Developments in Somalia

Reports indicate that both the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) and Transitional Federal Government (TFG) recruited and used children during intense fighting for control of Mogadishu in November and December 2006. The UIC publicly declared its intention to recruit from schools, and appointed Sheikh Fu'aad Mohamed Khalaf to be in charge of training the students. An intensive recruitment campaign of boys and girls under-18 by the UIC and its allied militias took place from schools in Mogadishu in that period. TFG militias as well as some clan militias have been widely reported to be using children to carry arms. In August 2007, the Minister of Women's Development and Family Affairs agreed to play a role in an advocacy campaign to release children from TFG armed forces and prevent future child recruitment.

During the reporting period*, violence between the TFG and Ethiopian forces on the one hand, and insurgent groups, including the Al-Shaabab, remnants of the former UIC elements and Hawiye clan militia on the other, has resulted in high civilian casualties in Mogadishu. Precise numbers of casualties among children are difficult to verify due to insecurity and the lack of access, but estimates from UN partners indicate that in Mogadishu alone, there have been over 1,200 deaths and several thousand civilians injured since October 2006, out of which approximately 35 percent are children. In April 2007, the security situation in Mogadishu deteriorated, as anti-government factions began staging hit-and-run attacks and using improvised explosive devices and suicide bombings against the TFG and Ethiopian forces. The TFG and Ethiopian forces retaliated with indiscriminate exchange of fire and shelling, sometimes using un-targeted rocket launchers. Many of these attacks occurred in residential areas of the city, resulting in disproportionate numbers of children killed or injured.

Rape and other sexual violence have not been a systematic violation by the parties to the conflict. However, between January and June 2007, the heightened violence has rendered women and girls, particularly among the internally displaced, more vulnerable to sexual violence and attacks. In July and August 2007, reports indicated a wave of raids on schools by TFG forces in Mogadishu, allegedly in search of extremist elements. On 18 August 2007, mortar shells from fighting between TFG and Ethiopian forces and insurgents hit the SOS Hospital in Mogadishu. Further, it has also been reported that Ethiopian forces occupied the Mohamoud Ahmed Ali secondary school for military purposes between April and July 2007.

Incidences of mine and UXO accidents resulting in the deaths and injuries among children has increased in 2007. Between January and June 2007 in Southern Somalia, there have been more than 28 landmine accidents, killing eight children and wounding ten; and 33 incidents involving bombs or unexploded ordnance, killing 25 children and wounding 46. The insecurity and the multiple checkpoints along main roads have affected humanitarian organisations in and around Mogadishu, and more generally, in South Central Somalia, leaving staff unable to access communities in urgent need of assistance or protection. Humanitarian workers, human rights defenders and media have also been targeted in various security incidences and killings throughout the country, and offices and assets destroyed.

Parties in Somalia

1. Remnants of the former Union of the Islamic Courts (UIC)

This party has also been responsible for the killing and maiming of children in the reporting period.

2. Transitional Federal Government (TFG)

This party has also been responsible for killing and maiming, committing rape and other grave sexual violence, attacks on schools and hospitals and denial of humanitarian access to children in the reporting period.

Press Releases by the Special Representative:

* Information based on the 2007 report of the Secretary General to the Security Council (A/62/609-S/2007/757) issued on 21 December 2007