Ending Child Soldiers in Africa Act

This bill would require the Secretary of Defense, coordinating with the Secretary of State and the Commander of U.S. Africa Command, to produce a report within 180 days that examines how the use of child soldiers links to violent extremism, transnational crime, displacement, threats to access critical minerals, and regional instability, and that assesses prevention, demobilization, and reintegration options.

• Families, children, and communities: Would evaluate how extremist groups recruit and indoctrinate children and review demobilization and reintegration efforts, including lessons from African-led programs and community initiatives.
• U.S. defense and diplomacy: Would direct a focused national-security assessment covering eight specified elements, and would study the feasibility of regional programs within other combatant commands and an Africa-based center for research, training, and capacity building.
• Partner countries and civil society: Defines "covered countries" using U.S. Africa Command partnerships and a State Department memorandum that names countries such as Angola, Nigeria, and Uganda, and asks whether an East African Community country, specifically Uganda, could host a coordinating center.