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In an effort to assist military commanders in developing action plans to release minors from their ranks, a training course was recently held in Malakal on child soldiers, recruitment and protection.
SAF & SPLM commanders at workshop
The one-day session, which was attended by 60 field commanders of the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) and the Sudan Armed Forces (30 from each), was organized by UNMIS' Child Protection Unit.
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Opening the event, Sarah Nyanaht Elijal, Minister of Social Development for Upper Nile State, stressed that everyone, including army commanders, had a duty to protect the health and well-being of children. "The outcome of the training will help children in the army to be disarmed and reintegrated into their respective communities," she said.
SAF participant Col Abdalla Ahmed Abdalla said the training was a good opportunity for military officers to learn about their responsibilities to protect women and children during a crisis.
Colonel Bill Than of the SPLA emphasized that the session was "very important to our people, especially our children, and it should be repeated".
Photo credited to Tikue Girmay, UNMIS |
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