine action in South Sudan were updated in October 2015.[43] According to UNMAS, the NTSGs cover cluster munition survey and clearance.[44] The new NTSGs are monitored by UNMAS and the NMAA.[45] 

Quality management

A new quality management system was developed in 2014 and, following approval by the NMAA, was being implemented from October 2015. According to UNMAS, the new system involves a more rigid internal policy to be adopted by operators and a new system of monitoring and evaluation to be implemented by the NMAA and UNMAS.[46] As of the end of 2015, UNMAS stated that its quality assurance (QA)/quality control (QC) mechanisms were focused increasingly on “the command and control of implementing partners’ management capacity.”[47] 

Land Release (Mines)

UNMAS reported that 2015 was one of the most productive years for mine clearance in South Sudan since its inception in 2004. In total, 9.54km2 was released back to local communities, including 5.1km2 released through clearance and technical survey, with the destruction of 1,715 antipersonnel mines, 473 antivehicle mines, and 27,395 items of UXO. In addition, 3,008km of roads were opened through route assessment and verification.[48]

In comparison, in 2014, UNMAS reported releasing a total of approximately 9.3km2, including 2.7km2 released through clearance and technical survey, with the destruction of 880 antipersonnel mines, 357 antivehicle mines, and 15,245 items of UXO, and a total of 407km of roads opened.[49]

Survey in 2015 (mines) 

As summarized in the table below, in 2015 a total of 33 suspected mined areas covering just under 4.4km2 were canceled through NTS, and a further 144,905m2 was reduced by technical survey. In addition, 145 areas covering nearly 3.5km2 were confirmed as mined through technical survey, according to UNMAS records.[50] This compares to the cancelation of 55 suspected mined areas covering just over 1km2 in 2014 through NTS and the release of 96,019m2 by technical survey, along with the confirmation of 107 areas comprising nearly 1.6km2.[51] UNMAS reported that the increase in survey output in 2015 was due to more survey teams being deployed and better management.[52]

Antipersonnel mine survey in 2015[53]

Operator

SHAs canceled

Area canceled (m²)

SHAs confirmed as mined

Area confirmed (m²)

Area reduced by TS (m2)

G4S

9

1,750,065

29

717,397

32,445

DML

3

47,103

33

569,326

50,528

MAG

4

1,076,227

23

97,355

61,932

NPA

9

611,764

24

564,855

0

TDI

3

769,145

25

1,205,375

0

UNMAS

5

129,734

0

0

0

DCA

0

0

2

225,853

0

DDG

0

0

5

15,964

0

MECHEM

0

0

4

113,000

0

Total

33

4,384,038

145

3,509,125

144,905

Note: TS = technical survey.

Clearance in 2015 (mines) 

A total of 110 mined areas covering more than 5.1km2 were released by clearance and technical survey in 2015, including nearly 5km2 through clearance and 0.1km2 by technical survey, with the destruction of 1,715 antipersonnel mines and 473 antivehicle mines (see table below).[54] The bulk of the clearance was conducted by two commercial operators—G4S and DML—using mechanical methods.[55]

This is nearly double the output of 2014, when approximately 2.72km2 was released through clearance and technical survey, including 2.62km2 through clearance and nearly 0.1km2 by technical survey, with 880 antipersonnel mines, 357 antivehicle mines, and 15,245 items of UXO destroyed, which UNMAS said was due to better systems in place and improved cooperation between operators in country.[56] MAG reported that a contributing factor to its significant increase in clearance output in 2015 was due to winning one mechanized contract from UNMAS for a MineWolf 330, with operations commencing in October 2014.[57] 

Mine clearance in 2015[58]

Operator

Areas cleared

Area cleared (m²)

AP mines destroyed

AV mines destroyed

DCA

0

0

23

0

DDG[59]

0

0

3

0

G4S

38

1,148,587

356

115

MECHEM

0

0

2

0

MAG

21

504,137

328

14

DML

29

2,534,940

658

195

NPA

2

273,453

187

123

TDI

20

519,893

158

26

Total

110

4,981,010

1,715

473

Note: AP = antipersonnel; AV = antivehicle.

