Child Protection Experiences and Challenges- AMISOM Somalia Perspective

Child Protection in PSO Knowledge and Learning Event 7-9 December 2015

Dakar, Senegal

CHILD PROTECTION EXPERIENCES AND CHALLENGES

AMISOM, SOMALIA PERSPECTIVE

By Musa Donald Gbow AMISOM

Presentation for strategy v1.pptx 1

INTRODUCTION

Repeated international reports on allegations of

Human and Child Rights violations.

The African Union Peace and Security Council

(AU-PSC) and the United Nations Security Council

(UNSC) in resolutions 2093 and 2102 called for

efforts to mainstream the protection of civilians.


INTRO CONT….

UNSCR 2093 requested the secondment of a Child

Protection Adviser to AMISOM.

The Dallaire Initiative, UNICEF in partnership with

the African Union Commission (AUC) collectively

agreed to support the agenda for Children and

Armed Conflict (CAAC).


INTRO CONT….

The protection advisor with direct support from AMISOM

and close working relationship between AMISOM,

UNSOM and the wider UN community was mandated to

conduct extensive field monitoring visits to collect reliable,

accurate and timely data regarding the six grave

violations.

Support capacity building activities for AMISOM and

provide advice on the human right situation, including all

forms of violence against children (including sexual

violence) in AMISOM’s areas of operations.


INTRO CONT….

Strengthen AMISOM’s and the Somali National

Forces (SNA/SPF) compliance with the

International Humanitarian and Human Rights

Laws (IH/HRL) as they relate to child protection.

Work with Civil Society, Religious Groups and

Leaders, Youth Groups and Women’s

organizations.


SCOPE

The scope will cover the following: Brief Background of the Protection, Human Rights and

Gender Unit. General children’s situation and current Child Protection

Activities in Somalia.

Trainings and Training Modules.

AMISOM Achievements with respect to compliance. Challenges.

Look Forward.


BRIEF BACKGROUND OF THE PHRGU

COMPOSITION Legal Child and Women’s protection Gender (Civ, Mil and Pol) Conduct and Discipline Unit Human Rights BOI CCTARC


THEMATIC WORK AREAS

Capacity Building

Technical Support

Monitoring and Reporting

Coordination with other partners

Participation


GENERAL CHILD PROTECTION AND HUMAN

RIGHT SITUATION IN SOMALIA

Vulnerability of Somali children. Movement of IDPS

Returnees

Isolated incidences

Detention and.

Operations


CURRENT ACTIVITIES

Capacity Building. Training activities for AMISOM police, military and

civilian personnel and SNA/SPF. In-mission training with AMISOM Mil & Police


CURRENT ACTIVITIES Cont….

Support to the FGS (MWHR) for the development of Child Protection Policy document.

Photo of some members of the FGS, SNA and

SPF



Training on SOP’s for the handling and safe transfer of detainees.

Photo of some focal persons. Group photo of CIMIC offrs



Awareness raising campaign on SEA and the Six

grave violations.

Photo of posters depicting the Six Grave Violations.



Youths engagement on de-radicalization and

protection needs.

Workshops/seminars etc.


TRAINING AND TRAINING MODULES

Training at AMISOM is categorized to target the junior, middle and senior level management.

JUNIOR LEVEL Focus for the junior level primarily deals with Do’s and

Don’ts.

Spectrum of interaction (negative and positive) on low, middle and high risk interactions.

Individual responsibility, SGBV and the “Six Grave Violations.”

Winning the hearts and minds of the locals and mission mandate.



Cont....….

MIDDLE LEVEL COMMANDERS Overview of international legislation. Importance of Situation Awareness. Spectrum of Interaction.

Commanders Roles and Responsibility.

Children and Armed Conflict including the six grave

violation.



Cont....

SENIOR MANAGEMENT Protection of Civilian.

International Instruments Resting on Child

Protection and IHL.

Children and Armed Conflict (Complete Modules).

Commander and Superior Responsibility/ Liability.



Cont....

TRAINING MODULES

RDCSI Training hand Book for Security Sector Actors (Second Edition).

UNSTM

United Nations, OSRSC CAAC. The Rights and Guarantees of Internally Displaced Children (Working Paper Number 2), 2011. www.childrenandarmedconflict.un.org


MONITORING AND REPORTING

Nomination, training and deployment of uniformed

focal persons in all AMISOM operational areas.

Establishment of a crisis line.

Investigation of reported incidences involving

civilians (BOI).

SRCC’s directive reinforcing zero tolerance to

SEA.


MONITORING AND REPORTING

Cont….

Issuance of Force Commanders directives placing premium on the protection of civilians (children).

Reports from the MRM country team through

UNICEF.

General information from the locals, open source and print media respectively.

Disciplinary actions and remedial action /reparation.


ACHIEVEMENTS ON COMPLIANCE

Integrating Child protection Training in AMISOM mandatory in-

mission trainings for all components.

Increased internal monitoring and reporting mechanisms (Focal

Persons and Crisis/hot Line).

Increased collaboration and coordination with other partners

(UNSOM, UNICEF, FGS and Partners).

Continued Immediate Investigation of reported allegations of

AMISOM violations.

Safe and documented transfer of disengaged child soldiers and or

detainees.


ACHIEVEMENTS ON COMPLIANCE

Cont….

AMISOM troops refusal to undertake joint military

or police operations with any force with children in

their ranks.

Thorough vetting of all new recruits (SNA/SPF).

Coordinated support to the FGS MoD CPU

members.

Establishment of the CCTARC.


CHALLENGES

General Security Situation resulting to

inaccessibility to many areas (communities).

Timely Information sharing with partners.

Lack of reception/holding areas for children.

Impoverishment and lack of adequate basic

amenities for Somali children.


CHALLENGES Cont….

Harmful and traditional practices in Somalia.

Lack of funds to support more child protection

activities (employment of civilian staff to sectors).

Removal of Children in the ranks of militia and

FGS troops operating in the regions.

General compliance with the CRC and adoption

of a child protection policy.


LOOK FORWARD

Secure funding to continue to support child mainstreaming

in AMISOM and Somalia.

Construction of a Reception/Holding Centre in all Sector

locations.

Construction of a Juvenile Detention Centre for the FGS.

Increased collaboration and coordination between

members of the various actors in Somalia inclusive the

various line ministries.


LOOK FORWARD Cont….

Integration of Child Protection training by TCC’s in pre-

deployment trainings.

More engagements through the AUC with the TCC’s on

early feedback on all referred disciplinary matters.

Secure funding's for the payment of reparation to victims.

Continued capacity building activities for FGS.

Support to the Ministry of Women and Human Rights to

finalize the draft child protection policy document.


LESSONS LEARNT/TAKE AWAY

POINTS

The approach to training must be reviewed and

training modules must be modified to fit into military

operations.

All actors must increase collaboration on the

protection of children (Avoid Silos).

Government and or security sector actors must

integrate practical tools on child protection in their

basic recruitment and officer cadet trainings.


LESSONS LEARNT/TAKE AWAY

POINTS Cont….

All mission mandates are to place premium on

child protection.

Engaging on de-radicalization discussions with

the youths.

Integrated internal monitoring mechanism.


QUESTIONS

Jetty Images


SOME TRAINING PHOTOS


TRAINING PHOTOS Cont….

Government & Nonprofit

Child Protection Experiences and Challenges- AMISOM Somalia Perspective