By Our Staff Writer

6^th Sept 2010

The Sudanese Government is to end the use of child soldiers by the Sudan People’s Liberation Army [SPLA]. The formation of the child protection unit follows an action plan signed by the SPLA committing to release all children in its ranks by November 2010 and to end the exploitation of children as soldiers across southern Sudan.

The United Nations Children’s Fund has hailed the development as a milestone for children’s rights in a country that only signed the Comprehensive Peace Accord in 2005 to end more than twenty years of the north-south civil war between the SPLA in the south and the ruling National Congress Party in the north.

“The launch is testimony to the commitment of the Government of Southern Sudan and the SPLA to accelerate the establishment of an environment where the rights of all the children are respected”, said UNICEF’s Catherine Mbengue who spoke at the launch in Juba.

She further urged the SPLA to put in place “concrete measures” to ensure that everyone within SPLA understands and respects their obligations.  The child protection unit is charged with ensuring that no children are in the ranks of the SPLA.  It will also work with partners during the verification, registration, and demobilization of children still associated with the SPLA.

UNICEF will provide both financial and technical support to carry out sensitization campaigns and raise awareness with the SPLA officers regarding the legal framework on child rights as well as international and national laws that prohibit recruitment and use of children by armed groups.  END.  If it’s Monday, it’s Uganda Correspondent.  Never miss out again!