Over 1,000 children in Somalia recruited by armed groups per year, says UNODC

The global report on “Trafficking in Persons” released by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) revealed a harrowing reality in Somalia: More than a thousand Somali children were recruited per year by the armed groups, with al-Shabaab being identified as the primary perpetrator. 

The report highlighted that displacements driven by insecurity and climate change are exacerbating human trafficking across African countries. Arguing a direct link exists between climate-related displacements and the growing number of African human trafficking victims.

It stated that the number of Africans who have been displaced by climate change is comparable to the number of Africans who have been trafficked in Europe; the majority of these victims were adults who were transported for forced labor and sexual exploitation.

Human trafficking global crisis

The report, focusing on human trafficking in persons (TIP), outlined 25% of the global rise in human trafficking. TIP refers to the illegal recruitment, transfer, transportation or receipt of individuals through force, fraud or coercion for the aim of exploitation. 

Apart from the increase in global human trafficking, the most important findings of the report include:

1. Increase in child trafficking: Cases involving children are growing, constituting 31% of all incidents, with 38% of the total being girls.
2. A growing number of victims were also trafficked for labor purposes. Many people were forced to work for some businesses without having freedom, fair compensation, or the ability to return home, highlighting the server exploitation.
3. Women and girls were disproportionately affected, constituting the majority of trafficking victims worldwide. The trafficking of young girls and women for sexual exploitation or forced wives has been prevalent throughout history, revealing the persistent global negligence and the ongoing security challenges faced by women.
4. Africans were the most victims.

The report also highlighted that the trafficking activities are perpetuated by organized groups such as businesses or other governance-type structures. Traffickers collaborate with such organized groups, with business-type trafficking accounting for 54% of all trafficking cases. Actors who are involved in the smuggling industry may work with trafficking networks, aiming to use migrants.

The report also identified that poverty, social inequality, displacement, insecurities and climate change exacerbate the vulnerabilities of Africans being trafficked; the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia and Mali rank highest in Africa for recruitment of children by armed groups.

Human trafficking in Somalia

The report’s data, which was restricted to 2021 and 2022, revealed that over a thousand Somali children were recruited annually, with boys making up the majority of the victims. Al-Shabab is the primary recruiter, though there may be other actors involved as well.

This could indicate that Al-Shabaab recruits hundreds of boys annually. According to the data, some girls were recruited by armed groups, although they were not as numerous as boys—roughly 100 every year. Al-Shabaab forces these girls into marriages with its members.

For instance, several months ago, seven young girls, some younger than 15 (the legal age for maturity in Somalia), were brought before the Somali court. It was revealed that they were traveling to Al-Shabaab-controlled areas and forced into marriages with Al-Shabaab members by their family members, including uncles.

Armed groups threaten civilians by using violence, intimidation, and harassment to make them comply with the group’s demands, the report highlights.

The recruitment of children is not a new phenomenon for Al-Shabaab, which has relied on child recruits since its inception. When Somali National Army (SNA) forces launch offensive operations, they often discover many children held captive by the group.

I spoke with an informed resident in Adado and asked about the child trafficking practices of al-Shabab, and he mentioned that al-Shabab very frequently captures children and militarizes them, and for that reason, many families fled from their livestock and moved to the city to save their children.

In the last two years, it has been more common to see families flee with their children from rural areas, especially boys.

Trafficking trends in 2023, beyond

The UNODC report noted that recruitment of children was reported in Somalia in 2023, even though it mostly covers 2021 and 2022.

According to recent events and the state of affairs in Somalia in 2023 and 2024, there may be more children trafficked during these two years than in prior ones.

Conflicts have resulted in a significant number of internal displacements in Somalia during the past two years. Thousands of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) face uncertain living conditions in camps, making them vulnerable to the risk of recruitment by armed organizations.

Furthermore, it has been stated that al-Shabab is currently experiencing a scarcity of troops, supplies, and territory as a result of offensive strikes by the ruling government, which has caused them to lose a lot of territory and popular support.

Somalia’s vulnerability to climate change compounds the situation. The country suffers frequent droughts and floods—displacing thousands of communities and pushing them toward trafficking risks. Families seeking food, shelter, and safety fall victim to trafficking during their search for necessities. 

The report highlighted that displaced children, particularly those from farming communities that have lost their livelihoods, are at heightened risk. Armed groups exploit these vulnerabilities, using children for forced labor, recruitment as soldiers or forced marriages.