Writes Leo Odera Omolo
THE Africa Union (au) summit due to sit in Kampala plans to give the peace-keeping forces in Somalia a new mandate to enable them confront the Al-Shabaab terrorists.
The AU peace and security commissioner, Ramtane Lamamra, on Monday said the heads of state will consider giving the African Union Mission for Somalia (AMISOM) commanders broader authority when they convene on July 25 at Speke Resort Munyonyo.
“We would certainly give lee way to the forces so that they accomplish their mission in the most comfortable manner. The mission is quite complex, but we are confident in the good people on the ground,” he explained.
In an interview with Voice of Africa, the commissioner said if sufficient logistical support is got, another 2,000 troops will be sent to Somalia by September.
The US, the main AMISOM financial and logistical supporter, last week indicated it would back the proposed buildup.
The summit will also consider raising AMISOM’s strength from 8,000 to 20,000 troops. The forces will include troops from neighbouring countries.
A UN security council resolution had discouraged countries neighbouring Somalia from contributing troops as this could be viewed as part of the problem rather than the solution.
However, experts argue that after the Kampala bombings, there is renewed sense that frontline states such as Ethiopia and Kenya should join AMISOM, arguing that these countries are at a greater risk if Somalia became a base for the Al-Qaeda terrorists.
The Al-Shabaab militants on July 11 carried out twin bombings in Kampala, which they said was retaliation for the Uganda People’s Defence Forces’ deployment in Mogadishu.
President Yoweri Museveni has demanded a change of mandate to enable AMISOM enforce peace in Somalia.
Since Monday, AU commissioners and ambassadors have been holding pre-summit meetings at Munyonyo. Today, the AU executive council will meet ahead of the summit.
Non-AU dignitaries expected include Mexican president Felipe Calderon, Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, and UN secretary general, Ban Ki-Moon.
Ends