The Heads of State and Government attending the African 15th summit of the African Union (AU), which ended Tuesday in Kampala have decided to deploy 4000 additional troops as part of the peacekeeping mission in Somalia , bringing to more than 10,000 the total number of block in this country suffering from conflict.

The chairman of the AU Commission, Jean Ping, said during a joint press briefing with the President of Malawi President Bingu Wa Mutharika of the AU, that Guinea would deploy a battalion and the Intergovernmental Authority development (IGAD) send 2000 soldiers in this chaotic country to help its pacification and stabilization.

 

IGAD is a regional organization consisting of Ethiopia, Uganda, Djibouti, Kenya, Somalia, Eritrea and Sudan.
Ping said the AU proposal that had been made to increase troops to 15,000 men to fight against terrorism in this country in the Horn of Arique. The staff deployed by the commission in this country are currently capped at 8000 people.

"We are committed to provide 4,000 more troops to Somalia which should enable us to achieve and exceed this limit. The troops of Guinea and Djibouti are ready," he said.

"We're meeting this limit. Many countries are willing to send troops to Somalia," he said.

"The troops deployed in Somalia are successful. I think we will be able to curb this terrorism, which has exceeded the boundaries," said Mutharika.

Uganda and Burundi are currently the only two countries to contribute to the contingent of 6000 men from the peace mission of the African Union in Somalia (AMISOM). The security experts have recommended the dispatch of a peacekeeping force of 27,000 men in Somalia to pacify the situation.

The decision came after three days of intense discussions on the extent of the increase in enrollment and a change in the mandate of AMISOM forces in Somalia.

"The request to amend the mandate, that of peacekeeping that of peace enforcement is still under consideration. The AU mandate but that could change there additional implications. We need funds and additional hardware for implementation, "said Mr. Ping.

Source:ADI