Sudan says it will stamp out child marriage and enforce ban on FGM

Police told to enforce law against cutting girls passed in July as country says it will adhere to African charter on child rights

Sudanese authorities have announced they will end child marriage and enforce the country's ban on female genital mutilation (FGM), in a major step forward for the rights of women and girls.

Police officers were told on Wednesday they must inform local communities that FGM is illegal following new laws passed in July that make it punishable by up to three years in jail.