African Union-UN mission in Darfur welcomes rebel group order to ban recruitment of child soldiers.

The African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) today welcomed as a significant step an order by the rebel Justice and Equality Movement known as JEM that prohibits the recruitment and use of children in its ranks.

This is a significant step towards phasing out this negative phenomenon in the Darfur conflict. UNAMID shall continue to engage all parties to the conflict for an end to all forms of violations against children, said the Mission's Acting Joint Special Representative Abiodun Bashua.

The recruitment and use of children is considered a serious crime under international law and the Sudan Child Act of 2010.

In a so-called 'Commanding Order' issued on 30 September, the JEM leadership instructs all the armed movement's members to adhere to the international norms and standards governing the protection of children and observe all the provisions of UN Security Council...