The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) is to step up the training of Somali Security Forces on child protection in armed conflict situations as it approaches the drawdown phase of its mission. ATMIS Deputy Force Commander, Maj. Gen. Marius Ngendabanka said the protection of children from violence was a critical part of its peace support operations in Somalia. ‘Training on child protection is a critical step towards enabling personnel to execute their responsibilities with a child-protection lens,’ Maj. Gen. Ngendabanka told a ceremony marking the end of a weeklong Training of Trainers workshop in Mogadishu on Friday. ‘Given the ATMIS personnel’s interaction with the Somali Security Forces, the training should also be cascaded as relevant to enhance their capacities in relation to child protection,’ the Deputy Force Commander added.

Source: Somali National News Agency