UNICEF cites progress on child soldiers

The Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) has pledged to end the recruitment of soldiers under the age of 18, and to demobilise its remaining child soldiers. The pledge followed a three-day workshop in Rumbek, southern Sudan, last week. “The movement’s humanitarian wing, the SRRA [Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Association], committed to intensify efforts to register, reunify and reintegrate all demobilised child soldiers,” UNICEF stated in a press release on Friday. It added that NGOs and UNICEF itself had agreed to increase funding for demobilisation, rehabilitation, services designed to promote reintegration and the prevention of recruitment. “Former child soldiers vowed not to rejoin the military, but remain school children and stick to education and play,” it said. “Parents said they would seek to support teachers’ salaries and improve food security. Teachers will focus on increasing school attendance and accommodating vulnerable children in school. Traditional chiefs pledged to follow up on demobilised child soldiers and to help rebuild community infrastructure. Spiritual leaders will include the issue of child recruitment in prayers and religious teachings,” it added.