El Fasher, 18 December 2013 – 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.