Hiiraan Online
Friday, August 21, 2015
MOGADISHU (HOL) ----The African Union has admitted its troops have killed seven civilians at a wedding party in the coastal Somali town of Marka last month after the international rights group Human Rights Watch has called for an investigation into the killings by Ugandan army troops.
Quoting witnesses, the rights watchdog said that following a bomb attack on an AMISOM convoy, Ugandan forces entered several nearby houses in Merka’s Rusiya neighborhood. At one house, where the Moalim Iidey family was celebrating a wedding, the soldiers separated the men from the women and shot the six adult men – four brothers, their father, and an uncle. Four died immediately, one brother hid under a bed after being shot but later died, and the father died during the night after the soldiers allegedly refused to allow the family to take him to the hospital.
“Indeed, we have established that, on that occasion, seven civilians died following an incident involving our troops,” said Maman Sidikou, the special representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia in a statement on Friday.
“At this juncture therefore, I would like on behalf of the African Union, to offer my sincere apology for these deaths.” He added.
In addition, Mr. Sidikou has further stated that three AMISOM personnel have been indicted and are awaiting to be arraigned before a military judicial process.
The AMISOM has previously denied its troops have killed civilians.
Assuring Somalis of precautions by soldiers, he said his troops would continue to ensure that all AMISOM personnel, whether uniformed or civilians, armed or unarmed, strictly adhere to the fundamental principles of International Humanitarian Law as well as the African Union Peace Support Operations Code of Conduct.
In a statement issued on early August, Human Rights Watch said that Under international humanitarian law applicable to the armed conflict in Somalia, parties to the conflict, including troop-contributing countries to the peacekeeping force, have an obligation to investigate alleged war crimes by their forces or forces under their jurisdiction, and appropriately prosecute those responsible.
African Union and Somali troops have ousted the Al-Qaeda linked militants from Merka town in 2012; however, Al-Shabab maintains control over large portions of surrounding rural areas of the Lower Shabelle region and continues to carry out attacks against allied forces.
“Our soldiers are operating in a very complex environment. We will continue to appeal to our host communities to facilitate the work of our troops in the fight against al Shabaab.” Sidikou said.