Deployed to the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), Vietnam's Engineering Company Rotation 4 has embodied the courage, professionalism, and ingenuity of the Vietnam People's Army. Beyond transforming a conflict-ridden region, the unit has built bridges of compassion, contributing to a brighter future for Abyei.
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The entrance to the camp of Vietnam's Engineering Company Rotation 4 at Highway Base, UNISFA. |
In the field's harsh realities, the resilience of Vietnam's blue berets shone. Overcoming Abyei's "black cotton soil" to rehabilitate a 37-kilometer strategic road 35 days ahead of schedule, the unit delivered a critical UNISFA infrastructure project and restored a vital lifeline for thousands.
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Construction vehicles race against time toward the worksite to build the strategic road. |
Eighty-five days of conquering black cotton soil
Linking central Abyei with Agok, the 37-kilometer road is vital for regional development and UNISFA operations. Heavy use, harsh weather, black cotton soil, and seasonal rains had left it severely degraded.
This disruption hindered patrols, logistics, humanitarian aid, and local livelihoods. Complete blockage threatened to halt supply chains, isolating local communities.
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Despite furnace-like temperatures inside the vehicle cabins, Vietnam's engineering soldiers remain at work from dawn until dusk. |
Despite furnace-like temperatures inside vehicle cabins, Vietnam's engineering soldiers work from dawn to dusk.
Recognizing the road's strategic importance and trusting the unit's expertise, UNISFA tasked Vietnam's Engineering Company Rotation 4 with its rapid repair.
Upon assignment, the company drafted plans, mobilized personnel and equipment, and launched synchronized operations to accelerate construction.
Abyei presents constant security threats and extreme weather. Dry season temperatures soar near 50°C amidst hot winds and red dust.
Rainy season downpours turn roads into muddy swamps. The notorious black cotton soil traps heavy machinery in deep mud pits and forms severe potholes when dry.
Undeterred, Vietnamese engineering soldiers maintained continuous construction. Giving up rest days and working overtime, convoys rolled out at 6:00 a.m. daily. Operators continually refined earth-moving techniques and track protection methods to navigate thick mud.
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A field meal shared by Vietnamese engineering troops and their international colleagues |
Amidst dust clouds, soldiers ate quick boxed meals under thorny shrubs. Sweat soaked their uniforms under the blazing sun, while food carried the taste of dust and clay.
Inside machinery cabins, engine heat and scorching sun created furnace-like conditions. Through dust-coated windows, Non-Commissioned Major Dang Viet Hung of the Road and Bridge Engineering Platoon remained focused, steering tirelessly across the site.
Security remained a strict priority amid ongoing regional risks. The company coordinated closely with UNISFA, Military Police, and local authorities to monitor security and respond to developments.
Results exceeded expectations. The company completed the 37-kilometer road, 10 to 14 meters wide, in 85 days, 35 days ahead of UNISFA's schedule. This achievement demonstrated the blue berets' unwavering resolve.
Vietnam's Engineering Company earns exceptional praise
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The completed strategic road opens new opportunities for trade, transportation, and sustainable livelihoods for local communities. |
The completed strategic road opens new opportunities for trade, transportation, and sustainable livelihoods for local communities.
Featuring a compacted roadbed, embankments, and drainage systems, the completed Abyei-Agok road has transformed regional transportation.
At the inauguration, Major General Ganesh Kumar Shrestha, Force Commander and Acting Head of UNISFA, praised the unit's performance as "exceptional," commending its technical expertise and innovative construction methods.
Executed in three phases using a rolling approach, the unit raised the roadbed by 50 centimeters using 150,000 cubic meters of soil, then applied a 20-30-centimeter murram surface layer. Each section was stabilized to bear heavy loads and resist erosion.
Maj. Gen. Ganesh Kumar Shrestha noted, "Since the establishment of the mission in 2011, this has been the largest and most significant infrastructure project undertaken for the benefit of the local community. Completing this road is an unprecedented achievement that will strengthen infrastructure connectivity and enhance the overall security environment across the region. The dedication and professional capabilities demonstrated by the Vietnam's Engineering Company Rotation 4 truly deserve the highest recognition."
(to be continued)
Translated by Tran Hoai