Rokero, June 25 (Darfur24)
Human rights activists and volunteers working in community protection networks have accused local and international rights organizations of overlooking alleged abuses in areas controlled by the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) led by Abdul Wahid Mohamed al-Nur in North and Central Darfur, including claims of child recruitment and sexual abuse.
A human rights activist affiliated with a humanitarian organization, who requested anonymity for security reasons, told Darfur24 that some international organizations and their local partners have been reluctant to address violations reported in areas controlled by the movement. He attributed this to security concerns and fears of reprisals against humanitarian workers.
The activist said that parts of Jebel Marra and the surrounding areas have witnessed documented cases of suspected child recruitment and sexual abuse involving minors. According to him, these incidents were reported through community protection networks but did not receive adequate follow-up from some organizations.
He added that protection departments within several organizations operating in the area have responded weakly to reports of child recruitment and sexual abuse, discouraging some volunteers from reporting cases or leading them to downplay their severity.
A volunteer working with community protection networks told Darfur24 that dozens of cases involving the recruitment of children and minors had been documented in recent months in Tawila and Jebel Marra. He said the cases were reported to relevant bodies, but no meaningful action had been taken.
The volunteer also alleged that cases of extortion and sexual abuse involving minors had been reported in eastern and western Jebel Marra, accusing some members of the movement of involvement. He claimed that these incidents received limited attention from international organizations because of security considerations and concerns about maintaining access to areas under the movement’s control.
A humanitarian worker criticized what he described as weak monitoring and documentation of abuses in movement-controlled areas, calling on international organizations and their partners to strengthen protection mechanisms and ensure that children and minors are safeguarded from further violations.
In response, a senior military commander in the Sudan Liberation Movement acknowledged the presence of child and minor recruits within areas under the movement’s control. However, he claimed that most had joined voluntarily.
The commander declined to comment on allegations of sexual abuse but urged human rights organizations operating in the region to expand training and awareness programs for the movement’s forces on international humanitarian law and civilian protection.