Somalia not seeking Sudanese peacekeepers – president
March 23, 2008 (KHARTOUM) — The Somali President denied that his visit to Sudan aiming to request participation of Sudanese troops in the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM).
AMISOM is mandated to support transitional governmental structures, implement a national security plan, train the Somali security forces, and to assist in creating a secure environment for the delivery of humanitarian aid.
The African Union maintains a 3,400 strong peacekeeping force in Somalia, made up entirely of Burundian and Ugandan troops while it awaits contributions from other countries for a force that is supposed to reach some 8,000 soldiers.
Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, who ended his two day visit to Sudan on Monday, said his visit comes within the framework of strengthening bilateral relations, and to brief the Sudanese leadership on the latest developments in Somalia.
He also praised the efforts exerted by the Sudanese president to “reunite the Somali factions and his continuing quest to bring peace and stability in the region.”
He further added that the visit was also an opportunity to view the latest developments in the Sudan. Sheikh Ahmed condemned yesterday the ICC move against President Al-Bashir.
Sudan had declined in the past to take part in the African peacekeeping force for Somali, saying the situation in the Horn of Africa country is not suitable for such a mission.
In May 2005, The African Union approved a plan to send Ugandan and Sudanese troops to help the government relocate to Somalia. The decision had been taken before the control of the country by the Islamic courts which was removed by the Ethiopian troops at the end of 2006.
(ST)
Kabarika Jackson
Somalia not seeking Sudanese peacekeepers – president
Yah you are right Mr.Ahmed. Having NCP soldiers participate as peace keepers in your country is another way of adding the another hot problem on what is already happening. However, I still 101% disagree on the ramarks you outline that Sudanese Bull…..President is working tirelessly to bring Peace stability in your country if he can not even manage to do well in his own country. It’s not gonna be a miracle just to see peace flowing out in Mogadishu like what River Juba does in you Somaliland. It’s really uncouth Mr. President. Time for tinting rotten peanut is already far much gone. Time to cover brother in crime is no more secrets. Spade should literally be called spade but not big metallic implement. Mr. Bashir is interenational wanted criminal. You better advice him to chill and wait for suprising arrest if he insist to play fire with fire. For kindly peace of advice, you should have waste paying your visit to some country that can offer help to you other than befriended Satanic Luciffer favorite murderer.