The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Under-Secretary-General Vanessa Frazier, welcomes the appointment by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission of the African Union Special Envoy for Children Affected by Armed Conflict (CAAC). She highlights the appointment of H.E. Ambassador Jainaba Jagne of the Republic of The Gambia as marking a crucial step for the protection of conflict-affected children and demonstrating the African Union Commission’s unwavering commitment to the children and armed conflict agenda.
“Special Envoy Jagne is a long-time champion for the protection of conflict-affected children. I have had the opportunity to work closely with her in previous roles and look forward to our renewed collaboration and commitment for children across Africa,” stressed Vanessa Frazier.
The United Nations Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict covers 14 situations in Africa, making joint efforts with the African Union indispensable.
“Children and armed conflict must be at the centre of the African Union-United Nations partnership in peace and security, development and human rights”, stressed the Special Representative, who visited Addis Ababa in November 2025 to engage with regional partners as part of her first official trip since being appointed to her role in October last year.
With generous support from the United Nations Peace and Development Trust Fund, the Office of the Special Representative, working closely with the African Union Commission, has been able to significantly enhance its work on the strengthening of regional partnerships and is currently implementing the second iteration of a regional project, along the priority areas of early warning and prevention.
