The South Sudanese government has reaffirmed its commitment to ending the recruitment and use of child soldiers, vowing to protect vulnerable children and provide them with better opportunities.
Speaking at the commemoration of the International Day Against the Use of Child Soldiers, also known as Red Hand Day, in Juba, Undersecretary for Gender, Child, and Social Welfare Esther Ikere emphasized the government’s dedication to eradicating the practice.
“We are working closely with our partners to prevent further recruitment, support children who have been released, and tackle the root causes of child soldiering,” Ikere stated.
“The use of child soldiers is a dark chapter in our history. Many children have been stripped of their innocence, education, and basic rights. The psychological trauma and lost opportunities they endure cannot be ignored,” she added.
Action and Commitment to End Child Recruitment
General Ashhab Khamis Fahal, Assistant Chief of South Sudan’s Defense Forces, reiterated the government’s commitment to implementing a comprehensive action plan aimed at eliminating child recruitment.
“We have instructed military commanders to ensure no child is recruited into the armed forces. It is their responsibility to enforce this policy at all levels,” Fahal emphasized.
UN Deputy Special Representative and Humanitarian Coordinator Anita Kiki Gbeho called on the government and its partners to invest in education, vocational training, and sustainable livelihoods for children and youth.
“The UN remains committed to supporting the full implementation of the Comprehensive Action Plan to end grave violations against children. We are working towards a future where no child is forced into armed conflict,” Gbeho said.
Voices of Former Child Soldiers
Allan Kudumoch Agon, a 21-year-old former child soldier, shared his harrowing experience of being forcibly recruited at the age of eight after losing his father in the civil war.
“Being a child soldier left me with scars and burdens that may never fade. My hope is that no child will have to endure the same fate,” Agon expressed.
The South Sudanese government has pledged to strengthen child protection measures, ensuring that no child is left behind in the country’s journey toward peace and stability.