Regional cooperation on child protection in armed conflict
The recruitment and use of children by armed forces is among the six grave violations identified by the United Nations, alongside killing and maiming, abduction, sexual violence, attacks on schools and hospitals, and the denial of humanitarian access.
In 2025, the UN verified a record 38,558 such violations, including over 6,600 cases of recruitment by armed groups. Since the UN established its Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism on grave violations against children in 2005, West and Central Africa has remained one of the regions most affected by child recruitment.
The July Conference on Children and Armed Conflict in Central Africa – Together Towards Prevention, convened by the Office of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict (SRSG-CAAC), was the first of its kind. Eleven member states of the UN Security Council for Central Africa (UNSAC), the African Union Commission, the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), and child protection partners shared evidence and practical approaches to preventing grave violations against children while discussing operational challenges. The goal was to develop a shared strategy that strengthens regional cooperation and guides future action to protect children affected by armed conflict.
Protecting children from armed groups with families and communities
Our experience shows that effective prevention requires reducing the vulnerabilities that armed groups exploit, such as poverty, displacement, lack of access to essential services and weak social protection systems.
This is what our Regional Emergency Advisor, Ludovic Ngon Ngassa, spoke about at the conference in Yaoundé. He noted that “Governments and civil society can reduce the risk of grave violations by strengthening families, keeping children in school, supporting young people's livelihoods, and investing in essential services, including mental health support.”
Ludovic’s remarks were informed by evidence generated through the West and Central Africa regional programme on preventing the recruitment of children into armed groups, funded by SOS Children’s Villages Worldwide and implemented in Burkina Faso, Niger, Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Togo, and the Central African Republic. He demonstrated how integrated child protection and emergency programming can help reduce children's vulnerability.
Rather than relying on a single intervention, this multi-country humanitarian action programme combines direct support for children with measures that strengthen their families and communities. Local child protection committees raise awareness of forced recruitment and other violations, helping communities play a more active role in protecting children. In child-friendly spaces, children can play and learn, access psychosocial support, health care and nutrition services. Those who need individual support are referred to appropriate services.
The programme offers skills building and entrepreneurship support to families and young people, addressing some of the pressures exploited by armed groups.
Shared vision of a safer future for children in Central Africa
On behalf of SOS Children’s Villages, Ludovic presented recommendations developed together with the global policy, advocacy and representation team. He urged decision-makers to strengthen early warning mechanisms, expand access to mental health and psychosocial support, ensure sustainable reintegration for children leaving armed groups, and improve coordination between governments, humanitarian organizations and communities.
The conference marked the beginning of a longer regional process. The draft prevention strategy will continue to be developed, validated and operationalized under the leadership of the Office of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict. Once adopted, it is intended to strengthen political ownership and provide a shared vision for future action by the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) on protecting children in armed conflict. SOS Children's Villages will continue integrating holistic child protection and family support into humanitarian programmes while advocating for stronger child protection systems that reduce risks before grave violations occur, helping more children grow up in safe and caring environments.
For questions on advocacy for children affected by armed conflict, contact Anne Mitaru at anne.mitaru@sos-kd.org. For questions on the regional CAAC programme, contact Ludovic Ngon Ngassa at ludovic.ngonngassa@sos-kd.org.