The Human Rights Watch says the government is recruiting children into the army in Malakal in Upper Nile State.

In a report released today, the rights group says that the government forcibly recruited at least 15 children in recent weeks.

And some willingly left the UN camp to join the government forces in the area.

The rights group also says opposition forces have also recruited and used many child soldiers in battles over the past months.

“Despite renewed promises by both government and opposition forces that they will stop using child soldiers, both sides continue to recruit and use children in combat,” said Daniel Bekele, Africa director at Human Rights Watch.

“In Malakal, government forces are even taking children from right outside the United Nations compound.”

They have urged commanders from both the government and the opposition to issue clear orders barring recruitment of all children under 18.

Both the government and the SPLM in Opposition are yet to comment on the matter.