Army chief returns home after five-day UN peacekeeping mission visit

Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman returned home on Friday (August 14) after completing a five-day official visit to South Sudan and Abyei, where he inspected United Nations peacekeeping missions and met Bangladeshi peacekeepers deployed there.

During the visit, the army chief toured the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), and exchanged views with Bangladeshi peacekeepers serving in the missions. He urged them to maintain the highest standards of professionalism, discipline and vigilance while carrying out their duties.

General Waker visited a Bangladesh Army engineering company and infantry battalion, as well as a Bangladesh Navy Force Marine Unit deployed in South Sudan. In Abyei, he inspected a Bangladeshi infantry battalion. He also received briefings from staff officers, military observers and contingent members on the missions’ overall security situation and operational challenges.

The army chief separately met UNMISS Force Commander Major General Junhwi Woo and UNISFA Force Commander Lieutenant General Ganesh Kumar Shrestha. Their discussions focused on peacekeeping operations, security conditions and emerging operational challenges.

As part of the visit, General Waker also held courtesy meetings with South Sudan’s Defence Minister Chol Thon Balok and Chief of Defence Forces General Santino Deng Wol. He was accorded a guard of honour by the South Sudanese defence forces.

The visit underscored Bangladesh’s continued commitment to UN peacekeeping operations and the country’s longstanding contribution to international peace and security.