A heated debate, on the Red Hand Day.

“The recruitment of children into the army should stop,” says 16-year-old Abur Margret, a secondary four student in Aweil, South Sudan, spotlighting the plight of children who get recruited into the army.

“His or her plans might be damaged because he or she has become a soldier, yet he or she has plans to develop the country,” says Margret, in a compelling submission.

Margret was making her case during a debate at South Sudan Education Center, a secondary school in the South Sudanese north-eastern town of Aweil.

Organised by UNICEF and UNMISS’ Child Protection Unit, the debate brought together students to mark the International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers

Justifying her argument, Margret says South Sudan is one of the poorest countries in Africa due to lack of education, high illiteracy and military conscription.

“Some of our people in the government do not even know how to speak English,” she says, concluding, “because they did not go to school.”

“I strongly urge the government to let children go to school so that we have a brighter future as South Sudan,” says Margret who aspires to be a surgeon to save lives.

“As such school is our weapon not guns,” says Margret, keen to point out that growing up in conflict deters children from going to school.

Kwan Atak highlighted other ways that children are abused in conflict.

“We should stop the recruitment of children because we are being used as human shields and suicide bombers,” urged the 16-year-old male student. 

For the sake of debate, some children played the devil’s advocate, opposing the popular motion against the use of children as soldiers.

“The army fights for the liberation of a country and at the end of the day they become heroes and freedom fighters,” said Mawien Ayoum Wol, who thought recruitment of children into the army was important for a country to defend itself and to realize peace.   

“Fight for the rights of the citizens, and protect them,” said the 15-year-old boy who later said he was against the conscription of children into the army, but only seemed to support it because he was chosen to be on the opposing side. 

“I want to be a doctor because it is in my nature – I want to save people’s lives,” Ayoum later revealed.

On the opposing side, he had Amei Bol in his company.  According to her, instead of children loitering around the town and becoming criminals, it would be better for them to be conscripted in the army and become useful to the country.

“This will reduce unemployment rate, crime, laziness,” said the female student, who later also admitted that she didn’t really support the recruitment of children, but only said so because she had to make the debate interesting.  

UNMISS Child Protection Officer Irene Kumwenda said the debate was part of raising awareness about the International Day against use of Child Soldiers among students.

“Most students were not aware of it,” said the UNMISS official adding that “it also stimulated the thinking among the students on the ills of recruitment and use of child soldiers.”

Kumwenda said that the debate raised some pertinent issues why the government or armed forces should stop recruiting or allow children to participate in any military action as it violates children’s rights in South Sudan.

According to Kumwenda, the debate will change the perception as it has raised the issues that government must act on to avoid recruitment or involuntary recruitment.

“It was quite impressive to learn that children are aware of their rights and the situation in their country,” said Kumwenda adding, “I believe the research they did before the debate has also enlightened them on the long-term consequences of child recruitment that they would not go voluntarily in the army.”