AMISOM trains police on civilian protection in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - A contingent of police officers serving in Somalia have been trained on established guidelines that protect civilians in line with their duties, as the AMISOM team strives to restore order and stability in the Horn of Africa nation.

The exercise saw at least 25 police officers mainly from Sierra Leone Formed Police Unit and FPU benefit from the three-day training in Kismayo, the regional administrative capital of Jubaland state, Somalia.

Gloria Jaase, who is the AMISOM Protection Officer, said the training was to build the police personnel’s knowledge and skills on the need to protect civilians in peace support operations.

“This training seeks to remind our commanders of their obligations to protect civilians while they undertake operations in Somalia,” she said.

It covered aspects of International Human Rights frameworks relating to the rights of women and children, prevention of conflict-related sexual violence, sexual exploitation, and abuse.

Kahbila Mbuton , the AMISOM Human Rights Officer, said, “the training ensures the FPUs are able to protect civilians in line with the AMISOM mandate, and in compliance with Human Rights protection standards.”

The AMISOM police coordinator for Jubbaland State, CP Stephen Yeje, said the trainees had gained valuable understanding to effectively perform their roles.

“The workshop is a reminder of our duty as peacekeepers to protect vulnerable people including women, children, and the disabled. In that light, the training examined human rights with emphasis on the rights of women and children. We have gained knowledge on the roles we can play as Formed Police to ensure the protection of civilians,” said CP Yeje.

The deputy contingent commander of the Sierra Leone Formed Police Unit, ASP Agnes Murray, said the knowledge would guide the officers in performing their duties.

“The training guides us on our responsibilities to observe the rights of people we protect. We operate in collaboration with civilians and the Somali police to ensure peace prevails,” said ASP Murray.

Ms. Jaase said the outcome of the training would benefit the trainees and the community they serve. “This will benefit the civilians because the mandate of AMISOM as a peace support operation includes the need to protect civilians,” noted Jaase.

By the end of December, most peacekeepers in Somalia would have left upon full implementation of the Somali Transition Plan [STP], which will see several troops return to their countries. The security responsibilities will be transferred to Somali National Army [SNA].

There are close to 22,000 peacekeepers in Somalia and most of them have been in the country for over one decade. AMISOM has been instrumental in the fight against Al-Shabaab, a terror group that controls large swathes of rural central and southern Somalia.

GAROWE ONLINE