The world’s youngest nation, South Sudan, needs teachers, doctors, lawyers and engineers, not soldiers.

That’s according to the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) which is working to remove children from the ranks of armed groups in the country.

South Sudan gained independence five years ago but roughly half that period has been marred by conflict.

UNICEF estimates at least 16,000 children have participated in the fighting.

More than 1,700 child soldiers were demobilized last year which UNICEF regional communications officer James Elder called a “positive sign.”

However, he told Sani Martin that recent fighting indicates that children there are still at risk.

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