The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) expressed on Thursday, February 12, “deep concern” about reports of abduction, recruitment, and use of children by non-state armed groups in the province of Cabo Delgado, warning that these practices constitute serious human rights violations and expose minors to lasting physical and psychological harm. The warning was issued on the International Day Against the Recruitment and Use of Children in Armed Conflict.
In a statement, the agency expressed “deep concern about reports of abductions and the recruitment and use of children by non-state armed groups in northern Mozambique,” adding that these situations place minors at extreme risk and compromise their development. The position is based on the 2025 Annual Report of the United Nations Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC), which points to a 525% increase in serious violations committed against children in the country.
According to UNICEF, these cases expose minors to “serious physical, psychological, and emotional harm” and contribute to the perpetuation of cycles of violence. “The history of Mozambique demonstrates the long-term consequences of the recruitment and use of children by armed groups, reinforcing the importance of continued action to break this cycle,” the organization warns in the same document.
The UNICEF representative in Mozambique, Mary Louise Eagleton, acknowledged progress made by the authorities, stating that “the Government of Mozambique has taken important steps to strengthen the protection of children affected by the conflict through the training of security forces.” Nevertheless, the agency argues that it is necessary to intensify prevention, protection, and accountability measures, especially after reports of new abductions in early February in Cabo Delgado.
In its statement, UNICEF calls on the government to prevent these violations, ensure the immediate release of children associated with armed forces and groups, and guarantee their recovery and reintegration into their families and communities. The organization also advocates for strengthening prevention at the community level, with greater access to education and ongoing training for defense and security forces to prevent the recruitment of minors.
The armed conflict in Cabo Delgado began on October 5, 2017, in the district of Mocímboa da Praia. Recent data from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project indicate that since then, more than 2,000 violent events have been recorded in the province, many involving elements associated with Islamic State Mozambique, in a context that continues to affect children and other vulnerable populations particularly severely.
