STORY: Somali children attend celebrations to

mark the Day of the African Child

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LANGUAGE: ENGLISH/SOMALI/NATURAL SOUND
DATELINE: 16/JUNE/2017, BAIDOA, SOMALIA.

SHOT LIST

1. Wide shot, participants present during the commemoration of the Day of

the African Child
2. Med shot, participants present during the commemoration of the Day of
the African Child
3. Close up, invited guests present during the commemoration of the Day of the
African Child
4. SOUNDBITE: (SOMALI) HASSAN HUSSEIN ELAY, SOUTH WEST
STATE MINISTER OF DISARMAMENT, DEMOBILIZATION AND
REINTEGRATION.
As a ministry we are ready to prevent any violence against children like
child soldiers. It is part of the government policy not to recruit a child below
20 years of age.

5. Wide shot, participants present during the commemoration of the Day of

the African Child
6. Med shot, participants present during the commemoration of the Day of
the African Child
7. Close up, participants present during the commemoration of the Day of the
African Child
8. SOUNDBITE: (SOMALI) MUKTAR ALI ISSAK, CHAIRMAN OF THE
DISABLED PERSONS IN BAY REGION.
These street children you see will be recruited easily, they will be enticed
with money. Recently 32 street children were taken from here. If they go
out of the market, they are taken. There are people [terrorists] in need of
them. We need the administration at the regional and district levels and
ministries to help and control (the children).

9. Wide shot, invited guests present during the commemoration of the Day of
the African Child
10. Med shot, invited guests present during the commemoration of the Day of
the African Child
11. Med shot, invited guests present during the commemoration of the Day of
the African Child
12. Close up, an invited guest present during the commemoration of the Day
of the African Child
13. SOUNDBITE: (ENGLISH) HASSAN IBRAHIM, UNITED NATIONS
ASSISTANCE MISSION IN SOMALIA (UNSOM) CHILD PROTECTION
UNIT.
I also pass my congratulatory message to children who could not get the
opportunity to celebrate this important day, especially those who are in
areas controlled by Al-Shabaab, detention centers being managed by Al-
Shabaab and areas which cannot be accessed by either the government
or NGOs (non-governmental organizations) who are working on the
ground with the child protection unit.

14. Wide shot, participants present during the commemoration of the Day of
the African Child
15. Med shot, participants present during the commemoration of the Day of
the African Child
16. Close up, a participant present during the commemoration of the Day of
the African Child
17. Med shot, participants present during the commemoration of the Day of
the African Child

Somali children attend celebrations to mark the Day of the African Child
Baidoa, 16 June 2017 - Hundreds of children in the South West state of
Somalia joined other youths across the continent in marking the Day of the
African Child amid guarantees from the government that their rights will be
protected.
The celebrations were organized by the regional states Ministry of Women
and Human Rights and attended by representatives of the South West
administration, the Federal Government of Somalia, the United Nations
Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), religious leaders and
representatives of civil society.

Speaking during the celebrations, the South West Minister of Disarmament,

Demobilization and Reintegration Hassan Hussein Elay said the
administration will take every step possible to stop violence against children,
including their recruitment as child soldiers.

As a ministry, we are ready to prevent any violence against children like child
soldiers. It is part of the government policy not to recruit a child below 20
years of age, the minister noted, adding that the state welcomes discussions
on the condition of the children.

Muktar Ali Issak, Chairman of the Disabled Persons in Bay region, appealed
to the regional administration to conduct awareness campaigns to prevent
vulnerable street children from falling prey to the propaganda of terrorist
groups.
These street children you see will be recruited easily. They will be enticed
with money, Mr. Issak said. Recently 32 street children were taken from
here. If they go out of the market, they are taken.

The chairman called on South West administration officials to help protect

children.

Hassan Ibrahim of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia

(UNSOM) Child Protection Unit sent a goodwill message to all Somali
children.

I also pass my congratulatory message to children who could not get the
opportunity to celebrate this important day, especially those in areas
controlled by Al-Shabaab, detention centers being managed by Al-Shabaab
and areas which cannot be accessed by either the government or NGOs
(non-governmental organizations) who are working with the (UNSOM) child
protection unit, Mr. Ibrahim stated.

The Day of the African Child is celebrated on June 16 every year. It was first
observed in 1991 by the Organization of African Unity (OAU).
Commemoration of the day was conducted under the theme accelerating
protection, empowerment and equal opportunities for children in Africa by
2030.

END.