Introduction and Context
South Sudan’s civil war has left behind a devastating legacy, and one of its most disturbing features is the continued recruitment and use of child soldiers. Despite peace agreements and repeated pledges to end the practice, armed groups across the country still coerce or lure children into fighting.

Children as young as 12 are found in military camps, forced to serve as combatants, porters, cooks, and spies. While some join voluntarily due to poverty or pressure, most are recruited through intimidation, abduction, or the promise of protection.

This article explores why child recruitment persists, how it impacts young lives, and what measures are needed to protect children and ensure accountability.


Historical and Political Roots
The use of child soldiers in South Sudan is not new. Even during the liberation struggle before independence in 2011, children were mobilised to fight. When civil war broke out in 2013, both government and opposition forces expanded the practice, exploiting the vulnerability of children in conflict-affected communities.

Ethnic divisions and local militias further entrenched the recruitment of minors. Communities under attack often saw no alternative but to allow boys to take up arms. In some cases, commanders deliberately targeted orphans and displaced children who lacked family protection.

Although the 2018 peace deal included commitments to end child recruitment, the persistence of insecurity and the proliferation of armed groups has undermined implementation.


The Human Toll
The consequences for children are devastating. Many are exposed to extreme violence, both as perpetrators and victims. They witness killings, suffer injuries, and experience severe psychological trauma. Girls recruited into armed groups are often subjected to sexual violence, forced marriages, and enslavement.

Education is almost always disrupted, leaving former child soldiers without basic skills for civilian life. Stigma also haunts those who return home, as communities may see them as perpetrators rather than victims.

The long-term impact is profound: an entire generation risks being defined by war rather than by opportunity.


Ongoing Challenges and International Response
Despite international condemnation, progress in ending child soldier recruitment remains fragile. UN agencies have documented thousands of cases, but actual numbers are likely higher due to underreporting.

Some armed groups have signed action plans with the United Nations to release children, and thousands have been freed in recent years. However, many are quickly re-recruited as fighting flares again. Lack of monitoring, weak accountability, and the absence of alternative livelihoods make it difficult to break the cycle.

Humanitarian programmes working on reintegration face chronic underfunding. Former child soldiers require counselling, education, and vocational training, but resources are inadequate compared to the scale of the crisis.


Accountability, Protection, and Conclusion
The continued recruitment of child soldiers in South Sudan is a grave violation of international law, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

To address this crisis, key steps must be taken:
- Accountability: prosecute commanders who recruit or use children.
- Prevention: strengthen community protection mechanisms and ensure schools are safe zones.
- Reintegration: expand programmes for education, trauma recovery, and livelihood training for former child soldiers.
- Sustainable peace: address the root causes of conflict and provide security so that families are not forced to send children into armed groups.

Until these steps are taken, South Sudan’s children will remain trapped in cycles of violence. Protecting them is not only a moral imperative but also essential for building a peaceful and stable future for the country.