Protection of Children
in Conflict Situations
Protecting Our Future
Agenda 2030
Goal 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
Agenda 2063
Aspiration 3: An Africa of good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law
Aspiration 4: A peaceful and secure Africa.
To address the challenges associated with children in armed conflict situations, the Department, through the AU Coordination Group on Children in Situations of Conflict, has facilitated a platform for coordinating the protection of children caught up in conflict situations.
The protection of children in situations of conflict (CiSC) programme is centred on four main pillars namely the promotion of voice and visibility, accountability, capacity and coordination.
PAPS Commissioner: Amb. Bankole Adeoye, Nigeria (elected in February 2021)
Governance and Conflict Prevention Directorate - Director: Patience Zanelie Chiradza, Zimbabwe
Conflict Management Directorate - Director: Dr. Sarjoh Bah, Sierra Leone
@AUC_PAPS Hashtags: #banjulProcess @AGA_Platform #APSA-AGA #theAfricaWeWant
"These instruments ((i) The Policy on Child Protection in African Union Peace Support Operations; and (ii) the Policy on Mainstreaming Child Protection into the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA)) underscore the commitment of AU policy organs such as the Assembly and the Peace and Security Council, which have adopted decisions calling for the enhanced protection of children in conflict situations and the promotion of children's rights in Africa's peace, security and development agendas." Amb. Bankole
About
Background
Conflicts in Africa are becoming more fragmented and complex in nature and scope, while the theatre of war in some places has moved into urban
areas. Not only do armed groups and networks target and attack civilian populations and use them as human shields,
but they also target children and young people as recruits. In some situations, parties to conflicts,
especially armed conflicts, have been using children as soft targets. The impact of armed conflict on children and civilian populations
leads to deaths, life-changing injuries, and destruction of infrastructure needed to guarantee access to food, shelter, water, health
and education, child protection, and other essential social services for children. Attacks on schools and hospitals are on the increase,
and children are losing protected environments. Once the conflicts end, children have particular short- and long-term post-conflict
reconstruction needs, such as tracing of family members, redress and social reintegration, psycho-social rehabilitation programs
including disarmament, demobilisation, and reintegration (DDR) programs, as well as child/youth participation within transitional
justice frameworks. Factors that increase the vulnerability of children to armed conflict include the increasing involvement of
non-state actors in conflict, the asymmetric nature of conflict, weak child protection mechanisms for preventing, responding,
monitoring and reporting violations, and the impunity of the violators.
The 26th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the AOU, in July 1990, adopted the African Charter on the Rights
and Welfare of the Child which entered into force in November 1999. The adoption of this Charter is a manifestation of African leaders of
the OAU/AU in ensuring that the rights of the African child are protected. Therefore, the African Union (AU) through the African Peace and
Security Architecture (APSA) , and the African Governance Architecture (AGA) are tools established by the AU to intensify peace, security and
stability efforts, including efforts to address the situation of children in conflict. The African Union Assembly adopted key Decisions, such
as [Assembly/AU/Dec.718 (XXXII)] of 2019, and [Assembly/ AU/Dec.755(XXXIII)] of 2020, which echoed/endorsed the PSC decision for the
establishment of a Child Protection Architecture.
Furthermore, the adoption of the Policy on Mainstreaming Child Protection in the APSA and the Child Protection Policy for AU Peace Support
Operations (PSOs) by the Specialised Technical Committee on Defence, Safety, and Security (STCDSS) , in 2022, provide instructive
guidance towards the protection of children as a fundamental precursor to achieving sustainable peace and security in the Continent and
sets policy guidance on the establishment of the child protection architecture.
Additionally, within the human rights landscape, there has been commendable progress in the promulgation of normative frameworks such as
the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC), African Charter on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR) and the
Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol), all which have provisions for the
protection of children in armed conflict and emergencies. The AU Organs, such as the Peace and Security Council (AU),
the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC), African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR),
African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (AfCHPR) have mandates to protect children in situations of conflict, in line with various AU
instruments.
