UN lauds deal to hand over child soldiers in Darfur

The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) Monday lauded an announcement by a group in Sudan's Darfur that it would begin handing over children associated with its armed groups in Darfur.

In a statement issued in Nairobi , the UNICEF said the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/A) -- one of the signatories to the Darfur Peace Agreement --has indicated that it has already identified a number of children attached to its forces in south and north Darfur.

The statement said that a formal process of identifying all children associated with its armed groups would start within the next month.

"Today we are thankful that for many children in Darfur, the process of rebuilding their lives can begin," said UNICEF Representative in Sudan, Ted Chaiban.

Chaiban said the UN children's agency has been in discussion with the SLM/A for several months prior to the agreement, and applauded the decision by the SLM/A to begin identifying and handing over children.

The exact number of children associated with armed forces and groups in Darfur are unclear, as monitoring and reporting has been difficult due to limited access to conflict areas. However, UNICEF estimates that at least 7,000 children could be linked to various armed forces and groups in the region.

"Today's agreement with the SLM/A is only the start of the process," noted Ted Chaiban.

"It will take time for children to be properly identified and appropriate reintegration programmes to be established, but I hope we will now see real efforts to turn this agreement into tangible action for children, and that others will now agree to hand over children that may be attached to their own forces," he said.

The agreement signed between the SLM/A and UNICEF commits the SLM/A to identify locations where children are associated with its armed groups within one month, prior to a joint verification of children by the SLM/A and the United Nations.

"UNICEF, in collaboration with Government and local and international NGOs, will support the provision of family tracing and community reintegration programs, along with training of SLM/A field commanders on international child rights and protection standards," it said.

"Demobilized children will benefit from life skills and vocational training opportunities, education support, psycho social activities such as recreation, sports and career guidance, as well as the assistance of social workers who will monitor and ensure follow-up of children during the reintegration process."

Source: Xinhua