Japanese troops tasked with new peacekeeping roles arrive in S.Sudan

A new batch of Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force troops arrived in South Sudan's capital Juba to participate in UN peacekeeping activities, tasked with fresh roles in line with the country's new security law.

Some 130 GSDF members arrived in Juba as the first group of a 350-strong unit. Around 60 are in charge of security while another unit is responsible for engineering work. The remaining members are expected to arrive in the country by mid-December, Kyodo News Agency reported on Monday.

The Japanese troops currently in South Sudan are engaged in engineering works to build roads and other infrastructure but the new troops have been given two additional roles in accordance with the nation's new security legislation that has given more leeway in the strictly restricted use of weapons by the Self-Defense Forces.

Source: MENA