South Sudan to demob child soldiers

Last Updated on Wednesday, 01 September 2010 11:43 Wednesday, 01 September 2010 11:38

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The Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) in Southern Sudan has pledged to demobilise all child soldiers by the end of the year, and has established a child protection unit to fulfil the pledge.

SPLA chief of staff James Hoth said the force could not recruit child soldiers because it was not at war. He said: "We are fighting for our children so that they can enjoy their freedom in their own country, and our future lies with the children." Lise Grande, the UN's humanitarian co-ordinator, welcomed the SPLA's move and acknowledged "the impressive steps forward that the SPLA have taken".

But she added: "Taking a liberation army and transforming it into a professional army is a long road to walk." The UN children's agency estimates that the SPLA, thought to have already discharged more than 20,000 children, still includes about 900 in its ranks.

South Sudan, which fought a long civil war against the north, is to hold an independence referendum in January.