What do the police force, the army and priesthood have in common? One person. Reverend Major Andy Earl – or just Padre Earl.

Opposition forces based in the Eastern Equatorian region of South Sudan have pledged to uphold human rights from the command level right through to the rank and file following a workshop hosted by the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the conflict-affected country.

“One hand cannot make a clap. Before God, I am so happy to see the world supporting us,” said Alier Wal who lost both parents in 2013.

“This is light at the end of the tunnel,” he assured his fellow orphans.