The United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) aims to strengthen the protection of children, who are considered victims of the ongoing armed conflict. Under the agreement, children who leave armed groups will be transferred to civilian authorities within 24 hours.
The agreement, signed by the Central African Minister of Foreign Affairs and the UN Special Representative for the Central African Republic, outlines the steps involved in transferring children from armed forces to civilian authorities.
The process leading to this agreement began in 2017. The agreement recognizes that children associated with armed forces and groups are victims who have been deprived of their right to innocence.
Prior to this agreement, these children were often arrested by government forces and subjected to lengthy legal proceedings, which could result in detention.
MINUSCA, in line with its mandate to protect civilians, will continue to support the implementation of the protocol through training, advocacy, and awareness-raising activities.
The UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict welcomed the conclusion of the agreement and emphasized the need for its swift implementation. She urged the authorities to begin implementing the Transfer Protocol as soon as possible.
ODL/Sf/fss/abj/APA