UN Increases Support To African Union Force In Somalia

The United Nations Security Council voted to increase troop levels and funding for the African Union force in Somalia on Wednesday.

              

In an unanimous vote, the council voted to more than double the financial support to AMISOM - The African Union Mission in Somalia - from about $250 million to about $550 million.  

 

Troop levels will rise from 12,000 to 17,731, and helicopter contingents will be enabled for the first time.

 

The aim is going after Islamist militants.       

       

[Mark Lyall-Grant, UK Ambassador to the United Nations]: 

"This resolution gives AMISOM the troops and resources necessary to enable it to effectively capitalize on the gains already made and to increase the military pressure on al-Shabab. I'm grateful for colleagues support during the negotiations on this resolution." 

           

Resolution 2036 was passed on the eve of an international conference in London to discuss measures to tackle instability in Somalia and piracy off its shores.       

       

But to some on the council, the resolution did not go far enough.   

 

[Susan Rice, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations]:   

"We regret that this council did not include support from maritime assets for AMISOM at this stage. We consider maritime assets valuable in achieving AMISOM's security objectives and we hope this council will revisit this discussion in the coming months."  

 

After the vote, Lyall-Grant provided further details about the resolution.    

         

[Mark Lyall-Grant, UK Ambassador to the United Nations]:

"There will be nine utility helicopters and three attack helicopters which will now be funded from UN-assessed contributions. It also strengthens the mandate of AMISOM and for the first time it authorizes AMISOM to use all necessary means to reduce the threat from al-Shabab."

 

The African Union force first entered Somalia in 2007, and has long consisted of Ugandan and Burundian troops.

 

Recently they have claimed a series of successes against Islamist al-Shabaab fighters who had seized much of the east African country's center and south.           

 

Last August, the force wrested control of the capital, Mogadishu, and this week said it had captured strongholds to the south of the city.

 

Kenyan and Ethiopian troops have launched independent incursions into Somalia which have intensified pressure on the militants.