Uganda: Rawlings Commends Museveni On Somalia

Emmanuel Mulondo

20 June 2011

Kampala — The Former President of Ghana, Mr Jerry Rawlings, has commended President Museveni for his efforts in trying to bring peace in the war-torn Somalia.

Mr Rawlings, while meeting the President at his country home in Kisozi, Mpigi District, on Saturday said instability in Somalia could suck the region and destabilise the continent if not stopped. “We owe you gratitude for what Ugandan troops are doing in Somalia. It is important that the leaders there know the urgency of getting their act together,” Mr Rawlings, also the African Union Special envoy to Somalia, said.

The two leaders discussed peace, security and development in Somalia and Africa.

Accompanied by Gen. Arnold Quainoo, former army commander in Liberia, Ambassador Diarra, the AU director for AMISON, and Mensah Herbert his special advisor, Rawlings proposed to enlist efforts of former heads of state in the region and the continent to broker peace in Somalia.

Commitment

Ugandan troops form the bulk of the Africa Union 9,000 strong peace-keeping force helping Somalia’s government stem off insurgent groups, especially the al-Shabaab. President Museveni reiterated his commitment to ensuring peace and security in Somalia and the region. He pledged support to Mr Rawlings as Somalia negotiator and said the chief of the Uganda Peoples Defence forces Gen. Aronda Nyakairima would provide him with a detailed report of the situation in Somalia.

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