Experts meet to discuss sending peacekeepers to Somalia

Experts gathered today to decide on the size, mandate and logistics for an African peacekeeping force for Somalia, but a top AU official said nations had shown little interest in sending troops.

“We don’t yet have the commitment for troops by AU member countries ... the deployment of troops depends on support of these member states,” said Said Djinnit, chairman of the African Union Peace and Security Council.

Kenya’s ambassador to the AU, Franklin Espeela, said the meeting would likely work out a mandate and logistics, but not set a date for deployment.

But Abdikaran Fara, Somalia’s ambassador to Ethiopia, said he believed peacekeepers would reach Somalia within 10 days.

Lawmakers from Uganda’s ruling party approved the deployment of 1,500 troops last night, but parliament must officially approve the mission before it can begin.

“As Africans we feel it is our duty to run to the rescue of any of our brothers in trouble,” Harry Bakowa, a ruling party member of parliament, said.

“But before they go we want some issues settled, including the question of command, facilitation of the troops, compensation in case of death of soldiers and the terms and period of deployment.”