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Working group puts off decision

The working group, which is trying to reach agreement on a proposal to raise the minimum military recruiting age to 18 from 15, decided after a one-day meeting yesterday to give themselves another year to try to find a consensus. Olara Otunnu, the UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, told reporters he saw this as a positive move, giving more time for consultations before negotiations resumed in earnest. Otunnu expressed deep concern over the deteriorating situation in Sierra Leone “which had exposed women and children to deliberate targeting as victims”, the UN Information Service in Geneva said in a press statement. He appealed to all parties, but especially the rebel RUF junta, “to cease forthwith all such atrocities,” the statement added.

This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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