Beledweyne, 21 May 2026 – The United Nations Support Office in Somalia (United Nations Support Office in Somalia) conducted a field mission to Beledweyne to reinforce understanding and implementation of the Human Rights Due Diligence Policy (HRDDP) among the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) and the Somali Security Forces (SSF) personnel to reinforce compliance with HRDDP during military operations.
The three-day sensitisation and awareness sessions conducted in Beledweyne aimed to deepen understanding of HRDDP requirements and reinforce their implementation as a prerequisite for UN support among forces receiving UNSOS non-lethal logistical support, including AUSSOM Djiboutian and Ethiopian Defence Forces, as well as Somali National Army (SNA) personnel operating in Sector Four.
Speaking during the mission, UNSOS Human Rights Due Diligence Policy Programme Management Officer, Jane Kembabazi, highlighted the importance of sustained field engagement to reinforce compliance and awareness across non-UN deployed security forces.
“We conduct regular field visits to sensitise and create awareness for AUSSOM and SSF personnel on the policy and also on International Human Rights Law and International Human Rights, Humanitarian, and Refugee Laws to ensure effective implementation” she said.
The mission combined sensitisation sessions, interactive discussions, and field-level assessments with African Union troops and Somali Security Forces on the practical application of HRDDP principles in operational contexts. Activities included scenario-based discussions to assess practical understanding and application of the policy in real-life situations, including the protection of civilians, the use of force, reporting obligations, and accountability mechanisms.
“We conducted sessions SNA to gauge their understanding of HRDDP, respect for human rights, and I am very pleased with the level of engagement. We also discussed some of the challenges they face during their day-to-day operations. These sessions help us to ensure that the support provided by UNSOS reaches the intended recipients, the implementation of mitigation measures, and we also get to know what more support is required”, added UNSOS HRDDP officer Ms. Kembabazi.
Sector Four Commander, Colonel Abdirahman Rayale Hared, underscored the importance of continuous training and preparedness among deployed personnel to ensure adherence to international human rights standards.
“The Djiboutian and Ethiopian troops in Sector Four received pre-deployment training in their respective countries and have consistently had in-country refresher courses as part of the commitment by Troop Contributing Countries to ensure that troops they deploy in Somalia receive adequate training on human rights” he said.
The field visit forms part of UNSOS efforts under United Nations Security Council Resolution 2809 (2025), which mandates to provide logistical support to 11,826 AUSSOM uniformed personnel and 20,900 Somali Security Forces engaged in joint or coordinated operations with AUSSOM, in full compliance with HRDDP requirements.
By combining awareness-raising sessions, structured dialogue, and field-level assessments, UNSOS continues to strengthen support mechanisms that uphold international standards while contributing to Somalia’s broader security transition.
