Harmful practices including multiple marriages, poverty fuel child recruitment, UNMISS officer

2026-02-16 - 08:00

Harmful cultural practices, poverty, and community inaction are contributing to child neglect and recruitment into armed groups in South Sudan, a senior United Nations official warned this week. Migyikra Erasmus, a Child Protection Officer with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), spoke during the commemoration of International Red Hand Day, an annual event aimed at raising awareness about the plight of children in armed conflict and advocating for their protection. Erasmus highlighted multiple marriages as a key factor behind the neglect of children. In South Sudan, families with many children often struggle to meet basic needs, including education and healthcare. “One of the areas we do not touch is multiple marriage, which leads to many children. When parents no longer have the means to care for them, the children suffer,” he said. He said emphasized that the Transitional Constitution of South Sudan prohibits cultural practices that are harmful or inconsistent with national law. “We must cut our coat according to our cloth,” Erasmus said, urging families to live within their means to ensure children are properly cared for. Children in cattle camps were another concern raised by Erasmus. Many of these children remain out of school and are exposed to violence and firearms from a young age. He warned that such circumstances make them vulnerable to recruitment by armed groups, including the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and opposition forces. “These children are the future of this state and the future of South Sudan. It is easy for a child who grows up handling a gun to end up in uniform,” he said. Erasmus stressed that child protection is a collective responsibility. He called on community leaders, including chiefs and elders, to take an active role in preventing child recruitment and ensuring that children attend school rather than being drawn into military or unsafe environments. Drawing on his 14 years of experience working with children across South Sudan, Erasmus said denying the presence of child recruitment only undermines the government and harms the country’s future. He urged communities to recognize and act on the risks, rather than assuming children are not being affected. “Protecting children in armed conflict is not the responsibility of one person or organization; it is the responsibility of all of us,” he said. The UNMISS officer concluded by expressing hope for a stronger national commitment to end violations against children, saying the nation’s progress depends on safeguarding its youngest citizens. “South Sudan must stop all forms of violation against children and forge forward,” he said.