Land Release (Cluster Munition Remnants)

In 2015, just over 1.4km2 of cluster munition-contaminated area was released, almost all by clearance.[60] In 2014, 1.4km2 was similarly released, of which 1.28km2 was released through clearance and 0.12km2 canceled through NTS.[61] 

Survey in 2015 (cluster munition remnants)

The UNMAS database indicates that just over 1.35km2 of land was confirmed as contaminated with cluster munition remnants and 500m2 was canceled by NTS for 2015 (see table below).[62] This is a slight decrease from 2014, when a total of 1.4km2 of land was confirmed cluster munition contaminated and 0.12km2 was canceled by NTS.[63] UNMAS reported that of the 70 areas confirmed by survey to contain cluster munition remnants in 2015, 26 were cleared during the year.[64]

Cluster munition survey in 2015[65]

Operator

Areas canceled

Area canceled (m²)

Areas confirmed

Area confirmed (m²)

UNMAS

1

500

0

0

G4S

0

0

29

428,825

MAG

0

0

6

58,492

SIMAS

0

0

2

101

DML (MTI)

0

0

13

43,009

NPA

0

0

14

275,214

TDI

0

0

6

548,602

Total

1

500

70

1,354,243

 

Clearance in 2015 (cluster munition remnants) 

Just over 1.4km2 of cluster munition-contaminated area was cleared in 2015, with the destruction of more than 1,200 submunitions, as shown in the table below.[66] This is an increase from 2014, when almost 1.28km2 was cleared with 254 submunitions destroyed.[67]

Clearance of cluster munition-contaminated areas in 2015[68]

Operator

Areas cleared

Area cleared (m²)

Submunitions destroyed

APM destroyed

AVM destroyed

UXO destroyed

DDG

3

13,704

0

0

0

3

G4S

14

1,144,459

558

0

1

46

MAG

1

10,545

17

0

0

0

Mechem

1

9,544

58

1

0

2

DML (MTI)[69]

3

0

8

0

0

2

NPA

2

154,186

592

1

0

25

TDI

3

75,655

2

0

0

10

Total

38

1,408,093

1,235

2

1

88

Note: APM = antipersonnel mine; AVM = antivehicle mine.

In addition, in 2015 eight operators (DCA, DDG, G4S, MAG, Mechem, DML, NPA, and TDI) conducted battle area clearance (BAC) of almost 4.5km2 and closed a total of 1,764 spot tasks, destroying nearly 27,400 items of UXO in the process. This is a slight decrease from the 5.57km2 of BAC conducted in 2014.[70]

Deminer safety 

No demining personnel were reported killed or injured as a result of demining accidents in 2015. However, on 12 April 2016, two members of DDG’s EOD team were killed by gunmen when their vehicle was ambushed as they travelled from their base in Yei to the field. The remaining five team members escaped unharmed.[71] The outbreak of violence across the Equatorial states in July 2016 affected many operators, including MAG, which experienced an ambush during evacuation to Nimule, on the Ugandan border, resulting in the death of one deminer and three injured staff, who later recovered after being evacuated to Uganda.[72] 

Progress in 2016

South Sudan continued to make dramatic progress in land release in the first half of 2016. From January to 1 August 2016, some 27km2 of mine and ERW contamination was released, including 16.9km2 through NTS, 2.5km2 through mine clearance and technical survey, and 7.5km2 through BAC, with the destruction of a total of 563 antipersonnel mines, 192 antivehicle mines, and 9,877 items of UXO.[73] 

In January 2016, the NMAA suspended NPA’s operations due to the discovery of a number of missed mines and UXO in an area they had released in 2015. Following an internal investigation and measures taken to improve the program, NPA resumed operations in May 2016.[74]

Mine Ban Treaty Article 5 Compliance

In accordance with Article 5 of the Mine Ban Treaty, South Sudan is required to destroy all antipersonnel mines in mined areas under its jurisdiction or control as soon as possible, but not later than 9 July 2021. South Sudan is not on track to meet this deadline.

Under its existing national mine action strategic plan for 2012–2016, South Sudan expects to have surveyed and recorded all SHAs by the end of 2016 to facilitate development of the next strategic mine action plan and to release 5km2 of CHA per year through technical survey and/or clearance, corresponding to a total of 25km2 for 2012–2016.[75]

UNMAS has highlighted the serious obstacles posed to mine action operations by ongoing fighting and insecurity, lack of access to contaminated areas, and new UXO contamination, along with continuing significant challenges from lack of infrastructure and access to vast areas of the country, and the unpredictable rainy seasons.[76] 

Mine clearance in 2011–2015[77]

Year

Area cleared or reduced (km2)

AP mines destroyed

AV mines destroyed

2015

5.1

1,715

473

2014

2.72

880

357

2013

4.33

845

215

2012

4.20

1,278

156

2011

2.62

3,509

699

Total

18.97

8,227

1,900

Note: AP = antipersonnel; AV = antivehicle.

