Sale of alcohol to minors widespread in South Sudan - report
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October 1,2011 (JUBA) - An internal report from South Sudan ministry
of gender,child and social welfare seen by Sudan Tribune on Saturday
said that children under the legal limit of 18 are involved in the
sale and widespread consumption of alcohol.
The report expressed total dismay and horror the rampant and
indiscriminate sale of alcoholic drinks to children under 18 years,
including school children by “certain unscrupulous businessmen”.
South Sudan became an independent country in July and unlike north
Sudan which is governed by Islamic Shari’a law has a secular
constitution permitting consumption of alcohol.
As a country emerging out of destructive two-decade civil war, South
Sudan faces a lot of challenges including prevalence of huge
population of children without parents on the streets of the new
nation.
The report also indicates consumption of bicycle solution and other
concentrated alcoholic drinks are prevalent, especially among orphans
and street children.
In an attempt to address some of the challenges facing the children,
the ministry has dispatched teams of researchers to various states in
South Sudan to find out the number of children involved in the sale
and consumption of alcohol.
The Ministry also stated that preliminary research findings have
revealed that the drinks containing 40% alcohol have been found being
sold in sachets at a price of 3 South Sudanese pound per sachet to
children less than 18 years of age in various parts of the country
including South Sudan’s capital Juba.
“Consequently, it is easily affordable and available to children at
this price. Most of the drinks sold to children include red bull which
is disguised as an energy drink because it is not clearly labeled as
alcohol. This drink among other drinks could be easily misleading,”
the internal report noted.
The ministry totally condemnd and discouraged sale of alcohol to
children saying it was detrimental to the health and progress of young
people.
“The government of the Republic of South Sudan has invested a lot and
is very much concerned in the positive development of young people in
this country and will not tolerate any unscrupulous business concerns
that engage in activities that could impair the health and well-being
of children and youth,” the report stated.
“The Ministry acknowledged and appreciates the swift responses from
the Ministries of Health and Social Welfare, Justice, Trade and
Interior, in addressing this social menace,” the report concluded.
(ST)
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