Vice President Rebecca Nyandeng Garang during an interview with Eye Radio at her resident in Juba - Lou Nelson/Eye Radio - Oct. 11, 2023

Vice President Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior states that the God of South Sudan will not forgive politicians who force children into armed groups.

Speaking at a wedding in Juba on Saturday, April 18, 2026, the Vice President told leaders to prioritize the safety of youth over mobilization for politics or the military.

The Vice President told politicians to stop leading children toward conflict. She stated that the culture of mobilization goes against the reasons for the liberation struggle of South Sudan.

“We, the politicians, must stop forcing our children to follow you,” VP Nyandeng stated. “This habit of recruitment must end. The God of South Sudan will never forgive this.”

She compared current actions to the work of the founders of the nation. She referenced the vision of Dr. John Garang de Mabior and noted that his generation gave their lives so children could have a home and a country.

The Vice President stated she will not lead children to the bush. She warned that recruitment deprived the youth of the nation they should inherit.

“I will never go to the bush and put the lives of our children at risk,” she said. “Those like Dr. John Garang fought and died so that these children could have a home and a country. Now, we are depriving them of their nation. We are the problem.”

The statement follows calls from civil society and partners for the government to implement the peace agreement regarding the protection of children and the reform of the security sector.