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| Africa Subsaharan |
| German mercenaries for Civil War in Somalia |
| 2010-05-23 |
| More than 100 former Bundeswehr soldiers will soon intervene in the civil war in Somalia, according to information from NDR Info and tagesschau.de. A German company has signed a contract with a Somali politician. Experts warn of a "bloodbath". Until now, firms like Blackwater, Armor Group or Aegis are synonyms for modern mercenaries. German companies do not really play any role in the global market of privatized war. But now the German "Asgaard German Security Group" wants to compete against the big ones: at the end of last year the company, based in Telgte near Münster, made a contract with a Somali politician who does not recognize the internationally accepted transitional government. More than 100 men will be sent by Asgaard to the Horn of Africa, to bring Galadid Abdinur Ahmed Darman to power. "The contract includes extensive and exclusive tasks and areas of competence: from strategic consulting and planning for security to operational implementation and execution of all measures necessary to ensure safety and restore peace," it said in a Asgaard Press Release of last year's end. CEO Thomas Kaltegärtner, a former sergeant major of the army, said to NDR Info and tagesschau.de that it is about militarily Personal Security Detail, property security and convey protection in the high-risk country Somalia. "In the event of cases, that is if an attack on the patrol, the convoy is taking place, this team responds immediatly. It has been taught." Kaltegärtner further explained that the contract had a term of five years and he will fulfill the contract with former army soldiers: "We are a German company, with German employees - 99.9 percent." In total Kaltegärtner expects a man's strength in "clear 3-digit range." A first team had already traveled to Somalia. The Asgaard-men shall support Darman and train its military. The 57-year-old describes himself as "elected President of the Republic of Somalia" who wants to bring peace and stability to the country. At the same time speaks Darman from the internationally accepted transitional government of any legitimacy. Germans to fight alongside Darman's troops. Darman confirmed the contract with Asgaard and stressed the importance of the Germans for his plans. There is a wide range of tasks: security, development of our forces and our operations. We are fighting a war, as there is urban warfare. They should train our military. At the same time they will help us in the fight against piracy. And they receive orders to fight as well. They will fight together with our units. " Annette Weber of the SWP and Dustin Dehèz of the Düsseldorf Institute for Foreign and Security Policy emphasized that Darman had been played no real part in the Somali politics. But at the same time they warned of an impending danger. 'When a new armed player joins the game, it has certainly no peaceful impact ", said Weber. Her colleague Dehéz said that in the capital Mogadishu Darman will meet alone three armed groups and the peacekeeping force of African Union (AMISON), which support the transitional government. "If the possibility exists that Darman is actually seeking a military confrontation, with e.g. AMISON, it would certainly lead to a bloodbath," said Dehéz. What makes the contract between Asgaard and Darman particularly volatile is that the European Union trains Somali security forces of the transnational government in Uganda. 13 Bundeswehr soldiers are participating in the mission "EUTM" as well. For Weber it is clear, "if a German company forms a Somali militia, and supports them, then that is certainly against the interests of Germany." But the Foreign Office will have known nothing of the contract. "The Foreign Office is not aware concerning the activities of the company Asgaard German Security Group," said a spokesman for Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle. There would be no cooperation. The Federal Ministry of Defence announced that it has no contractual relations or have maintained relations with Asgaard. But the issue of ex-military soldiers in war zones on behalf of security companies will haunt the Federal Government in the future. Asgaard German Security Group website here. |
| Posted by:Besoeker |
| #5 I wonder who's bankrolling them? |
| Posted by: tu3031 2010-05-23 20:03 |
| #4 Interview with Darman Who is actually in Somalia, unlike the United Nations appointee, who hasn't set foot in Somalia for several years (AFAIK). |
| Posted by: phil_b 2010-05-23 18:00 |
| #3 Add some ex-Belgian paratroopers. Stir well and heat until ready... |
| Posted by: M. Murcek 2010-05-23 13:59 |
| #2 Well, Baron Von Steuben was instrumental in the training of the Continental Army in the embryonic days of the United States of America - so I don't see how America can come down against Asgaard - but - I'm sure that Obambi can come up with some reason to disparage this effort. |
| Posted by: Lone Ranger 2010-05-23 12:30 |
| #1 |
| Posted by: OldSpook 2010-05-23 10:22 |