Somalia Prime Minister Vows To Eradicate Child Soldering

Somalia Prime Minister Vows To Eradicate Child Soldering

The new Somalia Prime Minister, Mohammed Abdullahi Mohammed, has reiterated his government's commitment to the eradication of child soldiering in Somalia.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the office of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict said Mohammed also acknowledged that the use of children as soldiers was a terrible phenomenon.

Speaking in a meeting with the UN Secretary General's Special Representative, Radhika Coomaraswamy, the Prime Minister agreed to designate a focal point, reporting directly to him.

Release agreement

He said the objective was to work with the UN to pave the way toward the signing of an official agreement to secure and verify the release of child soldiers.

Coomaraswamy welcomed the Prime Minister's commitment to end the recruitment of child soldiers in Somalia. He said that it was a crucial first step in his agreement to the process of putting together measures that will prevent children from being recruited to the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia (TFG)”.

According to the Representative, the TFG, including its allied militias, has been on the name and shame list of the Secretary-General for recruitment and use of children for five consecutive years and is referred to as a persistent violator.

In a meeting with the AMISOM Force Commander, Nathan Mugisha, Coomaraswamy raised her concerns about the killing and maiming of civilians, including children, by indiscriminate shelling.

She was however, reassured that rules of engagement were in place and that every measure would be taken to prevent any further deaths of civilians, including children.

Coomaraswamy regretted that her office had no access to other parties to the Somali crisis, such as Al Shabaab or Hizbul Islam, which are listed by the Secretary -General for recruiting child soldiers.

Children in Somalia are dependent on international assistance for essential services.

Coomaraswamy has reminded the donor community that, there was a humanitarian presence on the ground that can deliver much needed aid to the war-affected communities.

PANA/Evelyn/Williams