The Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting mine action efforts in South Sudan. It hosted a high-level delegation from the National Mine Action Agency of South Sudan (NMAA South Sudan) on a working visit aimed at strengthening technical capacity and institutional cooperation.
The delegation, led by NMAA South Sudan director-general Mike Rashid Fulla Obaldo, met with CMAC director-general Heng Ratana at CMAC headquarters in Phnom Penh on Monday, marking the start of the January 19 to 24 visit.
According to Ratana, the visit reflects Cambodia’s continued role in sharing its globally recognised experience in humanitarian mine action with countries still grappling with landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO).
“During this visit, the delegation studied Cambodia’s mine action sector, particularly CMAC’s mine and UXO clearance operations, as well as the experience, knowledge and efficiency of our successful operations,” Ratana said, via social media.
He added that Cambodia’s achievements are rooted in strong national ownership and partnerships in addressing the UXO legacy.
Ratana also briefed the South Sudanese delegation on the leadership of government of Cambodia, led by Prime Minister Hun Manet, noting that the government has consistently encouraged and supported CMAC to provide training and share expertise with UXO-affected countries worldwide.
Obaldo expressed appreciation for Cambodia’s support and for CMAC’s willingness to transfer knowledge to countries facing similar post-conflict challenges.
“He highly appreciated the success and efforts of CMAC in destroying mines and UXO to save lives and provide safe ground for economic development,” Ratana said, quoting his South Sudanese counterpart.
Obaldo described CMAC as “a leading national institution in the world”, noting that many countries have come to Cambodia to learn from its experience, technical expertise and training programmes in mine action.
He said South Sudan still faces numerous priority challenges in mine clearance and requires stronger institutional and operational capacity.
“That is why the delegation visited Cambodia — to obtain inputs to strengthen mine action in South Sudan,” Obaldo explained.
He expressed hope that CMAC would continue sharing its successful experience in humanitarian demining and in promoting public participation in mine and UXO risk reduction.
The visit is supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), underscoring Japan’s ongoing role in facilitating international cooperation in mine action.
During their stay, the delegation is scheduled to visit the Kampong Chhnang Provincial Mine Action Technical Institute, the CMAC Morodok Techo Development Center and Central Workshop in Battambang province, mine clearance sites and the Techo Peace Museum in Siem Reap province, as well as an underwater UXO clearance site.
Cambodia is one of the world’s most experienced countries in humanitarian demining after decades of conflict left vast areas contaminated by landmines and UXO.
In recent years, CMAC has increasingly positioned itself as a regional and global partner, exporting expertise to support post-conflict recovery and sustainable development abroad.
