ADVOCACY MISSION OF THE AFRICAN COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS ONTHE RIGHTS AND WELFARE OF THE CHILD (ACERWC) ON THE SITUATION OF CHILDREN IN SOUTH SUDAN 03-09 August, 2014

By African Union Commission (AUC)
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ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, July 30, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC) would like to inform the media and the general public, that an advocacy mission to assess the situation of children affected by the conflict in South Sudan will be undertaken from 03 - 09 August, 2014, in the Republic of South Sudan, in accordance to its mandate to promote and protect the rights of children pursuant to the African Charter on the Rights and welfare of the Child (ACRWC).

Following the resolution adopted during its 23rd Ordinary Session (09-16April, 2014), the Committee expressed its concerns on the humanitarian challenges hindering the protection and well-being of children in the Republic of South Sudan.

Moreover, the Committee commended the efforts of the Government of South Sudan, the African Union, the United Nations Agencies and International and Non-Governmental Organizations in seeking peaceful resolutions to the conflicts and in providing humanitarian assistance to the children in particular.

The main objective of this Mission is to advocate for improved protection and response to children affected by the armed conflict in South Sudan. Particularly, the Committee will assess the impact of armed conflict on children in South Sudan and determine key capacity and resource gaps for the prevention and response for children affected by the conflict. The mission is undertaken in collaboration with the AU Liaison Office in South Sudan, African Union Peace and Security Department (AUPSD), the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), UNICEF, UNHCR, Save the Children and National Child Rights Coalition.

High level meetings with government officials from the relevant ministries and consultation with the national Human Rights Commission and Civil Society Organizations working on children rights issues will be held during the mission. An assessment of the impact of the conflict on children will be conducted in the cities of Juba, Bor and Benitu.

A Press Conference on the unfolding of the mission will be held on 09 August 2014, 11:00 AM at the Juba Grand Hotel. Media advisory to cover the Press Conference will be sent to Media on due time. A report on the outcome of the mission will be presented after the mission.