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Country to Send More Troops to Somalia

Monday, December 17, 2007

 

By Milton Olupot And Henry Mukasa

Kampala, Uganda

 

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A contingent of 1,500 UPDF soldiers will this month depart for Somalia to participate in the peace- keeping mission under the Africa Union Mission to Somalia (AMISON).

 

The army spokesman, Maj. Felix Kulayigye, yesterday said the soldiers were replacing the contingent that began the peace-keeping mission in March.

 

Kulayigye said the soldiers had undergone specialised training in peace-keeping operations. They were trained by French instructors.

 

Meanwhile the Somali Prime Minister, Nur Hussan Hussein, yesterday dissolved his cabinet barely two weeks after five senior officials quit in a power-sharing row.

 

Speaking at a news conference in the southern town of Baidoa, Hussein said he would name a new cabinet in the next two weeks.

 

"In that government, 50% of the ministers will be selected from outside, while the other will come from the Parliament."

 

The Africa Union Mission to Somalia's mandate was renewed by the UN Security Council on August 20 for another six months. The AU pledged 8,000 troops for the peace-keeping mission.

 

But, six months later, other countries which promised troops:-Nigeria, Ghana, Malawi and Burundi-have not fulfiled their promises.

 

The newly-appointed African Union Special Representative to Mogadishu, Nicolas Bwakira, hailed the first Ugandan contingent for faithfully carrying out its mandate and helping with health-care delivery and providing water.

 

Bwakira visited the AMISOM headquarters from December 13 to 14.

 

The UPDF are providing support to the Transitional Federal Institutions in an effort to stabilise the country and help further dialogue and reconciliation.

 

Bwakira, however, expressed worry over the "deepening, worrying and alarming" humanitarian crisis in Somalia and urged the transitional government and the opposition to facilitate aid agencies to deliver relief materials to affected population.

 

The envoy highlighted the need for dialogue between the opposition and the Transitional Federal Government, with a view of forming a cabinet which will be more inclusive.

 

"Such dialogue should explore ways of increasing the level of security, particularly in Mogadishu. Increased stability will encourage the international community to buy into the peace process," he observed.

 

Source: New Vision, December 17, 2007