South Sudan|News & Updates

Saithan

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With engineers and roadway repair crews, Thai blue helmets help keep South Sudan moving​

Thai engineers serving with UNMISS repair and rehabilitate existing infrastructure such as roads and bridges, among other duties. Pictured here, Lt. Col. Kaisin Sasunee (foreground), the current Commander of the Thai Horizontal Military Engineering Company (HMEC), is on patrol.

UNMISS
Thai engineers serving with UNMISS repair and rehabilitate existing infrastructure such as roads and bridges, among other duties. Pictured here, Lt. Col. Kaisin Sasunee (foreground), the current Commander of the Thai Horizontal Military Engineering Company (HMEC), is on patrol.

18 August 2021
Peace and Security
Blue helmets from Thailand working with the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) are not only doing their bit to repair and rehabilitate critical infrastructure but are also helping support the mission’s COVID-19 response and training local communities about growing their own food.

Since 2018, the Royal Thai Armed Forces has deployed troops serving as the Horizontal Military Engineering Company (HMEC) to support UNMISS.

Nearly 270 Thai peacekeepers are working mainly in two South Sudanese cities, the, capital, Juba, and Rumbek the latter being about 400 km to the north where they help to maintain supply routes, including engineering tasks, with the UNMISS Engineering Section.

For instance, in 2019, Thai engineers serving with UNMISS repaired a section along the frequently travelled Juba-Yei road. Most of the main supply routes in South Sudan are in constant need of repair, and convoys to different parts of the country often suffer delays or damage – making transportation, access and delivery of humanitarian assistance a herculean task.

In an interview, Lt. Col. Kaisin Sasunee, the current Contingent Commander of Thai HMEC, said that while he was very proud of his unit’s work on roadway maintenance and repair, he was equally proud of HMEC’s agricultural demonstration plots at the Yei Checkpoint Juba, part of an effort to teach residents of the three surrounding communities how to grow food and become more self-sufficient.

Lt. Col. Kaisin Sasunee is the current Commander of the Thai Horizontal Military Engineering Company (HMEC), Horizontal Military Engineering Company (HMEC), which works with UNMISS repair and rehabilitate South Sudan’s existing infrastructure. Thai engineers have made an invaluable contribution to the mission’s mandate.

UNMISS
Lt. Col. Kaisin Sasunee is the current Commander of the Thai Horizontal Military Engineering Company (HMEC), Horizontal Military Engineering Company (HMEC), which works with UNMISS repair and rehabilitate South Sudan’s existing infrastructure. Thai engineers have made an invaluable contribution to the mission’s mandate.

He said it was very rewarding to support local communities, to help improve their situations and pass on a little bit of his culture.

“My unit has a warm relationship with locals [in South Sudan], due to the warmth of the Thai people. When we meet someone, we greet them with smiles and raise our hands, which is typical in Thai culture. This has helped the local people welcome us,” the Lt. Col. said.

Q: Why did you decide to join your country’s armed forces?
A: Lt. Col. Kaisin Sasunee:
I am the Contingent Commander of Thai HMEC rotation 2. The reason that I decided to join the Royal Thai Armed Forces is that by joining [these Forces] I can repay my nation … protect the Monarchy and support people, following the Armed Forces motto: ‘for the Nation, Religion, Monarchy and People.’

Q: How did you come to be a UN peacekeeper? Is this your first mission?
A: Lt. Col. Kaisin Sasunee:
UNMISS is my first UN peacekeeping operation. The Royal Thai Armed Forces established the Thai Horizontal Military Engineering Company to support UN Peacekeeping operations. At that time, the Royal Thai Armed Forces called for and recruited personnel to perform various duties with UN peacekeeping operations. I was interested and volunteered. I wanted to gain experience and open my mind even more. My commanders considered my background and abilities, and they chose me to be the contingent commander.

Thai engineers have made an invaluable contribution to the mandate of the UN Mission in South Sudan by increasing access for local communities to healthcare, boosting trade and enabling people from remote locations to forge connections with each other as the world’s youngest nation works towards consolidating a durable peace.

UNMISS
Thai engineers have made an invaluable contribution to the mandate of the UN Mission in South Sudan by increasing access for local communities to healthcare, boosting trade and enabling people from remote locations to forge connections with each other as the world’s youngest nation works towards consolidating a durable peace.

Q: What are some of the challenges your contingent has faced. What has been the impact of COVID-19 on your work and the world of your troops? How have you been adjusting?
A: Lt. Col. Kaisin Sasunee:
My unit has faced challenges such as differences in topography, climate, nationality, religion, language and culture. My unit operates maintenance on the main supply route, which is far away from the Thai HMEC base. Some of the areas of operation are still in conflict areas, and there is the possibility that some of my troops can be harmed. I’m always concerned with the safety of my personnel.

Also, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted my unit’s work, especially in coordinating with other organizations. Still, my troops and I have been able to adjust to the situation. I have told my troops to comply with the Thai Army’s personnel protection measures, as well as the guidelines for COVID-19 prevention, which UNMISS has put in place. I’ve allowed my troops to participate in some activities that can help them relax, such as religious activities, growing plants and playing music and sports.

Q: Have you provided any support to the population or authorities with regard to the response to COVID-19 crisis?
A: Lt. Col. Kaisin Sasunee:
In support of the COVID-19 response, my unit donated medical equipment such as surgical masks and hand sanitizer to Samson Nursery School, Exodus Academy, Lanya Health Care Center and other organizations, to help raise their awareness about prevention.

