The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has commended the Government of South Sudan’s commitment to ending child recruitment and addressing grave violations against minors by armed groups.
Speaking at a function to commemorate Red Hand Day, also known as the International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers, which is observed on 12 February annually, Anita Kiki Gbeho, the Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and Resident Humanitarian Coordinator, commended the for facilitating the release of child soldiers from armed groups.
“The collective efforts of national and state government actors in addressing grave violations against children are to be commended, particularly recruitment and use of children,” she said. “Two examples include the SSPDF commander who refused to admit a child brought to his barracks for training and enrollment, and a county commissioner and church leader, who on separate occasions facilitated the release of children on the way to training centers. Your efforts led to the release of 63 children, 55 boys and eight girls, by armed forces and groups. This is a powerful reminder of what we can achieve together.”
Kiki added: “I would also like to reaffirm, on behalf of the UN, our unwavering commitment and support towards the full implementation of the comprehensive action plan to end and prevent the six grave violations of children’s rights.”
For his part, Lt. Gen. Ashhab Khamis Fahal, Assistant Chief of Defense for Moral Orientation and Chaplaincy reassured the SSPDF’s commitment to protect children against violations and ensure that they are not recruited to serve as child soldiers.
“I want to assure all of you here that the Government of South Sudan is committed to the protection of children. That is why the government signed the comprehensive action plan and keeps renewing it to ensure that with time, there are no violations against children,” he said. “As SSPDF, we are committed to the implementation of the comprehensive action plan, and we have done our part by disseminating the information to the lower level, especially the commanders in charge of the forces, and it is their responsibility to make sure that there is no form of child recruitment.”
Meanwhile, the Undersecretary in the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, Esther Ikere, said her ministry and partners are collaborating to support former child soldiers.
“We recognize the gravity of this issue, and we are deeply committed to ending the recruitment and the use of child soldiers,” she stated. “We are working diligently with our partners to ensure that children are no longer recruited, that those who have been released are supported, and that the root causes of child recruitment are addressed.”
Allen Kudumoch, a former child soldier, recounted his journey as a combatant at the age of 8 and urged the government to support those who have been reintegrated into their communities.
“Children must not be betrayed and recruited as soldiers,” he said. “Children should not be allowed to be soldiers, and I beg our government to support them because so many children are suffering.”
According to a United Nations Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF) report, more than 3,000 children have been released by armed groups in South Sudan.