An ATMIS convoy while returning to Mogadishu was involved in a tragic road accident at Elasha Biyaha in the Lower Shabelle region when a civilian crossed between two armoured vehicles and was knocked down.Â
Immediately after the accident, people started to gather around the convoy and blocked the road.
Local authorities including officials from the Somali Police Force, the Governor of Lower Shabelle and the District Commissioner were called to the scene and negotiated for the release of the convoy.
The injured civilian was rushed to the hospital and was receiving urgent medical care when he died.
The African Union Mission in Somalia expresses its heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased and has since set up a preliminary investigation team to work closely with witnesses, government, and local authorities to investigate the deeply regrettable accident.
The findings of the investigation team will be presented to a Board of Inquiry.
The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) is an active African Union transition and drawdown mission from peacekeeping operations in Somalia.
Formerly the African Union Mission to Somalia, ATMIS’s mandate will end in 2024, with full transition of security operations to the Somali National Armed Forces.
ATMIS consists of troops from the East African nations of Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda.