Children formerly associated with armed groups determined to make positive changes
A better future despite the scars of conflict
“My parents died when I was very young, and there was no one to take me to school. As I grew older, it became difficult to beg neighbours on a daily basis for survival, so I joined the armed group to fend for myself.”
A resilient Mohamed[1] was 17 when he joined an armed group in Galkayo, where he cooked meals, gathered firewood and bought groceries at the market. In exchange, he got a place to stay and food.
Since 2019, over six thousand children have been recruited or used by armed forces and armed groups in Somalia. This exposes them to further abuse, harm and exploitation, including through being killed, maimed or sexually violated by the parties to the conflict.
In Somalia, in the absence of a peace agreement among parties to the conflict, there is no formal disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) process. UNICEF’s approach to programming for Children Associated with Armed Forces and Armed Groups (CAAFAG) is purely from a child rights perspective by advocating with parties to the conflict to release children and to consider all children as victims as opposed to perpetrators of grave violations.
In 2018, UNICEF supported the Ministry of Women Development and Family Affairs (MOWDAFA) to start a CAAFAG programme for affected children in Puntland. A CAAFAG task force comprising of MOWDAFA, the Ministry of Justice and Puntland Security officials was established to provide oversight for the programme. This includes screening for eligible children and regular activity monitoring.
Mohamed’s life took a positive turn when he was identified in Galkayo as a child in need and enrolled in the rehabilitation programme in 2019. Since his previous living arrangements with the armed group were discontinued, he required interim care, such as the CAAFAG programme Garowe provides. This is where children who have lost contact with their caregivers or whose security is at risk if they return home immediately are fed, clothed, accommodated, and receive other social services. Mohamed joined other boys at the center, which has the capacity to support 60 children. With their basic needs met, the children were enrolled for vocational training as part of the CAAFAG reintegration programme.
All children benefit from basic literacy and numeracy and can select from a range of livelihood courses to take part in, such as carpentry, basic electric engineering, welding, computer studies and mechanics. Mohamed opted for a basic electricity class and after nine months, he successfully graduated in 2019. All programme participants receive a basic certification and a start-up kit, which includes basic tools to set up a business.
“I am different and stronger now than I was before the programme. The psychological support sessions helped me so much from the onset, and I have since learnt better ways of controlling my feelings and now avoid hitting and quarrelling with others,” Mohamed says. “The social workers also helped me to have confidence in myself and express my feelings while drawing, writing and reading.” Mohamed described the program as life-changing and an important chapter in his life.
Through the CAAFAG programme, UNICEF supports children like Mohamed in transitioning from armed groups back to the community. Through individualized case management, social workers interact with children and support them by addressing psychosocial distress and trauma caused by experiences within the armed group, as well as stigma from communities for being associated with armed groups. Additionally, the social worker identifies the child’s aspirations and provides the skills to realize their goals. Mohamed harboured a desire to go to school, and the introductory literacy course offered by the programme served as a foundation for accomplishing this goal. His commitment to learning was a testament to his resilience and determination to break the cycle of violence and make a meaningful impact.
With the support of the CAAFAG Programme, which covers school fees, Mohamed was able to join a primary school in 2020 and enrolled in accelerated basic education (ABE) classes. In 2022, he qualified to pursue his secondary education after successfully passing the centralized primary education exam.
Mohamed is now in grade 11 of secondary school and aspires to pursue a degree in electrical engineering. His past is no longer holding him back. Mohamed continues practising his electrical skills at a part-time job. This not only supports him financially but also offers a glimmer of hope to his peers and the community at large. He reports that it’s not easy to balance work and school but that he is committed to his education and is driven by a desire to improve his life and contribute positively to society.
Mohamed’s story is a beacon of hope for other young people affected by conflict. His journey underscores the importance of support systems in helping children formerly associated with armed conflict to reintegrate into communities and thrive. Mohamed’s resilience and transformation illustrate the profound impact of reintegration programs and the enduring hope for a better future, despite the scars of conflict.
Thanks to funding from partners such as the European Union and the Governments of Norway and Japan, UNICEF collaborates with the Ministry of Women Development and Family Affairs (MOWDAFA) to implement CAAFAG programmes that provide child protection and reintegration services to children affected by armed conflict. The Ministry’s stewardship and commitment to this programme, as well as coordination with relevant actors like the government, affected children and communities, and the child protection working group, have proven to be effective and prolific over the years since 2018. The programme also reinforced the ministry's and frontline staff's capacity to manage CAAFAG protection, reintegration, and follow-up/outreach and engagement with affected communities.
Since its inception, there have been seven cohorts, totalling 512 children. The most recent cohort of 60 boys graduated in June 2024, while a new class of 31 boys are enrolled in the ongoing programme.
[1] Name changed to protect his identity.
