Malaysian Police Officers Deploy to Crisis-Hit South Sudan as Violence Displaces Quarter Million
Juba, 1 February 2026
Sixteen Malaysian police officers have departed for South Sudan to join UN peacekeeping efforts, arriving at a critical moment as violence escalates across the war-torn nation. The deployment, led by Deputy Superintendent Chan Yew Hiok, comes as 250,000 civilians have been displaced in early 2026 alone, with recent clashes in Jonglei State forcing 180,000 people from their homes. The Malaysian contingent will serve as individual police officers, mentoring local forces and protecting vulnerable populations, particularly women and children affected by sexual violence.
Timing and Composition of Malaysian Deployment
The sixteen Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) officers departed for South Sudan on 1 February 2026, marking the beginning of a year-long peacekeeping commitment with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) [1][2]. The contingent comprises ten senior officers and six lower-rank personnel, strategically selected to provide comprehensive support to local law enforcement capabilities [1][2][3]. Deputy Superintendent Ahmad Suhaili Abu Bakar serves as the deputy contingent head, supporting Chan’s leadership in what represents a significant investment in regional stability [1][2][3]. The deployment follows Malaysia’s established pattern of international peacekeeping participation, which began with Angola in 1991, continued through Darfur in 2008, and has maintained a presence in South Sudan since 2011 [1][2][3].
Crisis Context and Refugee Implications
The Malaysian officers arrive at a particularly volatile moment in South Sudan’s ongoing crisis, with the Government of South Sudan reporting that 250,000 civilians were displaced in the first few weeks of 2026 alone due to ongoing conflict [4]. Recent violence in Jonglei State has forced an additional 180,000 people from their homes, creating a cascade effect that directly impacts refugee populations considering repatriation from camps in neighbouring Kenya, including Kakuma and Kalobeyei [4]. The escalating violence, characterised by inflammatory rhetoric targeting specific communities and announcements of expanded military operations, significantly undermines the safety conditions necessary for voluntary refugee returns [4]. For South Sudanese refugees weighing the possibility of returning home, these displacement figures represent a stark reminder that security conditions remain precarious, particularly in regions like Jonglei State where recent fighting has caused numerous deaths and injuries [4].
Specialised Focus on Gender-Based Violence
Deputy Superintendent Chan Yew Hiok brings particular expertise in supporting women affected by sexual violence, stating that she has ‘experience in caring for women, especially in sexual cases’ and will use that experience to assist South Sudanese women [1][2][3]. This specialisation proves crucial in a conflict environment where gender-based violence remains a persistent threat to civilian populations, particularly affecting women and children who constitute the majority of displaced persons [1][2][3]. Chan’s participation marks her first overseas peacekeeping mission, and she emphasises her motivation ‘to prove that women can serve the community with pride, especially in helping women and children’ [1][2][3]. Assistant Superintendent Tina Manchu, attached to the Sarawak Contingent Headquarters, reinforces the mission’s humanitarian dimension, explaining that ‘the peace we enjoy in Malaysia is something I believe should be shared with other nations’ [1][2][3].
Strategic Role in Law Enforcement Reform
The Malaysian officers will serve as individual police officers (IPOs) with a mandate extending beyond traditional peacekeeping to include comprehensive institutional reform of South Sudan’s police services [1][2][3]. Datuk Ahmad Dzaffir Mohd Yussof, Bukit Aman Deputy Director of Management (Administration), characterises the deployment as ‘more than just an operational assignment overseas, serving also as a mission of security diplomacy, humanitarian assistance and global security’ [1][2][3]. The officers are specifically tasked with reforming policing institutions, strengthening law enforcement based on human rights principles, and protecting vulnerable groups within South Sudanese society [3]. This institutional reform mission carries particular significance for refugee considerations, as effective, rights-based policing represents a fundamental prerequisite for creating conditions conducive to safe and voluntary repatriation. The deployment reflects the international community’s continued investment in South Sudan’s long-term stability, though the UN Secretary-General’s emphasis that ‘the crisis in South Sudan requires a political and not a military solution’ underscores the complex challenges facing peacekeeping efforts [4].