The UN said on Wednesday that armed groups in South Sudan have released more than 200 child soldiers as part of an agreement that will see almost 1,000 children released over the next few months.
UNICEF said the children were disarmed in a ceremony in a village in the state of Western Equatoria.
The UN agency said they will be given counselling and vocational training as part of the reintegration programme into civilian life.
“No child should ever have to pick up a weapon and fight,” said Mahimbo Mdoe, UNICEF’s representative in South Sudan.
The child soldiers were released by two armed groups: the South Sudan National Liberation Movement and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition.
It was the second such release, after more than 300 children were released in February.
South Sudan, founded in 2011, is the world’s youngest country.
In 2013, a split between President Salva Kiir and his former deputy Riek Machar triggered a civil war that has led to tens of thousands of deaths and the displacement of 2.5 million people.
Several peace agreements have been signed, none of them have held.
According to UNICEF, there are still 19,000 child soldiers in South Sudan.
THE ROTTEN FISH: CAN OF WORMS OPENED OF APC & TINUBU'S GOVERNMENT OVER NIGERIA'S ECONOMIC DOWNTURN
WATCH THE CRITICAL ANALYSIS AND KNOW THE RESPONSIBLE PARTIES TO BLAME FOR NIGERIA'S ECONOMIC CHALLENGES, WHILE CITIZENS ENDURE SEVERE HARDSHIPS.Watch this episode of ISSUES IN THE NEWS on 9News Nigeria featuring Peter Obi's Special Adviser, Dr Katch Ononuju, 9News Nigeria Publisher, Obinna Ejianya and Tinubu Support Group Leader, McHezekiah Eherechi
The economic crisis and hardship in Nigeria are parts of the discussion.
Watch, leave your comments, and share to create more awareness on this issue.
#9NewsNigeria #Nigeria #issuesInTheNews #politics #tinubu THE ROTTEN FISH: CAN OF WORMS OPENED ...
DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE AND LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS FOR SUBSEQUENT UPDATES
#9newsnigeria #economia #economy #nigeria #government @9newsng
www.9newsng.com