UNAMID welcomes JEM’s renewed command order banning use of child soldiers

October 12, 2015 (EL-FASHIR) – The hybrid peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID) has welcomed the renewed command order issued by the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) on 30 September 2015 prohibiting the recruitment and use of children in its ranks.

JEM directed its members to adhere to the international norms and standards governing the protection of children in armed conflicts. It further ordered its field commanders to disseminate the command order.

The recruitment and use of children is considered a serious crime under international law and the Sudan Child Act of 2010.

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 JEM.

The command order comes after the meeting that took place in Austria on 27 and 28 May 2015 between three rebel groups from Darfur including JEM, Sudan Liberation Movement – Abdel Wahid al-Nur (SLM/AW) and Sudan Liberation Movement – Minni Minnawi (SLM/MM) and the special representative of the UN secretary-general for children and armed conflict.

Following the meeting, the three rebel movements issued a joint statement in which they commit to continue to take all necessary steps to protect children.

UNAMID’s acting joint special representative, Abiodun Bashua, described JEM’s move as a significant step towards phasing out this negative phenomenon in the Darfur conflict, stressing the mission would continue to engage all parties to the conflict for an end to all forms of violations against children.