UN welcomes Sudan's extension of children protection plan

The United Nations on Tuesday welcomed Sudan government's extension of the Action Plan for the Protection of Children from Violations in Armed Conflict.

The UN Country Task Force on Monitoring and Reporting hailed the substantial progress Sudan has made to implement and reaffirm the commitment, to which the country and the UN will make joint effort for the rights of children in Sudan, according to a UN statement.

The statement pointed to the key milestones in the implementation of the plan by the Sudanese government, including the release of 21 children formerly associated with armed groups, and their receipt of presidential pardons.

"In addition, the government has enacted laws and policies to prevent the recruitment and use of children in its forces, and provided the UN access for the purposes of monitoring and verification," it added.

The UN also said that it would work together with the Sudanese government to address other gaps in the full implementation of the action plan.

The plan set out a series of measures to enhance the overall protection of children affected by armed conflict, including the cessation and prevention of child recruitment.

Sudan has been fighting the rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM)/northern sector at South Kordofan and Blue Nile states since 2011. It has also been fighting armed groups in Darfur since 2003. Endit