UNMAS has also reported that from 2004 to end 2015, a total of 11,449 hazards have been addressed, more than 1,148km2 of land has been released, and nearly 26,300km of roads opened, with nearly 30,700 antipersonnel mines, 5,500 antivehicle mines, and 880,000 items of UXO destroyed.[78]

South Sudan’s National Mine Action Strategic Plan budget for 2012–2016 is estimated at US$204 million.[79] According to UNMAS, no national funding or in-kind support was provided by the government of South Sudan for mine action activities in 2015, except for the salaries of NMAA staff.[80] MAG reported that UNMAS’s assistance to the NMAA had been reduced to the provision of vehicles and some fuel.[81] 

In April 2015, the NMAA reported that South Sudan would develop a multi-year clearance plan for 2015–2017, including projections for clearance targets based on levels of remaining contamination, available resources, and the operational and security environment across the country. It stated that the plan would be published in “subsequent Article 7 reports” and that updates would be provided to States Parties.[82] In its Article 7 report for 2015, the NMAA stated that as funding for the national mine action program is directed through UNMAS and NGOs; it could not forecast when clearance might be completed in South Sudan.[83]

UNMAS expected 2016 to be a similarly productive year as 2015.[84] It did not foresee major changes in mine action capacity in South Sudan in 2016, and pledged to continue to support the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS)’s mandate.[85]

Despite the heightened need for an urgent response to new explosive hazard contamination and the impacts of renewed conflict on the civilian population, many operators have expressed concern over decreased funding for mine action in South Sudan in 2015, with donors prioritizing other humanitarian sectors or refusing to fund mine action activities while the conflict is ongoing.[86]


 

The Monitor gratefully acknowledges the contributions of the Mine Action Review supported and published by Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), which conducted mine action research in 2016 and shared it with the Monitor. The Monitor is responsible for the findings presented online and in its print publications. 



[1] Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for 2014), Form J, p. 13; and UNMAS, “IMSMA Monthly Report—December 2014.” UNMAS reported that the actual number of new victims in 2014 was likely higher due to underreporting resulting from lack of access to contaminated areas.

[2] UNMAS, “IMSMA Monthly Report – July 2016.”

[3] UNMAS, “2016 Portfolio of Mine Action Projects: South Sudan,” undated but 2016.

[4] Ibid.; and UNMAS, “UNMAS in South Sudan,” updated May 2016; World Food Programme, “Unprecedented Level of Food Insecurity in South Sudan, UN Agencies Warn,” 29 June 2016; and email from Robert Thompson, Chief of Operations, UNMAS, 21 April 2016.

[5] Email from Robert Thompson, UNMAS, 21 April 2016.

[6] Ibid; and Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for 2015), Form C, p. 2.

[7] Response to questionnaire by Robert Thompson, UNMAS, 30 March 2015.

[8] Email from Robert Thompson, UNMAS, 21 April 2016. UNMAS reported that during resurvey of some of the mined areas previously recorded in a landmine impact survey, 10 recorded hazardous areas were changed to and re-recorded as battle area or UXO spot tasks. Email from Robert Thompson, UNMAS, 14 October 2016.

[9] Email from Robert Thompson, UNMAS, 14 October 2016.

[10] UNMAS, “2016 Portfolio of Mine Action Projects: South Sudan,” undated but 2016.

[11] Ibid.

[12] Ibid; and email from Robert Thompson, UNMAS, 14 October 2016.

[13] Email from Robert Thompson, UNMAS, 21 April 2016.

[14] UNMAS, “About UNMAS in South Sudan,” updated March 2014.

[15] Email from Robert Thompson, UNMAS, 21 April 2016.

[16] South Sudan, “National Mine Action Strategic Plan 2012–2016,” Juba, 2012, pp. 4–6, 9.

[17] Response to questionnaire by Robert Thompson, UNMAS, 30 March 2015.

[18] Email from Robert Thompson, UNMAS, 14 June 2016.

[19] Ibid., 21 April 2016. This is a discrepancy of two SHAs from the total number of SHAs UNMAS reported remaining as of end 2014, following the identification of 70 new cluster munition-contaminated areas and the clearance of a total of 64 SHAs, which UNMAS reported in 2015 (116 compared to 114).

[20] Cluster Munition Monitor, “Country Profile: South Sudan: Cluster Munition Ban Policy,” updated 23 August 2014. See also, UNMAS, “Reported use of Cluster Munitions South Sudan February 2014,” 12 February 2014; and UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), “Conflict in South Sudan: A Human Rights Report,” 8 May 2014, p. 26.

