Chinese Peacekeepers To South Sudan Hold Training Courses On War-Wound Treatment Skills.

Wau, Southern Sudan; March 2026: The medical contingent assigned to the 16th Chinese Peacekeeping Force to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) recently went to the Indian Signal Unit to hold pre-deployment training courses on war-wound treatment skills at the request of UNMISS Sector West . The training was aimed at enhancing the peacekeepers’ capabilities in battlefield first aid and medical evacuation of the wounded, as informed by the Ministry Of Defence, Government Of China.

Indian Army signal units are actively deployed in South Sudan as part of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), assisting with communications, logistics, and humanitarian efforts. These units include personnel from the Force Signal Unit, who have been recognized for their technical support, humanitarian outreach to local communities, and participation in peacekeeping operations since April 2005.

Indian peacekeeping forces in the South Sudan region have demonstrated exemplary traits; Indian troops operate under UNMISS in South Sudan and UNISFA in the Abyei region, with roles including signal units, infantry battalion groups, and engineers. The signal unit is crucial for maintaining communication lines for peacekeeping forces, alongside mentoring local youth, providing humanitarian assistance, and conducting community outreach in areas like Juba.

In 2023, India deployed a platoon of women peacekeepers to the UNISFA mission in Abyei, including officers from the Corps of Signals, those entasked with operating in high-risk zones and have received UN medals for their dedication, despite the complex and dangerous environment.

It was in this region in South Sudan, India have lost 02 soldiers in December 2013 while preventing a carnage. Reports quoting a top United Nations official said  the 43-member Indian peacekeeping reacted with alacrity and prevented what would have been much higher casualties. The peacekeepers were helping members of the Dinka community escape an attack from the rival Lou Neurs tribe at their base in Jonglei state town of Akobo in South Sudan.

“As a mission, we are inspired by the dedication shown by the Indian troops”, Hilde Johnson, the then special representative for the UN secretary-general for South Sudan, had quoted as saying by the official sources of the Sudan Government. “Had it not been for their bravery, the death toll at the (UNMISS base) could have been higher”.

Of the two killed, Dharmesh Sangwan was a silver medallist at the 2006 Doha Asian Games. Ten days short of the 35th birthday, Sangwan had planned to celebrate his birthday with his parents, wife and children, said reports. The other victim Kanwar Pal Singh, 47, was to retire in a couple of months.

The attack, which occurred on December 19, occurred when 2000 rebels of the Lous Neurs tribe came looking for 36 Dinkas who were hiding in the UN compound, under Indian protection. The Dinkas were whisked away by the well-armed Neurs and it is not clear what happened to them. That very attack was the second involving Indian peacekeepers. In April 2013, 05 soldiers died in an ambush at Jonglei.

Indian doctors provide medical care to the local population in missions around the world, including in the South Sudan region. Peacekeepers have also brought the ancient Indian practice of yoga to UN missions. Here, members of the UN mission UNIFIL, observes the International Yoga Day.

Suvro Sanyal; Team Maverick.