2026-02-12

Child recruitment tripled in 2025 with 30 to 50 percent of armed group members now minors including recruits as young as age nine. UNICEF needs 30 million USD to assist every child in need through release, reintegration, education, and trauma support programming. Armed groups use boys as scouts and ammunition carriers while subjecting girls to sexual violence and forced domestic labor. Political will signal from Prime Minister Fils-Aime on child protection represents potential governance credibility opportunity if backed by action. Reintegration programs must address older teenagers requiring vocational training rather than return to school after years with armed groups. International humanitarian law considerations must inform GSF operational rules of engagement given high percentage of child combatants. February 12, 2026