Rebel groups commit to protect children in Darfur
May 28, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – Darfur main rebel groups Thursday agreed on the need to exert more efforts to protect children in the conflict-affected areas and to adhere to the existing international standards.
As parties to the conflict, we acknowledge that “we also bear responsibility for the protection of children in Darfur/Sudan. We, therefore, pledge to continue to make every effort necessary to prevent members of our Movements from perpetrating any grave violations against children”.
“We hereby renew our commitment to adhere to the applicable international legal standards and norms including Security Council resolutions on children and armed conflict”.
The meeting was attended by the leaders of the three rebel groups Gibril Ibrahim for JEM, Abdel Wahid al-Nur and Minni Minnawi for the SLM groups.
It was organised by the Austrian Study Center for Peace and Conflict Resolution (ASPR) in coordination with the African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict (SRSG-CAAC).
The joint statement stressed that protecting children is an individual and collective responsibility and should be part of an early engagement and not await a formal comprehensive peace agreement by all parties to the conflict”.
The rebel groups also expressed readiness to engage in follow up consultations until a comprehensive peace agreement is reached.
The parties are prepared to remain actively engaged in follow-up consultations including with the participation of other actors until a comprehensive peace agreement is realized
In July 2010, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) signed a child protection agreement, which includes ending the recruitment of child soldiers in Darfur, with the Justice and Equality Movement.
(ST)