Children’s Rights: R-ARCSS
Implementations
Children’s Rights – 2018
Under the R-ARCSS, the signatories agreed to refrain from recruiting or using child soldiers in their armed forces.
In October, The CTSAMVM reported that it “observed Child Soldiers in the ranks of IO forces” in October in Western Equatoria and Unity states. The SPLM/A-IO claimed that there were no child soldiers in their forces in Western Equatoria and promised to investigate in Unity state.[1]
In November, The CTSAMVM investigated the use of child soldiers by the SPLM/A-IO in Unity state, as well as child soldiers in the SSPDF that local commanders claimed were part of a militia being integrated into the SSPDF. The transitional government rejected the claim that there were child soldiers in the SSPDF.[2] The CTSAMVM reported several instances where it had verified the use of child soldiers in the SPLM/A-IO, which the SPLM/A-IO pledged to investigate.[3]
In December, the CTSAMVM did not report additional observations of child soldiers. The SSPDF claimed that the child soldiers identified in November had been demobilized. The SPLM/A-IO claimed that the child soldiers identified in their ranks in November were orphans. Neither claim was independently verified.[4]
[1] “Progress report no. 2: Status of implementation of the R-ARCSS 2018,” Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission, October 12, 2018.
[2] “Ceasefire Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) fourth meeting,” Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism, November 8, 2018.
[3] “Ceasefire Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) fifth meeting,” Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism, November 28, 2018.
[4] “Ceasefire Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) sixth meeting,” Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism, December 19, 2018.
Children’s Rights – 2019
Sixty-eight child soldiers were released from a militia and began integrated into the SSPDF on January 31st.[1] UNICEF announced that 119 child soldiers were released from the South Sudan National Liberation Movement on February 12.[2] UNICEF announced that rebel groups had released 32 child soldiers on July 24, 2019.[3] However, in September, the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan reported that “boys under the age of 15 years of age continue to be forcibly recruited—including by members of the SPLA/M-IO and other opposition groups in Juba and Western Bahr el Ghazal, as well as by the Government in Greater Bahr el Ghazal. Ironically, the prospect of a peace deal has accelerated the forced recruitment of children, with various groups now seeking to boost their numbers before they move into the cantonment sites.”[4]
[1] “Ceasefire Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) eighth meeting,” Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism, February 5, 2019.
[2] “More than 3,000 children released from armed groups in South Sudan since conflict began, but thousands more continue to be used,” UNICEF, February 12, 2019.
[3] “32 children released from opposition groups in South Sudan,” UNICEF, July 24, 2019.
[4] “Statement of the Chairperson and members of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, at the 42nd Human Rights Council session,” United Nations Human Rights Council, September 16, 2019.
Children’s Rights – 2020
The CTSAMVM received reports of child soldiers. Through the coordination of UNMISS (United Nations Mission in South Sudan), UNICEF, and the National DDR team, 12 child soldiers who were at Lologo Training Center were released.[1]
[1] “Outcome of Ceasefire Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) meeting on June 9,” Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism, July 20, 2020.
Children’s Rights – 2021
There was no report of recruitment of child soldiers in 2021. However, the second quarterly report published by the RJMEC (Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan) notes the abduction of 84 children in Jonglei in May 2021 by Gawar Nuer and the Dinka youths on Gumuruk and Likungole.[1] UNICEF reports most children in South Sudan being denied the right to be a child as they were abused and exploited as soldiers, among other things.[2] Further, UNICEF reports children’s rights as one of the most neglected issues in South Sudan.
[1] On the Status of Implementation of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (1st April to 30th June 2021). Report no. 011/21. Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC). 15 July 2021.
[2] For every child, a childhood. UNICEF https://www.unicef.org/southsudan/for-every-child-a-childhood#:~:text=Children%20highlight%20most%20children%20in,as%20soldier%2C%20for%20sexual%20purposes%E2%80%A6
Children’s Rights – 2022
During the year, reports from the UN Secretary-General and Human Rights Watch suggested numerous violations against children. Reports noted that children were killed, abducted, and subjected to sexual violence by the state and armed groups. In its report, Human Rights Watch claimed that the South Sudanese authorities failed to investigate abuses of children and additional violations by the National Security Service. In September 2022, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, in its review of the initial report of South Sudan, asked for the government forces and armed groups to recommit to protecting children.[1]
[1] “Experts of the Committee on the Rights of the Child Praise South Sudan’s Child Act, Ask about the Recruitment of Children by Government Forces and Armed Groups, and about School Feeding Schemes,” UNCHR. 2 September 2022. https://www.ohchr.org/en/news/2022/09/experts-committee-rights-child-praise-south-sudans-child-act-ask-about-recruitment
Children’s Rights – 2023
According to a UNICEF report, children in South Sudan faced a higher risk of violence, exploitation, and abuse, including conflict-related sexual violence and gender-based violence. The gender and sexual violence against children was also noted in the UN Mission in South Sudan report.[1] Also, it is reported that the UN blacklisted the South Sudan’s Defense Forces for recruiting children.[2]
[1] UNICEF. 2024. Humanitarian Situation Report No. 12 (Reporting Period 1 January to 31 December 2023) https://www.unicef.org/documents/south-sudan-humanitarian-situation-report-end-year-2023. UNMISS. 2024. Brief on Violence Affecting Civilians (October – December 2023). https://unmiss.unmissions.org/press-release-surge-intercommunal-conflict-causing-immense-harm-civilians-south-sudan-according
[2] SSPDF remains on child recruitment blacklist, says DDR. Radio Tamazuj. 13 October 2023. https://radiotamazuj.org/en/news/article/sspdf-remains-on-child-recruitment-blacklist-says-ddr