Children used as child soldiers in South Sudan

NAIROBI, Kenya – The U.N.'s top official for children and armed conflicts says the use of child soldiers and violence against children is commonplace in South Sudan's year of warfare.

Leila Zerrougui said during a stop in Kenya on Monday that the U.N. Security Council will debate the South Sudan child soldier situation next month. She said there is a lot of concern about the practice.

Human Rights Watch this week said South Sudan's government used children in fighting this month in Bentiu and Rubkona. Witnesses told the group that they saw dozens of armed children in military uniform.

Human Rights Watch said members of the military and government admitted that their forces include children but thosee officials said that the children have been coming to them for protection and work.