PEACEKEEPING MISSION
The United Nations today called for international financial and other
support to help the UN-backed African Union peacekeeping force in
Somalia (AMISOM) regain full control of Mogadishu, the war-torn
country's embattled capital, from Al-Shabaab and other Islamist
groups.
"The increasing troop strength will provide AMISOM with much needed
additional strength… to gain full control of Mogadishu,"
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's Special Representative for Somalia
Augustine Mahiga
<"http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2011/sc10154.doc.htm">told the
Security Council, referring to the newly authorized increase in troop
strength from 8,000 to 12,000.
He said the UN Support Office for AMISOM (UNSOA) would ensure that the
logistics needed for the additional troops would be made available for
its mission in a country that saw its last functioning central
government fall in 1991 and has been torn apart by factional fighting
ever since.
But he added: "Critical gaps remain in the UN support package to
AMISOM. In particular, the reimbursement of contingent-owned equipment
and self-sustainment costs are not covered under the logistical
support package. It is essential for the success of the mission that
these costs are fully covered from contributions by Member States to
the United Nations Trust Fund in support of AMISOM."
The peacekeeping mission also faces significant equipment shortfalls.
"While commending Member States for the bilateral support so far
extended to the troop-contributing countries, I appeal for more
assistance to narrow the equipment shortfalls as well as training
support for the specialized enabling units," Mr. Mahiga said.
In a press statement following Mr. Mahiga's briefing, the Council
stressed the importance of predictable, reliable and timely resources
and called on the international community to provide AMISOM with the
additional resources and support needed to better fulfil its mandate.
The 15-member body reiterated its full support for AMISOM and
expressed its continued appreciation for the commitment of troops by
Burundi and Uganda. It also voiced renewed concern at the continued
instability and deteriorating humanitarian situation in Somalia and
reiterated full support to the internationally-backed Transitional
Federal Government (TFG) in its efforts to achieve peace, security and
reconciliation in the shattered country.
Mr. Mahiga was presenting to the Council Mr. Ban's latest report on
Somalia which called on countries to provide urgent military and other
support to the TFG to stop "foreign fighters and other spoilers"
turning the region into the next stronghold of international
terrorism.
The Special Representative noted AMISOM's increased awareness of the
need to protect civilians in conflict areas and investigate civilian
casualties caused by its troops. He also stressed the need to train an
officer corps for the Somali army and appealed for international
support for the countries which have offered to provide the training.
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