The UNMISS Child Protection Unit held a Two day workshop, in Bor, which flagged off on Wednesday, March 16, 2016 and came to a close today March 17, 2016 with Forty participants in attendance from the SPLA Division 8 command, Jonglei Prisons service, Bor South Sudan National Police Services and Ministry of Education, Gender, Child and Social welfare.

During the two day workshop themed ‘Yes to Child Education, No to Child Soldiers’, the participants were taken through the UNMISS / SPLA Action Plan commitment which came about from the SCR 1612 which provides for dialogue with armed forces as well as advocacy to end child soldier recruitment by the UNMISS Child Protection Unit. An overview of the re-commitment agreement between the SPLA and the UNMISS 2014 Action Plan as well as the Action Plan and SPLA Act 2009 also formed part of the topics touched at the two day workshop. While the Women Protection Advisor for UNMISS in the State and Human Rights Officers talked on universal, basic, and fundamental rights, violations amongst as it affects child soldiers within the organized armed groups.
 
The UNMISS Head of Field Office for Jonglei, Ms. Deborah Schein, brought the workshop to an end with remarks delivered on the last day of the two day workshop.  She then handed out certificates of participation to the attendees.

In her closing statement, the Head of Office remarked on the UNMISS / SPLA Action Plan commitment which draws its inspiration from the SCR 1612 which provides for dialogue with armed forces as well as advocacy to end child soldier recruitment. She also emphasized that the Action Plan is a stepping stone to de-list the SPLA, and once achieved, it will open the door for the SPLA and government to demonstrate to the world that it can also participate in the conflict management strategies currently extended to members of the United Nations. She expressed her hopes that one day in the near future, South Sudan would be able to wave the blue UN flag and be a vital part of the global peace process.
 
“I hope that one day you will be able to proudly wave the blue flag like other UN soldiers participating in the global peace process. South Sudan is not the only country that has gone down this path but many countries that were listed have fulfilled the requirements specified for de-listing and today happily participate in the global effort in promoting peace through helping countries that are challenged by armed conflict’, said Ms. Schein.

Ms. Schein finished with a few words to the SPLA leadership asking that they work closely with the UNMISS Child Protection Unit to jointly take up the task of monitoring and reporting violations under the UNMISS and SPLA Act.