South Sudan’s Commitment to Eradicate Child Soldier Recruitment
On February 18, South Sudan pledged to end the use of child soldiers, marked by a commitment from government officials to protect children’s rights. The initiative seeks to prevent recruitment, aid former child soldiers, and address underlying issues. Collaborative efforts with the United Nations are underway to provide better opportunities for youth, ensuring no child is forced into armed conflict again.
On February 18, coinciding with the International Day Against the Use of Child Soldiers, South Sudan pledged to cease the recruitment of child soldiers and to ensure no child is forced into armed conflict. This commitment was articulated by Esther Ikere, a senior official from the Ministry of Gender, Child, and Social Welfare, who emphasized the government’s recognition of the severe implications of child soldiering and the need for protective measures.
Ms. Ikere underscored that the government is taking proactive steps to prevent recruitment, assist former child soldiers, and tackle the underlying reasons that lead children to join armed groups. “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 remarked.
The ongoing conflict in South Sudan has resulted in numerous children being compelled to fight, often through abduction or lack of alternatives. Many of these children endure profound physical and emotional traumas, losing their childhood in the process. General Ashhab Khamis Fahal of the South Sudanese army confirmed that military authorities have been directed to prohibit child recruitment and to diligently protect children from such fates.
The United Nations has also called upon South Sudan to shift its focus toward educational initiatives for the youth, thereby providing better prospects that would deter recruitment into armed conflict. Anita Kiki Gbeho, the UN’s deputy representative in South Sudan, stated, “We are all working toward the same objective, to build a future where no child is forced to bear the burden of armed conflict.”
At the event, former child soldier Allan Kudumoch Agon shared his harrowing experience of being abducted at eight years old and forced to fight. He candidly expressed, “Being a child soldier left me with disgust and burdens that may last forever. 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 collaborative efforts of the South Sudanese government, the United Nations, and other organizations are essential to ensure that no child again faces the horrors of war, reflecting a unified resolve to protect children’s rights and secure their futures.
South Sudan has made a significant commitment to end the recruitment of child soldiers, acknowledging the detrimental effects of conflict on children. By addressing the factors that lead to child soldiering and enhancing protective measures, the government aims to restore childhood to many. Together with the support of the United Nations and advocacy from former child soldiers, efforts are being focused on creating a safer and brighter future for South Sudanese children.
Original Source: globalsouthworld.com
