AFRICA/SOUTH SUDAN - Campaign against the recruitment of children in armed conflict: "Children, not soldiers"!

Thursday, 30 October 2014

Juba (Agenzia Fides) - The government of South Sudan has just launched, with the support of the United Nations, the national campaign "Children, not soldiers" which aims to end and prevent the recruitment and use of children by Government forces in conflict by 2016.
The campaign is launched by the UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict and UNICEF. The UN confirms that the phenomenon continues to be rampant in the Country. It is estimated that 11 000 children are in the armies and armed groups involved in the conflict. "Children should learn to read and write, not to use weapons. Education will make us a better Country", said the Defense Minister of the Country. In June, the Government formally signed the renewal of its commitment with regards to the 2009 Action Plan, which includes 18 provisions that the Sudanese People's Liberation Movement must implement in order to put an end to the presence of children among their military forces. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 30/10/2014)


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