Kampala, April 10, 2006 - PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has asked the United States and other Western powers to support the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) initiative to stabilise security in Somalia.

The President, who recently handed over the IGAD chairmanship to President Mwai Kibaki of Kenya, was on Friday meeting an American military delegation at State House, Nakasero.

The delegation was led by Maj. Gen. Timothy F. Ghormley, the Commandant of the combined joint task force in the Horn of Africa. Other members of the delegation included Rear Admiral Richard Hunt.

Museveni said the Western world should trust Africa's ability to deal with its own problems. He cited the example of Burundi which has stabilised after the intervention of neighbouring countries.

The President allayed fears that sending African troops to Somalia would escalate the problem.

Museveni said it may not be possible to stabilise Somalia without some military action. He said, "We need a protection force for a transitional government as it was in Burundi. We think it can be done quickly. Those warlords who refuse consensus should be suppressed."

Museveni said the continued anarchy in Somalia was tantamount to genocide and the world should put an end to it.

The President thanked the US military for its assistance in the training of the UPDF to fight terrorism.

Ghormley, who is leaving his posting in the Horn of Africa to take up other duties, said the main interest of the US military in Africa was to suppress terrorism, eliminate landmines and render humanitarian assistance.

He hailed the UPDF for being a disciplined and determined army. "They have big hearts and are not quitters," he observed.

The Minister of Defence, Amama Mbabazi, his Permanent Secretary, Brig. Noble Mayombo, the US Charge d'Affaires in Uganda, N. Holt and the Chief of Training in UPDF, Brig. Silver Kayemba, attended the meeting.

Source: New Vision