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Photos: Over 300 child soldiers lay down guns for books in South Sudan

At a ceremony in Yambio, in the south-western state of Gbudue, South Sudan, over 300 child soldiers released by Sudan People’s Liberation Army and South Sudan National Liberation Movement were formally disarmed and provided with civilian clothes and books by United Nations agencies in the first step towards a normal life.

Updated on: Feb 09, 2018 10:12 AM IST

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Newly released child soldiers wait for their registration during a release ceremony in Yambio, South Sudan. More than 300 child soldiers, including 87 girls, were released under a programme to help reintegrate them into society, the UN said on February 7, 2018. Conflict erupted little more than two years after South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011, uprooting nearly four million people. (Stefanie Glinski / AFP)

Updated on Feb 09, 2018 10:12 AM

Newly released child soldiers wait for their registration during a release ceremony in Yambio, South Sudan. More than 300 child soldiers, including 87 girls, were released under a programme to help reintegrate them into society, the UN said on February 7, 2018. Conflict erupted little more than two years after South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011, uprooting nearly four million people. (Stefanie Glinski / AFP)

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The “laying down of the guns” ceremony for 87 girls and 224 boys was the first step in a process that should see at least 700 child soldiers freed in the coming weeks, the United Nations said. The UN has released almost 2,000 child soldiers so far. More than 10 percent of them have been under age 13. (Stefanie Glinski / AFP)

Updated on Feb 09, 2018 10:12 AM

The “laying down of the guns” ceremony for 87 girls and 224 boys was the first step in a process that should see at least 700 child soldiers freed in the coming weeks, the United Nations said. The UN has released almost 2,000 child soldiers so far. More than 10 percent of them have been under age 13. (Stefanie Glinski / AFP)

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A former child soldier stands next to abandoned rifles during the release ceremony. The South Sudan National Liberation Movement released 215 children, with the remaining 96 freed by the Sudan People’s Liberation Army. The children will be given medical screenings, as well as counselling and psychosocial support, as part of a reintegration programme implemented by UNICEF and other aid groups. (Stefanie Glinski / AFP)

Updated on Feb 09, 2018 10:12 AM

A former child soldier stands next to abandoned rifles during the release ceremony. The South Sudan National Liberation Movement released 215 children, with the remaining 96 freed by the Sudan People’s Liberation Army. The children will be given medical screenings, as well as counselling and psychosocial support, as part of a reintegration programme implemented by UNICEF and other aid groups. (Stefanie Glinski / AFP)

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Those with relatives in the area will be reunited with their families, who will receive three months of food assistance to support their reintegration. Others will be placed in interim care centres until their families can be traced. The children will also receive vocational training. (Stefanie Glinski / AFP)

Updated on Feb 09, 2018 10:12 AM

Those with relatives in the area will be reunited with their families, who will receive three months of food assistance to support their reintegration. Others will be placed in interim care centres until their families can be traced. The children will also receive vocational training. (Stefanie Glinski / AFP)

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UN Special Representative to the Secretary General and head of UNMISS David Shearer (C) speaks to former child soldiers during their release ceremony. Putting down weapons and rejoining normal life is just the “beginning of the journey,” Shearer said. (Stefanie Glinski / AFP)

Updated on Feb 09, 2018 10:12 AM

UN Special Representative to the Secretary General and head of UNMISS David Shearer (C) speaks to former child soldiers during their release ceremony. Putting down weapons and rejoining normal life is just the “beginning of the journey,” Shearer said. (Stefanie Glinski / AFP)

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An 11-year-old former child soldier poses with his handmade rifle.“This is a crucial step in achieving our ultimate goal of having all of the thousands of children still in the ranks of armed groups reunited with their families,” said Mahimbo Mdoe, South Sudan representative for UNICEF. The rehabilitation process had been stalled for the past three years. (Stefanie Glinski / AFP)

Updated on Feb 09, 2018 10:12 AM

An 11-year-old former child soldier poses with his handmade rifle.“This is a crucial step in achieving our ultimate goal of having all of the thousands of children still in the ranks of armed groups reunited with their families,” said Mahimbo Mdoe, South Sudan representative for UNICEF. The rehabilitation process had been stalled for the past three years. (Stefanie Glinski / AFP)

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Negotiations to release the children had been carried out by UNICEF, state and local authorities, and local groups. The UN Mission in South Sudan said it had provided peacekeeping troops to escort religious leaders into remote bush areas to make contact and negotiate with armed groups. (Stefanie Glinski / AFP)

