UNMISS and partners facilitate release of 32 children from SPLA-IO ranks in Unity area
Episode 968, Jul 24, 2019, 02:34 PM
More than 30 children associated with the SPLA-IO Rieck Machar group have been released from the opposition military barracks in Mirmir, Unity region.
The 32 boys, most of the between the ages of 12 and 16 years were released on Tuesday in a joint operation facilitated by the UN Mission in South Sudan, UNICEF and other partners.
The boys joined the ranks of the SPLA-IO in 2014 when fighting intensified between government and opposition forces.
Preparations are underway to reintegrate these children into their community and reunite them with their families.
UNMISS Chief of child protection unit Alfred Orono Orono spoke to Radio Miraya’s Jacob Ruai about the importance of the release.