H.E. Mr. N. Ankhbayar, Permanent Representative of Mongolia to the United Nations, accompanied by Brigadier General G.Bolor, Military Adviser of the Permanent Mission of Mongolia to the UN,  conducted an official visit to the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) from December 3 to 7, 2024. The visit focused on engaging with Mongolian peacekeepers, assessing their operational performance, and gaining firsthand insights into the conditions on the ground and the mission’s operational environment in the Republic of South Sudan.

As part of the mission, they held meetings in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, with key UNMISS leadership, including the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Nicholas Haysom, and the Force Commander, Lt. Gen. Mohan Subramanian, along with other senior officials. Additionally, in Bentiu, Unity State, the delegation conducted several meetings with the Mongolian Armed Forces XIV Motorized Rifle Battalion, currently deployed on duty in the region.

The Armed Forces of Mongolia have been actively participating in UN peacekeeping operations for over 20 years. Notably, Mongolia’s contribution to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has been its longest continuous deployment, spanning 14 years. This enduring commitment underscores Mongolia’s dedication to global peace and security. Permanent Representative N. Ankhbayar explored opportunities to enhance and upgrade the living conditions provided by the United Nations for the battalion. Discussions also focused on how Mongolian peacekeepers can contribute to improving the living environment of personnel in other roles and on ways to support them in effectively fulfilling their protection mandates.

As of today, in addition to the battalion, approximately 20 Mongolian defense officers, one police officer, and one civilian woman are actively serving in the UNMISS peacekeeping operations. In the future, they presented their recommendations regarding the potential and importance of increasing the number of Mongolian officers and deploying them at the operational management team level.

During these meetings, the leadership of the UNMISS peacekeeping operations expressed high regard for the Mongolian military contingent’s role in the mission. They commended the team’s professionalism, training, and sense of responsibility, as well as the exemplary performance of Mongolian staff and observer officers serving in independent capacities.

Colonel D. Erdenebileg, the commander of the battalion, provided a comprehensive briefing on the responsibilities of the Motorized Rifle Battalion in Unity State. He detailed the conditions at the IDP camp under their protection in Bentiu, as well as the battalion’s water patrol operations in the floodwater surrounding the base, located 14.5 km from the “Khubilai” base. Additionally, he reviewed the activities at the Zelme base and held a meeting with all military personnel.

This marks the first time in the 14 years since Mongolia began deploying its military contingent to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) that the Permanent Representative of Mongolia to the United Nations and the Military Adviser of the Permanent Mission of Mongolia to the UN have conducted such an in-depth working visit.

This visit underscored the Mongolian government’s strong commitment to supporting peacekeepers in UNMISS operations. It highlighted efforts to create an environment that enables peacekeepers to effectively carry out their duties while also honoring the military personnel currently serving in the mission.