AU to investigate indiscriminate harm of civilians in Somalia

The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia, Boubacar Gaoussou Diarra, has called on all armed forces in Somalia not to kill civilians, saying it was only through the support of the Somali people that AMISOM had been able to achieve success in the capital, Mogadishu, and elsewhere.Diarra reiterated AMISOM’s commitment to minimising the impact of its operations on the civilian population in Somalia and urged all forces active in the country to follow its example.“We urge all other military forces active in southern Somalia to exercise due restraint in areas with a substantial civilian population,” Diarra said in a statement obtained by The New Times.“On our part, we will investigate any credible reports of AMISOM troop’s indiscriminately harming civilians and take appropriate action where this is proven to be the case,” he added.He said AMISOM’s successful efforts to reduce harm on civilians, including steps to establish a Civilian Casualties Tracking Cell, had been recognised by the UN Security Council as well as international human rights agencies.Amb. Diarra also expressed his concern over the humanitarian plight of those displaced by the fighting in Kismayo.“AMISOM, as per its UN Security Council mandate, stands ready to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to areas under its control,” he said.He said that all AMISOM personnel had been trained in the relevant aspects of International Humanitarian Law and that the Mission had adopted a policy on the use of indirect fire which establishes No-Fire Zones in areas of civilian concentration.AMISOM’s overall objective is to enhance security of the population, facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance and free Somalis from Al-Qaeda linked Al-Shabaab’s inhumane treatment.

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AU to investigate indiscriminate harm of civilians in Somalia