Editorial: Success of Japan’s South Sudan mission proof of international outreach policy

July 17 , 2021

July 9, 2021 marks the tenth anniversary of South Sudan’s independence following what was described as the longest civil war in human history. Japan has been a major contributor to the recovering new country—recognized as the most recent sovereign state as of 2021—yet Japan must do more. Assistance is urgent as many South Sudanese still struggle with dire poverty and food shortages.

Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) troops were deployed in January 2012 under the aegis of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) to keep the peace between the competing forces of Salva Kiir Mayardit and Riek Machar, whose conflict was intensifying. While the Japanese contingent was withdrawn in May 2017, a number of soldiers remain in-country to this day to provide logistical support and intelligence analyses in noncombat areas.

Despite the barrage of criticism against the GSDF deployment by opposition parties in Japan at the time, organizations such as the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) has praised the move as Japanese troops helped to detect and remove landmines and other explosive devices. The GSDF also worked to build and repair general infrastructure like roads in the process of removing the mines, clearing an estimated 210 kilometers of a major thoroughfare.

Indeed, UNMAS even produced a special video thanking Japan for its assistance and then-UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Alain Le Roy offering his gratitude as well.

While Japan’s humanitarian relief mission in South Sudan is a work in progress, it is clear proof that our nation’s commitment to cooperative UN peace activities is both vital and appreciated by many beyond our borders.