Tomomi Inada, Japan’s Minister of Defence, today visited Juba. She met the Japanese engineering contingent of UNMISS, government officials and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) of UNMISS, Ellen Margrethe Loej. Ms. Loej used the opportunity to appeal to Japan to continue its development work in South Sudan.

Ms. Inada was met by plenty of praise for the work performed by the highly-rated Japanese engineering contingent, a group consisting of approximately 350 men and women based in Juba.

“They are very dedicated and very hard-working. I used the opportunity to thank the Minister, and through her Japan, for the contribution to the Mission. We are extremely grateful for the Japanese contingent”, said Ms. Loej in an exclusive interview with Radio Miraya.

The SRSG added that the Japanese engineers are not only engaged in much-needed road-repair work but also do a lot of construction work inside the UN camps in the capital.

Ms. Loej reiterated her hope and appeal for a political solution to the problems in South Sudan and highlighted the importance of the development work undertaken by Japan in the country.

“I appeal to the Minister not to forget South Sudan, and UNMISS. I hope very much that Japan will continue to contribute with an engineering company to the Mission, but I also took the liberty to appeal to the honourable Minister that Japan continues the development work with South Sudan, because the South Sudanese people really need it.”