![Child soldiers listen to a speech after being released from a group called the Cobra Faction and from the main SPLA/IO rebel faction during a ceremony in Tenet, near Pibor, on October 26, 2016. [Photo by AFP PHOTO/Charles Atiki Lomodong]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/8D2E5557-58CD-4FC0-B646-1873E48C4825-scaled.jpg?quality=89&ssl=1)
“It is with frustration and impatience in my voice I’m asking all armed entities to stop the recruitment and the use of children immediately,” said Andrea Suley, UNICEF South Sudan Representative said in press statement extended to Sudans Post.
Since conflict broke out in South Sudan in December 2013, children were forced to execute and witness atrocities which include killing, maimed, abused mentally and sexually.
More than 3,785 children associated with armed forces and armed groups in the world’s youngest nation were released with support of UNICEF.
Andrea revealed that it is life-threatening and extremely damaging to children and their development, adding that it must end now.
“I’m calling upon the Government of South Sudan to allocate funding for and start implementing the Action Plan against all the Six Grave Violations against Children in Armed Conflict, which was signed last year.” Andrea said.
She said those who can escape or are released have a very limited assistance available.
Providing children who have already been through so much with the care and support they require to rebuild their lives should be an urgent priority, said Suley”.
“That means increased funding for existing programmes, and an ambitious approach to scaling up mental health care more widely,” she added.
