On 12 February, the African Union, the European Union and the United Nations issued a joint statement marking the International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers.
The statement was delivered by the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Ms Kaja Kallas, and the United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Dr Vanessa Frazier.
In the joint statement, the three organizations reaffirmed their commitment to protect children affected by armed conflict and called for an end to the recruitment and use of children by armed forces and armed groups worldwide.
The statement also urged the international community to strengthen support for the sustainable reintegration of children formerly associated with armed forces and armed groups, including access to health services, psychosocial support and education. It emphasized that without sustained reintegration support, children remain at risk of re-recruitment, perpetuating cycles of violence and instability. Read full Joint Statement here.
