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1 700 soldiers for Somalia
13/05/2005 12:45 - (SA)
Addis Ababa - The African Union announced on Friday the deployment of an initial force of 1 700 troops to Somalia to aid the return of the country's government-in-exile.
The troops, half from Uganda and half from Sudan, aim to provide protection and facilitate the relocation of the so-called Transitional Federal Institutions (TFI) from neighbouring Kenya.
The AU's Peace and Security Council (PSC) endorsed the move on Thursday night following a decision in March by the Council of Ministers of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
The troops are also tasked with the protection of personnel, the installation of the transitional government, the facilitation of humanitarian operations in Somalia and the creation of conditions for the AU to ultimately take over from the force.
The PSC noted "with serious concern" the difficulties in facilitating the reconciliation process in Somalia "particularly as regards the stabilisation of the security situation and the delayed relocation of the TFIs to the country".
It stressed in the absence of speedy progress on the critical issues facing the reconciliation process, "the hard-won gains of the IGAD-led reconciliation conference could be undermined, with far reaching consequences for Somalia and the region as a whole".
'Concern' over difficulties
The PSC requested the international community at large to work with all the Somali parties to promote the widest possible support for the deployment of the IGAD Peace Support Mission to Somalia (IGASOM).
It also requested the UN Security Council to authorise the exemption of an arms embargo imposed on Somalia and logistical support from AU partners, including the European Union and the League of Arab States.
An AU fact-finding mission visited and assessed the needs of the country earlier this year, prompting Friday's deployment of troops.
Somali Prime Minister Ali Mohammed Ghedi said on Thursday night his government is ready to accept IGASOM troops. - Sapa-dpa
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