Highlights:
A reports released by right advocates in South Sudan on Tuesday 15th December 2015 with data received from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has revealed the recruitment of between 15,000 and 16,000 children to fight.
Summary:
A report released by the Human Rights Watch in South Sudan has revealed that during the almost 2-year conflict at least 15,000 children were recruited in the military ranks to fight alongside more seasoned fighters.
The child soldiers were recruited to create a fighting manpower during the most recent conflict. The report further named 15 military commanders from both the government and the rebel force who were responsible for forcing the children to join their ranks.
The report gives detailed and horrifying accounts by the children of how they were captured from their families and thrown into gun battles with very little training and food. The report not only describes the tales of the children but also other refugees who endured the atrocities not only from the armed groups but also from the government forces who attacked indiscriminately.
The government spokesman has assured that the government will not allow impunity and all the people found guilty of war crimes and child abuse will face the full wrath of the law indicating that 1750 children were recently released and reunited with their families.
The war in south Sudan which erupted in December of 2013 left millions displaced and thousands others dead and the government together with the opposition is working very hard to honor a ceasefire and peace deal brokered by the African Union and IGAD.
