Ugandan army ready for Somalia
2007-01-01 18:04
Kampala - A battalion of Ugandan troops could be ready to deploy as peacekeepers to Somalia in a few days, said a military spokesperson on Monday.
Somalia's prime minister has called for an African peacekeeping force to help his government take control of the country.
Major Felix Kulayigye, a spokesperson for Uganda's army, said 1 000 troops were ready.
"We have one battalion prepared to go to Somalia immediately after they are cleared by the ministry of foreign affairs," he said.
UN endorsed peacekeeping plans
A group of seven regional countries, known as Igad, proposed a peacekeeping force for Somalia two years ago, but fighting inside the country prevented a deployment.
The United Nations (UN) endorsed the peacekeeping plans last month, but fighting between the transitional government and a rival Islamic movement made any deployment impossible.
Ugandan officials have said in the past they would be willing to contribute a force for Somalia, but said they would need funds to help pay for it.
At the Somali government headquarters in Baidoa, Somalia, government spokesperson Abdirahman Dinari said that Uganda and Nigeria have agreed to send a total of 8 000 troops soon, without giving an exact time.
- SAPA