Djibouti dispatch more troops to Somalia in Al-shabaab war

The Republic of Djibouti is deploying more troops to Somalia, with the team set to join the contigent fighting the Al-shabaab militants as the international community continues to help in stabilisation mission within the Horn of Africa.

Djibouti is one of the countries that have donated troops for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) who are helping with stabilisation efforts. Others are Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia and Burundi with Egypt expected to join soon.
            
Mohamed Siad Doualeh, Djibouti's permanent representative in the United Nations, said his country welcomes strides made in stabilisation mission in Somalia but warned that much must be done to keep the country safe and secure.

As part of the effort, Djibouti and Somalia have signed a new bilateral agreement allowing for the deployment of additional Djiboutian troops. The forces are expected to reinforce contigents in various frontlines across the country.

Mohamed Siad Doualeh pleaded with members of the international community to continue assisting Somalia, arguing that the Al-shabaab militants still poise a big threat in the stabilisation mission within the Horn of Africa nation.

With more troops set to join from Djibouti, Somalia is also expecting Egyptian troops who have committed to join the stabilisation mission. Egypt donated military hardware to the Somali National Army as part of the state-building efforts.

But the Egyptian troops are facing resistance from Ethiopia, a major security partner of Somalia. Both Egypt and Ethiopia are fighting over the controversial Grand Renaissance Dam which Cairo says would impede the downstream flow of Nile River.

However, while many countries are willing to assist Somalia, funding challenges could make it practically impossible. To date, African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia is grappling with a funding gap of $180 million.

GAROWE ONLINE