Operation SOPRANO

Operation SOPRANO is the Canadian Armed Forces’ (CAF) engagement in the United Nations (UN) Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS).

How Many People Are Deployed?

Currently, 10 CAF members are deployed on Operation SOPRANO.

What are they doing?

CAF members deployed usually assist with military planning and logistics. They serve as staff officers and military liaison officers at UNMISS Force Headquarters in Juba. They may also serve in other places locations throughout the Republic of South Sudan.

They support the UNMISS mandate to:

  • protect civilians
  • monitor and investigate human rights violations
  • facilitate humanitarian aid 
  • support implementing a cease-hostilities agreement

History and context of the operation

UNMISS was established on July 9, 2011. It was formed under UN Security Council Resolution 1996 (2011).

UNMISS may have up to 17,000 military personnel. At present, the mission includes military personnel and police from 71 nations.

The mission mandate is reviewed on a yearly basis. It is extended as required.

Canadian Armed Forces' relationship with UNMISS

The CAF has been active in the Sudans since June 15, 2004. Twelve groups of CAF members served with the United Nations Advance Mission in Sudan (UNAMIS), which later became United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS). After South Sudan’s independence, the CAF has been supporting UNMISS.

Timeline of key events

  • In 2005, the Government of Sudan and the Sudan’s Liberation Movement/Army signed the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. It ended more than 20 years of civil war.
  • UNMIS kept watch as the two sides carried out the agreement.
  • On July 9, 2011, South Sudan became an independent republic. A referendum was held from January 9 to 15, 2011. During that period, 98.83 percent of voters chose independence.
  • The UN Security Council launched UNMISS in 2011. The Council decided that the events in South Sudan were still a threat to peace and security in the region.

Past Deployments

In 2005, the African Union sent a peacekeeping mission to Darfur, Sudan. The CAF supported this mission through Operation AUGURAL. They lent armored vehicles to three of the African Union groups.

In 2008, the United Nations-African Union Hybrid Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) began. To support it, the CAF implemented Operation SATURN.

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