AMC PAN AFRICAN STUDY ON IMPACT OF CONFLCIT ON CHILDREN IN AFRICA

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1 AMC PAN AFRICAN STUDY ON IMPACT OF CONFLCIT ON CHILDREN IN AFRICA George Nyakora President AMC Child Protection in Africa Union Peace Support Operations Knowledge & Learning Event, 7-9 December 2015 Dakar, Senegal

2 Outline of the Presentation Brief Introduction: Who We Are Background to the Pan African Study and relationship with Save the Children International Context and Justification for the Study Social Development Goal Number Basic Data on CAC in select countries What have we learnt going forward

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4 Background to the Study Reflecting on the Past 25 years UNCRC and ACRWC Islamic Court in Somalia the rise of Alshabab the Youth Jama atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda awati wal-jihad (JAS) which translates to People Committed to the Propagation of the Prophet s Teachings and Jihad, commonly known as Boko Haram UNICEF Report on the State of the World Report 2015 Context and Justification The Situation in the Sahel Region

5 Scope of the Study The scope of the study to cover ed Mali, Sierra Leone, Cote d Ivoire, DRC, Chad, CAR, Nigeria, Cameroon, Sudan, South Sudan (through the Gambella refugee camps in Ethiopia and Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya), Uganda, Kenya and Somalia (through the Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya) The researchers were able to obtain useful information and record verbatim the experiences of the children they could reach in distant, remotely located internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps in the areas covered. Some national organisations identified by the AMC as potential respondents were not reached during the field visits. However, the researchers managed to contact and interview a number through and telephone communications.

6 Social Development Goal SD Goal 16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels 16.1 Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere 16.2 End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children Recalling Africa Position Paper on the topic Where do we stand now How can we build an African Partnership on this Agenda? AU Agenda Investing in Children!!

7 Basic Data on CAC - Nigeria IOver 2.1 million Nigerians sought refuge in the neighbouring countries, out of which 1.4 million are children. Estimates 4882 persons were killed between January and October 2015 in relation to the conflict in North-East Nigeria. The numbers of children killed are unknown. Between July and September 2015, at least 49 children (28 girls and 21 boys) were killed by JAS. The Office of National Security Advisor estimates that over 8000 children are believed to have been recruited or are associated with JAS. More than children have been separated from their families. Between January and November 2015, at least 76 incidents of suicide bombings have been reported. These include 21 incidents in which children (4 boys and 17 girls from years) were used as suicide bombers. The total number of suicide attack incidents in 2015 is three-times higher than the total number of suicide attack incidents in 2014 (24), signaling a steep increase in the use of suicide bombing tactics.

8 Countries Committed to Protecting Schools and Universities during Conflict (7/ /54) 1. Cote d Ivoire 2. Liberia 3. Madagascar 4. Mozambique 5. Nigeria 6. South Africa 7. Zambia

9 Lessons _Going Forward The Loud Silence from our own organs and Bodies - Role of the RECs The CoE ACRWC and PSC CP Unit - Civilian Military Relations Balance Redefining Sovereignty and Internal Affairs The Six Grave Violations Exposure of children Inadequate and non-coordinated responses: Poor Governance and Exclusion: Extra-territoriality of Conflict: Limitations of known response mechanisms Lack of recognition of the role civil society in conflict prevention, mediation and transformation. Funding Investing in our future is key