AMISOM To Probe Killing Of 7 Civilians In Somalia’s Golweyn area

MOGADISHU, Somalia, Aug 22- The African Union Mission In Somalia (AMISOM) has formed an inquiry team that will probe the killing of 7 civilians in Golweyn area in Somalia.

The killings happened on August 11, when AMISOM troops were attacked by Al-Shabaab militants. The troops, AMISOM said, were on a routine patrol when they were attacked.

Preliminary investigations have since revealed of those killed, 7 were civilians.

“AMISOM is investigating reports that its troops were responsible for the death of the seven,” the mission said in a statement on Saturday.

Already, AMISOM leadership has met government officials, elders and community members over the incident.

During the meeting, AMISOM leadership said they made it clear that “they will not condone criminal activities against civilians by its soldiers.”

“They also assured them of their commitment to identifying and punishing those who breach the rules of engagement,” AMISOM said.

The probe will be conducted by a 7-member team led by a senior AMISOM officer and two members of the African Union Commission in Addis Ababa.

They will also among others include a senior official from the Federal Government of Somalia.

The inquiry will be concluded on September 6, 2021.

“The Board of Inquiry will establish the extent to which AMISOM troops were responsible for the death of the seven and the circumstances,” the mission said.

“The BOI will also recommend payment of amends to the affected families in the event AMISOM soldiers are found culpable and make recommendations a avoid a recurrence.”

The affected region was being manned by the troops from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).

AMISOM said in case the soldiers are found guilty for killing the 7 civilians, the Government of Uganda had committed to establish a court martial, to be held in Somalia, and try those involved.

The mission said it was taking a legal approach to “these serious allegations in line with international best practice and is committed to conducting a thorough investigation as quickly as possible, hold accountable anyone responsible and abide by all findings and recommendations of the inquiry.”

Meanwhile, In the latest quarterly civilian casualty assessment reporting period ending June 30, 2021, U.S. Africa Command received one report of civilian casualties on May 31.

The report, the command in a statement said was a duplicate of May 2018 reports previously assessed by U.S. Africa Command and found to be unsubstantiated.

The command closed out and substantiated one additional case that was carried over from the previous civilian casualty assessment report. There are currently no open civilian casualty assessments. 

This is the sixth quarterly civilian casualty assessment report since U.S. Africa Command began releasing reports in April 2020 as part of its commitment to increased transparency and accountability.

The command said it was studying recommendations made during the March 2021 non-governmental organization (NGO) roundtable in order to refine the civilian casualty assessment process.

“With every airstrike, we conduct a thorough pre-strike assessment to reduce the likelihood of civilian harm,” said U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command.

“Unfortunately, our Jan. 1 airstrike, which was designed to protect re-positioning U.S. troops and precisely hit its intended target, likely also caused injuries to three civilians nearby.”