The Somali Ministry of Defense has announced that Somalia has been removed from the list of countries involved in child soldiers, which for some time has been at the forefront of countries in conflict that recruit children.
A statement issued by the ministry revealed that it always gives special priority to preventing the recruitment of children during armed conflicts, in accordance with the country’s Constitution and international agreements and regulations signed by Somalia.
“The Ministry of Defense, speaking on behalf of the Federal Government of Somalia, congratulates the Somali people and the Armed Forces on the success of the decision announced by the United Nations on June 17, 2025, 00 The Armed Forces have been officially removed from the List of countries involved in child soldiers,” the ministry said in a press release.
The Ministry also added that the removal of Somalia from the list of countries using child soldiers is evidence of the positive change that Somalia has undergone, and is the result of close cooperation between the Government of Somalia and the United Nations, particularly UNICEF and UNTMIS, through the implementation of a national plan for child safety in accordance with the country’s constitution and international law relating to children in times of armed conflict.
“The Ministry of Defense, as the chair of the Committee on the Protection of Children in Armed Conflict, particularly commends the important work carried out by the members of the Committee and the United Nations agencies,” the Ministry’s press release said.
Finally, the Ministry of Defense press release noted that it is committed to implementing the commitments and agreements between the Government and the United Nations regarding the protection of children in armed conflict.
