What Role for Japan in Africa's Security After Withdrawal from South Sudan?
There is still a big gap between the discourse and the reality of what Japan wants - and what it can achieve in Africa.
By the end of May 2017, the bulk of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) acting as part of the United Nations (UN) mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) will be withdrawn from the field. While the authorities argued the contrary, the degradation of the security situation in South Sudan was the primary cause of the retreat. This marks the temporary end of meaningful JSDF participation in any UN Peacekeeping Operation (PKO), and raises doubts about the ability of Japan to play greater proactive peacekeeping role, especially in Africa.
Read the full article in The Diplomat
Author(s)
Céline PAJON
Chercheuse, responsable de la recherche Japon et Indo-Pacifique, Centre Asie de l'Ifri
