Jackson Gaaniko
The Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare in Western Equatoria State has called on all military barracks to strictly prevent the recruitment and use of children by armed forces.
This followed the release of five children previously associated with the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) in Yambio.
The appeal was made by Tandu Philip, Inspector of Child Welfare and State Focal Person at the Ministry of Gender and Social Welfare, after the children were formally released and handed over for rehabilitation and reintegration.
Speaking after the exercise, Tandu said the State Child Protection Technical Committee (STC) conducted a monitoring visit to SSPDF barracks in Yambio, where child protection officers within the military confirmed that the five children had been identified and released in accordance with national and international child protection commitments.
“The children were immediately handed over to the Ministry of Gender and the DDR Commission for rehabilitation and reintegration support,” he said.
According to Tandu, the children are currently undergoing psychosocial counseling and assessment under the ministry before being enrolled in vocational training programs at Chindoka.
He explained that released children are normally placed under psychosocial care for several weeks to help child protection officers understand their backgrounds, assess the circumstances that led to their association with armed forces, and provide counseling before reunification and reintegration.
Tandu noted that Child Protection Units have been established in SSPDF barracks across South Sudan as part of efforts to prevent the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict.
“These units are required to report any suspected cases involving children to the Ministry of Gender, the DDR Commission, and partners such as UNICEF for appropriate action,” he said.
He further emphasised the need for stronger cooperation among government institutions, security forces, humanitarian agencies, and community leaders under the State Child Protection Technical Committee framework to fully implement the Comprehensive Action Plan on ending the six grave violations against children.
Meanwhile, Oluku Andrew Holt, National Coordinator for Child DDR/CAAFAG at the National DDR Commission, confirmed that five children previously associated with SPLA-IO forces, which later integrated into the SSPDF, were formally handed over in Yambio on May 30, 2026.
He said the release followed a verification exercise conducted by the State Child Protection Technical Committee with support from representatives from Juba and the United Nations Country Task Force on Monitoring and Reporting, including UNMISS and UNICEF.
According to Oluku, SSPDF personnel were sensitised on child protection standards during the exercise, while the identified children underwent verification before their release.
“The children received reintegration kits from UNICEF and will continue to benefit from psychosocial support and follow-up assistance from child protection partners,” he said.
Oluku added that one individual among those identified is believed to have reached the age of 18 and will undergo further age-verification procedures.
He said the release demonstrates the continued commitment of the government of South Sudan and its partners to implement the Comprehensive Action Plan and eliminate grave violations against children in situations of armed conflict.
“No child should be recruited or used in military activities,” Oluku stressed.
South Sudan has made commitments under national and international frameworks to end the recruitment and use of children by armed forces and armed groups, with government institutions and humanitarian partners continuing efforts to identify, release, rehabilitate, and reintegrate affected children into their communities.