JEM: We will stop using child soldiers

Here is a welcome development.

Rebels in Sudan’s Darfur region and the United Nations have signed a deal to protect children from being used as soldiers in conflict zones.

The Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, an independent mediation group based in Geneva, says Darfur’s Justice and Equality Movement, or JEM, and the United Nations Children’s Fund– UNICEF have signed a deal to protect children.

Dennis McNamara, Humanitarian Adviser, Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, said, “I’m very pleased to say that the dialogue that has been long and detailed has finally resulted in a very concrete and important outcome which is the signing of this agreement.”

Under the agreement, UNICEF will have full access to all JEM locations to verify that children are not being exploited and used as soldiers.