A significant milestone was achieved at the United Nations in New York as nearly twenty African countries gathered to sign the African Convention on the Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration of Child Soldiers. The signing ceremony, presided over by Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, took place on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly. This convention marks a collective effort by African nations to address the critical issue of child soldiers.
During the ceremony, Minister Bourita emphasized that the convention exemplifies the strength of African collective action, showcasing the continent's ability to develop its own norms rather than adopting external ones. He highlighted that this instrument is the first of its kind in Africa, providing a framework for regional cooperation to prevent and combat the recruitment of children into armed groups and ensure their integration into disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration processes.
The convention is the result of an inclusive African process, developed through contributions from African governments, experts, and practitioners. It aims to enhance collective capacities and promote tailored African responses to the realities on the continent. By fostering cooperation and exchange among states, the convention seeks to facilitate the sharing of experiences and best practices in preventing the recruitment and exploitation of children in armed conflicts.
This groundbreaking instrument addresses the intersection of peace and security and child protection in conflict situations. It offers African states measures to combat the scourge of child soldiers and advocates for their sustainable reintegration into society. The signing of the convention follows a ministerial conference in Rabat on November 20, 2025, which led to the adoption of the Rabat Declaration.
The convention provides a framework for enhanced African cooperation, promoting mutual learning and the exchange of experiences in preventing child recruitment and ensuring their disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration. By doing so, it seeks to address the specific challenges faced by African countries in dealing with child soldiers.
The African Convention on the Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration of Child Soldiers represents a significant step forward in protecting children's rights and promoting peace and security on the continent. Its implementation is expected to have a positive impact on the lives of thousands of child soldiers and their communities.
As the convention comes into effect, African countries will be working together to ensure its effective implementation, leveraging collective expertise and resources to tackle the complex issue of child soldiers. This collaborative approach underscores the continent's commitment to finding African solutions to African challenges.
Key points
- The African Convention on the Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration of Child Soldiers is the first of its kind in Africa.
- The convention was developed through an inclusive African process, involving governments, experts, and practitioners.
- The instrument aims to promote African cooperation and exchange in preventing child recruitment and ensuring sustainable reintegration into society.