[21] UNMAS, “Reported use of Cluster Munitions South Sudan February 2014,” 12 February 2014. See also, UNMISS, “Conflict in South Sudan: A Human Rights Report,” 8 May 2014, p. 26.

[22] On 7 February 2014, UNMAS UXO survey teams discovered remnants of RBK-250-275 cluster bombs and unexploded AO-1SCh submunitions on the Juba-Bor road, south of Bor in Jonglei state. The RBK-type cluster munitions are air-delivered weapons, dropped by fixed-wing aircraft or helicopters. Both Uganda and the South Sudanese government forces are believed to possess aircraft that can deliver these weapons, whereas opposition forces do not. UNMISS, “Conflict in South Sudan: A Human Rights Report,” 8 May 2014, pp. 26–27; and Cluster Munition Monitor, “Country Profile: South Sudan: Cluster Munition Ban Policy,” updated 16 August 2014.

[23] Statement of South Sudan, Convention on Cluster Munitions Fifth Meeting of States Parties, San José, 3 September 2014.

[25] Ibid.

[26] Emails from Robert Thompson, UNMAS, 21 April 2016; and from Hilde Jørgensen, Desk Officer for Horn of Africa, NPA, 19 May 2016.

[27] Email from Bill Marsden, Regional Director East and Southern Africa, MAG, 12 May 2016.

[28] Government of the Republic of South Sudan, “South Sudan De-Mining Authority,” undated.

[29] South Sudan, “South Sudan National Mine Action Strategic Plan 2012–2016,” Juba, 2012, p. iv.

[30] Response to questionnaire by Robert Thompson, UNMAS, 24 May 2013.

[31] South Sudan, “South Sudan National Mine Action Strategic Plan 2012–2016,” Juba, 2012, p. iii.

[32] Email from Robert Thompson, UNMAS, 21 April 2016; and South Sudan, “South Sudan National Mine Action Strategic Plan 2012–2016,” Juba, 2012, p. iii.

[33] South Sudan, “South Sudan National Mine Action Strategic Plan 2012–2016,” Juba, 2012, p. v.

[34] Email from Robert Thompson, UNMAS, 14 June 2016.

[35] Ibid., 21 April 2016. MTI changed its name to DML on 3 August 2015. Dynasafe, “History of MineTech,” undated.

[36] Emails from Hilde Jørgensen, NPA, 19 May 2016.

[37] Email from Bill Marsden, MAG, 12 May 2016.

[38] Email from William Maina, Mine Action Operations Manager, DDG, 6 May 2016.

[39] Emails from William Maina, DDG, 6 and 19 May 2016.

[40] Email from Leonie Barns, Head of Operations, DCA, 2 August 2016.

[41] Email from Stephen Saffin, Chief Operating Officer, TDI, 30 May 2016.

[42] Email from Robert Thompson, UNMAS, 14 June 2016.

[43] Emails from Hilde Jørgensen, NPA, 19 May 2016; from Bill Marsden, MAG, 12 May 2016; and from William Maina, DDG, 6 May 2016. The updated NTSGs are available here.

[44] Email from Robert Thompson, UNMAS, 21 April 2016; and responses to questionnaires by Robert Thompson, UNMAS, 30 March 2015; and by Augustino Seja, NPA, 11 May 2015.

[45] Email from Hilde Jørgensen, NPA, 19 May 2016.

[46] Email from Robert Thompson, UNMAS, 23 October 2015; and response to questionnaire, 30 March 2015.

[47] Email from Robert Thompson, UNMAS, 21 April 2016.

[48] UNMAS, “IMSMA Monthly Report – December 2015.”

[49] UNMAS, “IMSMA Monthly Report – December 2014”; and UNMAS, “About UNMAS in South Sudan,” updated March 2015.

[50] Ibid.; and email from Robert Thompson, UNMAS, 21 April 2016.

[51] Response to questionnaire by Robert Thompson, UNMAS, 30 March 2015; and emails, 11 May 2015, and 27 October 2015; and UNMAS, “IMSMA Monthly Report – August 2015.”

[52] Email from Robert Thompson, UNMAS, 14 October 2016.

[53] Ibid., 21 April 2016; and Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for 2015), Form C. MAG reported confirming a slightly larger area of antipersonnel mine contamination with a size of 137,586m2. It stated that its community liaison teams did not conduct full NTS activities in Central and Eastern Equatoria as tasking was directed by UNMAS. Canceled land was a result of EOD assessments on large battle areas where teams were able to cancel areas where there was no evidence of contamination. NPA reported different figures for area confirmed through survey of a total of nine SHAs with a size of 259,558m2. Emails from Bill Marsden, MAG, 12 May 2016; and from Hilde Jørgensen, NPA, 19 May 2016.

