Cambodia Deploys 184 Engineering Peacekeepers to Central African Republic
Cambodia Deploys 184 Engineering Peacekeepers to Central African Republic
PHNOM PENH, Sept. 9, 2026 — Cambodia has deployed 184 engineering personnel, including female soldiers, to the Central African Republic (CAR) for a new rotation of United Nations peacekeeping duties, as the country marks two decades of active participation in UN peacekeeping operations.
The latest contingent, comprising about 30 women, equivalent to roughly 15 per cent of the force, departed Cambodia following health examinations and specialised training to prepare them for their humanitarian and peacekeeping mission under the UN.
The deployment ceremony was held at Techo International Airport on the evening of Sept. 8 under the presidency of Lt. Gen. Sem Ratana, First Deputy Chairman of the National Committee and Acting Director-General of Cambodia’s National Centre for Peacekeeping Forces, Mines and ERW Clearance.
The outgoing unit is Engineering Unit 864, which has been assigned to replace Multiskilled Engineering Battalion 486, whose 184 personnel, including 17 women, have successfully completed their mission in the Central African Republic and returned to Cambodia.
During their deployment, the returning personnel carried out humanitarian activities including mine and unexploded ordnance clearance and infrastructure construction to support local communities.
The Cambodian peacekeeping contribution comes as the country marks 20 years of active participation in UN peacekeeping operations.
According to figures from Cambodia’s National Centre for Peacekeeping Forces, the country has deployed 10,723 personnel, including 1,052 women, to UN missions in 10 countries over the past two decades. The missions have included Sudan, South Sudan, Chad, the Central African Republic, Lebanon, Mali, Syria, Cyprus, Yemen and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Cambodia currently has hundreds of personnel deployed in UN peacekeeping missions. Earlier figures released by the National Centre showed Cambodian troops serving in South Sudan, Lebanon, the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Addressing the newly deployed peacekeepers, Sem Ratana conveyed greetings from Prime Minister Hun Manet and Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Tea Seiha to the personnel and their families.
He urged the Cambodian Blue Helmets to maintain discipline, order and patience, strengthen cooperation with fellow peacekeepers and carry out their duties professionally.
He also called on the contingent to uphold Cambodia’s reputation and prestige on the international stage while contributing to the government’s policy of supporting global peace and stability through UN peacekeeping operations.
The latest rotation also highlights Cambodia’s continuing role in humanitarian mine action and engineering support overseas, building on its experience in addressing explosive remnants of war at home.
Cambodia’s peacekeeping record, however, has come with significant risks. According to the National Centre, 14 Cambodian Blue Helmets have been killed and 19 wounded in the line of duty since 2014, while serving in challenging operational environments.
The new deployment therefore represents both a continuation of Cambodia’s longstanding contribution to UN peacekeeping and another rotation of Cambodian personnel into a demanding humanitarian mission in Africa.
