(ROADS & KINGDOMS)- When we got to Pibor, children were everywhere. And they were armed. The ceremony was about to begin. I had traveled with UNICEF to Jonglei State in South Sudan to observe and document one of the largest demobilizations of child soldiers ever. The event had been organized after militants from the so-called “Cobra Faction” had announced they would hand over 3,000 minors who fought in their ranks. There were 280 children in front of us. I was told I could not photograph their faces. Aged 11 to 17, some had been fighting for up to four years and many had never attended school. According to UNICEF, over 12,000 children have been recruited and used as soldiers by armed groups in the country this past year.

 

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