Recruitment of children in the army, threatens the future of many young once in South Sudan.
Others joined since 1983 when they were below 18 years old.
Speaking to CRN in Bor, Anyieth, one of the child soldiers who joined in 1996, says they were about 3,000 children and he was just as young as 11 years old.
Anyieth says he and the other children were influenced by SPLA commander to join the army so that they will be taken to school.
He regrets that he faced a lot of problems, including lack of food and medication.
The former child soldier says he decided to leave the army because he was worried of his future.
He adds that several rebellions in the country are the major cause of recruiting children especially the opposition sides.
The former child soldier calls on South Sudan to stop recruiting children because they are supposed to study for brighter future.
He warns that no any country will progress without children joining the school.
Civil Society Organization Chairperson, John Garang Goch, warns that if the recruitment of child soldier does not stop, the level of criminality in South Sudan will be higher.
Goch explains that many children joined the army voluntarily because they want to earn salaries and get free food based on the economic challenges facing South Sudan.