The last Japanese peacekeepers with a United Nations mission have pulled out of South Sudan on Thursday evening. The team was Japan's first with an expanded mandate to use force if necessary to protect civilians and UN staff.

In March 2017, Japan decided to end its peacekeeping mission in war-torn South Sudan. The 350-member Japanese team had arrived in November last year and focused on road construction.

The last group boarded a plane to Nairobi where it will continue the journey to Japan. The troops were seen off by Japan’s Ambassador to South Sudan Kiya Masahiko.

The departure of the Japanese peacekeepers is also seen as a setback for international support of South Sudan government.

UNMISS chief David Shearer said in statement recently that Japan has become known for hosting excellent cultural events for many years, constructing and maintaining main roads in and around Juba.

”you also played an important role during periods when the security situation deteriorated in Juba -
in December 2013 and July 2016 - by setting up latrines and providing those who were displaced with food and water,” he said.