Wednesday, January 07, 2009

Mogadishu, Somalia (APA) - The African Union (AU) Commission on Tuesday urged the UN Security Council to immediately authorise the deployment of an international stabilisation force in Somalia.

The call was made in Addis Ababa on Tuesday while there is a fear of a security vacuum by the on going withdrawal of Ethiopian troops from Somalia.

“The chairperson strongly urges the Security Council to fully assume its responsibility, by authorising the deployment of an international stabilisation force in Somalia, to be followed by a UN peacekeeping operation that would take over from AMISOM and support the long-term reconstruction and stabilisation of Somalia,” said the AU statement.

The Chairperson of the Commission, Jean Ping also stressed the need for the Security Council to urgently approve the proposals submitted to it by the Secretary-General on a support package to AMISOM.

The AU continues asking its member states to contribute troops for its mission in Somalia which has around 3,600 Ugandan and Burundi troops on the ground. The AU is also asking for funds from the UN and the international community for the deployment of more troops to Somalia.

“Ping is particularly concerned with the deteriorating security situation in the country, especially in central Somalia, where fresh fighting has led to the death of several dozens of people, as well as to massive displacement of the civilian population, thus compounding an already difficult humanitarian situation,” said the AU.

The Commission also calls on all the parties in Somalia to show maximum restraint, commit themselves to dialogue and give chance to reconciliation and peace.

Source: APA, Jan 06, 2009