AFRICAN UNION UNION AFRICAINE
Nairobi‐August 16th, 2012; The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union
Commission for Somalia, Ambassador Boubacar Diarra, has reiterated AMISOM’s efforts to
mainstream the protection of the civilian population in its area of operations and strengthen
coordination with the TFG and other allied forces.
“AMISOM takes its responsibility for the safety of the people of Somalia very seriously and fully
understands its obligations to conduct operations without causing undue risk to the local
population,” Ambassador Diarra said, adding that it was only with the support of the Somali
people that AMISOM had been able to achieve success in the capital, Mogadishu, and
elsewhere.
He expressed grave concern over media reports of civilian casualties in the city of Kismayo and
called on the relevant authorities to expedite investigations into such, noting that AMISOM did
not as yet have any air assets or forces in the city.
“We urge all other military forces to exercise due restraint in areas with a substantial civilian
population,” he said.
He said that all AMISOM personnel had been trained in the relevant aspects of International
Humanitarian Law and that the Mission had adopted a policy on the use of indirect fire
weapons which establishes No‐Fire Zones in areas of civilian concentration.
He added that AMISOM’s successful efforts to reduce harm to civilians, including steps to
establish a Civilian Casualties Tracking Cell, had been recognized by the UN Security Council as
well as by international human rights agencies.
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For more information, please Contact;
Mr. Eloi Yao, Spokesperson, E‐mail: amisommediacentre@gmail.com
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