Dallaire Institute Trains Civil Society in Yei to Strengthen Fight Against Child Recruitment

(YEI RIVER COUNTY) – The Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace and Security has reaffirmed its commitment to preventing the recruitment and use of children in armed violence following a four-day training in Yei River County, Central Equatoria.

Conducted in partnership with Dalhousie University, the training brought together more than 30 representatives from women-led organizations, media groups, and civil society organizations. The initiative aimed to strengthen local capacity to protect children and promote long-term peacebuilding in communities affected by conflict.

During the project launch, Country Director and Project Manager Clement Langa emphasized that preventing child recruitment requires coordinated action from families, community leaders, civil society, and government institutions.

“Our main objective is to equip women-led organizations and community stakeholders with accurate information and practical tools to prevent the recruitment of children into armed groups,” Langa said.

He urged local actors to ensure that children’s rights are respected and protected from exploitation, particularly during periods of instability.

The institute’s mission—to prevent the recruitment and use of children in armed violence and transform cycles of violence—remained central to the discussions. Its broader vision promotes a world where children are at the heart of peace and security efforts.

Ajania Amude, Acting Inspector of Gender in Yei River County, applauded the four-day child protection training and its focus on ending violence against children.

She called on participants to take the knowledge gained back to their communities and encourage responsible child care and protection.

Amude noted that increasing violence among children in communities is often linked to violations of their rights. She urged community stakeholders to stand firm in safeguarding children, describing them as “the leaders of tomorrow.”

Asiki Moses, one of the participants, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to attend the training organized by the Dallaire Institute. He said the sessions provided valuable insights into why children should never be recruited into armed conflict.

“We have learned that children cannot and should not be recruited into the army because they are still young and not ready to make such life-changing decisions,” he said.

Meanwhile, Yei River County Police Inspector Major General Ali Abdulla Tiff warned organized forces to respect child protection laws and stop the recruitment of children into armed conflict.

The remarks were delivered on the final day of the training held in Yei River County last weekend, marking a renewed community commitment to protecting children and strengthening peacebuilding efforts in the region.