JEM to end use of child soldiers

The Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), Darfur’s largest rebel group, announced its commitment to end the use of child soldiers, according to a UNAMID press release from 16 September. Aichatou Mindaoudou, UNAMID Acting Joint Special Representative, stated that “Child soldiering is detrimental to peace and to children who are the future of Darfur. [UNAMID] applauds JEM’s commitment toward protecting children and appeals to all members of armed groups and forces to do the same.” According to the press release, JEM and UNAMID held talks in July in Stadtschlaining, Austria. As a result JEM announced this week it agreed to establish “an operational mechanism to identify children, who are associated with its forces, for demobilization and reintegration.”

The Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), Darfur’s largest rebel group, announced its commitment to end the use of child soldiers, according to a UNAMID press release from 16 September.

Aichatou Mindaoudou, UNAMID Acting Joint Special Representative, stated that “Child soldiering is detrimental to peace and to children who are the future of Darfur. [UNAMID] applauds JEM’s commitment toward protecting children and appeals to all members of armed groups and forces to do the same.”

According to the press release, JEM and UNAMID held talks in July in Stadtschlaining, Austria.

As a result JEM announced this week it agreed to establish “an operational mechanism to identify children, who are associated with its forces, for demobilization and reintegration.”