Lake Chad Basin

Grave Violations

*The information below is based on the Report of the Secretary-General on children and armed conflict (A/76/871-S/2022/493) issued on 11 July 2022. Violations that occurred in previous years but were verified in 2021 have been included in the totals above.

Developments & Concerns

Progress

Commitment by the Government of Chad to the protection of children, including efforts to comply with its action plan on child recruitment and use, which was completed in 2014, and regular training for its armed forces.
Efforts of the Government of the Niger to enhance the protection of children, and the fact that children released from armed groups transiting through the anti-terrorist cell in Diffa were increasingly handed over to civilian child protection actors.
Authorities in the Diffa Region established a reintegration programme, including for children separated from armed groups.

Challenges

Scale of grave violations perpetrated by Boko Haram-affiliated and splinter groups in the Lake Chad basin region remains a serious concern, notably the abduction, killing and maiming of and the recruitment and use of children

Recommendations

To The Government:

To pursue accountability for violations against children, including sexual violence.
To the Governments of Chad and the Niger: continue to implement their respective handover protocols for children formerly associated with armed groups to civilian child protection actors.

To All Parties:

To end and prevent all grave violations and immediately release all children.