US speaks on Malawi troops on peacekeeping mission

WeekendNation
Saturday, July 31, 2010

The United States says it supports and encourages Malawi’s continued participation in international peacekeeping despite threats from groups like Somalia’s al-Shabab that bombed Uganda and killed 74 civilians because it has peacekeeping troops in Somalia. The US government was asked to justify its training of troops for peacekeeping mission when groups such as al-Shabaab are posing a threat to countries that provide troops to other countries for peacekeeping mission.

On July 11 2010, the Somali Islamist group al-Shabaab said it was behind twin blasts in Ugandan capital Kampala as soccer fans were watching a World Cup game.

In a statement issued in Mogadishu, spokesperson for the group, Sheikh Ali Mohamud Rage, threatened more attacks on Kampala.

“We thank the mujahideen that carried out the attack. We are sending a message to Uganda and Burundi, if they do not take out their Amisom [African Union Mission in Somalia] troops from Somalia, blasts will continue and it will happen in Bujumbura [the Burundi capital] too,” he said.

The US government said it will continue with its peacekeeping training programme in Malawi and encouraged Malawi to continue participating in the programme.

“The United States supports Malawi’s continued interest in promoting regional peace and stability. As President [Bingu] wa Mutharika is currently leading the African Union, he plays a particularly important role in working with the governments, parties and other stakeholders to resolve conflicts across the continent,” said US public affairs officer, John Warner, in an e-mail response.

Warner said that as a country with a well-trained, professional military that has a strong respect for civilian control, Malawi could play an increasingly important role in international peacekeeping in Africa.

He said in the past, Malawi’s interest in regional peace and stability has been demonstrated by providing peacekeeping troops.

“In the aftermath of the cowardly attacks against civilians in Kampala, the United States stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Ugandans and people across the continent in the fight against terrorism to make sure that organisations like al-Shabab are not able to kill with impunity or to destabilise countries in the region,” Warner said.

The AU has pledged to add 4 000 troops to its peace force in Somalia.

Mutharika told reporters at Kamuzu International Airport on Wednesday, on his arrival from AU meeting, that if the West mobilised resources, they could wipe out al-Shabab.

Source: Weekend Nation