South Sudan children are calling on their leaders to bring a lasting peace to the country.

Today, South Sudan joined the rest of Africa to celebrate African Child Day.

A 12 year old boy, from Mignkamen IDPs camp in Lakes state, appealed to country’s leadership to choose peace and invest in the future of children.

Addressing a gathering during the celebration of Africa Child Day in Juba, UNICEF deputy country’s representative, Echi Higgins, read out the statement of the 12 year old boy:

“There is nothing much I can do to change my situation but our leaders can do something and they can decide whether to destroy our future or build the future of this country by investing in the children of South Sudan through education, health care and most of them peace,” said .

“I want to live a normal life again and be the child that I am. I don’t want to spend sleepless nights worrying about gunshot or about not going to school.

“I want a good future for myself, my family and my country. All I want is peace.”

The theme of the day of the African child is “A Call for Peace by Children in South Sudan”.

The event was organized by government, UNICEF in partnership with other organizations working with children in South Sudan.