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UNODC Enhancing the Criminal Investigation Capacity to Counter Serious and Organized Crime in Somalia in 2021

Mogadishu, Somalia, 10 January 2022 – The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) within the framework of the Regional Programme for Eastern Africa (2016-2021) is implementing the Criminal Investigation Program (CIP) for Somalia in the Federal Republic of Somalia and the Federal Member States (FMS), funded by the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).

The aim of CIP is to strengthen and structure the capacity of the Somali Police Force (SPF) and its CID/CIUs to investigate serious and organized crime in accordance with international treaty obligations and standards as well as developing and operationalizing specialist investigation units.

Achievements from 2021 include 8 Police officers from Puntland, Galmadug and Mogadishu completing modules 1-3 of the UNODC Investigation Management and Administration Training (IMAT). IMAT is part of ongoing mentorship to facilitate the creation of working investigation policies and procedures pertinent to the administration and management requirements of the CID/CIU; 25 police officers who are serving in managerial and/or administrative positions completed IMAT module 4 on Police Management Principles, including Managing a CID/U division, leadership objectives, decision making, change management, motivation, discipline and basic principles of strategic planning; 201 police officers and investigators and 14 prosecutors (Incl. 36 female participants) from across the Federal Republic of Somalia and the Federal Member States graduated the Investigation Development Pathway Course 1.

Additional UNODC support included mentoring CIU’s/CIDs on the investigation of 332 criminal cases. The UNODC mentors supported the chiefs of investigations across the FMS and Mogadishu by advising on the processing of crime scenes, interviewing of witnesses and suspects, advised on how to handle the victims professionally, especially victims of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) cases, as well as UNODC supported all the FMS in terms of providing DNA kits and assisted with the process of sending requests for analysis to the forensic laboratory in Garowe.

Organized through CIP and the Better Migration Management (BMM) programme, UNODC delivered a specialized training for 27 police investigators, including two female investigators, on Investigation of Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants Cases with the objective of enhancing the knowledge and skills of criminal justice practitioners to identify and investigate TIP and SOM cases with a practical and problem-solving approach while ensuring effective victim support and assistance as required by the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and its supplementary Protocols (UNTOC), and supplementary Protocols. Furthermore, the specialized training provided a platform for discussion between investigators located in different FMS to strengthen national cooperation and coordination.

UNODC also delivered a specialist investigation course on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) for 24 police officers, to enhance investigation skills and capacity to investigate criminal cases involving gender-based violence.

UNODC refurbished the General Kahiye Academy (GKA) in Mogadishu, which included refurbishments of two classrooms, toilettes, one male dormitory and bathroom, one female dormitory with bathroom, external tiling, new generator, and new fuel tank and cage. Furthermore, UNODC presented two Nissan 12-seater minibuses to CID headquarters in Mogadishu. To complete the support to the academy, the classrooms were equipped with desks, chairs, storage cabinets and training equipment, including projectors and screens. The dormitories were equipped with beds, bedding and individual storage.

The CIU in Garowe (Puntland) was also refurbished, which included electric works, replacement of doors, renovation of plumbing, roof repairs, plus procurement of a water tank. Additional procurement for CIUs in Afgoye, Dhusamreb and Jowhar has been initiated.

For more information please contact:

Mr. Johan Kruger (johan.kruger@un.org)

Head of Transnational Organized Crime, Illicit Trafficking and Terrorism Programmes

UNODC Regional Office for Eastern Africa