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Japanese troops begin pullout from UN mission in S. Sudan

Xinhua, April 17, 2017 Adjust font size:

Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) have started pullout from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), ending a five-year peacekeeping mission in the war-torn African country.

UNMISS Spokesman Daniel Dickinson confirmed to Xinhua on Monday that the first batch of the Japanese troops would leave Juba on Monday and others will follow in shifts.

Tokyo started contributing a contingent of 350 GSDF to the UN mission in 2012 to assist in construction of roads and other infrastructure.

The Japanese government announced the withdrawal of the troops from UNMISS in March, nearly four months after it approved new security roles for the GSDF that would enable them to use guns and rescue colleagues caught up in attacks.

The South Sudanese government said last month that bilateral relations with Japan will remain "unshakable" after Tokyo ended the peacekeeping mission.

The government said it expected Tokyo's continued contribution in nation building in other development projects. Endit