The United States welcomes and will support other African countries to send peace troops to join Uganda and Burundi on the Africa Union Peace Keeping Mission in Somalia (AMISON).
The new Commander of the U.S. Africa Command, Gen. Carter F. Ham says they would be happy to see more African countries join forces to pacify Somalia, which he described as his “greatest worry”.
Gen. Carter F. Ham addressing Journalists in Kampala
Gen. Ham who was addressing a press briefing at the US Mission (embassy) in Uganda on Wednesday said that participation of more countries in AMISON would bring more capacity and capability to efforts of pacifying Somalia.
“Additional forces by other African countries would also have a symbolic value by making it clear to the Somalis, the region and the international community that African states take AMISON very seriously and that African states are ready to solve matters in Somali,” Gen. Ham said.
Although many African Union member states pledged to contribute troops to the AU led AMISON, only Uganda and Burndi have contributed troops. Uganda has contributed some 4,480 troops to Somalia, while Burundi has about 2,000 troops.
Gen. Ham also appealed to donor countries to fulfil their funding pledges to AMISON in a timely manner to enable field commanders and troops undertake operations smoothly. He said the US will continue to offer logistical and training support to AMISON.
“The priority for the US is to work with all countries to ensure a coordinated approach in helping Somalia stablise and no longer be a safe haven for terrorists,” Gen. Ham said, thanking Uganda and Burundi for contributing troops to AMISON.
At the same press briefing, Gen. Ham said the US command will remain stationed in Germany and not on the African continent, despite earlier reports that the US was considering establishing their Africa Command Headquarters in Uganda.
“I would appeal that you don’t judge us by the permanent basing of our headquarters in Africa, but judge us by the sustained relationship and partnership that we have with Uganda and other African countries,” he said in response to a question from one of the journalists.
The US General also said they are committed to helping Uganda defeat the Lords Resistance Army rebels and capture or kill its leader, Joseph Kony who has been indicted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Gen. Ham who took over as head of the US Africa Command on March 9, 2011 on Wednesday concluded his first visit to Uganda, where he met with President Yoweri Museveni, Uganda’s Chief of Defense Forces, Gen. Aronda Nyakairima and other senior commanders of the UPDF.
Ham said he wills later in the day travel to Burundi to meet with political and military leaders as well as visit the AFRICOM training programmes in Burundi. (see the video above for all the details on what Ham said at the news conference in Kampala on Wednesday).
Also see
Africom forges partnerships in Uganda
US completes atlas drop training in Uganda– WBS TV
US trains Uganda air force– NTV Uganda
US Africa Command supports AU peace operations center-AFRICOM
By Gerald Businge, Ultimate Media