Updates from Somalia

If you're still interested in weighing in on our first COA Analysis, about Somalia, here's some more info you can take into account...

al-Shabab militiamen are bearing down on Mogaidishu, as the US looks to try and reinforce the AU Peacekeeping unit with funding.

A top United Nations official, Lynn Pascoe, the U.N. under-secretary-general for political affairs, says he is "hopeful" for Somalia, where the government is trying to fight off an offensive by Islamist militants. This comes as Uganda is offering to send more troops to the beleaguered nation if the United States provides funding.

The militant group al-Shabab in late August launched an offensive aimed at toppling Somalia's Transitional Federal Government and the African Union Peacekeeping Mission in Somalia know as AMISOM. Mogadishu has come under heavy shelling. More than 100 people are dead.

Uganda says it will send more troops if the United States provides more funding. The State Department has responded by saying it will continue to provide equipment, training and logistical support, and encourages other donors to step forward with additional help.

Man - increased Islamist activity? US funding the AU peacekeepers/makers for a showdown with them? Sounds a lot like COA 3!


Meanwhile, local media in Uganda is reporting that more troops are on the way.

Uganda has deployed an additional 750 peacekeepers in volatile Somalia out of the 2,000 troops, a figure that was agreed to by African Union (AU) to boost the 6,100 strong peacekeeping force in Somalia, a Ugandan army commander said on Wednesday.

Lt. Gen. Katumba Wamala, Commander of Land Forces of the Uganda People’s Defense Force, told reporters here, 40km south of the capital Kampala, that 750 troops were already deployed and another 250 will be deployed soon.

He said the deployment was in fulfillment of the country’s pledge following a decision by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in July this year.

Burundi has also promised to deploy another contingent next month raising the required number of 2,000 troops, he said.

This will bring the total number of troops to 8,000 that were originally required in 2007 by the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).

By: Brant