NASSIR Posted January 2, 2007 KAMPALA, Uganda: A battalion of Ugandan troops could be ready to deploy as peacekeepers to Somalia within a few days, a military spokesman said Monday. Somalia's prime minister has called for an African peacekeeping force to help his government take control of the country. Maj. Felix Kulayigye, a spokesman for Uganda's army, said 1,000 troops were ready. "We have one battalion prepared to go to Somalia immediately after they are cleared by the ministry of foreign affairs," he said. A group of seven regional countries, known as IGAD, proposed a peacekeeping force for Somalia two years ago, but fighting inside the country prevented a deployment. The United Nations endorsed the peacekeeping plans last month, but fighting between the transitional government and a rival Islamic movement made any deployment impossible. Ugandan officials have said in the past they would be willing to contribute a force for Somalia, but said they would need funds to help pay for it. From government headquarters in Baidoa, Somalia, government spokesman Abdirahman Dinari told The Associated Press that Uganda and Nigeria have both agreed to send a total of 8,000 troops soon, without giving an exact time. Kulayigye said that before the troops deploy, their mission must be approved by the Ugandan ministry of foreign affairs and the parliament, which he said could take place very quickly. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
