KAMPALA, Sept. 30 — Uganda will continue to engage major international partners to support the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), Ugandan Defense and Veteran Affairs Minister Kiryowa Kiwanuka has said.
Kiryowa made the remarks during a meeting with officials from the European Union (EU) Delegation to Uganda, led by EU Deputy Ambassador to Uganda Eole Sury. According to a statement issued by the Ugandan military on Tuesday, Kiryowa commended the EU for its continued support for peace and security efforts in Somalia.
Kiryowa described the Ugandan military as a key component of the regional security architecture, stressing that discussions on the future of regional security, whether in the short, medium or long term, must take its role into account.
He said Uganda would continue engaging with the EU, the United States and other international partners on the future of international support for Somalia. Uganda became the first country to deploy troops to Somalia under the then African Union Mission in Somalia in March 2007.
The mission was later succeeded by AUSSOM. The United States has announced that it will end its support for United Nations logistical assistance to AUSSOM after the end of this year. (Namibia Daily News / Xinhua)
