Mali and Uganda want slice of donor money for Amisom

• Information posted on the official UN-EU website (www.eu-un.euoropa.eu/articles) shows that in April, the European Union Commission pledged Euro 60 million ($84 million) to support Somali’s security institutions and Amisom.
• There is also an additional Euro 215.4 million ($301.5 million) to support activities for the five years between 2008 and 2013.
• Other support was to be given in kind, such as armoured vehicles, personnel protective equipment, tents and accommodation.

The two countries have raised just over 5,000, leaving a deficit of 3,000 troops.

Today, according to peacekeepers on the ground, Somalia needs 10,000 to 15,000 troops.

But AU countries are still reluctant to send in their fighters, given the risky situation prevailing in Somalia.

While some diplomatic sources within the EU zone feigned ignorance about the support, other sources said the support coming from the EU‘s security department is a sensitive security matter about which publicity could make EU citizens targets for terror attacks.

It is understood that the EU has committed itself to providing funds for the training of Somalia’s security forces and extension of humanitarian assistance to civilians.

Some 2,000 recruits to the Somali national army will be trained in Uganda.

This will be part of efforts to build the capacity of the federal government to counter Al Shabaab insurgents that have exploited the administrative vacuum to established training bases in the desert and in parts under their control.

The EU money will be channelled through Amisom’s logistical base in Nairobi.

The UN is expected to provide logistical support, such as fuel, vehicle maintenance, food and drugs to the peacekeeping force.