Following a UNICEF report released in August indicating that 650 children had been recruited into South Sudan’s current conflict in 2016 alone; the US Department of State Assistant Secretary, said that the continued unlawful recruitment and use of children in armed conflict in South Sudan is unacceptable and must be put to a halt.

Mr. John Kirby, who is also the Department Spokesperson, Bureau of Public Affairs, said the US government has prioritized the elimination of unlawful recruitment and use of child soldiers for armed groups in South Sudan.

“We remain committed to securing accountability for those who recruit and use children as soldiers,” said Kirby in a statement issued today.

Mr. Kirby said the United States is particularly alarmed by reports that implicate South Sudanese government forces in the recruitment of child soldiers since the July 7th return to hostilities. He noted that the United States will not hesitate to impose targeted sanctions on these individuals.

“ Individuals responsible for the unlawful recruitment or use of child soldiers for armed groups or forces may be subject to sanction under U.S. law and may be targeted for UN sanctions,” said Kirby.

UNICEF has also noted that an estimated 16,000 children have been recruited by both government and opposition forces since the outbreak of conflict in December 2013.