Today in South Sudan, 16,000 children are used as weapons of war.
With this stark reality as a backdrop, the Dal-hosted conducted a high-level advocacy mission from November 9th to 13th to South Sudan in conjunction with UNICEF South Sudan. Participants in the mission included LGen聽Dallaire (ret'd) and Dr. Shelly Whitman, the initiative's director.
The trip included key meetings with government officials, military representatives and civil society organizations. The Dallaire Initiative focused on identifying areas where it could integrate its unique prevention-oriented security sector approach within South Sudan and support the work of other organizations such as UNICEF.
A number of key commitments were achieved, including a public declaration and signed commitment by Cobra Faction leaders鈥攁n armed rebel group currently integrating within the South Sudan National Army鈥攖o release the remaining 300 children still operating in their ranks.