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From: Biniam Tekle (biniamt@dehai.org)
Date: Tue Jul 27 2010 - 07:51:43 EDT
http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/africa/US-Official-More-Troops-Needed-in-Somalia-99244734.html
US
Official: 'More Troops' Needed in Somalia
VOA News 26 July 2010
A top U.S. diplomat says more troops are needed on the ground in Somalia,
where Islamist militants are threatening to topple the government. U.S.
Assistant Secretary of State Johnnie Carson made the comment Monday on the
sidelines of the African Union summit in Uganda's capital, Kampala.
African leaders are discussing changes to the mandate of the AU peacekeeping
force in Somalia, which helps to protect key government sites. The force
currently has a little more than 6,000 soldiers stretched between Uganda and
Burundi. The AU is considering an expansion of the force, and a change of
rules that would allow it to go on the offensive against insurgent groups
al-Shabab and Hizbul Islam.
Carson said the U.S. would support additional troops, in the same fashion it
supports the current AU force.
Ahead of the summit, Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni vowed to send
Ugandan troops after al-Shabab. The group claimed responsibility for the
July 11 bombings in Kampala that killed 76 people. Al-Shabab said the
attack was retaliation for Uganda's participation with the AU peacekeeping
force.
Al-Shabab and Hizbul Islam rule large parts of southern Somalia and the
capital, Mogadishu. The government controls only small portions of the
city, mainly the airport, seaport and presidential palace.
More than 30 African heads of state are attending the AU summit, which runs
through Tuesday. Along with Somalia, leaders plan to talk about health
matters, food security and improving infrastructure.
*Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.*
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