The Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) rebels accused Sudan's government of recruiting over 300 boys in the Nuba Mountains of South Kordofan to serve in the Sudanese Rapid Support Forces (SRF).

JEM secretary to South Kordofan El Rahima Ismail told Radio Tamazuj Sunday that the government has started conscripting Nuba underage boys into the SRF militia.

Ismail said that committees of native administrations in Dilling, Abu Kershola, and Abassiya Localities are currently recruiting children after receiving orders by local authorities.

He said that in the last few days, more than 300 children were grouped at the house of Brigadier General Kafi Tayyar and dispatched for military trainings at Khalid Ibn El Waleed Training Centre in Khartoum.

Ismail urged the native administrations in South Kordofan to not assist the government in recruiting children.

He further accused the state government of neglecting the education of children.

“I call upon the tribal leaders not to respond to the government agents who intend to spoil the education of children in South Kordofan,” he said.

He further appealed to human rights defenders and humanitarian organizations to pay attention to the policies of the Khartoum government toward children.

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