AU defends Somali Government

By David Ochami and Fatuma Fugicha

African Union, Igad and UN delegates have defended Somalia’s beleaguered Transitional Federal Government (TFG).

Delegates also defended AU peacekeepers’ recent involvement in fighting against the rebels.

Yesterday, at an urgent meeting in Nairob, Somalia’s ambassador to Kenya Mohamed Ali Nur said TFG needs to "recruit and train 6,000 security and military personnel in the next six months" to surmount the growing Islamist threat.

He added the humanitarian situation in Somalia had grown dire following the escalation of hostilities with the rebel Al Shabaab and Hizb ul Islam in May.

"We hope the international community and neighbouring countries will come to help and stop the insurgents from destabilising our government."

resuscitate institutions

The delegates convened in the capital yesterday to draw a road map for co-ordinated military/security support for the TFG, humanitarian intervention and plead for international donor support and additional peacekeepers for the weak TFG.

The meeting is a follow up of last week’s Igad Council of ministers and last month’s AU forum in Nairobi where delegates agreed to co-ordinate military and security support for the TFG regime and resuscitate Somalia’s collapsed institutions.

Mr Nicholas Bwakira, the special representative of the AU Commission in Somalia pledged AU’s "firm commitment and partnership with TFG" and said the forum seeks to "draw a clear road map for co-ordinated support of the TFG" and assist the weak regime "get on its feet."

The Burundian diplomat said military support for the TFG should include the strengthening of AU peacekeepers in Somalia, training and equipment of the TFG’s forces in combat and human rights.

He praised the TFG and claimed it was "willing and is prepared to work with us" then added that foreign support and donors should "follow priorities identified by the TFG itself."

He argued that the TFG was facing enormous challenges and should allowed to prove its competence.