Updated on Feb 09, 2018 10:12 AM

Negotiations to release the children had been carried out by UNICEF, state and local authorities, and local groups. The UN Mission in South Sudan said it had provided peacekeeping troops to escort religious leaders into remote bush areas to make contact and negotiate with armed groups. (Stefanie Glinski / AFP)

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Newly released child soldiers receive school supplies as part of a re-integration kit which includes clothing and mosquito nets. “Not all children are forcibly recruited. Many joined armed groups because they feel they had no other option,” said Mdoe. “Our priority for this group – and for children across South Sudan – is to provide the support they need so they are able to see a more promising future.” (Stefanie Glinski / AFP)

Updated on Feb 09, 2018 10:12 AM

Newly released child soldiers receive school supplies as part of a re-integration kit which includes clothing and mosquito nets. “Not all children are forcibly recruited. Many joined armed groups because they feel they had no other option,” said Mdoe. “Our priority for this group – and for children across South Sudan – is to provide the support they need so they are able to see a more promising future.” (Stefanie Glinski / AFP)

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A former child soldier (L) stands next to her former army commander during the ceremony. Special attention will be given to the young women and girls, who are likely to have suffered sexual abuse, so that they can rejoin their communities without stigma. “We are particularly concerned about a number of the girls being released who have experienced sexual or gender-based violence,” said Mesfin Loha, national director of World Vision South Sudan. (Stefanie Glinski / AFP)

Updated on Feb 09, 2018 10:12 AM

A former child soldier (L) stands next to her former army commander during the ceremony. Special attention will be given to the young women and girls, who are likely to have suffered sexual abuse, so that they can rejoin their communities without stigma. “We are particularly concerned about a number of the girls being released who have experienced sexual or gender-based violence,” said Mesfin Loha, national director of World Vision South Sudan. (Stefanie Glinski / AFP)

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Although aid workers were optimistic, they worried that renewed violence could force the children back into armed groups. A new round of peace talks began this week in neighboring Ethiopia, mediated by a regional bloc. (Stefanie Glinski / AFP)

Updated on Feb 09, 2018 10:12 AM

Although aid workers were optimistic, they worried that renewed violence could force the children back into armed groups. A new round of peace talks began this week in neighboring Ethiopia, mediated by a regional bloc. (Stefanie Glinski / AFP)

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UNICEF estimates that an estimated 19,000 children continue to serve as child soldiers, more than four years after the civil war broke out in December 2013. This week, Human Rights Watch accused parties to the South Sudan conflict of failing to honour promises to demobilise and release all recruited or enlisted children by the end of January 2018. (Stefanie Glinski / AFP)

Updated on Feb 09, 2018 10:12 AM

UNICEF estimates that an estimated 19,000 children continue to serve as child soldiers, more than four years after the civil war broke out in December 2013. This week, Human Rights Watch accused parties to the South Sudan conflict of failing to honour promises to demobilise and release all recruited or enlisted children by the end of January 2018. (Stefanie Glinski / AFP)

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Human Rights Watch has found that commanders from government forces and warring parties have been abducting, detaining and forcing children as young as 13 into their ranks since the signing of a peace agreement in August 2015. (Stefanie Glinski / AFP)

Updated on Feb 09, 2018 10:12 AM

Human Rights Watch has found that commanders from government forces and warring parties have been abducting, detaining and forcing children as young as 13 into their ranks since the signing of a peace agreement in August 2015. (Stefanie Glinski / AFP)

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Former child soldiers stand waiting to be registered to receive a rehabilitation package. UNMISS says it is also involved in projects to release child soldiers in Morobo, Bentiu and Pibor where 315 have been verified and registered so far. “If peace isn’t sustained and people are forced to the bush, we’ll lose these children,” said Anne Hadjixros, a child protection officer with UNICEF. (Sam Mednick / AP)

Updated on Feb 09, 2018 10:12 AM

Former child soldiers stand waiting to be registered to receive a rehabilitation package. UNMISS says it is also involved in projects to release child soldiers in Morobo, Bentiu and Pibor where 315 have been verified and registered so far. “If peace isn’t sustained and people are forced to the bush, we’ll lose these children,” said Anne Hadjixros, a child protection officer with UNICEF. (Sam Mednick / AP)

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