15 children associated with armed forces and armed groups were released at the SSPDF Giyada base in Juba on Wednesday, a DDR official and UNICEF said.
The boys ranging from 16 to 18 years of age were taken as prisoners of war during clashes between government troops and rebel fighters loyal to Gen. Paul Malong in the area of Raja in August 2019.
The release, which is supported by UNICEF, the UN Mission to South Sudan and the National Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Commission, is happening just over two weeks after an Action Plan to end and prevent all grave violations against children was signed by the government of South Sudan.
“With the establishment of a new unity government in South Sudan and hopefully prolonged peace, we have a golden opportunity to ensure there are no children left in the barracks,” said UNICEF’s Representative in South Sudan Dr Mohamed Ag Ayoya.
UNICEF further said the released children will be taken to an interim care centre where they will receive psychosocial support and their most immediate needs will be addressed.
“The children will be reunified with their immediate family as soon as UNICEF and partners are able to locate them. Where families are not found, foster families are arranged while the search for their family continues,” the UN agency said in a statement.
It added,” Furthermore, the children are enrolled in a three-year-long reintegration programme where a dedicated social worker will guide them through the long and often complicated way back to a civilian life.”
For his part, the National Coordinator of the DDR Commission, Dr. Oluku Andrew Holt confirmed to Radio Tamazuj the release of 15 child soldiers in the presence of humanitarian agencies dealing with child protection in the country.
“Those children were taken as prisoners of war during clashes between forces loyal to Gen. Paul Malong and government forces in Raja. Representatives of UNICEF, UNMISS and ICRC were present during the release of the 15 children at the SSPDF Giyada base,” he said.
He added,” 11 children hail from Northern Bahr el Ghazal, two from Western Bahr el Ghazal, and two boys hail from Warrap State.”
According to Dr. Oluku, the 15 children have been taken to a care centre where they will receive psychosocial support. The DDR official appealed to the South Sudanese government and aid agencies to support the released child soldiers.