The initiative follows the official handover of the State Technical Committee’s Work Plan for implementing the Comprehensive Action Plan (CAP 2020), a framework agreed between the Government of South Sudan and the United Nations to end grave violations against children in conflict settings.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Governor Rimbasa said the plan marks a decisive step toward protecting children across the state, particularly those exposed to the effects of armed conflict.
“The state government has the political will to support all efforts aimed at protecting children, especially those affected by conflict,” he said.
Rimbasa warned that practices such as FGM and early or forced marriage continue to endanger children, contributing to what he described as “children giving birth to children.” He called for stronger community engagement to challenge harmful traditions and protect vulnerable groups.
As part of the new measures, the governor announced plans to establish a Child Protection Desk within his office to improve coordination with humanitarian and child protection partners.
He also pointed to progress already made, noting that there are currently no confirmed cases of child recruitment into armed groups in Western Equatoria. He welcomed South Sudan’s removal from the United Nations list of countries associated with child recruitment, describing it as an encouraging sign of national progress.
United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) officials said the new work plan provides a structured approach to consolidating these gains while addressing remaining gaps.
Rita Bampo, a Child Protection Officer with UNMISS, said the plan outlines key interventions including community awareness campaigns, capacity building for security forces, and strengthening child protection systems at the state level.
“This is an important step in strengthening efforts to end grave violations against children,” she said, adding that UNMISS will continue to provide technical and logistical support for implementation.
Hellen Erminio Abiambu, Acting Director for Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) and Chair of the State Technical Committee, said the committee will focus on identifying children associated with armed groups, facilitating their release, and supporting their reintegration into communities.
She added that the committee will also coordinate monitoring and reporting of violations across the state to ensure timely response and accountability.
The plan has also received backing from former opposition elements now integrated into government structures. Edward Razig Joseph, a former SPLM-IO commander who defected in 2025 with more than 1,200 fighters to the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), said the governor’s approval signals strong political commitment.
“We met the Governor and submitted the document, and he has approved us to handle all violations affecting children in Western Equatoria State,” he said.
Despite the renewed efforts, challenges remain. Children in parts of Western Equatoria—including Yambio, Tambura, and Mundri counties—continue to face serious risks such as killing, maiming, abduction, sexual violence, and recruitment by armed groups.
The Comprehensive Action Plan (CAP 2020), signed in February 2020, targets six grave violations against children in armed conflict and serves as a key framework for both national and state-level interventions.
The State Technical Committee, supported by UNMISS and UNICEF, plays a central role in coordinating child protection efforts, monitoring violations, and supporting implementation of the plan. Recent capacity gaps have prompted refresher training for committee members to strengthen monitoring, reporting, and coordination.
