Western Equatorian school vacated by armed forces and child soldiers released after United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) intervention
Across South Sudan, children continue to be caught in the crossfire of conflict, losing their lives, being maimed, displaced, unable to access school or health care, and forcibly recruited into armed groups.
A high-level visit to Yambio, Western Equatoria State, by the Deputy Special Representative and Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan focused on the need to strengthen protection against serious violations of their rights.
Top of the agenda in discussions with national leaders and other stakeholders was concerns about children being denied access to schools occupied by uniformed personnel.
Anita Chichi, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator of UNMISS, said: “During discussions, we agreed that progress could be made in certain areas, such as some schools occupied by uniformed personnel. .”Gbeho.
“We also agreed to work on better information gathering and sharing and raising awareness of why investing in children is so important so they are not recruited, armed or used in conflict.”
Following the intervention, the governor and security forces ordered the withdrawal of military personnel from local schools. We acted immediately, vacating a school and freeing two children from an armed group.
“We have agreed on certain things, such as soldiers occupying schools. If they are in the state, I have instructed the Minister of Local Government to conduct an assessment, relocate the soldiers and leave the schools vacant so that the children can continue to learn,” Western Equatoria State Governor Alfred Futuyo Karaba said.
Representatives of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces also pledged to take action.
“We have issued instructions to all commanders to ensure the evacuation of all military personnel from schools and other civilian residences within a short period of time,” said Lt. Gen. Ashraf Kamis, assistant defense minister for ethics. South Sudan People’s Defense Forces of direction and pastor.
Despite successful intervention in this issue, the broader security situation in Western Equatoria State remains fragile, with ongoing intercommunal conflict affecting tens of thousands of people. To help prevent further outbreaks of violence, UNMISS seized the opportunity of the high-level visit to hold meetings with key political and security stakeholders.
“We are very sensitive to this and we want to be proactive in protecting our civilians, especially children,” said Maj. Gen. Edward Rizik, acting commander of Region 6 of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement and the opposition.
The head of the UNMISS field office in Yambio welcomed the concrete commitments to conflict prevention and peacebuilding.
“I can see a shared passion among the different stakeholders and commanders, especially when it comes to protecting civilians, and they are committed, indeed, to do their part. They are also committed to the United Nations in Western Equatoria State as well as Humanitarian and development partners provide security and support in our mission to ensure and create a safe environment to deliver humanitarian services to many people in need.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