UNMISS has a base not far from Exodus Academy, a small school in Juba, South Sudan. In past years, peacekeepers have gone beyond their mandate to support the school. Most recently, the mission's engineers from Thailand have helped to build a new classroom.

UNMISS/Gregório Cunha

UNMISS has a base not far from Exodus Academy, a small school in Juba, South Sudan. In past years, peacekeepers have gone beyond their mandate to support the school. Most recently, the mission's engineers from Thailand have helped to build a new classroom.

Q: What has been the most rewarding time at UNMISS for you personally?
A: Lt. Col. Kaisin Sasunee:
Most rewarding for me at this mission have been the times that my unit has had the opportunity to support local communities by donating medical equipment. Another rewarding time was when my Unit was able to highlight King Rama IX’s [Bhumibol Adulyadej, the Thai Monarch who passed away in 2016] ‘sufficiency economy philosophy’ and disseminate it to UNMISS and the South Sudanese people. I want people to be self-reliant. We are very proud of the Agriculture Demonstration Plots Project that we carried out with the Yei Police Station. It’s also rewarding when my troops complete their assigned missions safely.

Q: What are your responsibilities at UNMISS? What is your typical day like?
A: Lt. Col. Kaisin Sasunee:
I am in charge of the command and control of my unit, and I ensure the good conduct of my troops according to our mandate and standard operating procedures (SOP).

Q: Do you have a message for any of your compatriots who might want to join UN Peacekeeping?
A: Lt. Col. Kaisin Sasunee:
The message that I’d like to pass on to my compatriots is that we must work with international organizations. Therefore, you should prepare mentally and physically so you can be ready to face any situation. When you join a mission, the important thing to keep in mind is how you can help support the host country and local people.

I would suggest that my compatriot’s look to King Rama IX’s advice: ‘Understand’ the tradition and culture of the host country, as well as your role in the mission; ‘Reach out’ so that you can have good relations with others; and ‘Develop’ your knowledge so that you can adapt to your mission effectively.

 

Saithan

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‘Turkey agreed to strengthen unification of South Sudanese forces'​

BY AA​

ANKARA POLITICS
AUG 25, 2021 10:28 AM GMT+3
Defense Minister Hulusi Akar (L) together with South Sudan's Minister for Defense and Veterans Affairs Angelina Teny in Istanbul, Turkey, Aug. 17, 2021. (AA Photo)
Defense Minister Hulusi Akar (L) together with South Sudan's Minister for Defense and Veterans Affairs Angelina Teny in Istanbul, Turkey, Aug. 17, 2021. (AA Photo)



South Sudan's defense minister Tuesday said that Turkey has agreed to strengthen and support the unification of forces after years of conflict in South Sudan.
Talking to Anadolu Agency (AA), Minister for Defense and Veterans Affairs Angelina Teny, who came back from Turkey on Sunday after her visit, said her Turkish counterpart had agreed to support them in the training of forces slated for unification.

"We have discussed the possibility of support for South Sudan, which is in the process of implementing chapter 2 of the peace agreement – the unification of forces – and support for the transformation of our army."

Chapter 2 of the 2018 peace accord calls for the training and consolidation of the necessary 83,000 forces into one unified professional army.

She disclosed that the discussions also included the U.N. arms embargo imposed on South Sudan since the conflict began in December 2013.

"We have had a very fruitful discussion that would ensure a good future for South Sudan, a future that would help us transit to proper democracy," said Teny.

She emphasized that the Turkish government has pledged to support the security sector of South Sudan, adding she will visit Turkey again this month (August) to finalize the draft of military cooperation.

"We met with the (Turkish) minister of defense and discussed the possibility of working together. We will have another visit this month to discuss the possibility of cooperation, especially on military industry and production," said Teny.

Turkey's multidimensional foreign policy has led it to seek cooperation and open itself up to previously neglected regions. One of those regions is the African continent, which is close both geographically and in terms of historic relations. Turkey is sharing its own historical experience, its social, political and cultural savings, its resources and means with African governments and people within the principle of "African solutions to African problems" and on the basis of mutual benefit.


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Saithan

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UN condemns looting of South Sudan aid facilities​

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Nichola Mandil
BBC News, Juba

The UN has strongly condemned violence and looting in South Sudan's oil-producing Unity State in the northern part of the country.

An incident in Leer county is said to have led to the injury and death of civilians, destruction of assets and looting of humanitarian commodities.

One humanitarian aid worker from a non-governmental organisation supporting the community with nutrition services was killed during the violence.

“Attacks against civilians, looting of aid intended to support the most vulnerable is unacceptable. This behaviour must stop,” UN's acting Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan, Matthew Hollingworth, said in a press release.

Health and nutrition facilities in Gandor, Guat, Luol and Padeah were reportedly looted.

Mr Hollingworth says more than 3,600 children supported by these facilities will not receive timely access to nutrition services because of the violence.

He said an estimated $80,000 (£60,000) worth of supplies were looted from two facilities in Gandor and Luol, which he said would have provided three months of health and nutrition supplies to some 14,000 people in need in the area.

Since March, there has been an increase in such incidents across South Sudan - with young men attacking and killing a number of aid workers and looting assets.

 

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