UPDF troops prepare to attack Somali militants

The United Nations has begun preparing for combat between Somali insurgents and African peacekeepers led by Ugandan troops, Daily Monitor has learnt.

In an interview last week, the Uganda army Land Forces Commander, Lt. Gen. Katumba Wamala, told Daily Monitor they were waiting for a green light from the United Nations and the African Union to launch attacks against the Al Shabab, a group linked to Al Qaeda.

When contacted on Wednesday, however, outgoing Security Council president Ruhakana Rugunda said the proposal to attack the militants—a mandate outside the peacekeeping mission—was yet to be adopted on the Council’s agenda.

“They are still ideas emerging within member states. Formally, it’s not on the agenda yet. But reviewing the mandate African Union mission will be discussed,” Dr Rugunda said in a phone interview from Uganda’s Mission in New York. Gen. Katumba Wamala said more action is necessary but would have to wait for the UN’s permission. “We are yet to get permission from AU and the UN to strike those insurgents. That is the only way we can contain the conflict,” he said, adding: “We don’t want to lose Somalia to those terrorists.”

The African Union Mission to Somalia (Amisom), a regional peacekeeping mission, controls the presidential palace, airport, and seaport in Somalia and has lately suffered the wrath of Al Shabab insurgents. At least 20 troops have been killed out of the 4,450 deployed by Uganda and Burundi.

Last week, Defence Minister Crispus Kiyonga told Daily Monitor that the UN is building another base for military supplies in Mombasa in addition to the existing one in Entebbe. The boost in logistics support will also be supplemented with the United Nations Trust Fund.

According to the Kampala government, the recent donors’ conference in Brussels raised pledges as high as $213m (Shs450b) towards the Trust Fund, a clear indication of international support towards the Mission.

Initially, the Trust Fund was not applied to supporting Amisom because funding was needed elsewhere to meet requirements not supported by major bilateral contributors. The United Nations Security Council recently approved a UN logistical support package to Amisom including equipment and services amounting to $72m (Shs152b).

Dr Rugunda said all the efforts by the UN and the UN Security Council are signals for a major assault against the Al Shabab fighters. He also reported that the UPDF and Burundian troops would only attack the Somalis after the mission is taken by the UN.

But the chairman of the Defence and Internal Affairs committee of Parliament, MP Mathias Kasamba (Kakuuto, NRM), has said such an operation would have to be approved by Parliament. “Once those international bodies agree, UPDF will have to get our approval before they can go ahead,” he said.

Source: monitor.co.ug