PRESS RELEASE

(For Immediate Release)

AMISOM PR/031/2016

AMISOM investigates claims of civilian deaths in Wardinle, Bay region

Mogadishu, 19 July 2016 – The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) is investigating claims of civilian deaths in Wardinle village, near Baidoa town in Bay region, during an ambush on SNA and AMISOM troops by Al-Shabaab terrorists on Sunday.

Preliminary investigations indicate that AMISOM forces received credible intelligence information, of an Al-Shabaab’s radicalization exercise in the village and went to investigate. The troops were ambushed as they approached the village and intensive fighting ensued. The terrorist fighters were overpowered and fled, after sustaining casualties. It is not clear at this point in time, if the fighting occasioned civilian deaths, as it is being claimed.

“AMISOM holds civilian lives sacrosanct and any negligence or omission by our personnel will be dealt with severely in accordance with the African Union rules of engagement and relevant provisions of the International humanitarian law, the international Human rights law and in full compliance with the UNHRDDP,” the Special Representative of the AU Commission Chairperson (SRCC) for Somalia, Ambassador Francisco Madeira said.

“My Office, in consultation with the relevant Federal Government of Somalia institutions, is investigating the incident to establish the veracity of the claims. We shall certainly get to the bottom of this matter,” he added.

Ambassador Madeira emphasized AMISOM’s commitment to the African Union rules of engagement that requires AMISOM troops to be very careful and do their best, to avoid civilian casualties in its operations. He directed all AMISOM personnel to strictly adhere to the fundamental tenets of International Humanitarian Law, the international Human rights law and the African Union Peace Support Operations Code of Conduct.

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For more information
Lt Col Joe Kibet – Force Spokesperson, Gaffel Nkolokosa – Public Information Officer,
Email: amisommediacentre@africa-union.org or amisommediacentre@gmail.com
Cell phone: (Somalia) +252 699 563 476 / +252 617 682 175 / +252 699 240 948;
(Nairobi) +254 727 771 599 / +254 700 333 415