African Union, AU Peace and Security Council dedicated to children affected by armed conflict and United Nations, UN agencies vowed to strengthen collaborative efforts to end recruitment of children and protect them from impact of conflict.
In a statement UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Ms Zerrougui and UNICEF Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, Ms Gharagozloo-Pakkala met on Thursday, recommitting to protect children in situations of armed conflict.
The Special Representative and UNICEF Director stressed the key role of the African Union to lead and support efforts to end recruitment and use of children in times of conflict.
Ms Pakkala said African Union could play a vital role in supporting Member States, as the primary duty bearers to live up to their obligations.
She added that Africa must seize a historic moment of collaboration and commitment to protect children affected by armed conflict in the continent.
‘Children, not soldiers’ campaign launched by UNICEF in March 2014 aimed at ending and preventing the recruitment and use of children by Government security forces in conflict by 2016.
The UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict said all African countries agreed that their security forces should be child-free.