AU foreign ministers to meet in Addis to discuss Somali situation

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

Thursday, October 07, 2010

 

 

Addis Ababa Ethiopia (APA) - Foreign ministers of the 15 member states of the African Union (AU) ommission Peace and Security Council (PSC) are scheduled to gather on 15 October 2010 in Addis Ababa to discuss about the African Union Mission In Somalia (AMISOM), APA learns here Thursday.

 

The ministers are expected to discuss about AMISOM’s mandate, which is currently restricted to defending itself while making its peace making efforts in Somalia, which remains without a central government for the past 20 years.

 

The ministers gathering in Addis Ababa would also consider the need to give AMISOM a robust mandate, which could give it powers to go after the Al Shabab, which remains a threat to the mission and the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia.

 

According to the Kenyan ambassador to Ethiopia, Monica Juma who is this month’s chair of the PSC, the ministerial session would also discuss the Mbeki Panel and the renewal of its mandate.

 

The UN Security Council is expected to hold a special debate on Somalia on 21 October 2010.

 

Currently, around 5,500 Ugandan and Burundian peacekeeping troops are in Somalia supporting the TFG of Somalia in stabilizing the country.

 

Source: APA