South Sudan Reaffirms Commitment to End Child Soldier Recruitment at National Child Protection Conference
By Patricia John
The Government of South Sudan has reaffirmed its commitment to ending the recruitment and use of child soldiers, as senior government officials, the United Nations, and child representatives called for stronger protection of children during the 4th National Child Protection Conference held in Juba on Tuesday.
The conference that held under the Theme βNational Conference on Strengthening Accountability and Prevention of Recruitment and use of Children by Armed Groups βbrought together government institutions, development partners, civil society organizations, and children to assess progress in child protection and renew commitments to safeguarding children’s rights.
Representing the Children’s Parliament, Hon. Nomai Momone Joseph, delivered a powerful message, urging leaders to ensure that children are heard and included in decisions affecting their lives.
“Today we are here because our voices tomatter. The voice to speak for our rights. Today we are here as leaders of tomorrow, as survivors, as people who are changing South Sudan and people who will always call upon this topic of recruitment of child soldiers,” she said.
She noted that children have often been excluded from decisions concerning their welfare.
“For many years now, decisions about children have been made by adults. Children were always considered as people who cannot speak. Adults spoke for us, but not with us,” Nomai said, calling for meaningful participation of children in shaping policies that affect them.
The Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs, General Chol Thon Balok, issued a strong warning against armed groups that continue to recruit children.
“Any armed group that recruits children will be punished,” the minister said.
He emphasized that protecting children is both a legal and moral responsibility.
“The protection of children is not only a legal obligation under international and national laws; it is a moral imperative and a fundamental investment in the future peace, stability and prosperity of our nation. No child should ever experience the horrors of armed conflict. Every child deserves the opportunity to grow up in safety, receive quality education and realize his or her full potential,” he said.
The Undersecretary in the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, Adeng Andrew, reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to strengthening child protection systems and ensuring that children across South Sudan are protected from violence, abuse, exploitation, and recruitment into armed conflict.
Also addressing the conference, the Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator, Ramanathan Balakrishnan, described the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict as one of the gravest violations of children’s rights.
“The recruitment and use of children remain one of the most serious violations of children’s rights. Children belong in schools with their families and communities where they can learn, grow and contribute to the country’s future,” Balakrishnan said.
He added that protecting children goes beyond fulfilling legal obligations.
“Their protection is not only a legal obligation under international law and South Sudan’s national commitments. It is also a prerequisite for sustainable peace, stability and development,” he said.
The conference concluded with renewed calls for stronger collaboration among the government, humanitarian partners, communities, and families to prevent the recruitment and use of children by armed groups and to ensure that every child grows up in a safe and protective environment.
South Sudan has made progress in recent years in reducing grave violations against children. However, government officials and international partners acknowledged that continued enforcement of laws, accountability for perpetrators, and sustained investment in child protection remain essential to ending child recruitment permanently.
