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The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) have signed an Action Plan with the United Nations in Geneva to end and prevent the recruitment and use of children in conflict.

The chairman of the SPLM-N, Malik Agar, signed the Action Plan in a ceremony taking place at the United Nations’ Palais des Nations in Geneva.

“SPLM-N is firmly committed to the protection of children in conflict and today’s signing is a continuity of that commitment,” declared Malik Agar, following the signing ceremony.

“We welcome the SPLM-N’s commitment to better protect children by ending and preventing the recruitment and use of children. The United Nations in Sudan reiterates that it stands ready to support the full implementation of this Action Plan,” declared the co-chairs of the United Nations Country Task Force on Monitoring and Reporting, Marta Ruedas, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator and Abdullah A. Fadil, UNICEF Representative. Abdullah A. Fadil, UNICEF Representative in Sudan, signed the Action Plan and represented the United Nations in Sudan.

The Action Plan includes a series of measures to end and prevent the recruitment, use and association of all children under 18 with the SPLM-N.  The SPLM-N committed to ensure the release of children present in their ranks and take the necessary measures to halt child recruitment and use, including through the issuance and dissemination of military orders and the appointment of a high-level officer to act as focal point to coordinate and collaborate with the United Nations to ensure the full implementation of this Action Plan. They also pledged to facilitate the reintegration of the children in their communities.

“I am encouraged by the signing of this Action Plan by the SPLM-N today, the second Action Plan signed for Sudan in less than a year,” said Leila Zerrougui, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict who witnessed the signature. This Action Plan is a promise for a more protected future for children growing up in difficult conditions. I look forward to its full implementation and reiterate my full support to the SPLM-N to reach this objective.”

Upon successful completion of all measures agreed to in the Action Plan by the SPLM-N and verification by the United Nations, the non-State armed group will be eligible to be delisted from the annexes of the Secretary-General’s annual report on children and armed conflict.

For more information please contact:

Unicef UK Media Team on +44 (0)207 375 6030 or media@unicef.org.uk

About Unicef:

Unicef is the world’s leading organisation for children, promoting the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.

Unicef UK raises funds to protect children in danger, transform their lives and build a safer world for tomorrow’s children. As a registered charity we raise funds through donations from individuals, organisations and companies and we lobby and campaign to keep children safe. Unicef UK also runs programmes in schools, hospitals and with local authorities in the UK. For more information please visit unicef.org.uk