European Parliament calls for review of Somali National Security Architecture
The European Parliament has called for a strengthening of Somali national security architecture and protection of the population following what EU termed as widespread killings and arrests by the Somali security forces.
“All-inclusive dialogue is needed between the country’s social sectors, including the clans and tribes that compose the Somalian nation”, say MEPs, recalling that lasting stability and peace can be achieved only through “social inclusion, sustainable development and good governance based on the democratic principles and rule of law.”
MEPs also pointed out there are widespread intimidation, closure of critical media outlets, confiscation of equipment and blocking of websites by the security forces.
“The Somali authorities should urgently act to ensure that all violations of the right to freedom of expression are fully investigated,” the parliament asked.
EU parliamentarian urged the African Union (AU) and troop-contributing countries to ensure that allegations of sexual violence by the African Union Mission in Somalia’s (AMISOM), the 22,000-strong African Union peacekeeping mission, are properly and thoroughly investigated and that those responsible are brought to justice.
They call for better EU monitoring and capacity building to ensure accountability for abuses by AMISOM, especially given that the EU is responsible for the bulk of its funding.
The Parliament condemned the perpetrators of the recent terrorist attacks in Somalia, attributed to the Al-Shabaab insurgent group.
U.S.-funded Somali intelligence agency has been accused of using kids as spies, arbitrary arrests and torture during security operations.
The American newspaper, the Washington Post in May 7th this year published a damning report indicting the National Intelligence Agency, NISA of using children young as ten to identify Al-Shabaab suspects. The children, the Post said were formally under Al-Shabaab control but were later released.