Renewed call for African militaries to protect children from armed violence

A two-week regional course on preventing child recruitment in armed conflicts concluded in Musanze on Friday, October 10, with participants urged to move beyond theory and restore Africa’s moral responsibility to shield its children from the horrors of war. ALSO READ: Rwanda hosts regional course to curb child recruitment in armed conflicts The course, hosted at the Rwanda Peace Academy (RPA), brought together 25 military and police officers from Ghana, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Sudan, and the Eastern Africa Standby Force Headquarters. It was jointly organised by the Ministry of Defence, Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), the Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace and Security, and the Rwanda Peace Academy. Addressing the closing ceremony on behalf of RPA Director, Méthode Ruzindana, Head of Research at the academy, said the training should inspire a deeper reflection on African values that once placed children at the heart of society. “It is not African culture to see children suffer, killed or used in committing atrocities,” Ruzindana said. “When a child is born, we celebrate and nurture them to become good citizens. My question to you is, where did we go wrong?” He reminded the participants, who are now certified trainers under the Dallaire Institute—that protecting children must go beyond policy and become a lived principle in the security sector. ALSO READ: UN Security Council adopts resolution to protect children in armed conflict “If we truly believe in the future of our societies and in Africa’s Agenda 2063, the work shouldn’t start today; it should have started yesterday,” he said. “Children are the true reflection of our development and stability.” Over the past two weeks, the officers explored the dynamics of modern conflict, the pathways that expose children to armed violence, and the legal and institutional frameworks to prevent such recruitment. Facilitators from DR Congo, Mozambique, Rwanda, and Uganda guided discussions, practical exercises, and case studies illustrating the impact of war on children. The Dallaire Institute—named after Canadian humanitarian Lt Gen (Rtd) Roméo Dallaire—has trained more than 80 security officers across Africa to serve as trainers in child protection. Rwanda-based centre of excellence continues to play a pivotal role in advancing the children, peace, and security agenda across the continent. Ruzindana congratulated the new graduates, describing them as “ambassadors of change,” and encouraged them to use their new roles to transfer knowledge within their home institutions and missions abroad. “The real work begins now,” he said. “You have been equipped not just with skills, but with the responsibility to ensure no child is ever forced into violence again.” The Dallaire Institute and its partners plan to continue offering follow-up mentorship and create communities of practice for ongoing collaboration among trained officers.

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Renewed call for African militaries to protect children from armed violence