The Japanese government decided on Tuesday to extend the deployment of Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) troops to South Sudan to take part in UN peacekeeping operations there for another six months, the Foreign Ministry said.
The extension, till the end of August, was approved at a Cabinet meeting earlier in the day. The announcement comes after the UN Security Council decided in November to extend the operation of the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) until May 30, the ministry said in a statement.
South Sudan gained independence in July 2011 after the long civil war between the north and the south Sudan and the implementation of the peace agreement. "Three years have passed since its independence, and currently domestic political disorder is a great challenge to the nation-building of South Sudan.
Japan recognizes that peace and stability of South Sudan is important for the peace and stability of Africa, and that the international community needs to work cooperatively on this issue," the ministry said.
Japan has dispatched headquarters staff personnel and GSDF engineering unit to UNMISS since November 2011 and January 2012 respectively. Currently, about 350 troops are deployed in the capital of Juba and its vicinity to carry out the development of the grounds, the restoration of roads and other activities.