A five-day training programme on human rights and child protection for Somali security forces commenced in Mogadishu on Monday, October 13.

The training is organized by AMISOM with the support of the Romeo Dallaire Child Soldiers Initiatives (RDCSI) and is aimed at enhancing compliance with International Human Rights Law.

At the opening, the Deputy Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia Simon Mulongo called for concerted efforts to stem the recruitment of child soldiers, especially by militant groups.

Jihan Hassan, the Director-General of Somalia’s Ministry of Defence, reiterated the commitment of the Somali Government to stop recruitment of child soldiers.

Twenty-five personnel from the SNA and the Child Protection Unit of the Ministry of Defence are attending the course, with the view of turning them into focal persons on human rights and child protection at their places of work.