The Japanese Ambassador to South Sudan has confirmed that their new troops, who started arriving in Juba this week, are engineers without a mandate to rescue UN staffer and civilians.

Kia Masahiko said 130 arrived on Monday while others are expected to follow; they will help in constructing roads and other facilities.

On Monday, Japanese media reported that the troops can now rescue U.N. staffers and others under attack in response to an urgent request.

It described them as Ground Self-Defense Force.

Mr Masahiko told Eye Radio that the troops will prioritize their engineering mission.

“They are working on engineering, so they are now really working for the UNMISS facilities. At the moment that is our first priority but they have been working on roads and some other facilities for the benefit of our South Sudanese people. They are doing their engineering work, so if any contingency arises and there is any need, they may be a bit more flexible, but it is not that they are a team of rescue mission, that is not their mission,” Mr Masahiko said.

“They are also making cultural changes with the people in Juba, so we look forward to having such an opportunity of our good cultural and person-to-person, people-to-people exchange between Japanese members and the South Sudanese people,” he added.

Yesterday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also said the new team of Japanese soldiers would not be using force in rescuing civilians.