Thursday August 12, 2021
Mogadishu (HOL) - The African Union's peacekeeping mission in Somalia said it would launch a "thorough investigation" into allegations that Ugandan troops in Lower Shabelle killed seven civilians during a military operation earlier this week.
"AMISOM has since received reports that civilian lives were lost. Under the applicable International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and Human Rights, AMISOM is obliged and remains deeply committed to carrying out its mandated tasks in Somalia in strict compliance with such obligations."
The statement goes on to say that an investigation will be conducted and the findings made public.
"To this end, AMISOM has launched a thorough investigation into the reported incident. The investigation team will present its findings, and this will be followed by a Board of Inquiry."
On Tuesday, families of the victims allegedly killed by the troops told local media that the AMISOM peacekeepers murdered their relatives at point blank range. They said that the troops also detonated land mines to cover up the killings.