A/69/212 49. The Special Representative called for the rapid strengthening of the United Nations capacity to ensure an adequate response to the child protection crisis. She also engaged with United Nations and African Union partners to ensure that commitments to end the recruitment and use of children and other grave violations against children by parties to the conflict would be included in a political settlement. This resulted in such references being included in the agreement on the cessation of hostilities signed in Brazzaville on 23 July. Yemen 50. At the invitation of the Government, the Special Representative travelled to Yemen from 13 to 15 May for the signing of an action plan to end the recruitment and use of children by Government forces. The visit followed her trip to Yemen in November 2012 to facilitate dialogue with the Government on the issue. 51. The signing of the action plan, which followed over a year of negotiations between UNICEF and representatives of the Government, marked an important step and reflected the Government’s commitment to achieving long-term stability through security sector reform and in full respect of the rule of law and human rights. 52. A number of key measures need to be taken as a matter of priority in order to ensure meaningful implementation of the action plan, such as age determination procedures, and to set the age for voluntary recruitment in conformity with Yemen’s international obligations. The establishment of an interministerial committee will also be essential as will be the strengthening of the civil registration authority to ensure universal and free registration at birth. South Sudan 53. The Special Representative travelled to South Sudan from 22 to 27 June to assess the impact on children of the crisis that has unfolded since 15 December 2013 and to follow up on the implementation of the action plan signed in 2012. On 24 June, she witnessed the signature of a recommitment agreement by the Government of South Sudan and the United Nations to end and prevent the recruitment and use of children by the Sudan People’s Liberation Army. The agreement also addressed the killing and maiming of children, sexual violence against children and attacks on schools and hospitals. Part of the visit was conducted jointly with the Director General of UNESCO Director-General and the UNESCO Special Envoy for Peace and Reconciliation, and included advocacy activities for the protection of schools and education in conflict zones. 54. In her various interactions with interlocutors from the Government, the Sudan People’s Liberation Army, the South Sudan national police service and the United Nations, the Special Representative called upon the South Sudanese l eaders to stop the humanitarian crisis, end the grave violations against children and ensure accountability by bringing perpetrators to justice. She advocated along similar lines with non-State armed groups, such as the South Sudan Democratic Movement/Army under David Yau Yau, and the South Sudan Liberation Army, which had integrated into the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in 2013. 55. Prior to the above-mentioned visit, the Special Representative met in Addis Ababa in May with the former vice-president and leader of the Sudan People’s 12/18 14-58528