Hundreds stage protest against AMISOM after killing civilians

The incident took place in the vicinity of Golweyn, a small agriculture-rich town that lies along the main AMISOM supply route linking the provincial capital, Marka to Barawe following an Al-Shabaab ambush.

News Keydmedia Online
11 August 2021

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Hundreds of people have held a large demonstration in Mogadishu on Tuesday against the murder of seven Somali civilians by African Union troops in the Lower Shabelle region on Tuesday.

One of the relatives of the slain civilians whose bodies were brought to a Hospital told Keydmedia online that AMISOM forces have deliberately killed the people who were farmers and bus drivers.

The incident took place in the vicinity of Golweyn, a small agriculture-rich town that lies along the main AMISOM supply route linking the provincial capital, Marka to Barawe following an Al-Shabaab ambush.

Eyewitnesses said women and children were among civilians killed by the Ugandan forces serving under the AU mission who have been facing such allegations since their arrival in Somalia in 2007.

“The people were unarmed civilians, including some who were taken from the farms. They were all shot in the head and then put together and their bodies were blown up with a landmine,” said a relative.

The families of the victims vowed they would not bury the dead bodies until the Somali government intervened in the matter and legal action is taken against AMISOM, which insists on killing terrorists.

AMISOM said in a statement that seven members of Al-Shabaab have been killed in a counter-attack, showing an assortment of weapons and ammo with the group’s black banner.

KEYDMEDIA English