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Japan extends UN peacekeeping activities in South Sudan

TOKYO, Feb 16 (KUNA) -- The Japanese government decided on Friday to extend the dispatch of four Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) officers to the UN mission's command in South Sudan to take part in UN peacekeeping operations there, the Foreign Ministry said.
The extension, until the end of May, was approved at a Cabinet meeting earlier in the day. The announcement comes after the UN Security Council adopted resolution in December, which extended the mandate of the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMISS) until 15 March, the ministry said in a statement.
South Sudan gained independence in 2011 after a long civil war between the northern and the southern Sudan and the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.
"Japan recognizes that the 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," it said, adding the national dialogue seeking the promotion of national reconciliation is currently being undertaken in the country.
Under the International Peace Cooperation Law, since November 2011, Japan has dispatched GSDF personnel to UNMISS. It withdrew an engineering unit last year, but has continued the deployment of four staff officers at the headquarters of the UN mission to engage in logistics, intelligence, engineer, and air operations. (end) mk.tg