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Rebel group names

Justice and Equality Movement (JEM)

 

Background Information

The JEM was formed in 1991 under the leadership of Islamist leader Hassan al-Turabi. Mr. Turabi, an essential figure in the 1989 overthrow of the Sadeq al-Mahdi led Sudanese governemtn, initiated the rebel movement following his failed attempts at limiting President Omar al-Bashir’s authority.[1] Most of the support for the rebel group’s operations comes from Arab groups marginalized by President al-Bashir, particularly in Darfur. The JEM has refused to sign onto any peace accord with the government and continues to  act against the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAD, particularly in North Darfur.[2]

 

Source of Funding

The JEM has historically relied upon other regional governments in Chad, Uganda, and Libya for financial support. Since the fall of the Gaddafi regime and the termination of Chadian support, JEM has relied heavily upon support from displaced Darfurians and South Sudan.[3]

 

Estimated number of child soldiers held by rebels

Currently, the JEM reports that it does not employ any children in its military services. The UN special envoy in Darfur is in the initial stages of verifying this claim as directed under the action plan signed in September 2012. [4]

 

Temporal scope

JEM began actively recruiting child soldiers during when initially formed in 2000. In September 2012, the JEM committed to preventing recruitment of children in its ranks and vowed to immediately release all children in its armed forces.[5]

 

Age

The youngest recorded JEM child soldier was 11 years of age, with the average being nearer to 15. 

 

Recruitment method

While the JEM forcibly obtained children for its military ranks during the height of the conflict in Darfur, much of its recruitment has come from children volunteering after taking refuge in JEM barracks.[6]

 

DDR (disarmament, demobilization, reintegration) program

Since the formation of the first Sudanese DDR commission, approximately 200 children have been demobilized from JEM forces and reintegrated into the community.

 

Other human rights violations

Reports indicate that the JEM has been involved in a number of human rights violations, including abductions and civilian killings.

 

Government’s human rights violations

Sudan’s government forces, the Sudan Armed Forces, along with its paramilitary groups have committed widespread killings of civilians, acts of sexual violence, torture, and arbitrary detention in its Darfur operations. On March 4, 2009 Sudanese President Omar al Bashir war formally indicted by the International Criminal Court for his role these human rights violations.

 

Other relevant information

On June 17, 2011, two leaders of JEM appeared before the International Criminal Court (ICC) for three counts of war crimes committed against African Union peacekeepers in 2007.[7] Both individuals are currently awaiting trial.

 

References/Citations

 

African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur, "DDR Highlights." Last modified February 2011. http://unamid.unmissions.org/Portals/UNAMID/DDRHighlights_Feb 2011.pdf.

 

Child Soldiers International, "Sudan." Child Soldiers Global Report 2008.                 http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/486cb13141.html. 

 

Cycmanick, Chris . United Nations Mission in Darfur, "Significant Step by Darfur Armed Group to End Use of Child Soldiers." Last modified September 25, 2012.   http://unamid.unmissions.org.

 

Human Rights Watch, "Sudan." Last modified 2013. http://www.hrw.org/world-report/2013/country-chapters/sudan.

 

Jarvis, Hayley. SOS Children's Villages, "Darfur rebels’ deal to stop child soldiers." Last modified July 21, 2010. http://www.soschildrensvillages.org.uk/about-our-   charity/archive/2010/07/darfur-rebels2019-deal-to-stop-child-soldiers.

 

Leff , Jonah, and Anna Alvazzi. "Justice and Equality Movement." Human Security Baseline Assessment for Sudan and South Sudan. (2012).    http://www.smallarmssurveysudan.org/fileadmin/docs/facts-figures/sudan/darfur/armed-groups/opposition/HSBA-Armed-Groups-JEM.pdf.

 

The Hague Justice Portal, "Abdallah Banda Abakaer Nourain (Banda)." Last modified 2012.                 http://www.haguejusticeportal.net/index.php?id=11790.