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Explosive Ordnance Disposal in Kapoeta, Eastern Equatoria, southern Sudan in 2006. |
MAG is to teach dozens of deminers and Sudanese partner staff Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) techniques at a unique course in Juba.
The course runs from 5 to 30 July and will enable participants to study, train and qualify for an EOD Level 3 Certificate. People from both the north and south of Sudan will be taking part in the course, directly contributing towards building the country’s national capacity to coordinate, implement and monitor mine action activities.
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A controlled demolition in Sudan of hundreds of projectiles cleared from nearby communities. |
MAG Sudan Project Manager, Djadranka Gillesen, said: “We’re delighted to host the first MAG EOD Level 3 Course, and to be part of building a better future for Sudan where national authorities and national non-governmental organisations will be responsible for the coordination and implementation of mine action activities”.
In June 2011, the UN Mine Action Office (UNMAO) will devolve the coordination responsibilities in Sudan to national mine action authorities, some staff members of which are participating in this course.
Among the participants will be members of the military Joint Integrated Demining Units (JIDUs). Set up to promote peace and reconciliation as part of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005, the JIDUs are comprised of soldiers from both the SPLA and the SAF. MAG is currently the only non-governmental organisation in Sudan working with these joint units.
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With an upcoming referendum for potential succession due to take place in 2011, MAG is taking this opportunity to impart knowledge and skills to Sudanese both north and south, thereby ensuring that no matter the outcome of next year’s historic referendum, national capacity will be in place to support mine action initiatives across Sudan.
As well as the Sudanese participants, six MAG technicians already working for the organisation in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, Burundi and Lebanon will travel to Juba to take part in the course.
"I am very excited about this course and thank MAG for this opportunity," said Mandela Moses, a MAG Sudan deminer since 2006. "I hope I learn a lot and will be able to use my new skills to make my home a safer place”.
The work in this article was carried out thanks to funding from AECID (Spanish Agency for International Cooperation for
Development); Bureau of Population Refugees and Migration, US Department of State; Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA); Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Office
of Weapons Removal and Abatement, US Department of State; UK Department for International Development (DFID / UKaid).
1 July 2010
See also:
- More on MAG's programme in Sudan
MAG thanks the following current donors to its Sudan operations: Spanish Agency for International Cooperation for Development (AECID); Actiefonds Mijnen Ruimen (AMR); Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA); UK Department for International Development (DFID) / UKaid; Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Guernsey Overseas Aid Commission; Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration, US Department of State; Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement, US Department of State; UN Mine Action Service
