Somalia President confident in AMISOM

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia-Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has full confidence that African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) could be capitalized given ongoing stabilization operations in the East African country. 

Mohamud was speaking in a key security meeting focused on Burundi crisis and mandate of African Union peacekeepers in Somalia.  

He said, East African leaders agreed to deploy contingents to turmoil-hit Burundi which also maintains peacekeeping presence in Somalia.  

Coming to defense of AU forces, he pointed to similar missions by troops serving with United Nations peacekeeping missions in other African nations. 

In his interview for BBC Somali Service, he blamed Somalis for failing to institute a united and strong national army in a country racked by a two-decade old unrest.  

Air power  Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has been favoring that African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) be strengthened with maritime and air power since deadly raid on a base in southwestern El Adde village.  

Kenyatta told AU Peace and Security Council that hardened terrorists are trying to impede Somalia’s progress.  

He in turn demanded strong African Union peacekeepers prepared for terror shrewdness as exemplified by recent Al Shabaab attack.

In a bid to bar terror off, Kenyan Defence Forces (KDF) crossed border into Somalia in late 2011. 

Over 22,000-strong AU forces prop up Somali National Army (SNA) in the fight against militants in central and southern Somalia.

SOURCE: GAROWEONLINE