24 June 2014 - To get back on track in implementing an Action Plan to end recruitment of children into the armed forces, the South Sudanese government today signed a recommitment agreement with the United Nations in Juba.

Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Children and Armed Conflict Leila Zerrougui witnessed Minister of Defense Kuol Manyang Juuk sign the agreement with UNMISS and UNICEF officials.

“The reality of conflict is best reflected by assessing the impact on children,” said Ms. Zerrougui in a media briefing after the signing. “Since the crisis started, we have seen children killed, maimed, recruited and schools occupied.”

She explained that the recommitment, following a meeting with President Salva Kiir yesterday, meant the government would continue to work with support from the UN to end recruitment, vacate schools and stop violations.

The recommitment comes after the conflict that started in December 2013 eroded progress made in implementing the Action Plan that South Sudan signed in 2012. UN estimates indicate that as many as 9,000 children could have been recruited or associated with government and opposition forces since the crisis started.

SRSG Zerrougui also announced the launch of a campaign, “We’re children. We are not soldiers”, which seeks to end recruitment in South Sudan and seven other countries.

She said UNESCO Special Goodwill Ambassador Forest Whitaker would also partner in the campaign, working with her office and other UN bodies.

Mr. Whitaker, who is visiting Juba with Ms. Zerrougui and UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Director-General Irina Bokova, said he had experience working with child soldiers in Uganda.

“I have seen firsthand the loss of light in the eyes of these individuals,” he said. “But I have also seen that if you free them from the bondage of being child soldiers, you can see that light again.”

Ms. Bokova said the three envoys had come to South Sudan with one joint message: “If we are to achieve peace, there is need for national dialogue and to focus on those who suffer most – children.”

The UNESCO chief reiterated the importance of education in peace and reconciliation processes, noting that schooling for girls was particularly crucial for development and “the best investment a country can make”.

She revealed that the agency, which has a mandate in cultural affairs, was working with the government to establish the first national museum.

UNESCO would also continue to work with the government in making progress on media bills, as well as helping to develop science and technology capacities.

“South Sudan is going through challenging times but we are here to say peace is the best way forward to eradicate poverty,” she said. “We don’t want to see South Sudan lagging behind.”