African Union member states have been urged to prioritize the interests of children affected by armed conflict.
The call was made by Uganda’s Ambassador to Ethiopia also Permanent Representative to the African Union H.E Amb. Rebecca Amuge Otengo while chairing an open session on Rehabilitation and Reintegration of children formerly associated with Armed Conflict at the AU Headquarters in Adis-Ababa.
Otengo who is currently chairing the African Union Peace and Security Council [AUPSC] for the month of July on behalf of President Museveni, observed the need for member states to ensure that the interests on kids are meaningfully integrated into the Disarmament Demobilization and Reintegration [DDR] programs, facilitating their effective rehabilitation and reintegration into communities that embrace the process.
“Such programs must be inclusive addressing both kids who remained at home and those formerly associated with insecurity. We must prioritize protection of children’s rights and welfare to ensure coordinated and effective action” Otengo who is also the Co-Chair of the African Platform on Children Affected by Armed Conflict [AP-CAAC] emphasized.
Otengo explained that this session was crucial as it sought to deliberate on the pressing issue of rehabilitation and reintegration of children associated with armed groups across the continent. Herself hailing from a region [Northern Uganda] that suffered two decades of armed insurgency, Otengo noted that the discussion was important because it gave members an opportunity to review progress so far achieved in preventing the recruitment of children in conflict, identify challenges and also explore innovative and sustainable reintegration approaches that are child-centered, context-specific and community driven.
Meanwhile, AU’s Commissioner for Political, Peace and Security Affairs H.E Bankole, reaffirmed the African Union Commission’s commitment to protecting affected children and promoting sustainable reintegration through peace building, education and economic empowerment.
