Somalia has officially been removed from the United Nations’ list of parties that recruit and use children in armed conflict. The delisting, announced by the UN on June 17, 2025, follows sustained efforts by the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) to reform its security institutions and protect children from recruitment into armed forces.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed the development in a press statement released on Sunday, celebrating the achievement as “tangible progress in Somalia’s reform of its security institutions.” The milestone comes after years of close collaboration between the Somali government and key UN agencies, including UNICEF and the United Nations Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS).
“This significant achievement is the result of close collaboration… under the framework of the National Action Plan on the Protection of Children in Armed Conflict,” the Ministry noted. “The plan was implemented in line with Somalia’s Constitution and international legal obligations relating to child protection.”
Somalia first signed an action plan with the United Nations in 2012 to end the recruitment and use of children by the Somali National Army (SNA) and other forces. Since then, the country has taken gradual but determined steps to reform military practices, strengthen verification systems, and reintegrate former child soldiers.
The delisting was made possible after UN monitors confirmed the absence of verified cases of child recruitment by Somali security forces in the past reporting year. However, the UN has maintained that Somalia must continue implementing safeguards, as delisting remains conditional on ongoing compliance.However, the report continues to list the SNA and SPF for other violations, such as killings, maiming, and denial of access—although these too have been reduced.
The Ministry of Defence, which chairs the National Committee on the Protection of Children in Armed Conflict, commended the efforts of all stakeholders involved—including UN partners, civil society, and government agencies—who helped ensure Somalia fulfilled its obligations.
“We remain fully committed to upholding all agreements between the FGS and the United Nations,” the statement added, promising to continue leading efforts to build a “professional, accountable national army free from any violations against the Somali people.”
The Ministry also reaffirmed its commitment to protecting children from harm and defeating the terrorist group Al-Shabaab, which continues to endanger the lives of Somali children through forced recruitment and violence.
The UN will continue on‑site inspections and data collection to ensure Somalia remains compliant.