Bangladesh Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman returned to Dhaka on Friday following the completion of a five-day official tour evaluating United Nations peacekeeping operations in South Sudan (UNMISS) and the Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA).

According to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release, the Army Chief conducted extensive inspections of deployed Bangladeshi contingents, including the Bangladesh Army’s Engineer Company and Infantry Battalion, as well as the Bangladesh Navy’s Force Marine Unit serving under UNMISS.

In Abyei, he reviewed the operational readiness of the Bangladesh Army’s Infantry Battalion attached to UNISFA.

Across both mission areas, General Waker-Uz-Zaman directed personnel to remain at the highest state of alertness while fulfilling their peacekeeping mandates with strict discipline, professionalism, and commitment.

He engaged directly with Bangladeshi staff officers, military observers, and contingent members, receiving detailed briefings on their day-to-day operations and the prevailing security environment.

On the operational level, the Army Chief held separate high-level discussions with UNMISS Force Commander Major General Junhui Wu and UNISFA Force Commander Lieutenant General Ganesh Kumar Shrestha.

Additionally, while in Abyei, he met with the Mission Leadership Team and National Monitors representing both Sudan and South Sudan.

These consultations addressed key aspects of mission performance, evolving regional security dynamics, and ongoing operational challenges.

As part of his diplomatic engagements, General Waker-Uz-Zaman paid courtesy calls on South Sudan's Defence Minister, Chol Thon Balok, and the Chief of Defence Forces, General Santino Deng Wol.

During his visit to the defense headquarters, the South Sudan Defence Forces presented the Bangladeshi Army Chief with a formal guard of honour.

The official visit is expected to significantly bolster troop morale, deepen bilateral and multilateral cooperation between Bangladesh, host nations, and the United Nations, and support efforts to expand Bangladesh's overall contributions to international peace operations.