Despite the presence of human rights frameworks and monitoring mechanisms, there is a general paucity of evidence on whether these instruments, monitoring bodies, institutions and mechanisms effectively collaborate within a well-coordinated system to prevent and protect children from child rights violations. The available continental literature and assessments of the continental child protection landscape in situations of armed conflict, tensions, strife, and emergencies indicate that policies, mechanisms, programmes and institutions need to be supported and enhanced for more collaboration and coordination in addressing the challenges facing children in conflict situation. There are limited synergies among the different entities mandated to protect children in the theatre of conflict, and the absence of an over–arching architecture to proffer cross-linkages among the existing instruments, and duty-bearers presents a major obstacle to the full protection of children’s rights in conflict prevention, peace-making, peace-building and post-conflict reconstruction processes in the region. To respond to these concerns, the PSC during its 706th Meeting of 26 July 2017, adopted a Press Statement [PSC/PR/BR. (DCCVI)] recommended the establishment of a comprehensive Child Protection Architecture within the AU Commission as a platform to ensure the full implementation of various instruments adopted at continental and international levels aimed at protecting the rights of children in conflict situations. Furthermore, underscoring the need for harmonization and coordination of efforts, as well as the importance and critical role of partners in the protection of children in conflict situations, the Africa Platform on Children Affected by Armed Conflicts (AP CAAC) was established by the Department of the political Affairs, Peace and Security of the AU . The AP CAAC is mandated to coordinate the efforts by the Member States, AU Commission, and the relevant partners based on strong advocacy for the implementation of AU Frameworks. The PSC Decision envisages the Child Protection Architecture as a convening platform to coordinate existing initiatives of relevant actors in the realm of protecting children’s rights in situations of conflict, thereby prompting a continental approach which aims to trigger a much-hoped-for integrated response to the multi-dimensional challenges faced by children in conflict situations. Thus, the holding of this PSC ministerial and High-level Open Session, with the participation of other relevant stakeholders, is premised on calling for the establishment of an architecture that will serve as a structure for well-functioning, coordinated continental institutions to harmonize efforts and enhance coordination and cooperation of protection of children-related activities throughout the AU system and beyond, thereby significantly enhancing strategic coherence, convergence, and harmony in practice at national, regional and continental levels.
In its efforts to protect children in conflict situations, the Commission guided the adoption of a landmark Communique on the Situation of Children in Conflict situations in Africa at the 994th meeting of the PSC; established the Africa Platform on Children Affected by Armed Conflicts (AP-CAAC) in July 2021 to drive and sustain advocacy for the protection of children in conflict situations in Africa. AP-CAAC brings together individual AU Ambassadors and key child protection stakeholders committed to engaging and sustaining advocacy for the protection of children in humanitarian situations, in particular during armed conflicts in Africa. The Platform is co-chaired by H.E Ambassador Jainaba Jagne, the Permanent Representative of the Republic of The Gambia to the African Union and H.E Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, the Commissioner, Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the African Union Commission. Ambition The Group's ambition is to promote the mainstreaming of the rights of children agenda in the African Union (AU) Commission including the AU Chairperson's Office to complement efforts that have already been made by AU organs, departments such as the Departments of Political Affairs Peace and Security, Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, and Education, Science, Technology and Innovation and other mechanisms such as the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.
Objective The overall objective of AP CAAC is to protect children affected by conflicts and crises from the six grave violations against children in armed conflicts through policymaking and reporting at the AU level. In response to this overall objective of the Platform and the members being deeply concerned about the scale of humanitarian challenges in some member states, which affect the protection of the rights and welfare of children, the Platform set forth a plan to make field visits to selected member states in its inaugural meeting. Approach It was highlighted in the inaugural meeting of the Platform that the platform is action-oriented and therefore some field visits are organised to selected member states to take advantage of opportunities for advocacy to improve the welfare of children. The importance of conducting a consultation with children during the field visits to ensure their best interests, concerns and recommendations are well reflected in policy outcomes and are further implemented was also emphasized.
The protection of children in situations of conflict (CiSC) programme is centred on four main pillars which are the promotion of voice and visibility, accountability, capacity and coordination.
CiSC Four main pillars
Action oriented
The protection of children in situations of conflict (CiSC) facilitated the adoption of two major child protection policies namely: - Policy on Integration of Child Protection into APSA and another on Mainstreaming Child Protection in African Union Peace Support Operations (AU PSOs) by the Specialized Technical Committee on Defence, Safety and Security of the African Union during its Fourteenth Ordinary Meeting held in Addis Ababa, from 9 to 13 May 2022.
The policies provide a normative basis for mainstreaming child protection in the peace and security agenda with guidance on, and how PSOs can contribute to preventing violations against children and promote accountability efforts against perpetrators in a Mission Area. An implementation matrix for the policies has been prepared to monitor implementation.
