The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said here Friday that more than 650 children have been forced to fight by armed factions in South Sudan since the beginning of the year, with as many as 16,000 children recruited since the country's crisis erupted in December 2013.

"The dream we all shared for the children of this young country has become a nightmare," said UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Justin Forsyth in a statement.

"At this precarious stage in South Sudan's short history, UNICEF fears that a further spike in child recruitment could be imminent," he added.

An upsurge in clashes in Juba and other parts of the African nation is threatening to undo much of the progress made last year, when 1,775 child soldiers were released in what UNICEF called one of the largest demobilisations of children ever.

Gender-based violence is also on the up UNICEF warned, a worrying trend in a country where violations were already rife.

"Children continue to endure horrific ordeals," Forsyth said.

"Recent reports point to widespread sexual violence against girls and women. The systematic use of rape, sexual exploitation and abduction as a weapon of war in South Sudan must cease, together with the impunity of all perpetrators," he added.

According to UNICEF, over 13,000 children are missing, while half of all South Sudanese children are out of school.

Meanwhile, 250,000 children are currently facing severe acute malnutrition.

Source : XINHUA