Table (11): JEM Child Soldiers
S/N No
of اstate
Children
1
54
W Darfur
2
9
N Darfur
3
4
2
25
S Darfur
Chad Refugee Camps
5
Total 90
Remarks
An amount of $ 82,000 was allocated to
finance the reintegration of children. 33 of
the children returned to school
Ministry of Welfare and Social Security was
tasked with follow up
returned to school
No reports received on them (work is
underway to contact these children)
Children in Armed Conflicts:
Provisions of the Armed Forces Act, 2007 were in line with the provisions of the
UNCRC and its two Optional Protocols and the African Charter on the Rights and
Welfare of the Child. The Act stipulates:
Ensure the age of enlistment is 18 and shall remain as stipulated in the Personnel
Regulations, 2960.
The Act stipulated certain conditions for enlistment; chief among them is the age
of 18 and ability to endure military life.
The Act provided for a 5 years imprisonment to whoever enlist a person below
18.
The Act dedicated a whole chapter on the protection of civilians during armed conflicts;
reiterated protection of children and other fragile groups and stipulated punishments
reaching 20 years imprisonment and death sentence in certain cases. In the area of
protection the Act stipulated the following:
Special protection for children.
Prohibition of relocation of children belonging to certain regions, ethnic groups or
national groups to different areas.
Prohibition of imposing special measures such family size control of prevention of
pregnancy.
Prohibition of all sexual acts with children or marriage of children or exercise of any
form of sexual exploitation or abuse.
Article 43 of The Child Act, 2010 provided for prohibition of conscription,
appointment or use of children in armed forces or groups or in military operations.
Article 44 of the same obliged development of DDR programs for child soldiers.
The establishment of a Child Rights Unit has been highlighted earlier. Here are some of
the projects and programs conducted by the Unit:
Implementation of a joint training program with regional experts in the field of
armed conflicts in Darfur. The program, financed by Save the Children Sweden,
included 5 courses and 5 seminars.
Implementation of a triangular conceptual training between the Armed Forces,
NCCW and UNICEF (see table 12).
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