From 4 to 5 December 2023, the African Union Peace and Security Council (PSC) convened a Ministerial and High-Level Open Session on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights and Welfare of Children in Situations of Conflict in Africa, in Banjul, Republic of The Gambia , to raise awareness and exchange ideas on practical ways of preventing grave violations of the rights of children in situations of conflict in Africa. The meeting brought together the PSC members, the representatives of the AU member states, the Africa Platform on Children Affected by Armed Conflicts (AP-CAAC), AU organs/institutions and the regional economic communities and mechanisms for conflict prevention, management and resolution (RECs/RMs), as well as partners, including the African Union Network of Think Tanks for Peace (NeTT4Peace), African civil society organizations (CSOs) and representatives of the children affected by armed conflicts.
The PSC decided to institutionalize this platform, also known as the “Banjul Process” , to be held, on a rotational basis, at a venue to be agreed upon. The Banjul Process will serve as a continental community of practice on children in conflict situations to facilitate consistent lessons-learning and experience sharing with the APCAAC, member states, RECs/RMs and CSOs. The Banjul Process amplifies a fundamental pillar of the programme on protecting children in conflict situations to promote the voices of children in conflict situations in Africa.
Under the auspices of the Inter-Regional Knowledge Exchange (I-RECKE) on Early Warning and Conflict Prevention, the AUC and RECs/RMs convened at a technical level in Lusaka, Zambia, from 15 to 17 August 2023, on the protection of children in conflict settings. In line with AU decisions for member states and RECs/RMs to redouble efforts in mainstreaming child protection in their programmes, the session provided an opportunity for stocktaking on developing and implementing an action plan towards scaling up joint efforts and information sharing in preventing and responding to violations of the rights of children in situations of conflict in Africa.
I-RECKE is a co-creation of the AU Commission and the eight AU-recognized RECs and two RMs to promote an institutional community of practice for intra-continental and cross-regional learning to build peace.
The AP-CAAC undertook a lessons-learning mission to the Republic of Sierra Leone on the rehabilitation and reintegration of children affected by armed conflicts, from 4 to 8 September 2023, as part of efforts to advocate for the rights and welfare of children in conflict settings. The mission engaged with critical stakeholders in Sierra Leone, including representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Ministry of Gender, Children’s Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Social Welfare, Family Support Unit, the National Human Rights Commission, UNICEF and CSOs including Save the Children, Fumbal Tok and Centre for Memory and Reparations. Best practices and key lessons learnt from Sierra Leone include
- Establishment of relevant normative and institutional frameworks;
- Mainstreaming child protection in peacemaking and peacebuilding;
- Using a child rights-based approach in rehabilitation and reintegration, interventions in education and skills training and how to mainstream child protection in DDR.
- Fostering interagency coordination, collaboration and multisectoral approach;
- Resource mobilisation and partnership;
- Need for sustained psychosocial support and the use of traditional methods to foster reconciliation.
The AP-CAAC in collaboration with other key stakeholders, will build on these lessons when engaging AU Member States.
Footprint of Success
- PSC requested the Commission to mobilize support for Member States hosting refugees, internally displaced persons and undocumented migrants and ensure the AU-COVID-19 Response Fund caters for humanitarian assistance to children in refugees and IDP camps. Council also encouraged the establishment of a child protection situation room to facilitate coordinated responses aimed at protecting children affected by armed conflict; requested the Commission to institutionalize a child protection architecture within APSA; and reiterated its call to the Chairperson of the AUC to appoint a Special Envoy on Children in Situations of Conflict.
- In its efforts to protect children in conflict situations, the Commission guided the adoption of a landmark Communique on the Situation of Children in Conflict situations in Africa at the 994th meeting of the PSC;
- established the Africa Platform on Children Affected by Armed Conflicts (AP-CAAC) in July 2021 to drive and sustain advocacy for the protection of children in conflict situations in Africa;
- Co-sponsored the International 4th Conference on Safe Schools in Abuja, which called for accelerated implementation of the Safe Schools Declaration to promote the protection of education from attacks and bans the military use of schools
- The Commission also finalized the drafting of two landmark policy instruments requested by the Assembly on mainstreaming child protection into APSA and Child Protection in AU PSOs as well as a continental monitoring, reporting and accountability mechanism.
- The policy frameworks will provide accurate, updated and reliable data on the plight of children in situations of conflict in Africa, to AU Member States, Organs and RECs/RMs.
- The Platform has engaged in high-level advocacy for the protection of children in situations and the endorsement and domestication of the Safe Schools Declaration (SSD) . As a result, two more Member States, namely, the Republic of Tunisia and the Republic of Congo have endorsed the SSD. The Platform has also engaged in advocating for mainstreaming of child protection in key policy organs of the AU including the Peace and Security Council.
