Sunday, March 1, 2009

Africa’s chief diplomat pegs Somali’s hopes on more troops

African Union Commission Chair Jean Ping has expressed optimism that the Nigerian government would soon release at least three batallions to the stretched African Union (AU) force in Somalia to help push through the peace efforts in the Horn of Africa nation.

Ping, who expressed his disapointment at the recent spate of attacks against the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) troops, said the arrival of the new Somali President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed into the country was a positive sign of the political developments in Somalia.

“These are positive developments despite the attacks. We are still monitoring the situation after the attacks - which occurred 22 February," Ping told journalists on Friday.

Somali’s militant group, the Al Shabab, has heightened its attacks against the African force, comprising Burundian and Ugandan troops, which have continued to keep peace in the war-ravaged country following the exit of the Ethiopian troops.

During the latest attacks, the Somali militants exploded a bomb oustide the campused by the Burundian contingent, killing more than 11 soldiers and wounding 15 others seriously.

Ping pledged to pursue the planners of such attacks in future under the principles of international law.

The 3,500-strong force was looking to the inclusion of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) fighters under its command as a step towards strengthening it numerically to fight the Al Shabab.

Nigeria pledged to contribute between one and three batallions, an indication that up to 3,000 Nigerian soldiers could step on Somali soil to help stabilise the precarious situation there.

Unconfirmed reports, however, suggest that Nigeria has been considering rescinding its decision to send the troops to Somalia.

The AU chief did not rule out the possibility of Nigeria renaging on its earlier pledge to deploy troops to Somalia.

He said if such a decision is reached, the AU would wait for an official communication.

“We are waiting for the official cancellation of the commitment,” Ping said.

Burundi and Uganda initially considered pulling out their troops from Somalia after Ethiopia announced their withdrawal plans. But the two countries were assured of continued financial assistance and convinced by steps on the political front to form a national unity government.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi says the exit of the Ethiopian troops created a fertile ground for the Al Shabab to “occupy the vacuum” but warns that the capacity of the militant group has been reduced substantially and its key tribal allies have shifted alliances after the Ethiopian pullout.

Source: Afrique en ligne

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