Burundi, Uganda Threaten to Leave Somalia

(PANA)--Burundi and Uganda have threatened to withdraw their troops from Somalia, if the African Union (AU) fails to urgently strengthen its peacekeeping mission in Horn of Africa nation, security sources told PANA in Bujumbura.

The threat was issued Sunday afternoon in Bujumbura at a joint news conference of the Burundian defence and war veterans minister, Maj.-Gen. Germain Niyoyankana, and his Ugandan counterpart, Steven Kavuma.

The two men made it clear that the AU must first review the current mandate of the African Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) in such a way that Burundian and Uganda troops are able to defend themselves. They also called for the deployment of additional troops to the country, saying the few troops currently on the ground were unable to function effectively.

They urged the AU to also provide adequate equipment and enough financial resources to enable them perform their functions. ‘If our (demands) are not met, it is normal that our troops (will) be withdrawn,’ the Burundian defence minister said, warning however that such withdrawal would trigger an unprecedented chaos in Somalia.

Burundi and Uganda currently have 3,000 troops in Somalia, far from the recommended optimal strength of 8,000. AMISOM was established by the AU’s Peace and Security Council 19 Jan. 2007 to support Somalia’s 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.

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