- The Platform under the leadership of the permanent representative of the Republic of The Gambia further undertook a solidarity mission to the Republic of Mozambique in November 2022 to support the efforts of the Government of Mozambique and other stakeholders to promote the welfare of children affected by armed conflicts.
- In its engagement with key stakeholders in Mozambique, key takeaways include:
- The need for the establishment of a lessons learnt platform for Member States to share experiences on the protection of children in situations of conflict;
- The role of capacity building and resource and partnerships mobilisation to support programmes which have been and are to be put in place to protect children in situations of conflict;
- Consolidating Member States engagement on the Safe Schools Declaration;
- The importance of legal reforms and establishment of accountability mechanisms to protect children;
- and the importance of collaborative efforts for all stakeholders to address the plight of children in situations of conflict.
- Further, an expert workshop was conducted in South Sudan in December 2022 , as part of advocacy efforts to support the enhancement of the protection of children in situations of conflict. An evaluation of implementation of decisions on South Sudan of key policy organs, particularly the PSC was undertaken and the support that is needed to facilitate speedy implementation. Furthermore, an outline of concrete measures to be undertaken by all key stakeholders including the AU towards enhanced protection of children in South Sudan were identified.
Promotion of children's voices and visibility Pillar
- In the promotion of children's voices and visibility , the PSC was briefed three times in 2022 on the plight of children in situations of conflict. Through the sessions, PSC Members engaged with child survivors from situations of conflict concerning child rights violations in conflict settings. Key decisions were undertaken in these sessions including to further enhance advocacy for the safety and security of children in conflict settings and requesting the AUC to facilitate the development of guidelines to facilitate the systematic participation of children in PSC sessions on CAAC and to undertake a study on the specific impact of terrorism on children and to submit the report of the study for consideration by the Council.
- In furtherance of accountability , the CiSC programme started processes towards the implementation of a key decision of the AU Assembly, Assembly/AU/Dec.718 (XXXII), whereby the Assembly requested the AUC to establish a continental reporting and monitoring framework to provide the AU with accurate, reliable and up-to-date data on the plight of children in situations of violent conflict and crisis. A technical working session with child protection, early warning, reporting and monitoring experts was convened which resulted in the development of a framework for the establishment of a Continental Monitoring, Reporting and Accountability Mechanism on the Status of Children in Situations of Conflict. Of note was the recommendation to undertake an empirical study to build on the 1996 Graca Machel study on the impact of conflicts on children. The study will identify existing gaps, emerging violations, institutional mechanisms that the continental mechanism can hinge on and other operational modalities.
- In promotion of the coordination pillar, implementation of the Assembly decision Assembly/AU/Dec.718 (XXXII) has commenced. Through the decision, the Assembly endorsed the PSC conclusion which requested the Commission, in close collaboration with relevant stakeholders, to explore ways to strengthen the existing AU and RECs/RMs mechanisms on child protection and on that basis develop a child protection architecture for the Continent as a sub-aspect of APSA . Thus, study on the modalities of establishing a child protection architecture has already been commissioned.
Accountability Pillar
Coordination pillar
- In 2023, the Commission focused on the implementation of the policies through dissemination to relevant stakeholders including the Africa Platform on Children Affected by Armed Conflict and RECs/RMs.
- A key outcome of the consultative sessions was an agreed action plan for all RECs/RMs to develop child protection architecture within their peace and security efforts to respond to the plights of children in situations of conflict.
- In 2023, the AP CAAC undertook a lesson learning mission to Sierra Leone to learn about the reforms that were implemented across all sectors to mainstream reintegration and rehabilitation programmes for children affected by the conflict in the country.
- The report has been developed on the best practices adopted by Sierra Leone to address situation of children affected by armed conflict to be shared to countries experiencing conflicts for lessons learnt.
- The Commission supported the AU PSC to organize a High level Ministerial Open Session on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights and Welfare of Children in Situations of Conflict in Africa.
- The High-Level engagement provided an opportunity for PSC Members, AU Member States in conflict situations, the Africa Platform on Children Affected by Armed Conflicts (AP CAAC), the RECs/RMs, and other relevant stakeholders, to brainstorm on the modalities of establishing a comprehensive AU Child Protection Architecture (CPA) as a platform to streamline existing frameworks for protecting the rights of children in conflict situations.
- It also provided an opportunity to identify areas of support that AU can lend to RECs/RMs and Member States in the establishment of their own CPAs.
- The meeting resolved to prevent the violations of children in conflict situations and advance accountability for violations.
- To ensure the sustainability of consultations, the meeting agreed to institutionalize the Banjul Process as an annual event to be held on a rotational basis.
