The federal government of Somalia has today signed a landmark agreement with the United Nations to protect children affected by war in Somalia.

The implementation roadmap was signed by the minister of defense, H.E. Amb. Ahmed Moallin Fiqi; special representative of the UN secretary, Mr. James Swan; and UNICEF representative to Somalia, Ms. Sandra Latouff, which signified sustained national reforms and reinforced institutional accountability across the security sector.
Over a decade Somalia has been working to distance its security forces from violations of children’s rights who are caught in the middle of the conflicts in the Horn of Africa.

The 2012 action plan signed with the UN provided a road map to end children recruitment and killings, and the Somali National Army has been conducting stricter screening to ensure that minors are not involved in war conflicts.
The agreement underscores the Somali government’s determination to uphold its obligation, prevent grave violations against children, and work closely with international partners.

Somalia also launched an offensive to drive out and neutralize the Al-Shabaab militia from its territory, and this 2025 roadmap will boost the ongoing initiative to end conflict and protect children from the terror group.