New Release Signals Policy Shift
The South Sudan People’s Defence Forces have formally released a fresh group of minors, marking a visible step in Juba’s pledge to end child recruitment.
According to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, registration and verification were completed in Yambio before the handover witnessed by civil and military officials.
Military Vows Zero Tolerance
Brigade 16 Commander, Brigadier Akech Maker, told reporters, “No child will again wear this uniform. Any youngster interested in the forces will first finish school.”
His statement aligns with the national Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration programme, which seeks to remove the army from the UN’s “list of shame”.
Healing and Education at Transit Centre
At a UNICEF-supported transit centre, social workers offer counselling, games and tutoring to help the adolescents regain confidence and routine.
Clement Gbatanawo of UNICEF said the team will map each child’s preferred path, “whether formal classes or vocational skills, so no one falls through the cracks.”
UNMISS Oversight and Community Watch
UNMISS child protection officers will conduct monthly follow-ups, checking schools, homes and workplaces to ensure none of the teenagers are re-recruited.
Rita Bampo warned commanders still holding minors to “release them immediately to credible agencies”, stressing that accountability mechanisms remain active.
Scale of the Challenge Ahead
UNICEF estimates roughly 19,000 children are still associated with armed actors nationwide, underlining that the latest liberation, while welcomed, is only one step.
International partners encourage consistent funding for education and livelihoods, noting that economic stability is the strongest defence against re-recruitment.