AU troops sentenced to death for civilian killings in Somalia

Two soldiers sentenced to death and three others given 39-year prison terms each for killing seven civilians.

Soldiers belonging to the African Union Mission in Somalia looking through the scope of a sniper for enemy fighters on a hill overlooking the al-Shabab stronghold of Barawe, Somalia, in October 2014
AMISOM has some 20,000 soldiers in Somalia deployed to fight an armed uprising waged by al-Shabab fighters [AFP]

Five Ugandan soldiers serving with the African Union Mission in Somalia have been found guilty of killing seven civilians, with two sentenced to death and the other three given 39-year prison terms each, AMISOM has said.

“After sitting from 2-12th November 2021 and reviewing all the facts including witness statements, the Court Martial on 12th November 2021, found the soldiers guilty of killing the civilians,” an AMISOM statement issued late on Saturday said.

Kampala instituted legal proceedings in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu after the allegations of civilian casualties in the town of Golweyn emerged in August this year. The soldiers will be repatriated to Uganda to serve their sentences.

AMISOM has some 20,000 soldiers in Somalia deployed to fight an armed uprising waged by al-Shabab fighters. Although the al-Qaeda linked armed group was largely cleared from Mogadishu a decade ago, they continue to stage deadly attacks in the capital and elsewhere.

“Our mission in Somalia is to degrade al-Shabab and other armed groups. In doing so, we absolutely have every responsibility to protect the civilian population”, said Brigadier General Don Nabasa, commander of the Ugandan contingent.

This is not the first time Ugandan soldiers in Somalia have been implicated in illegal activities.

Human rights groups have alleged cases of sexual misconduct and civilian killings, but when investigations have been conducted by AMISOM, the soldiers are routinely exonerated.

In 2016, nine Ugandan soldiers were found guilty of illegally selling fuel meant for AMISOM to civilians – the first time such a case was tried in Somalia since the AU mission deployed in 2007.

In 2013, Uganda recalled 24 officers – among them the contingent commander Brigadier Michael Ondoga – for allegedly selling food rations meant for soldiers. Ondoga was exonerated by a military court in 2015.

Kenyan officers serving with the AU mission have also been accused or profiting from the illegal trade in charcoal in southern Somalia.

Source: AFP

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