Sudan, Darfur rebels slam UNICEF statement on use of children in war
January 2, 2008 (KHARTOUM) — Sudanese government and rebel Justice and Equality Movement have dismissed statements made by former UNICEF representative about the use of children in the ongoing armed conflict in western Sudan region of Darfur.
Ted Chaiban, the outgoing UNICEF representative to Sudan told reporters in Khartoum on December 24, that there are around 6000 child soldiers in Darfur. He added that all Darfur faction and groups as well as the Sudanese government have used children.
“That doesn’t mean they’re all carrying guns and fighting, but they are present with armed groups and we have seen virtually with every one of the forces, children in uniform and children carrying weapons,” he said.
Brigadier Osman Nouri, the executive secretary of Sudan Commission of Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) condemned Chaiban’s statement saying that UNICEF is well informed about the reality on the ground in Darfur because the UN organization is involved in the efforts made by the government to integrate 6000 kids recruited by the rebels.
Nouri also mentioned the “decision of the Sudanese president Omer Al-Bashir to release children who participated in a rebel raid” on the capital last May.
He further wondered how the Sudan Armed Forces are recruiting children while they are engaged in a process of demobilization of a surplus of soldiers.
Chaiban cited figures that 2.3 million children have been affected by the conflict in Darfur, which amounts to roughly half of the more than four million people considered conflict affected in Sudan’s western region.
He called Darfur “a dangerous and unhealthy place for a child to grow up in.”
On the other hand, JEM has also denounced the statements made by the former UN official in Sudan reiterating its commitment to international conventions. The rebel movement also stressed it had never used child soldiers in its ranks and is opposed to use children in war.
JEM disclosed it had invited some UN agencies and UNICEF particularly to visit controlled areas to inspect the situation of children there, the group regretted the failure of the international children agency to respond positively to its invitation.
UNICEF “failed to attend but continued dragging JEM’s name in its reports on the matter without slightest effort to corroborate its claims with evidence,” said Alwathiq Hamadnalla, the JEM Secretary for Humanitarian Affairs.
The rebel official further said that UNICEF failed to sign an agreement to allow them to deliver services to JEM controlled areas. However the group renewed its invitation to the UN agencies to visit its military camps saying “its doors will remain open.”
(ST)