National Mine Action Center
National Mine Action Center (NMAC) is the governmental agency in charge of Mine Action in Sudan for planning, coordination and supervision of all mine action activities. In addition of coordination and cooperation with United Nations agencies and other Mine Action Organizations in Sudan. Also NMAC serves as the executive arm of the National Mine Action Authority.
Establishment of the National Mine Action Authority
A. National Mine Action Authority (NMAA) was established at the level of the Government of National Unity (GoNU) on 6 December 2005 under Presidential Decree No. (299).
B. Strategic Framework and Policy of Mine Action approved in the year 2006.
C. The Mine Action Law approved by the National Assembly, in the year 2010
Main Pillars of Mine Action
A. Mines and Unexploded Ordnances (UXOs) Clearance: It includes technical survey, mapping, marking and clearance and documentation after the clearance and communicated with the mine action community and handover the land that have been cleared.
B. Mine Risk Education (MRE): is an Educational activities that seek to reduce the risk of injury from landmines and unexploded ordnance, through raising awareness and exerting efforts to promote behavioral change, including public information, publishing, education and awareness, training and outreach for mine action.
C. Victim Assistance (VA): It includes the rehabilitation and reintegration of victims and data inventory.
D. Stockpile Destruction: It includes the destruction of all anti-personnel mines.
E. Advocacy: starts from complete prohibition and the prohibition of anti-personnel mines and to promote adherence to international legal instruments that address landmines and unexploded ordnance and to promote the human rights of people affected by mines.
Duties of National Mine Action Center
A. Coordinates all activities related to mine action.
B. Implements plans and projects authorized by the National Authority.
C. Follows up the implementation of mine actions regulations in conformity with international standards.
D. Determines functions and activities of mine action in accordance with priorities set by the States.
E. Coordination, supervision and implementation of mine action activities with international parties and work as a national counterpart.
G. Licensing of persons, organizations and companies working in Mine Action in Sudan.
H. Receives, inspects and registers the work applications in the field of mine action and ensure adherence to standards specified by the regulations.
I. Recommends to the authorities grants exemptions for devices, equipments and mechanisms used in the field of mine action.
J. Investigation of mine accidents and report to the Secretary-General.
K. Cancellation or suspension of licenses upon the approval of the Secretary-General in accordance to regulations.
l. Develops annual report for the procedures and actions taken through-out the year.
Mine Action Sequence of Events
1997 Signing of the Ottawa Convention on landmines ban, the Convention entered into force in 2004 and ratified by the Government.
2001 The first collaboration between the Government of Sudan and the SPLM for Mine Action (The ceasefire agreement in the Nuba Mountains)
2002 Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Government, Popular Movement and United Nations.
2003 United Nations Mine Action Office began carrying out the clearance operations in high-priority areas.
2005 In January the Comprehensive Peace Agreement was signed and identified the roles of the parties to the agreement and the United Nations in the field of mine action.
2005 In December the National Mine Action Authority was established under Presidential Decree No. (299).
2006 Approval of Voluntary Humanitarian Law.
2006 Approval of Strategic Framework for Mine Action.
2006 Approval of Framework of Mine Action Policy in Sudan.
2006 Signing of East Peace Agreement
2010 Approval of Mine Action Law by Council of Ministers Resolution No. (51) 2010 in the session No. 7, 2010.
2011 Implementation of the transition plan to manage the Mine Action Programme from the United Nations to the National Authority.
2011 Defined the subordination of the National Mine Action Center to the Ministry of Defence by republican Decree No. (27) for the year 2011.
2014 Sudan granted five years to fulfill Ottawa Convention obligations.