The Africa Platform on Children Affected by Armed Conflicts (AP-CAAC) joins the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf in condemning the recent attacks on schools and mass abduction of school children and teachers in Kebbi State, North-Western Nigeria, and Niger State, North-Central Nigeria.

These horrendous attacks are not only a brutal assault on vulnerable minors but also a direct attack on their fundamental right to education. The abduction of children and attacks on educational facilities constitute part of the six (6) grave violations identified by the UN General Assembly and the African Union Peace and Security Council as serious breaches against children. Such violations contravene continental and international child protection instruments, including the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and the Safe Schools Declaration.

The Platform is profoundly concerned about these alarming abductions and calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all abducted children and teachers. We consequently urge all relevant authorities in the Federal Republic of Nigeria to intensify efforts to ensure their safe return and to implement measures to halt attacks against schools.

Building on this, the AP-CAAC platform Co-Chair and Ambassador of the Republic of Uganda to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to African Union, H.E. Rebecca Amuge Otengo and Vice-Chair and Ambassador of the Kingdom of Lesotho to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to African Union, H.E. Nts'iuoa Sekete recall the Safe Schools Declaration, which is endorsed by the Government of Nigeria, and calls for the protection of students, teachers, and education facilities from being attacked, as this exposes teachers and students to harm as well as denies many children their right to education. Further request Member States and RECs/RMS to redouble their measures and efforts to advance child protection and to safeguard education facilities against attacks.

The AP-CAAC platform stands in solidarity with the abducted school children, teachers, their families, as well as the Government and the People of Nigeria during this distressful time. The Platform therefore underscores its support for the convergence of efforts by the Nigerian authorities to safely rescue all the abducted students and teachers.

For further information, please contact:

Dr Isabela Moses Warioba | Partnerships and Child Protection Adviser | Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security | African Union Commission | E-mail: WariobaI@africanunion.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 

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