The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) said it has ended a week-long training for its police officers on human rights and gender-based violence in Somali city of Mogadishu.
The AU mission said the training aimed at helping AMISOM personnel broaden their knowledge on human rights issues was attended by 26 police officers from all the six Police Contributing Countries (PCCs) of Uganda, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Zambia,
Gloria Jaase Nkundanyirazo, AMISOM Women Protection Officer who closed the training on Wednesday evening urged the officers to use the knowledge acquired to diligently serve the people of Somalia, particularly women and children.
“This is the beginning of our journey to go out there and protect women and children as well as ensure that the communities living in IDP camps as well as in refugee camps are accorded protection,” Nkundanyirazo said in a statement issued on Thursday.
AMISOM Police Chief of Staff, Rex Dundun urged the police officers to apply all they have learnt, to enable the Mission to achieve its mandate in the Horn of Africa nation.
“What you have learnt in these six days is capacity building. These are skills and knowledge to develop your capacity in order to deliver the AMISOM Police mandate with effectiveness and efficiency,” Dundun said.
He called on the police officers to always work together in aiding Somalia establish a functioning police force capable of maintaining law and order.
“We want you to serve as multipliers. Go out there and teach your colleagues. Educate them on what the standard practice is, on human rights and SGBV (sexual and gender-based violence) prevention,” Dundun added.
