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Nearly 1,800 items of UXO were found scattered across this area as it was being prepared for independence ceremonies. |
MAG was asked by the Government of South Sudan to help clear unexploded ordnance from a large area in Juba, to make it safe for the thousands attending the declaration of independence ceremonies on 9 July.
All around the capital city of Juba, there is an unmistakable buzz in the air ahead of the ceremonies and celebrations that will mark the declaration of independence of South Sudan after more than two decades of civil war.
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Slideshow: Making Independence Day safe in South Sudan |
Everywhere one looks, women are sweeping the streets, large banners are being strung up, flowers are being planted, streets are being repaired, lamp posts are being installed, construction is going on and last-minute preparations are being made.
Last week, the South Sudan Demining Authority (SSDA) came to MAG’s operations base in Juba to request assistance.
After an initial assessment at the site where South Sudan will declare and celebrate independence on Saturday, MAG informed SSDA that a full search should be conducted in the area. MAG then received a full tasking order from the UN Mine Action Office after SSDA requested that this area received immediate priority clearance.
A large area measuring approximately 54,000 square metres just opposite the John Garang Memorial – where thousands of dignitaries from around the world and Sudanese will partake in independence ceremonies on 9 July – was discovered to be highly contaminated with UXO left over from the country’s long conflict.
The Government of South Sudan and the Sudanese People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) turned to MAG to urgently help SPLA deminers clear the land and make it safe for the rapidly approaching historic day.
Former weapons stores
MAG immediately called in two Mine Action Teams, MATs 9 and 10, from the field to work with the SPLA teams at the memorial. During the war, the Sudan Armed Forces from Khartoum had built military barracks and weapons stores on the site.
At some point the weapons stores exploded scattering thousands of rockets, mortars, artillery shells, grenades and other munitions around the area.
John Garang Memorial, Juba |
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MAG’s teams began the task by carrying out a visual survey of the area together with a platoon of SPLA deminers.
On 2 July, the honourable Giir Chuang Aluong, Minister of Internal Affairs, several Defence and Police Generals and 20 delegates came to the site to visit MAG and the SPLA conducting clearance.
Minister Aluong thanked MAG for taking on the task and said that MAG’s efforts to clear the area were essential, so that the preparations for Independence Day could continue and be completed on time.
He requested that MAG continue work and specifically asked MAG to assist with sub-surface Battle Area Clearance in two areas indicated by a SPLA engineering officer to be particularly contaminated and dangerous.
Risk Education for the local community
While MAG’s Mine Action Teams and SPLA demining teams worked side-by-side, conducting Quality Assessment on each other’s work, MAG sent three Community Liaison teams to conduct Mine Risk Education sessions in an adjacent area where people were living and which was also found to be highly contaminated.
By midday on 5 July, MAG had completed the task and cleared away nearly 1,800 items (including small arms ammunition) to be destroyed in safe controlled demolitions outside Juba.
As the teams pulled away in their vehicles, on their way to the demolition site, military marching bands and traditional singers and dancers could be heard rehearsing and parading up and down in front of the John Garang Memorial in Juba.
The work carried out by MAG near the John Garang Memorial was thanks to funding from: Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement, US Department of State; Spanish Government - AECID; UKaid (UK Department for International Development / DFID).
MAG in Sudan
MAG has been working in South Sudan since 1998 and removing landmines, UXO and Small Arms and Light Weapons since the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005.
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• Report and photos by J.B. Russell |
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7 July 2011
See also:
Why does MAG work in South Sudan?
More news and case studies from South Sudan
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