The day is officially celebrated on February 12 of every year to raise awareness on campaigns against the recruitment of children into armed conflict

By Ajah Jennifer

The national Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare yesterday commemorated the ‘Red Hand Day’, an event marked under the theme “No recruitment of children as soldiers.”

The day is officially celebrated on February 12 of every year to raise awareness on campaigns against the recruitment of children into armed conflict and discourage leaders from using children in conflict.

Speaking at the event, a former child soldier, 21-year-old Allan Kudumuoch from the Pibor administrative area narrated how he ended up in the military.

“I lost my father during the civil war at the age of eight leaving me in the care of my old grandmother,” said Allan, adding he was forcefully, alongside other children recruited into the military.

“We went through various abuses varying from starvation and walking long distances where they were denied us access to school and other social services,” he recounted.

Allan said that sometimes they were forced to carry heavy guns and cook for the soldiers. “The nights were so long and terrifying in the bush. I spent most of the night fighting off mosquitoes and trying to stay warm. When I woke up, I had white, salty residue on my face as a result of hours of crying.”

After witnessing both children and the soldiers dying in the bush, Allan was given a chance for freedom to move.

He said they often travelled to the borders to buy things needed by the soldiers and that was where he familiarized with an NGO supporting the integration of former child soldiers into the community. Allan was afraid to seek help for fear of being tortured for his betrayal.

“However, I eventually mustered up the courage and reported myself to Gredo, where he was helped to heal and adopt a more positive life.”

He is one of the candidates who sat for the secondary Certificate of Education examination last year at Mattis Memorial Secondary School.

“My biggest dream is to change the narrative for my community. I am grateful to UNICEF, Gredo, and the government of South Sudan for renewing my hope.” Allan promised to use the power of education to create inspiration for other children.

“Children should stay in happy homes. Children must be in school. Children must not be betrayed to recruit them as soldiers at an early age. The situation of being a child soldier is so much worse.”

Ms. Anita Kiki Gbeho, the UNMISS country representative, said the Red Hand Day is a global call to action to the reality of children underaged and being used in armed conflict across the world.

She highlighted that it was a moment to reaffirm commitment towards the implementation of the National Action Plan to end the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict.

“Your voice serves as a powerful reminder that integration of former child soldiers is possible with sustained commitment. There is hope for a brighter future for children affected by armed conflict,” she stated.

Kiki also commended the collective efforts of national and state government actors in addressing grave violations against children, citing an incident where an  SSPDF commander refused to admit a child and brought him to his barracks for training and enrollment.

The South Sudan National Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Commission and its partners in the past had seen the release of 63 children, 55 boys and 8 girls in armed forces and groups.

To have a brighter future for those children, Kiki called on the government to prioritize investing in education, vocational training, and sustainable livelihoods for the children.

Also, she appealed for an effective implementation of the military command orders issued in January aimed at addressing violations against children.

Lt. Gen Ashhed Khamis Fahal, the Assistant Chief of Defense for Moral Orientation and Chaplain congratulated the government for signing the Comprehensive Action Plan to protect the children.

“As SSPDF, we are committed to the implementation of the Comprehensive Action Plan and we have done our part by disseminating the information,” he said.