 (SomaliNet) The UN Security Council called on the secretary-general on Monday to begin planning for the possible deployment of UN peacekeepers to Somalia to replace an African Union force that has struggled to put troops in the chaotic country.
The push came as part of a resolution approved unanimously on Monday by the council extending the AU force's mandate for another six months and urging African states to pledge soldiers to the undermanned mission. The UN authorised the AU to send an 8 000-strong peacekeeping force to Somalia in February to calm the country after Ethiopian-backed government troops ousted a fundamentalist Islamic movement that had controlled much of the south.
But only 1,800 troops from Uganda are on the ground six months later, far fewer than the number needed to bring a lasting peace to the country. Troop deployments from other African countries have been delayed because of lack of funding and logistical help.
| Nobody thought of that at the time, of course ... |
The resolution, sponsored by Britain, calls on Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to begin making contingency plans for the possible deployment of UN peacekeepers to replace the African force, although it does not provide a timeline for any potential hand-over.
| How about if the EU handles this one? The UN will hit the US for at least 25% of the tab, and we're a little busy elsewhere. Let's see the Euros step up. |
Francois Lonseny Fall, Ban's special representative to Somalia, has said the AU's expectation is that a UN force will replace the AU troops at the end of the six months. But some Security Council countries believe there must be a peace to keep before UN troops are sent to Somalia. China's deputy UN ambassador, Liu Zhenmin, said earlier this month that "everything depends on the security situation inside the country."
| Wouldn't want anyone shooting at the Mighty Uruguayans ... |
South Africa's UN ambassador, Dumisani Kumalo, said on Monday the African countries on the council supported the resolution without "great enthusiasm" because they "expected the Security Council to take decisive action about the deployment of UN troops in Somalia." He said the AU is "doing the job that the UN is supposed to be doing", and doesn't have the resources to fulfil its mandate to place 8 000 troops in the country. |