Rugunda slams Somali militants

Rugunda chairs the Security Council at the UN headquarters in New York on Thursday

UGANDA’S permanent representative to the United Nations, Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, has criticised Islamic militants for fuelling violence instead of embracing the existing peace process for Somalia.

Rugunda, who is chairing the Security Council for the month of July, observed that despite the efforts to resolve the conflict, violence persisted.

“Uganda condemns the attacks on the Transitional Federal Government, the civilians and Africa Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) by violent opposition groups and foreign elements,” Rugunda stated last week during the debate on the situation in Somalia.

“We call upon the UN and other partners to expedite support to enable AMISOM to implement their mandate,’’ he appealed.

He also urged the African Union member states to provide more peacekeepers to enable AMISOM attain the capacity of 8,000 troops.

Uganda and Burundi have contributed 4,300 soldiers to defend the transitional government, key installations in Mogadishu and to train Somali armed forces. Djibouti has promised to send a battalion of troops soon.

Rugunda noted that the presence of AMISOM in Somalia was a transitional arrangement to the envisaged UN peacekeeping operation.

He urged the Security Council to prepare to eventually take over from the AMISOM force. He noted that the situation in Somalia disrupts international trade through piracy.

Rugunda asked the Security Council to respond to the Africa Union July 3rd Summit appeal “to take urgent measures to address the grave situation in Somalia.” The summit was held in Sirte, Libya.

In a resolution, the Security Council saluted Uganda and Burundi for deploying troops in Somalia.

The council reiterated its support for the Djibouti peace process that called for a transitional government and peace talks.

“The Security Council reaffirms its demand that violent Somali groups immediately end their offensive, put down their arms and join reconciliation efforts.

The Security Council condemns the flow of foreign fighters into Somalia,” the resolution read.

Source: NewVision.co.ug