MOGADISHU, Somalia Aug 24 (Garowe Online) - A Cabinet official in Somalia has said that two African countries are expected to boost the African Union peacekeeping force (AMISOM) serving in Mogadishu, Radio Garowe reports.

Mr. Abdirahman Abdishakur, the Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, told a Monday press conference in the capital Mogadishu that Djibouti and Nigeria are expected to send peacekeepers to Somalia.

He did not indicate how many new soldiers are expected to arrive, but noted that the AU is committed to completing planned force level of 8,000 soldiers for AMISOM.

Currently, AMISOM is composed of 5,000 soldiers from Uganda and Burundi, who have been serving in Mogadishu since March 2007.

Minister Abdishakur, who inked a controversial maritime agreement with Kenya last April, criticized Somali media for "misreporting" on issues. That maritime agreement was rejected by a Somali parliament vote earlier this month. READ: Parliament rejects controversial maritime deal with Kenya

No officials from Djibouti or Nigeria have publicly spoken about contributing peacekeepers to the AMISOM mission in Mogadishu.

Source: Garowe Online