New Peacekeeping Ambitions Take Shape
South Sudan has opened a fresh chapter by selecting a 1,057-strong unit for anticipated UN operations, signalling Juba’s drive to project professionalism beyond its borders.
Defence officials underline that the move fits the government’s post-conflict roadmap and could generate valuable remittances for soldiers’ families.
Historic Female Presence in SSPDF Cohort
At Wun-Aliet Training Centre, northwest of Juba, more than 1,000 South Sudan People’s Defence Forces volunteers began induction this week, confirmed spokesperson Major General Lul Ruai Koang.
Eighty women passed the selective intake, marking one of the largest female contingents in the army’s peacekeeping history, a milestone applauded by regional observers and gender advocates.
Rigorous Two-Phase Training Timeline
Phase one, led by SSPDF instructors, will last three to six months and focus on core soldiering, military law and ethical conduct under the 2009 Defence Act.
Intelligence and police officers embedded in the battalions will monitor discipline, ensuring recruits grasp the code of conduct before advancing to international modules.
UNMISS Standards and Regional Implications
United Nations Mission in South Sudan trainers will then introduce peacekeeping doctrine, crowd management and rights-based engagement, aligning the cohort with the stringent benchmarks applied from Mali to Lebanon.
Observers note that the program complements wider Central African efforts, including Republic of the Congo’s longstanding police contributions to MONUSCO, highlighting a shared commitment to continental stability.
Next Steps Toward Global Deployment
Upon certification by UN headquarters, the newly minted peacekeepers could reinforce missions in hotspots awaiting fresh rotations, from Abyei to the Sahel.
General Lul insists the timetable remains realistic, adding, “Our troops will be field-ready, disciplined and representative of South Sudan’s diversity, especially the women breaking new ground.”