NRM caucus summoned over Somalia
Jan 17, 2007
THE NRM Parliamentary Caucus is meeting today to discuss the deployment of Ugandan troops in war-torn Somalia, as more countries have pledged to contribute troops to an African peace-keeping force. Uganda has been asked to play a key role in peace-keeping in Somalia under the East African regional b
By Joyce Namutebi
THE NRM Parliamentary Caucus is meeting today to discuss the deployment of Ugandan troops in war-torn Somalia, as more countries have pledged to contribute troops to an African peace-keeping force.
Uganda has been asked to play a key role in peace-keeping in Somalia under the East African regional body, IGAD.
Chief of defence forces Gen. Aronda Nyakairima, was in Adis Ababa last week to discuss the details of the mission in the Peace and Security Council of the African Union.
One Ugandan battalion is ready to leave as soon as the House approves it. Parliament is on recess and expected to resume on January 30.
Four other African countries agreed to contribute troops, according to the Somali Prime Minister, Ali Mohamed Gedi.
He named Nigeria, South Africa, Malawi and Senegal as countries having agreed to send troops. He also said he expected the force to be in place by the end of this month.
The 8,000-strong peacekeeping force would need to replace the Ethiopian troops, which helped oust the Union of Islamic Courts late last year.
It is supposed to protect the interim government which is trying to assert its authority over the capital Mogadishu for the first time since it was elected over two years ago.
However, the move to deploy Ugandan troops has drawn mixed reactions.
Some MPs interviewed said they would not back Government because there was still a lot of unfinished business to deal with in the country. They referred to the insurgency in Northern Uganda and the menace of cattle rustling in Karamoja.
Others said after 20 years of fighting rebels in the north, the Ugandan troops deserved a rest before going for another undertaking.
Most MPs said they first want to know what the terms and conditions of the deployment are and who will foot the bill before giving the green light.
Politically, the situation in Somalia remains confused as Parliament sacked its influential speaker yesterday. Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden angered many when he launched unauthorised negotiations with the Islamists last November.
In another development, Somalia’s main broadcasters in Mogadishu have been allowed to resume operations a day after they were banned.
This follows a meeting between the media representatives and the interim government, where the media were told not to engage in inflammatory reporting.
THE NRM Parliamentary Caucus is meeting today to discuss the deployment of Ugandan troops in war-torn Somalia, as more countries have pledged to contribute troops to an African peace-keeping force.
Uganda has been asked to play a key role in peace-keeping in Somalia under the East African regional body, IGAD.
Chief of defence forces Gen. Aronda Nyakairima, was in Adis Ababa last week to discuss the details of the mission in the Peace and Security Council of the African Union.
One Ugandan battalion is ready to leave as soon as the House approves it. Parliament is on recess and expected to resume on January 30.
Four other African countries agreed to contribute troops, according to the Somali Prime Minister, Ali Mohamed Gedi.
He named Nigeria, South Africa, Malawi and Senegal as countries having agreed to send troops. He also said he expected the force to be in place by the end of this month.
The 8,000-strong peacekeeping force would need to replace the Ethiopian troops, which helped oust the Union of Islamic Courts late last year.
It is supposed to protect the interim government which is trying to assert its authority over the capital Mogadishu for the first time since it was elected over two years ago.
However, the move to deploy Ugandan troops has drawn mixed reactions.
Some MPs interviewed said they would not back Government because there was still a lot of unfinished business to deal with in the country. They referred to the insurgency in Northern Uganda and the menace of cattle rustling in Karamoja.
Others said after 20 years of fighting rebels in the north, the Ugandan troops deserved a rest before going for another undertaking.
Most MPs said they first want to know what the terms and conditions of the deployment are and who will foot the bill before giving the green light.
Politically, the situation in Somalia remains confused as Parliament sacked its influential speaker yesterday. Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden angered many when he launched unauthorised negotiations with the Islamists last November.
In another development, Somalia’s main broadcasters in Mogadishu have been allowed to resume operations a day after they were banned.
This follows a meeting between the media representatives and the interim government, where the media were told not to engage in inflammatory reporting.