Somalia, U.N. remove Ahlu Sunna Waljamaaca from child soldier recruitment list

Thursday June 25, 2026

Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia’s Ministry of Defence said Tuesday that the United Nations and the Federal Government of Somalia have removed Ahlu Sunna Waljamaaca from the country’s list of groups accused of recruiting and using children in armed conflict.

The ministry said the decision followed a formal verification process conducted by the U.N. Country Task Force on Monitoring and Reporting and Somalia’s security institutions.

According to the ministry, the review found that Ahlu Sunna Waljamaaca ASWJ, no longer meets the criteria for inclusion on the watchlist for grave violations involving child recruitment.

ASWJ had previously been listed over concerns that children were recruited and used within its ranks.

The ministry said recent assessments confirmed that the group had ended the practice and aligned its conduct with Somalia’s child protection and security standards.

The government described the delisting as a significant milestone in efforts to strengthen security sector accountability, uphold the rule of law and protect children’s rights.

It said the decision reflected progress made through cooperation between Somalia, the United Nations and international partners working to end the recruitment and use of child soldiers.

The ministry said the verification process included reviews of compliance measures, training programs, awareness campaigns and commitments made by ASWJ in coordination with Somali authorities, federal member states, the United Nations and other international partners.

The government said the outcome followed extensive engagement and dialogue aimed at reintegrating ASWJ into a framework consistent with Somalia’s laws and international obligations.

The Ministry of Defence thanked the United Nations, UNICEF, federal and state-level institutions, particularly the Galmudug administration, and international partners for supporting the process.

Despite the delisting, the federal government said it remains committed to protecting children from armed conflict, promoting human rights and implementing Somalia’s National Action Plan on Child Protection.

It also said all security actors must continue to comply with national and international legal obligations.

ASWJ, a former armed religious militia, has in recent years integrated some of its fighters into Somalia’s federal defence and police forces, particularly in Galmudug State.

The group is also linked to the Towfiq Political Party, led by Sheikh Mohamed Shakir Ali Hassan, which recently won seats in local council elections in Mogadishu and South West State.