By Zamzam Daqare - Reporter
Somalia, 27 May 2026 – The European Union has said its security cooperation with Somalia includes safeguards aimed at ensuring EU-supported security forces and equipment are not used in an abusive manner.
Speaking to Dawan media, EU Ambassador to Somalia Francesca Di Mauro said Brussels applies a series of safeguards when working with Somali security institutions. She said these include commitments signed by Somali authorities, training on respect for human rights and international humanitarian law, monitoring of the situation on the ground, and continued dialogue with Somali officials.
“When we do security cooperation, we have a series of safeguards,” Ambassador Di Mauro said.
She said Somali authorities commit to conditions requiring supported security forces to undergo training on human rights and international humanitarian law. She added that authorities are also expected to take action if abuses are identified.
“The security forces first will undergo some training on respect of human rights or international humanitarian law,” she said.
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The ambassador said the EU also maintains direct dialogue with Somali authorities if concerns arise. She said this could include contacting the Minister of Defence or the Police Commissioner, depending on whether the issue relates to the army or the police.
She said the aim is to ensure that units trained by the EU, as well as equipment provided through EU support, are not used “in an abusive manner.”
The remarks came in response to a question from Dawan’s Zamzam Daqare regarding concerns that EU support to Somali security institutions could indirectly be used against peaceful protesters, journalists and activists, and what safeguards are in place to ensure European taxpayers’ money is not used for such actions.
Ambassador Di Mauro said the EU’s safeguards include signed agreements with Somali authorities, training, monitoring, direct dialogue, and efforts to raise awareness among communities about their rights.
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