US Clears Way to Arm, Train Somali Forces

[malistar2012]

President Barack Obama cleared the way Monday for the U.S. to arm and train Somali forces, taking a step toward normal relations with the East African nation as it works to build confidence in its newly recognized government.

In a memo to Secretary of State John Kerry, Obama said he has determined that supplying defense equipment and services "will strengthen the security of the United States and promote world peace." The move doesn't immediately provide new assistance to Somalia, but allows Kerry to consider taking that step in the future.

Somalia is trying to preserve fragile progress toward establishing its first functional government after two decades of chaos. The U.S. formally recognized the African nation's new government in January — the first time the U.S. had recognized a Somali government since 1991, when warlords overthrew longtime dictator Siad Barre and then turned on one another.

"The United States is committed to being a long-term partner in assisting the defense forces in Somalia defense to become a professional military force," said National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden.

A relative peace has returned to Somalia's war-battered capital of Mogadishu since African Union forces ousted al-Shabab — a militant group loosely associated with al-Qaida — from the city over 18 months ago. But al-Shabab rebels are not yet defeated, and the U.S. remains concerned about the threat the group could pose to the region's stability. The U.S. designated al-Shabab a terrorist group in 2008.

Obama's decision was not tied to any new threat assessment in Somalia, said a senior administration official, who was not authorized to discuss security assessments publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The move follows a decision by the U.N. Security Council, after an appeal from Somali officials, to partially suspend the arms embargo on Somalia for 12 months. The council preserved a ban on exports of a list of heavy military hardware, including surface-to-air missiles, anti-tank guided weapons and night-vision weapons.

The U.S. government has provided funds and training to African Union forces fighting al-Shabab in Somalia, and has also provided more than $133 million to Somalia since 2007 in security sector assistance, intended to help the country build up and professionalize its security forces. Obama's memorandum on Friday opens the door for military-to-military relations, allowing the U.S. to provide equipment, training and other assistance directly to Somalia's government and military.

[malistar2012]

[malistar2012]

a since 2007 in security sector assistance, intended to help the country build up and professionalize its security forces. Obama's memorandum on Friday opens the door for military-to-military relations, allowing the U.S. to provide equipment, training and other assistance directly to Somalia's government and military.

 

 

[malistar2012]

 

 

Somalia is back

[malistar2012]

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Return OF the Lions

[malistar2012]

President Barack Obama cleared the way Monday for the U.S. to arm and train Somali forces, taking a step toward normal relations with the East African nation as it works to build confidence in its newly recognized government.

In a memo to Secretary of State John Kerry, Obama said he has determined that supplying defense equipment and services "will strengthen the security of the United States and promote world peace." The move doesn't immediately provide new assistance to Somalia, but allows Kerry to consider taking that step in the future.

Somalia is trying to preserve fragile progress toward establishing its first functional government after two decades of chaos. The U.S. formally recognized the African nation's new government in January — the first time the U.S. had recognized a Somali government since 1991, when warlords overthrew longtime dictator Siad Barre and then turned on one another.

"The United States is committed to being a long-term partner in assisting the defense forces in Somalia defense to become a professional military force," said National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden.

A relative peace has returned to Somalia's war-battered capital of Mogadishu since African Union forces ousted al-Shabab — a militant group loosely associated with al-Qaida — from the city over 18 months ago. But al-Shabab rebels are not yet defeated, and the U.S. remains concerned about the threat the group could pose to the region's stability. The U.S. designated al-Shabab a terrorist group in 2008.

Obama's decision was not tied to any new threat assessment in Somalia, said a senior administration official, who was not authorized to discuss security assessments publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The move follows a decision by the U.N. Security Council, after an appeal from Somali officials, to partially suspend the arms embargo on Somalia for 12 months. The council preserved a ban on exports of a list of heavy military hardware, including surface-to-air missiles, anti-tank guided weapons and night-vision weapons.

The U.S. government has provided funds and training to African Union forces fighting al-Shabab in Somalia, and has also provided more than $133 million to Somalia since 2007 in security sector assistance, intended to help the country build up and professionalize its security forces. Obama's memorandum on Friday opens the door for military-to-military relations, allowing the U.S. to provide equipment, training and other assistance directly to Somalia's government and military.

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Associated Press writer Lolita C. Baldor contributed to this report.

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Reach Josh Lederman on Twitter: http://twitter.com/joshledermanAP

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[oba hiloowlow]

nice

[Mustafe]

Whenever a punch of SNA soldiers are pictured, its a must that it contain a few blokes who look 50 and 15. Those guys should be banned from fighting. I understand they need the money, but cammon, at least its better than them dying lol.

[DoctorKenney]

Mustafe;936194 wrote:

Whenever a punch of SNA soldiers are pictured, its a must that it contain a few blokes who look 50 and 15. Those guys should be banned from fighting. I understand they need the money, but cammon, at least its better than them dying lol.

I think the Somali Army is sorely lacking in manpower, so they take any eligible recruit, regardless of age lol

 

The quality of the Somali army will increase with time, but right now we gotta start with the basics.

[Sakata]

:)Point followed

Mustafe;936194 wrote:

Whenever a punch of SNA soldiers are pictured, its a must that it contain a few blokes who look 50 and 15. Those guys should be banned from fighting. I understand they need the money, but cammon, at least its better than them dying lol.

[Dabrow]

Great news. Hopefully this will be the beginning of the end of kenyas involvment in Somalia and others with agendas.

[xiinfaniin]

^^Kenyans are now viewed as the greatest national security facing Somalia

 

And they tell us Somalia is back

[Dabrow]

Not that long ago they had dispute with the Somali gov over our waters and oil blocks. And now they are pushing hard with their puppet state Jubbaland against the will of Somali goverment. Somalia faces many problems but we shall overcome them. No doubt.

[xiinfaniin]

^^I was just showing the clan dimension of your seemingly nationalistic celebration of the new US policy

 

Kenya is a friend , not a foe. Those with clannish agenda and priority always manage to create imaginary enemies .

[Dabrow]

Xiin such cheap tricks dont work on me adeer.

 

Its quite ironic how you wanna portray me as clannish as you your post history here shows how you left the "somali" caravan when you lost the pm position and became promoter of the d-block caravan:D.

 

One can choose to ignore problems however that wont make them dissappear. Kenyans involvment is a real problem thats need a solution.