(Renk) – Civil society activists in Renk, a town in South Sudan’s Upper Nile State, are raising the alarm about the increasing number of children affected by conflict and poverty, many of whom are either still associated with armed forces or are struggling to survive on the streets after their release.
Although South Sudan has pledged to end the recruitment and use of children by armed groups, community members say the practice continues.
In addition, many children who were once involved with armed forces are now finding it difficult to reintegrate into normal life. Some are now homeless, living without adult support or proper care.
“We should establish a reformatory protection centre for children living in our neighbourhoods,” said Nawadir Ajanouf, a local mother and civil society activist. “It would help keep them safe from violations of their rights and would allow us to coordinate support with the relevant authorities.”
Adam Mayut, a local youth leader, says he frequently meets both children affiliated with armed groups and others who are displaced by conflict in neighbouring Sudan. He estimates that around 400 boys are currently roaming the streets of Renk, often involved in petty crime and struggling with hunger.
“I ask them why they’re loitering in the market and other places, and they tell me they have nothing to eat and no support at home,” said Mayut. “If we had a safe space where they could gather, we could offer them meals, social interaction, sports, and cultural activities.”
These calls were made during a two day forum hosted by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), aimed at raising awareness about child protection and ending grave violations of children’s rights, especially the recruitment of minors into armed groups.
The forum brought together around 50 participants, including community leaders, civil society organisations, judicial representatives, and members of the security sector. The goal was to educate and empower attendees to report and prevent violations affecting children in their communities.
“We are expanding our child protection efforts by involving more community actors and building their capacity to identify and report abuse against boys and girls,” said Phillip Lah, a Child Protection Officer with UNMISS.
In addition to discussing child protection, participants were also trained on how to protect themselves and their communities from landmines, still a significant threat in many areas of South Sudan due to decades of conflict. Other components of the UNMISS mandate were also covered during the sessions.
Renk, like many parts of northern South Sudan, has been under pressure due to the continued instability in neighbouring Sudan. With the arrival of displaced persons and ongoing insecurity, community members fear that without targeted intervention, the future of vulnerable children will remain uncertain.
Many in the community believe such initiatives are essential to protecting the rights of children and breaking the cycle of violence and poverty affecting future generations.