[54] UNMAS, “IMSMA Monthly Report – December 2015”; email from Robert Thompson, UNMAS, 21 April 2016; and Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for 2015), Form C.

[55] UNMAS, “IMSMA Monthly Report – December 2015”; email from Robert Thompson, UNMAS, 21 April 2016; and Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for 2015), Form C.

[56] Response to questionnaire by Robert Thompson, UNMAS, 30 March 2015; and emails, 27 October 2015, and 14 October 2016.

[57] Email from Bill Marsden, MAG, 21 October 2016.

[58] Emails from Robert Thompson, UNMAS, 21 April 2016; Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for 2015), Form C; and from Bill Marsden, MAG, 12 May 2016. MAG reported clearing 12 areas with a total size of 412,272m2 and destroying a total of 328 antipersonnel mines.

[59] DDG did not conduct minefield clearance in 2015. The antipersonnel mines destroyed were cleared as spot tasks. Email from William Maina, DDG, 19 May 2016.

[60] Ibid., 21 April 2016.

[61] Response to questionnaire by Robert Thompson, UNMAS, 30 March 2015.

[62] Email from Robert Thompson, UNMAS, 21 April 2016.

[63] Response to questionnaire by Robert Thompson, UNMAS, 30 March 2015.

[64] Email from Robert Thompson, UNMAS, 14 June 2016.

[65] Ibid.; from Bill Marsden, MAG, 12 May 2016; from Hilde Jørgensen, NPA, 19 May 2016; and from Damir Paradzik, Operations/QA Manager, DML, 2 June 2016. MAG reported confirming 10 SHAs with a total size of 166,877m2 in 2015. NPA reported confirming three SHAs with a total size of 314,116m2 through survey in 2015. G4S and Mechem did not provide information.

[66] Email from Robert Thompson, UNMAS, 21 April 2016.

[67] Response to questionnaire by Robert Thompson, UNMAS, 30 March 2015.

[68] Emails from Robert Thompson, UNMAS, 21 April 2016; from Bill Marsden, MAG, 12 May 2016; from Hilde Jørgensen, NPA, 19 May 2016; from William Maina, DDG, 19 May 2016; and from Damir Paradzik, DML, 2 June 2016. MAG reported clearing one area of cluster munition contamination with a size of 9,255m2 and the destruction of 64 submunitions and 97 other items of UXO in 2015. NPA reported clearing six areas with a total size of 596,070m2 and destroying 386 submunitions and 15 other items of UXO.

[69] No area is reported as cleared as these were cluster munition remnants destroyed in spot tasks. Email from Robert Thompson, UNMAS, 14 June 2016.

[70] Email from Robert Thompson, UNMAS, 21 April 2016.

[71] Danish Refugee Council, “Two national employees have lost their lives in South Sudan,” 12 April 2016.

[72] Email from Bill Marsden, MAG, 21 October 2016.

[73] UNMAS, “IMSMA Monthly Report – July 2016.”

[74] Emails from Håvard Bach, Chief Technical Advisor, Operational Methods, Department for Humanitarian Disarmament, NPA, 18 October 2016; and from Hilde Jørgensen, NPA, 18 October 2016.

[75] South Sudan, “South Sudan National Mine Action Strategic Plan 2012–2016,” Juba, 2012, pp. 16–18.

[76] UNMAS, “About UNMAS in South Sudan,” updated March 2015; and UNMAS “About UNMAS in South Sudan,” updated May 2016.

[77] UNMAS, “IMSMA Monthly Report – December 2014”; response to questionnaire by Robert Thompson, UNMAS, 30 March 2015; and email, 14 October 2016.

[78] UNMAS, “IMSMA Monthly Report – December 2015.”

[79] South Sudan, “South Sudan National Mine Action Strategic Plan 2012–2016,” Juba, February 2012, p. viii.

[80] Email from Robert Thompson, UNMAS, 21 April 2016.

[81] Email from Bill Marsden, MAG, 12 May 2016.

[82] Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for 2014), Form F.

[83] Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for 2015), Form J.

[84] UNMAS, “2016 Portfolio of Mine Action Projects: South Sudan,” undated but 2016.

[85] Email from Robert Thompson, UNMAS, 21 April 2016.

[86] Responses to questionnaire by Ismael Frioud, MAG, 9 April 2015; by Augustino Seja, NPA, 2 June 2015; and by Rickard Hartmann, DDG, 22 May 2015.