UN says 145 child soldiers released

The United Nation (UN) children’s agency UNICEF said Wednesday it had negotiated the release of 145 child soldiers from two rebel groups in South Sudan. The children were recruited by the Cobra Faction and the SPLA In Opposition, two armed groups which have been fighting the government. They were freed in the eastern region of […]

The United Nation (UN) children’s agency UNICEF said Wednesday it had negotiated the release of 145 child soldiers from two rebel groups in South Sudan.
The children were recruited by the Cobra Faction and the SPLA In Opposition, two armed groups which have been fighting the government.
They were freed in the eastern region of Pibor and “disarmed and provided with civilian clothes,” Unicef said in a statement. In 2015, armed groups in the same area released a total of 1,775 children.
Unicef said it was the largest release of child fighters since last year but warned that children were still being recruited by various armed groups. Mahimbo Mdoe, Unicef’s representative in South Sudan urged all parties to “end the recruitment and to release children who are currently serving in their ranks”.