Mogadishu, 5 May 2023 – Selected Human Rights and Protection Officers working for the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), have completed an intensive training programme on Human Rights and protection of civilians.
The training organized for the Civilian Casualty Tracking, Analysis and Response Cell (CCTARC) Sector Liaison Officers, focused on ways to protect civilians and document incidents.
“This training is an indication of the ATMIS’ continued commitment to implementing its mandate of tracking, recording and reporting incidents of civilian casualties, including abuses and violations of Human Rights alleged by all actors,” said ATMIS Military Chief of Staff, Brig. Gen. Kindu Gezu.
Brig. Gen. Kenzu noted that ATMIS remains fully committed to upholding Human Rights as detailed in the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights and will continue working closely with the Federal Government of Somalia to ensure civilians’ rights are protected.
The topics covered during the training included Gender and Child protection, Human Rights in the context of ATMIS operations, and the duties and responsibilities of Liason officers. Others were the Code of Conduct, opening of case files, documenting, tracking events and report writing.
The Chief of Military Personnel and Administrative Officer for ATMIS, Col. Bassie Al Sesay, who spoke during the opening ceremony, Monday, noted that ATMIS has developed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to guide the process of tracking and responding to civilian casualties.
“ATMIS has commenced the process to establish a Somali CCTARC office as part of efforts to develop capacity within the Somali Security Forces with a view to supporting the government with the best practice of a working mechanism to account for civilian injuries and casualties during conflict. This is in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2628 of 2022,” Col. Sesay explained.
The training organized by the Protection, Human Rights, and Gender (PHRG) Cluster of ATMIS was aimed at establishing a network of Liason officers in the various ATMIS contingents to enhance CCTARC operations.
The Sector One CCTARC Liaison officer, George Ronald Guna, who has served in the Uganda People Defence Forces (UPDF) for 18 years was optimistic that it would improve service delivery.
The ATMIS Police Operations and Mentoring Officer, Inspector Mary Ayuba, said the training was fundamental tracking, analysing and investigating Human Rights-related violations against children and women.
Established under the authority of the Africa Peace and Security Council, CCTARC protects the population by applying preventive measures to help reduce incidents of civilian casualties and Human Rights violations.
CCTARC Liaison officers play an important role in the various components and contingents by supporting the Mission to create transparency in tracking and recording incidents in ATMIS Areas of Responsibility.