Kenya: Envoy - Military to Benefit From U.S. Aid

BY LUCAS BARASA, 21 FEBRUARY 2012-The Kenya military is set to benefit from the United States financial assistance once it is fully ntegrated into the African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom), an envoy has said.-US special representative to Somalia James Swan said Tuesday his country has given US$340 million in voluntary assistance

to countries that have contributed troops to Amisom since 2007.

"The cost of an expanded Amisom, augmented troop levels and associated logistics included, will significantly increase the assessed costs for all UN member states. Furthermore, with the proposed troop increase, the donor community will be faced with tens of millions in additional bilateral costs to train and equip the new forces," Mr Swan said.

Asked by the Nation during a teleconference at the US Embassy in Nairobi whether the US is going to give specific assistance to the Kenya Defence Forces in the war against Al-Shabaab militia, Mr Swan said the help would come through Amisom once they are re-hatted.

The envoy said the US takes a comprehensive approach to Somalia that reflects the inter-related security, political, and humanitarian development issues.

"Improving security, stability, and governance in Somalia is central to addressing many related concerns-including piracy, terrorism, human rights abuses, and under-development. The United States' approach places Somalis and Africans in the lead, and looks to regional organisations such as the African Union as a guide," Mr Swan said.

Separately, the United Nations Security Council is scheduled to act Wednesday on a plan to integrate some 2,500 Kenyan troops into Amisom.

Kenya UN Ambassador Macharia Kamau says he expects the Security Council to approve the plan despite misgivings about its cost that have reportedly been expressed by France, one of the council's five permanent members.

"Kenya has been carrying the full burden of the international community's responsibility in southeastern Somalia," Ambassador Kamau told the Nation last week. "We would like to have this burden shared as soon as possible."

"What we're proposing in Somalia is considerably less expensive" than the recent UN-supported intervention in Libya by France and other Nato countries, the ambassador added. "The Amisom plan is very cost-efficient."

Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has called for Amisom troop strength to nearly double, reaching a total of 17,700 soldiers, including the Kenyans.

Uganda and Burundi account for most of the 9,000 troops currently operating in Somalia under Amisom.

Mr Swan was hopeful the current efforts to ensure peace and stability in Somalia would succeed.

He said the international community must assist the Transitional Federal Government national security forces in developing more efficient and capable security sector "to withstand the security challenges that face Somalia every day."

Saying Amisom and TFG forces had managed to wipe out Al-Shaabab in most parts of Mogadishu and outside the city, Mr Swan said "it is time to build on AMISOM's successes".

"Amisom now has the opportunity to contribute to a multi-front operation to stabilise the situation in Somalia, help end Al-Shabaab's imposition of draconian social control on subject populations, and overturn its ban on delivery of vital humanitarian relief," Mr Swan said.

The envoy added: "To this end, we support in principle an expansion of Amisom's mandate and a commensurate increase in its force levels, along with force enablers."

Mr Swan said ways should be agreed upon how to govern and assist in areas recaptured from Al-Shabaab to avoid a security and governance vacuum in these locations, and to provide a rapid recovery where Al-Shabaab has left.

He welcomed the London Conference on Somalia set for Wednesday saying it is an occasion to galvanise high-level international attention for Somalia.

He said the US supports the agenda to address key issues including support for Amisom and TFG security forces; political reforms to end the transition; local administration and stabilisation programs; improved transparency and accountability; enhancement of counter-terrorism and counter piracy measures; a reaffirmed commitment to humanitarian response; and refinement of international architecture to guide future collective efforts in Somalia.

Additional reporting by Kevin Kelley

Allafrica.com