The African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur or UNAMID welcomed a community-based strategic plan North Darfur traditional leaders’ initiated to end the use of children as fighters in tribal clashes.
In a statement CRN obtained on Monday, Sheikh Musa Hilal and other leaders issued a local order to communities to prohibit the use of children as fighters.
They assured their full commitment and adherence to international norms and standards protecting children in situations of armed conflict.
The strategic plan establishes an implementation follow-up committee to raise awareness about the negative impact of using children as soldiers, identify kids who served as fighters in past ethnic conflicts and to work with relevant organisations to rehabilitate and reintegrate them into the society.
UNAMID expects that successful implementation of the plan would serve as a platform to foster relations between communities, contribute to ending tribal clashes and enhance the protection of children.
The Mission applauded the progress made in Darfur through promoting the local ownership of the protection of children agenda.
1,200 former child soldiers were registered to benefit from reintegration programs supported by Sudan Disarmament Demobilisation and Reintegration Commission, UNICEF and UNAMID.