Sudan finally signs deal to end use of child soldiers

The Sudanese government on Monday signed an action plan with the UN to end the use of child soldiers in the country. But advocates question the official commitment to the agreement, noting the government’s participation comes after years of denying its use of child soldiers, even as some rebel groups in the country already signed similar deals.

The action plan is an initiative of the UN’s Children, Not Soldiers campaign, which seeks to end the recruitment of child fighters and reintegrate into civilian life those who have taken up arms. Sudan is the last of eight countries of concern to sign the plan.

“The action plan will bring about a more protected future for the country’s children,” said Leila Zerrougui, a UN representative who began the initiative, in a written statement. “I look forward to its full implementation and reiterate my support to the Sudanese authorities to reach its objective.”

In line with the agreement, the Sudanese government pledged to cease and prevent child recruitment, release children now serving in national security forces, and enhance the overall protection of children affected by armed conflict. But Sudan will remain a country of concern unless it fulfills the agreement’s measures.

“It’s a very welcome step from the regime,” said John Hursh, a policy analyst at the advocacy group Enough Project. “But whether they actually do anything about it or abide by it is very questionable.”

Thousands of children have been recruited as child soldiers since the start of the war between Sudan’s government and various rebel groups in 2003. Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has denied the government ever used child soldiers, despite claims from many human rights groups. The Goldin Institute, a Chicago-based global advocacy group, said “thousands of children fight with the Sudanese armed forces and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army.”

In 2009, the rebel group Sudan People’s Liberation Army signed a deal with the UN to end the use of child soldiers. The following year, the rebel group Justice and Equality Movement also signed a UN deal to protect children caught up in the Darfur conflict. The agreement allowed the UN to visit the group’s bases to verify it didn’t have any child soldiers. Last June, the Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement became the first African non-state actor to sign the Geneva Deed that prohibits the use of children in hostilities.

“It tells you all you need to know about the regime when the so-called rebels it’s fighting against have already taken protection to end the use of child soldiers in conflict, and the government is actually the one following this a couple years later,” Hursh said.