South Sudan pledges to end use of child soldiers
South Sudan has promised to stop the use of child soldiers and ensure that no more children are forced into armed groups.
The government made this commitment on February 18, as the country marked the International Day Against the Use of Child Soldiers, also known as Red Hand Day.
Esther Ikere, a senior official at the Ministry of Gender, Child, and Social Welfare, said the government understands the seriousness of the issue and is working hard to protect children.
She said they are taking steps to make sure children are not recruited, that those who were forced to fight are helped, and that the reasons why children end up as soldiers are addressed.
“Children who should be in classrooms, playing, and dreaming of their futures have instead been forced to bear the burdens of war. They have been robbed of their innocence, their education, and their fundamental rights,” she said. “We must acknowledge the immense harm this has caused.”
The country has experienced years of conflict, and many children have been forced to fight. Some were kidnapped, while others joined armed groups because they had no other options. Many have suffered physical and emotional pain, and their childhoods have been stolen from them.
General Ashhab Khamis Fahal, a senior official in South Sudan’s army, said military leaders have been informed that recruiting children is not allowed.
“It is their responsibility to make sure that there is no form of child recruitment among the forces,” he said. “We are committed to making sure children are protected.”
The United Nations also urged South Sudan to focus on education and training for young people so that children are given better opportunities instead of being pulled into war.
Anita Kiki Gbeho, the UN’s deputy representative in South Sudan, said the UN will continue working with the government to stop child recruitment.
“We are all working towards the same objective, to build a future where no child is forced to bear the burden of armed conflict,” she was quoted by local news outlet Anadolu Ajansı.
Allan Kudumoch Agon, a 21-year-old former child soldier, spoke at the event. He shared his painful experience of being taken from his home as a child and forced into war. “At the age of eight, I was forcibly taken away from our house into the bush,” he said. “This was just the beginning of my encounter with adversity.”
Allan said the experience has left deep scars. “Being a child soldier left me with disgust and burdens that may last forever,” he said. “My prayer is that no child should ever have to go through this situation. Let all of us in this program allow children to be children.”
The government, the UN, and other groups are now working together to ensure that no child is forced into war again.
