29 December 2008 - Statement by UNICEF Sudan on recent press reports related to child soldiers in SudanUNICEF Sudan wishes to specify that during recent interviews with the press that covered a wide range of issues, the outgoing UNICEF Representative in Sudan highlighted the continued presence in Sudan in general, and in Darfur in particular, of children attached to armed forces and groups and the need to address and resolve this issue. The comments made during these interviews highlighted that there are an estimated 8,000 child soldiers in Sudan of which up to 6,000 are in Darfur, and that these children are associated with all types of armed groups and forces. The comments further highlighted the mitigating measures undertaken by a variety of actors including government to address the issue of child soldiers. These include the commitment of all of the signatories to the Darfur Peace Agreement, spearheaded by the North Sudan Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration Commission to address the issue of child soldiers, negotiations with various rebel movements to do the same, the existence of a Coordination Mechanism for Children Affected by Armed Conflict in Sudan led by Sudan’s National Council for Child Welfare to address a range of issues affecting children including child soldier recruitment, and the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Sudanese Armed Forces, the National Council for Child Welfare and UNICEF to create a child right unit within the Sudanese Armed Forces and raise awareness about child rights. UNICEF Sudan remains convinced that these measures will help address the issue of child soldiers in Darfur and ensure that children are demobilized and returned to their families in 2009. UNICEF Sudan has always been committed to speaking out on behalf of children from a basis of fact, in a fair and impartial way that identifies challenges still facing children and recognizes efforts made by all parties to improve the situation of children in Sudan. UNICEF will continue to work with the Government of National Unity, the Government of Southern Sudan and all other actors in order to protect children’s rights and safeguard their well being.
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