Uganda joins calls to change mandate of AU peacekeepers in Somalia
September 30, 2009 (ADDIS ABABA) — Uganda today joined calls to change the mandate of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). Kampala’s request comes after a similar appeal by Burundi, another country participating in the operation.
Established by the African Union with the support of the United Nations in January 2007, 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 troops in Mogadishu have only the possibility to protect key sites such as the presidential palace, airport and seaport, and were prevented from attacking the insurgents except in self-defense.
Uganda’s defense minister Crispus Kiyonga, speaking before the parliament today, said the African peacekeepers should be authorized to attack insurgent positions and to react to the shaky security situation on the ground.
45 Ugandan soldiers have died since the deployment of Ugandan units in the troubled Horn of African country. 22 died at the hands of the insurgents, 22 of natural diseases and one committed suicide.
On September 17, four Ugandans were killed when suicide bombers drove two UN cars into the peacekeepers’ compound near Mogadishu airport.
Two week ago, Burundi’s opposition parties urged the recall of troops from Somalia after a rebel attack on African peacekeepers killed 12 soldiers from the central African nation as well as nine others.
On September 26 Burundi Second Vice President called before the parliament to change the AMISOm mandate to allow contingents to prevent deadly attacks and allow them to take the offensive or to pursue aggressors if necessary in accordance with Chapter 7 of the UN Charter.”
Burundi and Uganda are the sole contributors to the 5,000-strong Amisom force, which is far smaller than the 8,000 soldiers envisaged.
Nigeria, which should deploy troops in Somalia, is campaigning in New York for a change in the mandate of AMISOM. Its foreign minister Ojo Maduekwe spoke to the press on September 25, about the “need to review the mandate of the peacekeeping mission to a move effective one.”
(ST)