South Sudan rebel group agrees to end recruitment of child soldiers

A rebel group in South Sudan has agreed to end and prevent the recruitment and use of children in conflict.

According to reports, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), has signed an action plan for carrying out the agreement.

To date, 59 armed groups and government forces are listed in the U. N. secretary-general’s report on children and armed conflict as having committed grave violations against children.

The violations include killing and maiming, attacks on schools and hospitals, sexual violence, recruitment, and abduction of children.

By signing the action plan, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North hopes to get itself off the list.

The U.N. special representative for the secretary-general on children and armed conflict, Leila Zerrougui, says the list is a kind of prod to armed groups.

Implementation of the action plan will begin as soon as the U.N. Children’s Fund, which is the lead agency in this process, and its partners gain access to the Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile State, where the SPLM-N is located.

UNICEF will also oversee the reintegration of the child soldiers into their local communities