(iv) Protection of Children in Conflict Situations Programme
- 340. In 2024, Children in Africa continued to face severe challenges in conflict situations, where their fundamental rights are often violated. These turbulent environments often resulted in the violations of fundamental rights, disrupting access to essential services such as education and healthcare.
- 341. Tragically, children are killed, maimed, and frequently recruited into armed forces and forcibly enrolled by armed and terrorist groups. Many find themselves separated from their families, schools, leading to displacement and a precarious existence. This dire situation underscores the urgent need for comprehensive protection measures to safeguard the rights and well-being of children in conflict zones.
- 342. In its efforts to protect children in conflict situations, the Commission ensured the integration of child protection-sensitive indicators into the Continental Early Warning System (CEWS), which enhances its ability to prevent violations of children’s rights. By developing and incorporating child-sensitive indicators and keywords, CEWS has started producing thematic reports that include essential segments on child protection; recognizing the impact of terrorism on children, a study was commissioned by the Peace and Security Council to examine this issue, proposing strategies to integrate child protection into counterterrorism frameworks. The Commission also focused on the dissemination of the Policy on Child Protection in AU Peace Support Operations through establishing a Training of Trainers programme for RECs/RMs, Centers of Excellence, CSOs, and Experts that enhances understanding of child protection within AU PSOs. This effort ensures that child rights and welfare are systematically integrated into conflict management and peacebuilding processes.
- 343. Moreover, the Commission supported an advocacy mission to Nigeria conducted by the Africa Platform on Children Affected by Armed Conflicts (AP-CAAC), which engaged stakeholders to strengthen child rights protection and facilitate the implementation of the Safe Schools Declaration. The mission identified and engaged with the Government and other stakeholders on further actions necessary to prioritize children’s needs in decision-making and enhance cross-border cooperation.
d) Protection of Children in Situations of Armed Conflict (CiSC) Programme (2025)
- 303. In 2025, the AU Commission, through the Protection of Children in Situations of Armed Conflict (CiSC) Programme, advanced the continental agenda on safeguarding children in situations of conflict. The Commission strengthened prevention, response and capacity-building efforts across APSA and AGA, aligned with Agenda 2063, Agenda 2040, and relevant Assembly and PSC decisions.
- 304. A key output was the validation of the Operational Guidance Note (OGN) on Operationalising Child-Sensitive Early Warning, designed to integrate child-specific indicators, analytical approaches, and reporting modalities into the Continental Early Warning System (CEWS). The validation brought together AUC departments, RECs/RMs, experts, and CSOs, ensuring practical, actionable guidance for child- sensitive early warning and preventive diplomacy.
- 305. To enhance peace operations, the Commission convened a review of the AU Child Protection Harmonised Curriculum (2019) to align it with the AU Policy on Child Protection in Peace Support Operations (2022). The review addressed gaps in scope and methodology and adopted a module-focused, multi-expert approach to ensure comprehensive training for all mission components.
- 306. The Commission further strengthened the capacity of key stakeholders supporting children in conflict settings. A regional capacity-building programme for Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) enhanced technical expertise on child-sensitive and trauma-informed reintegration and rehabilitation of children formerly associated with armed forces and armed groups (CAAFAG). A specialised capacity-building session for mediation support experts from FemWise-Africa, WiseYouth, and CSOs enhanced skills to integrate child protection into mediation, preventive diplomacy and peacemaking processes, and validated the Proposed AU Guidelines for Child Participation in Mediation and Peace Processes.
d) Protection of Children in Situations of Armed Conflict (CiSC) Programme (2025) continued
- 307. Building on these efforts, the Commission organised a dedicated capacity- building session for the Africa Platform on Children Affected by Armed Conflict (AP- CAAC) Focal Points, recognising their pivotal role in advancing the CAAC mandate through AU Ambassadors and national stakeholders. The session strengthened the operational and advocacy capacities of focal points from members, equipping them with knowledge, tools, and strategies to mainstream child protection, guide decision-making, reinforce continental child-protection efforts, and develop a 2026 advocacy roadmap and workplan.
- 308. To elevate political engagement, the Commission supported three PSC Open Sessions: (i) on combating the recruitment of children, (ii) on rehabilitation and reintegration of CAAFAG, and (iii) on the protection of children in situations of armed conflict, which reinforced Member States’ obligations and encouraged stronger preventive and response measures across national and regional levels. Overall, the CiSC Programme recorded significant progress in embedding child protection across early warning, mediation, peace operations, and post-conflict recovery. Sustained Member State commitment remains essential to consolidate gains and scale up protection systems for children affected by armed conflict.
