Somalia: SNA soldiers allegedly rape pregnant woman and girl in town liberated from Al-Shabaab

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somalia's military court is investigating two rape incidents involving government troops, Ministry of Defense said, in a move that could see a number of soldiers tried for misconduct.

The rape incidents involved two women - a heavily pregnant woman and a 13-year-old girl in Janaale town, which was recently liberated from Al-Shabaab militants, after few days of a heavy gunfight between the two sides, the ministry added in a statement on Wednesday.

Ugaas Hassan Abdi Mohamed, the Southwest minister for information, said the latest victims of rape are a 13-year-old girl and pregnant woman who were traveling in the same car. Their ordeal comes just a fortnight after two little girls aged 3 and 4 were repeatedly raped in Afgoye town, within the same state.

Military Court, which is mandated to enforce discipline within the Somali National Army [SNA], is currently doing "thorough investigations" and will "nail suspects" after the trial, the statement noted.

While regretting the incident as "most heinous" in the history of SNA, the ministry insisted that the troops' mandate is to "protect civilians" from actions that violate the law and constitutionalism.

"The military court is doing its work. We are hopeful that the perpetrators, whether SNA troops or civilians, will be brought to book," read the statement. "Such acts must be condemned in strongest terms possible."

Although the department did not directly link its troops to the ordeal, government broadcaster was categorically clear that "troops were involved in the alleged rape" which left the two women fighting for their life.

The suspects in this latest case, Mohamed Aden Ali Sheik and Issaq Ibrahim were arrested and will be sent to Mogadishu to face a military court, local officials said.

The incident ignited social media outrage, with pundits accusing SNA of "failing" to protect civilians from such unprecedented harm, with some calling for public prosecution of the suspects.

"The culprits must be brought to justice. It’s very unfortunate that these women are safer under al-Shabaab," Ibrahim Rageh, a researcher said. "Our strong SNA shouldn’t revise their achievements with such acts. Liberating towns entails ensuring the safety of all, particularly the most vulnerable."

"It's just empty words. Endless so-called "Investigations". I never saw any results whatsoever for previews cases," added Omar Abaar, a renowned human rights activist in Somalia.

Cases of rape involving SNA troops are synonymous in Somalia. But previously, they have never been given much attention despite the public outcry. For instance, AU forces are accused of sexually harassing women within Halane Basecamp.

With the help of AU troops and the US military, elite forces from Danaab and Gorgor captured the agricultural-rich town from Al-Shabaab in March. The town had been under the extremists rule since 2011.

During the fierce battle, over 140 Al-Shabaab militants were killed, 28 injured and 18 captured, Somali National Army Radio reported. Those captured are still under SNA custody, officials said.

Already, the FGS has established civilian leadership in the town, whose residents have been receiving medication among other essentials in accordance with government regulations for transformation to civilian rule.

For the last decade, SNA troops have been undergoing rigorous training which involves adherence to international standards, ahead of the anticipated exit of AU mission troops, who are tentatively scheduled to leave in 2021.

Besides the persistent rape cases, the troops from SNA have been accused of among others, opaqueness in the handling of widows grievances, brutality and political inclination contrary to international best practices.

Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame, the leader of the Wadajir party, recently urged the troops to act with utmost professionalism following allegations that they were hell-bent to protect the administration of Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo at the expense of a free political contest.

The United States, United Nations, and the European Union are some of the highest contributors towards the funding of SNA, which has recorded tremendous progress in the fight against Al-Shabaab militants.

GAROWE ONLINE