Head of UNAMID welcomes SLA/Minni Minawi decision to ban recruitment of child soldiers

By United Nations - African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID)
Head of UNAMID welcomes SLA/Minni Minawi decision to ban recruitment of child soldiers
Head of UNAMID welcomes SLA/Minni Minawi decision to ban recruitment of child soldiers

EL FASHER (DARFUR), Sudan, December 18, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The African Union-United Nations Joint Special Representative for Darfur, Mohamed Ibn Chambas, has welcomed the decision taken by the Sudan Liberation Army/Minni Minawi (SLA/MM) to prohibit the recruitment and use of child soldiers in its ranks.


“UNAMID appreciates the commitment of SLA/MM to adhere to the international laws and principles on the protection of children against violence,” the JSR said. “Involving children in armed conflict is a serious crime that not only endangers their own lives but will also affect negatively their future and that of their societies.”


The command order, issued by SLA/MM leader Minni Minawi, comes following his participation in a workshop on peace and security in Darfur held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 9-11 December and co-organized by the AU-UN Joint Mediation Support Team and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development. The event discussed issues related to international humanitarian law and human rights.