12 February marks the International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers, a powerful reminder that every child deserves protection, recovery, and a future free from violence, and that we share a responsibility to prevent recruitment and support their safe reintegration into society.
Through the UN-AU Partnership in Peace and Security, UNOAU works with the African Union to advance the protection and rehabilitation of children associated with armed forces and groups, as underscored in the AU Peace and Security Council Communiqué of its 1314th meeting open session on Children Affected by Armed Conflict held on 21 November 2025 (paragraph 17).
Together with partners including the SRSG for Children and Armed Conflict, UNICEF to the AU, UN PBPSO and UNDP, we continue to support the AU in the implementation of the 2023 AU Banjul Process, which calls for children’s needs to be prioritized in DDR processes and for stronger measures to prevent re recruitment.
As we mark #RedHandDay, UNOAU reaffirms continued support to the AU and its Member States and welcomes the appointment of the AU Special Envoy on Children Affected by Armed Conflict.
