Thirty police officers serving with the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) have successfully completed a weeklong training on child protection in peace support operations. The training aimed to enhance the knowledge of personnel and promote the rights and welfare of children in armed conflict. Led by the ATMIS Protection, Human Rights, Gender (PHRG) Division, the workshop focused on strengthening the capacities of the Uganda Formed Police Unit (FPU) personnel to support the Federal Government of Somalia in safeguarding children’s rights.
During the opening of the training workshop in Mogadishu, Major General Marius Ngendabanka, the ATMIS Deputy Force Commander in charge of Operations and Plans, reaffirmed the mission’s commitment to supporting the Somali government in protecting and promoting children’s rights amidst the ongoing drawdown and handovers. Major General Peter Muteti, the ATMIS Deputy Force Commander in charge of Support and Logistics, emphasized the importance of knowledge and capacity-building for both ATMIS personnel and Somali Security Forces to ensure a smooth transition of security responsibility.
The workshop covered a wide range of topics including children’s rights, international humanitarian law, human rights law, and national legal standards protecting children’s rights in armed conflict. Dr. Omar Alasow, the Acting Head of ATMIS PHRG Division, urged the participants to share the knowledge gained from the training with Somali Security Forces. Gloria Jasse, the ATMIS Senior Protection and Human Rights Officer, highlighted the significance of protecting the rights of women, children, and other vulnerable groups as ATMIS continues to hand over security responsibilities.
Participants expressed their appreciation for the timely training, coinciding with ATMIS’s intensified efforts to support the development of a strong Somali security force capable of ensuring the nation’s security after the mission’s withdrawal. Corporal Bidok Phoebe, a member of the Uganda Police Force with 16 years of experience, emphasized the need to address the specific challenges faced by children in conflict regions. Police Sergeant Cosmas Onenge acknowledged the suffering endured by children in armed conflicts, citing the involvement of child soldiers, maiming, killing, child trafficking, and abductions as grave concerns.
The training not only aimed to equip peace support operations personnel with the necessary knowledge to uphold child protection but also stressed the importance of mainstreaming child protection across all activities. By promoting children’s rights and welfare, ATMIS seeks to create an environment where their voices are heard and their needs are addressed.
As ATMIS supports the Federal Government of Somalia’s transition towards assuming full security responsibility, the mission remains committed to developing the capacities of Somali Security Forces. The training provided an essential foundation for police officers to effectively contribute to the protection and promotion of children’s rights during peace support operations. With a focus on child protection, ATMIS reaffirms its dedication to creating a safer and more secure environment for the children of Somalia.
