African Committee of the Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child Advocacy Mission assessing the situation of children in South Sudan said the December 15 crisis has greater effect on children compared to the 21 year civil war in the country.
The Mission Second Vice Chairperson Julia Sloth Nielsen told journalists in Juba on Friday that children were exposed to grave violations of their rights, saying it assault the future of childhood in the new nation.
She reported that 490 children, including the youngest months old ones were ‘wantonly’ killed and identified in many mass graves in and around Bor.
Ms Sloth described the killing of children as a ‘deliberate target’, not accidentally or unfortunate.
The Second Vice Chairperson urged the government of South Sudan and SPLM/A in opposition to honour their commitments made in June on children.
She pointed out that the government and opposition were both involved in recruiting child soldiers.
The Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child is expected to leave Juba for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Saturday after accomplishing its mission on the situation of children.