SPLA VOWS NOT TO RECRUIT CHILD SOLDIERS

The SPLA Chief of General staff vowed not to recruit child soldiers into his army. Today the SPLA launched its child protection unit in the SPLA General Head Quarter in Juba. Speaking to the attendance during the occasion in Juba, Mr. James Hoth Mai, SPLA Chief of General Staff vowed not to recruit child soldiers in his army again.
Mr. Hoth said since southern Sudan is not at war with anybody, there is no need for recruiting children to the army.

He explained that no child soldier was recruited into the SPLA after the signing of the CPA, saying that the SPLA is only demobilizing the ones who joined the army during the war.

Mr. Hoth said the SPLA is conscious of the children that he described as assets of southern Sudan.
He stressed acceptance of the SPLA to the obligations under International Humanitarian law, International Human Rights, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and the southern Sudan child Act among other Acts.

He concluded that his Army would be committed to prevent and end the association of children, male and female, under the age of 18 and to ensure their release and re-integration.

Present in the launch were the NGOs, some International organization, DDR Commission, and some government dignitaries.