AU 'disturbed' at Somalia violence

[Jaylaani]

In need of protection themselves

 

 

 

 

Ghana president admits death of soldiers.

 

 

LONDON - African Union (AU) chairman John Kufuor said Wednesday his organisation was disturbed at the violence greeting its first peacekeepers in Somalia, and that some Ugandan troops had been "lost."

 

 

The peacekeeping contingent from Uganda arrived in Mogadishu on March 6 and were subjected to mortar attacks at the airport hours after they landed.

 

 

During his state visit to Britain, Kufuor told a press conference held with British Prime Minister Tony Blair: "It is unfortunate that the first batch of troops to have gone there have been met with shooting.

 

 

"As a result, Uganda has lost some men," he said without elaborating. There was no confirmation from Uganda of any losses.

 

 

"It's discouraging and the African Union is rather disturbed," Kufuor added.

 

 

Islamist militants said Friday they had used missiles to hit a plane carrying six troops at the Somali capital's airport. A plane caught fire but officials said there were no casualties and blamed a technical fault.

 

 

Despite the violence, Kufuor, who is also the president of Ghana, stressed that his country was still committed to sending troops to join the AU force, which should eventually rise to 8,000.

 

 

"Ghana is not going in there to meddle. That's not the purpose. Ghana decided to contribute just to help a sister African nation try to achieve normalcy through peacekeeping," he said.

 

 

"I'm hoping that the African Union will not give up trying to assist Somalia (to) find a peaceful way."

 

 

The AU force is there to protect the interim Somali government and allow for the eventual withdrawal of Ethiopian troops, who helped oust the Islamic courts from the capital last year.

[Jaylaani]

"In need of protection themselves"

 

That says it all.

 

Going back in body bags....