UGANDAN MPS UP IN ARMS DEMANDING THAT THEIR COUNTRY’S TROOPS ON AU PEACE KEEPING IN SOMALIA BE PAID RISK ALLOWAMCES.
Writes Leo Odera Omolo in Kisumu.
Worried by the reported high number of causality reports, Ugandan MPs are up in arms demanding that members of the Uganda Peoples Defense Force {UPDF} on peace keeping mission in Somalia be given an increase in high risk allowance.
Uganda is leading members of the African Union by having the largest number of peacekeeping forces in Somalia, with close to 4300 soldiers.
The MPs want a review of the mandate of African Union sending {AMISON} troops to the on-going operation, in view of the current situation in Mogadishu.
This, the MPs said, would safeguard Ugandan soldiers from the wrath of the terrorists and insurgents who have stepped up attacks against the Federal Transitional Government of President Sheikh Shariff and the AU peace keepers, the Opposition shadow Minister for Defence, Charles Angiro Gutmoi said.
“UPDF presence in Somalia is not minimal, following the failure of other African countries to deploy troops there, Angiro Gutmoi said”, adding that this was placing Uganda at a high risk of vulnerability to attacks.
The Opposition MP’s have also protested against the approval of the defense budget before clarity is given on the status of Maj. General Jeje Odong’s appointment as the new defense Minister.
Maj-Gen Jeje Odong’ was appointed to the cabinet by President Yoweri Museveni early this year and assigned the portfolio of State Minister for Defense.
His approval, however, was delayed subject to legal counsel from the Attorney General’s Chamber on whether there is justification for a serving military officer to take up political appointment and perform political duties under the multiparty dispensation.
“The approval of the defense budget, which also includes salaries and wages for the Minister in question is irrational”, said the shadow defense Minister.
Reports reaching neighboring Kenya say the Al-Shabaab and El-qaeda forces have stepped up attacks in Mogadishu suburbs against the hastily, but poorly trained Somali government troops and police units, guarding important installations in the capital.
Ends
leooderaomolo@yahoo.com
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From: Leo Odera Omolo
Date: Fri, Sep 4, 2009 at 10:47 AM
Subject: UGANDAN MP’S WANT THEIR TROOPS IN SOMALIA BE PAID SPECIAL HIGH RISK ALLOWANCES
Kenya and ethiopia, with the help of African Union,should allow their armed forces to attack and crash the potentially dangerous
outfit,AlShabaah and El-queda forces in Somalia.Unless kenya government neutralise these dangerous forces ,our country will
be next target of attack.
Many kenyans are wondering the relactancy of kenya government to fight these dangerous forces which when left
to mature will definitely attack our country in future to fullfil
THE GREAT SOMALIA idea by annexing our north eastern region.
Our politicians are not taking this threat seriously because some
people in the government are benefitting economically as a result of this somalia war.This stomach politics being practised by most of our present government will destroy our country.
The Al Shabaan is dangerous outfit which should be crashed before it matures.The government led by panu should avoid
double dealing inorder to face this future danger squarely.The
present commercial benefits enjoyed by some our leaders in the
somalia war should not blind us from seeing the future danger.
Why must Africans fight Africans whenever they are commanded to do so by the west? What is the use of African Union if cannot, peacefully, resolve African disputes without shedding Africans blood?
In many African States, tribalism is wreaking so much havoc that the ruling elites are unable to guarantee protection, safety, education, employment or health desired by different tribes within their own territories. The roads within these territories are impassible. Yet millions of cash is being spent on weapons of human destruction while millions are kraaled in filthy slums of African cities. Most of these slums were created by colonial powers to control the African masses. The ruling elites, now acting like colonial rulers, have happily maintained these slums for the same purpose.
After the event of September 11, 2001 in New York City, these very African states were coerced to take on Muslims within and without their territories. Africans are now the proxy arms of the western powers who are fighting terrorism in Africa. Many American citizens are glad to see Africans take the role saying “better fight them over there than here in USA”! The fight “over there” is actually killing and displacing many innocent Africans!
Mr. Okello, when can these African kids expect their government to rescue them from this mess?
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/25/world/africa/25kenya.html?_r=1&ex=1356238800&en=f07ddbc978f5932f&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt
Mr Akech ,it does not make sense to attached the article which was published to influence the rigging of general elections of 2007. We do not want to go back to the dark days of the rigged elections.It is true that our rigged elections was the work of few greedy leaders with the help of hidden powerful group within the international community. Nevertheless, kenyans must move forward by forgiving these groups and go .The presence of slums in our towns are just the work of national economic planners whose interests are create classes among kenyans.The slums are spread in all the towns in the country.The said article was not objective at all because kibera is not the only slums in nairobi.In any case,raila’s prosume wealth can not change the face of kibera .Raila never created kibera .It is economic planners work.
The case of somalia is indeed an african case with international face.The presence of AlShabaan militants in our mids is a danger to our beloved country,kenya.The Al queda connection with Al Shabaan can not be ignored by kenya government because kenyans suffered 1998 and 2001.We cannot take the threat lightly.
Therefore kenyans should stand against the threat just now by crashing the AlShabaan militants to make kenya safe .Otherwise, the country is going to be in crisis in the near future.