TBD
UN and Darfur rebel group sign accord to protect children
The United Nations and the Justice and Equality Movement of Darfur (JEM) on Wednesday signed an agreement to protect children caught up in the conflict in Darfur.
Children in Sudan
The memorandum of understanding was signed in Geneva by the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, Georg Charpentier and JEM's humanitarian coordinator Suleiman Jamous.
The representative of UNICEF in Sudan, Nils Kastberg who witnessed the signing of the accord says it is not only addressing the issue of the recruitment of child soldiers but also the question of humanitarian access.
"It is also the question of ensuring there is no impunity around sexual abuse against children. It is also, obviously, commitment of no attacks against hospitals and schools. It's basically all the areas in conflict situations that are considered grave violations against protection of the rights of children.
Nils Kastberg says the agreement establishes principles and in the next few weeks the United Nations will start testing them to see what level of access it has, and if satisfactory, draw up a plan of action for the steps to be taken next.
Donn Bobb, United Nations Radio.
(duration: 1'09")
