Japan to send SDF colonel to senior UN peacekeeping role in South Sudan

Japan Ground Self Defence Force (Credit: hokkaidokudasai)

Japan's government has decided to send a senior Ground Self-Defense Force officer to South Sudan to serve in a leadership role in a United Nations peacekeeping mission.

The decision was made at a Cabinet meeting on Friday. The government will dispatch a GSDF colonel to the post of force chief of staff in the United Nations Mission in the African country.

This will mark the first time that a senior Japanese SDF officer takes on a leadership role in peacekeeping operations. The government apparently intends to boost Japan's presence at the UN.

Since 2011, Japan has dispatched SDF personnel to South Sudan to take part in the UN peacekeeping mission. They have helped maintain security and provided logistical support, including building infrastructure.

The country gained independence from Sudan after a fierce civil war.

Source: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20260417_07/