Somalia: New PM Vows to End Recruitment of Child Soldiers

By Peter Omondi

Nairobi--- Somalia’s new Prime Minister Mohammed Abdullahi Mohammed has expressed his government’s commitment to eradicate the use of child soldiers. In a meeting with UN envoy for children and armed conflict Radhika Coomaraswamy in Mogadishu, Mohammed acknowledged the dangers posed by the use of child soldiers and pledged to appoint a focal point who would work with the UN towards designing an action plan and an official agreement to facilitate the release of child soldiers.

"The Prime Minister's commitment to end the recruitment of child soldiers in Somalia is a welcome first step, as is his agreement to the process of putting together measures that will prevent children from being recruited to the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia (TFG). 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. We hope this commitment by the Prime Minister will eventually result in their de-listing," said  Coomaraswamy.

In a meeting with the AMISOM Force Commander Nathan Mugisha SRSG Coomaraswamy raised her concerns about killing and maiming of civilians, including children, by indiscriminate shelling, but was reassured that rules of engagement were in place and every measure will be taken to prevent any further deaths of civilians including children.

Children in Somalia are dependent on international assistance for essential services. Sadly, following a peak in 2008, the amount of humanitarian funding received for Somalia has continuously declined.  Coomaraswamy reminded the donor community that, "Results are possible in Somalia despite extremely limited access. There is a humanitarian presence on the ground that can deliver much needed aid to these war-affected communities."

"In Somalia, girls and boys are still on the many front lines as they have been for twenty years and it's only getting worse. Increasingly, it is children who are fighting the war. The actors may change, battlefields may shift, but it is always the children who suffer," said Coomaraswamy.