Over 70 Cambodian Peacekeepers Return Home from South Sudan


A total 73 Cambodian blue helmet troops (34 women) of the Military Police Unit 739 arrived home last night, after successfully completing their one-year mission under the UN umbrella in the Republic of South Sudan.

H.E. Gen. Sem Sovanny, Director General of the National Centre for Peacekeeping Forces, Mines and ERW Clearance (NPMEC), presided over the homecoming ceremony at Phnom Penh International Airport.

On the occasion, H.E. Gen. Sem Sovanny extended a warm welcome home to the blue helmet troops and spoke highly of their tireless efforts in fulfilling their UN mission.

Last week, before returning home, the Cambodian peacekeepers were awarded with UN medals by Lt. Gen. Mohan Subramanian, Force Commander of the United Nations Mission in South Soudan (UNMISS) for their outstanding contributions to peace in South Soudan.

Since 2006, Cambodia has deployed 8,475 peacekeepers for 11 missions in nine countries: Sudan, South Sudan, Chad, the Central African Republic, Cyprus, Lebanon, Mali, Syria, and Yemen.

Currently, some 800 Cambodian peacekeepers have been fulfilling their missions in South Sudan, Lebanon, Central African Republic, and Mali.