An Evaluation of the Legal Framework for the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict (A Case Study of Mogadishu in Somalia)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION ....................................................................................................................... i

APPROVAL ............................................................................................................................. ii

DEDICATION ........................................................................................................................ iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ....................................................................................................... iv

TABLE OF CONTENTS ..................................................................................................... , ... v

ABBREVIATIONS ................................................................................................................. ix

TABLE OF CASES ................................................................................................................. xi

TABLE OF STATUTES ........................................................................................................ xii

TABLE OF CASES ............................................................................................................... xiii

ABSTRACT .......................................................................................................................... xiv

CHAPTER ONE :INTRODUCTION ............................................................................ 1

1.1 Background of study ......................................................................................................... 1

1.2 Statement of the problem ............................................................................................... ; .. 6

1.3 Objectives of the study ...................................................................................................... 6

1.3.1 General objective ............................................................................................................ 6

1.3.2 Specific objectives; ......................................................................................................... 6

1.4 Research questions; ........................................................................................................... 7

1.5 Significance of the study ................................................................................................... 7

1.6 Literature review ............................................................................................................... 7

I. 7 Methodology ................................................................................................................... 15

1.7.3 Document consultation ................................................................................................. 16

1.7.3 Interview method .......................................................................................................... 16

I. 7.4 Case study method ........................................................................................................ 17

V

1.8 Limitations of the Study ................................................................................................... 17

CHAPTER TWO: THE INTERNATIONAL LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL

FRAMEWORK FOR THE PROTECTION OF CIVILIANS IN CIVIL WARS .......... 18

2.0 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 18

2.1.1 International Human Rights Law (IHRL) ..................................................................... 19

2.1.2 International Humanitarian Law (IHL) ......................................................................... 21

2.1.3 International Refugee Law ............................................................................................ 22

2.2 The institutional framework for the protection of Civilians in civil wars ........................ 22

2.2.1 The Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Civilians in civil wars ................ 24

2.2.2 The United Nations High Commission for Civilians (UNHCR) .................................. 24

2.2.3 The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA)

................................................................................................................................................ 26

2.2.4 The Office of the Emergency Relief Coordinator (ERC) .............................................. 26

2.2.5 Legislative and policy framework on Civilians in civil wars ........................................ 27

2.4.2 The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights ............................................ 28

CHAPTER THREE: NON-LEGAL FACTORS RELEVANT TO THE MOGADISHU

CONFLICT IN THE REPUBLIC OF SOMALIA ............................................................ 30

3.0 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 30

3.1 The Mogadishu conflict in the Republic of Somalia ........................................................ 31

3.1.1 The cold war of the civil war 1998-1991 ...................................................................... 31

3.1.3 Humanitarian Intervention 1992-1999 .......................................................................... 32

3.1.4 The Transitional National Government (TNG) and growth of terrorism 2000 present

day . ......................................................................................................................................... 34

3.1.5 Limitations ..................................................................................................................... 35

3.2 Intervention by International bodies peace keeping ......................................................... 36

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3.2.1 The United Nation Operation in Somalia UNOSOM I (April I 992- March 1993) ...... 37

3 .2.2 The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) ................................................... 38

3.2.3 The right of civilian in the conflict.. ............................................................................. 42

3.2.4 What is meant by protection of civilians and why is it important to protect civilians in

Mogadishu conflict? .............................................................................................................. 45

3.2.6 Challenges in the classification of Mogadishu conflicts .............................................. 46

3.2.5 Conclusion .................................................................................................................... 47

CHAPTER FOUR: LEGAL ASPECTS RELATED TO THE MOGADISHIJ

CONFLICT IN THE REPUBLIC OF SOMALIA ............................................................ 49

4.0 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 49

4.1 General protection of civilians ........................................................................................ 49

4.1.1 Customary International Law ....................................................................................... 49

4.1.2 The Principle of IHL .................................................................................................... 50

4. I .2. I The principle of Humanity ........................................................................................ SO

4.1.2.2 The principle of necessity .......................................................................................... 51

4.1.2.3 The Principle of proportionality ............................................................................... , 51

4. I .2.4 The principle of the distinction between civilians and combatants ........................... 52

4.2 Traditional forms of classification of am1ed conflict.. .................................................... 52

4.2. I Asymmetric Conflicts ................................................................................................... 53

4.2.2 Characteristics of asymmetric conflicts ....................................................................... 54

4.2.3 Types of Asymmetric Conflict.. ................................................................................... 54

4.3.1 Classification of armed conflicts .................................................................................. 56

4.3.2 International armed conflicts ........................................................................................ 56

4.3. 3 Occupation ................................................................................................................... 57

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4.3.4 Internal disturbance and plots, Tensions ...................................................................... 58

4.3.5 Non International Armed Conflicts .............................................................................. 59

4.3.6 Wars of National Liberation ......................................................................................... 61

4.3.7 Civil War ...................................................................................................................... 62

4.3.8 Internationalized and non Internationalized Armed conflict. ....................................... 62

4.4.1 State control war ........................................................................................................... 63

4.4.2 State formation conflicts .............................................................................................. 63

4.4.3 Failed state wars ........................................................................................................... 64

4.5 Characterization of the Mogadishu conflict. ................................................................... 64

4.6 Protection of civilians during the Mogadishu conflict in Somalia .................................. 66

4.6.1 Categories of civilians .................................................................................................. 68

4. 7 Representing wrongs in the Mogadishu conflict. ............................................................ 70

4.7.1 Crimes against humanity .............................................................................................. 71

4.7.2 War Crimes ................................................................................................................... 72

4.7.3 Grave breaches oflnternational Humanitarian Law .................................................... 72

4.8 Conclusion ....................................................................................................................... 73

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS .............. 74

5.1 Summary ......................................................................................................................... 74

5.2 Conclusions ..................................................................................................................... 75

5.3 Recommendations ........................................................................................................... 77

REFERENCES ...................................................................................................................... 85