Irish troops in ‘challenging’ Somali task

IRISH troops have spoken of their task, in Uganda, in training 2,000 Somali soldiers to help fight pirates involved in a number of hijacks on international ships.

“It’s certainly very different, very challenging and very rewarding. We will hopefully achieve our mission and bring some stability to the area,” said Sgt Will Frawley. The Fermoy, Co Cork, man is one of a team of five involved in the training.

The sergeant is learning the Somali language so he can communicate effectively with the troops, giving them the skills needed to protect ports and help thwart pirate attacks. The training has been taking place since February but has not been revealed until now. It is being carried out at an army base in Bihanga, 220 kilometres from Ugandan capital Kampala – considered to be more safer than in war-torn Somalia.