For more information, visit the UNICEF website

Developments in the Sudan

The overall situation in Southern Sudan has slightly improved since the last reporting period. The Government of National Unity (GoNU) and Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) made the following commitments during the visit of the Special Representative to Sudan in January 2007: to allow UNICEF and UNMIS access to the military barracks of the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF), Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) and allied armed forces and groups to monitor and verify compliance; to adopt and implement national legislation to criminalise recruitment of child soldiers in a timely manner; to allocate adequate resources for reintegration of children associated with the armed forces; to establish jointly with the UN a task force on sexual violence and abuse against children; and to ensure the safety and protection of humanitarian personnel.

As a follow-up to these commitments, some important measures have been undertaken by the GoSS to address the situation of children, including progressive legislative reform, structures to address sexual exploitation and abuse and other child protection concerns, and a serious commitment to the disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration of children. UNMIS has engaged in dialogue with the SPLA and SAF to end violations against children and release children from their military units, particularly those newly incorporated from other armed groups. On 7 June 2007, 60 SAF and SPLA commanders committed to end child recruitment and developed an Area Joint Military Committee (AJMC) action plan to address abductions, rape and other sexual violence against children in Upper Nile, Jonglei and Unity State.

During the reporting period*, hundreds of children were released from the SPLA and several from other armed groups aligned with the SAF, through the coordination of the Southern and Northern Sudan DDR Commissions. Children continue to be recruited and used by armed groups aligned with SAF and SPLA forces that fall under their respective commands. In late November 2006, confirmed reports indicate that SAF-aligned forces of Major General Gabriel Tang Ginye recruited approximately 70 children, including street children during hostilities in Malakal province. Further, at least another 300 children are confirmed to be present in the Pibor Defence Forces, also previously an SAF-aligned armed group.

During the reporting period*, many children were killed during gunfights between the SPLA and SAF. There are also persistent reports of SPLA forces attacking or occupying schools in various locations of Southern Sudan. There are some promising signs in the current phase of the Darfur peace process and agreement on a hybrid AU-UN mission. However, the day-to-day situation for children on the ground remains grave. There are credible reports indicating that the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF), the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM-Peace Wing), the Sudan Liberation Army/Minni Minawi (SLA/MM), SLA/Gasim (SLA/AG), SLA/Abdul Wahid (SLA/AW), SLA/Shafi (SLA/S), the Popular Defence Forces (PDF), Chadian rebel forces, Government of Sudan (GoS) allied militias, known as the Janjaweed, and the Central Reserve Police (CRP) continue to recruit and use children.

In Darfur, there were 46 verified cases of child deaths perpetrated by the Janjaweed and the SAF. Rape continues to be widespread in Darfur, and used as a method of warfare, with an increasing trend to specifically target younger girls. In Darfur, frequent hijackings of humanitarian agencies' vehicles impede delivery of aid and services to the most vulnerable, particularly children. Abductions and the use of physical and psychological violence against aid workers during attacks on humanitarian compounds are also increasing.

The SLA/MM signed an action plan to end the recruitment and use of children on 11 June 2007. They agreed to release and hand over all children associated with their forces or any other forces aligned with them; develop and implement an age determination process; and provide special protection for girls and women. The action plan will benefit 1,800 children associated with the SLA/MM. UNICEF and UNMIS have also been in dialogue with representatives of SLA/AW, SLA/AS and SLA (Free Will), who indicated their willingness to collaborate towards the release of children from their ranks. However, as of 30 June 2007, no concrete commitments to release children have been made. Some progress has also been made in Eastern Sudan. As part of the Eastern Sudan Peace Agreement signed on 14 October 2006 between the Eastern Front armed group and GoNU, 3,700 ex-combatants are being demobilised, 250 of whom are children.

Parties in Southern Sudan

1. Parties under the control of the Government of the Sudan

(a) South Sudan Defence Forces, including the forces of Major-General Gabriel Tang Ginyi

(b) Sudan. Armed Forces (SAF)

2. Parties under the control of the Government of Southern Sudan

(a) Pibor Defence Forces

(b) Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA)

Parties in Darfur

1. Parties under the control of the Government of the Sudan

(a) Chadian opposition groups

(b) Darfur Government supporting militias called the Janjaweed

(d) Popular Defence Forces

(e) Sudan Armed Forces (SAF)

2. Former rebel parties who have accepted the Darfur Peace Agreement

(a) Justice and Equality Movement (Peace Wing)

(b) Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) /Abu Gasim

(d) Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) /Minni Minnawi

3. Rebel parties who have rejected the Darfur Peace Agreement

(a) Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) /Abdul Wahid

(b) Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) /Shafi

Press Releases by the Special Representative:

Press Statement following the meetings of the Working Group by Ambassador de la Sablière, Permanent Representative of France to the UN and Chairman of the Working Group.

http://www.franceonu.org/article.php3?id_article=1328