Mogadishu, 20-Jan-2024 – The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) continues to demonstrate its deep commitment to promoting the welfare and protection of children in conflict situations by bolstering the capacity of its police personnel.

On Friday, 30 officers from the Nigeria Formed Police Unit, the second cohort participating in an initiative aimed at training 160 officers, successfully completed a five-day programme focused on the protection and promotion of the welfare of children in conflict situations. The acquired knowledge and skills will then be cascaded down by these officers to their Somali counterparts.

“I had a meeting with Somali Authorities in charge of security who included the Chief of Defense Forces and the Police Commissioner, and they highly appreciated the assistance and knowledge that the Somali Police Force is getting from their ATMIS colleagues,” said the Head of ATMIS Ambassador Mohamed El-Amine Souef, when he opened the weeklong training earlier on Monday.

“We are here to protect civilians, especially the vulnerable populations including women and children. We have specific guidelines when it comes to protecting children in armed conflict areas,” emphasised Amb. Souef who urged the officers to

strictly observe the provisions of international human rights and humanitarian law on protecting civilians and their property as specified in the mission’s mandate.

Organised by the ATMIS Protection, Human Rights, Gender (PHRG) division, the training compliments efforts by the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) in safeguarding and advancing the rights and welfare of children. The first batch of 30 officers from the Uganda Formed Police Unit – UFPU – were trained last week.

“The training emphasises the importance of capacity building as a valuable tool for effectively promoting and protecting children’s rights in Somalia. Use your networks and joint activities to ensure this knowledge spreads further and deeper within the Somali police and other security units,” said Dr. Omar Alasow, the ATMIS Ag. Head of Protection, Human Rights and Gender (PHRG), at the closing of the training.

He commended the PHRG Division, Civilian Sector Coordination Team for their continued efforts in designing and executing the training programme saying it would have a major impact as ATMIS gradually withdraws its forces from Somalia.

“The training will greatly help me to effectively execute my duties in mentoring my counterparts from the Somali Police Force to ensure the rights and welfare of children are protected especially during this transition period,” said Elizabeth Yakubu Amay, one of the participants at the training.

Her remarks were echoed by Abdullahi Diwa, who disclosed that they participated in extensive modules all on the protection and welfare of children.

In a bid to prevent the escalating tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia from spiralling into a full-blown war, the African Union’s Peace and Security Council (PSC) has deployed former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo for negotiation efforts.

The dangerous strain in relations between the two neighboring countries emerged after the secessionist region of Somaliland signed an agreement with Ethiopia on January 1rst, granting the latter control over a maritime port and a military base on the Red Sea.

Last week, Somalia declared its readiness to go to war.

This wouldn’t be the first time the two nations have clashed. In 1977, they disputed territory, and in 2006, Ethiopia invaded Somalia as part of the fight against terrorism.

By allowing Ethiopia access to its territory, Somaliland hopes to gain recognition for its status as an independent state, a claim it has asserted since 1991 when it broke away from the voluntary union of 1960 with Somalia.

Obasanjo faces a challenging task as the two countries engage in a delicate geopolitical dance. On Wednesday, Somalia turned away an Ethiopian flight bound for Somaliland, carrying representatives of the Ethiopian government.

The PSC has since stated that it “called on the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Federal Republic of Somalia to adhere to the fundamental principles of the AU and international law and draw inspiration from them in their bilateral and international relations.”

The African Union considers Somaliland a province of Somalia.

While designating Obasanjo, the PSC has also urged against interference by other countries in the matter. The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) convened an extraordinary summit on Thursday in Kampala, Uganda, to discuss the issue.

However, Somalia has declared that it will not engage in any discussions with Ethiopia unless the latter reverses its January 1 agreement with Somaliland.

“The sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia have been violated by Ethiopia when it signed an illegal agreement with the northern region [the administration of Somaliland] of Somalia. That is why there is no room for mediation unless Ethiopia reverses its illegal agreement and reaffirms the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia,” stated the Somali Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Saturday January 20, 2024

Mogadishu says a deal to grant Addis Ababa access to sea in Somaliland is a violation of its sovereignty.

An agreement between Ethiopia and a breakaway part of Somalia is raising tension on the Horn of Africa.

Somalia regards Somaliland as part of its territory, and has warned Ethiopia against interfering in its affairs. But Ethiopia is landlocked and wants access to the sea – something Somaliland can provide.