Children in Somalia have continued to bear the brunt of conflict and endured alarming levels of grave violations despite tangible efforts by the Federal Government of Somalia, a new report of the Secretary-General on Children in Somalia shows.
A total of 8,493 grave violations against 6,801 children were verified between October 2021 and September 2024. Al-Shabaab remained the main security threat and continued to perpetrate the majority of grave violations against children. At least 1,481 children were impacted by more than one violation, including abduction for the purpose of recruitment, rape and maiming. The recruitment and use, abduction and killing and maiming of children were the most verified violations, accounting for 89% of all verified grave violations.
“No child should endure the suffering that children in Somalia have to bear,” said the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Vanessa Fraizer. “Children in Somalia need protection, safety, and the chance to live their lives as children. I call on all parties to end, prevent and respond to grave violations against children and comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law,” she added.
With 2,821children, the recruitment and use continued to be one of the most widespread violations. Abductions followed with a concerning number of 2,566 children affected. At least 2,143 children were killed or maimed, with many of these violations committed by unidentified perpetrators, including mortar shelling and improvised explosive devices, which remained the main causes of child casualties.
Incidents of sexual violence against children persisted at high levels (762), although this number is likely much higher as survivors often face significant challenges to reporting and identifying perpetrators due to protection concerns, fear of stigma and the intimate nature of the violation. Impunity persisted, with limited information available to the United Nations on actions taken by justice authorities to follow up on incidents. Limited progress was made to end and prevent sexual violence against children in conflicts.
At least 145 attacks on schools and hospitals, and 66 incidents of denial of humanitarian access were verified. Insecurity and access challenges to some conflict-affected areas significantly impeded the verification of grave violations against children.
A total of 797 children were detained for their alleged association with armed groups, and the SRSG expressed her distress that the death penalty has been imposed on children and young people arrested as children.
“Children should be treated primarily as victims and reintegration should be prioritised with the best interest of the child,” said Vanessa Frazier. She welcomed the collaboration between the United Nations and the military courts to identify and handover children to civilian actors.
She further called on the international community to reinforce its financial and technical investments in child protection in Somalia, including comprehensive reintegration programmes for children formerly associated with armed forces and armed groups, and survivor-centred, age-appropriate and gender-sensitive support services.
Progress in Response to Grave Violations Against Children
The Federal Government made significant efforts to end and prevent grave violations against children with support from the United Nations, notably as regards the recruitment and use of children, which led to the Secretary-General’s decision, in his 2025 Annual Report on children and armed conflict, to delist the Somali National Army and Somali Police Force for the recruitment and use of children.
Progress was also made in advancing the 2019 road map to strengthen the protection of children in armed conflict, to accelerate the implementation of the two 2012 action plans on killing and maiming and recruitment and use of children. The Somali security forces also continued to conduct age screening exercises and implement the 2014 Standard Operating Procedure for the reception and handover of children separated from armed groups. On 31 March 2024, the 2012 Provisional Constitution was signed into law, maintaining the definition of a child as a person below 18 years of age. On 2 December 2024, the Disability Rights Protection Law was signed, prohibiting discrimination against persons with disabilities, including children.
Progress was made in other key areas, including economic and financial reforms, the completion of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative, and accession to the East African Community.
“Children in Somalia need our full attention and support, and they deserve to enjoy their full rights,” said Vanessa Frazier. “The UN remains available to support the authorities so that progress can benefit all children affected by the conflict,” she added.
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Facts for reporting period (October 2021– September 2024)
8,493 grave violations against 6,801 children (5,142 boys, 1,659 girls)
Recruitment and use: 2,821 children (2,624 boys, 197 girls), 82% by Al-Shabab
Killing and maiming: 2,143 children (1,576 boys, 567 girls)
Rape and other forms of sexual violence: 762 children (4 boys, 758 girls)
Abduction: 2,556 children (2,232 boys, 324 girls)
Attacks on schools and hospitals: 145 attacks (117 schools, 28 hospitals)
Denial of humanitarian access: 66 verified incidents
