Kampala, Uganda, August 24, 2006 – Eritrea has petitioned President Yoweri Museveni (above) not to send troops into Somalia as long as Ethiopia continues retaining its forces in the country, report Geresom Musamali and Agencies.

Eritrean agriculture minister Arefaine Bebe, the special envoy of President Isais Afwerki, delivered the message to Museveni yesterday at State House, Nakasero, according to a State House statement.

The Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) ministers agreed last week to send the first contingent of the nearly 7,000-strong force to assemble in northeast Kenya in late September, ready for deployment in Somalia.

But Eritrea opposed the move, saying the Islamist militias currently dominant in the country were attempting to restore calm in the capital Mogadishu and breathe life into stalled institutions of governance.

The deputy Presidential Press Secretary, Tamale Mirundi, said Museveni told Bebe that Uganda thinks it is necessary to deploy the peacekeeping troops in Somalia, adding that Uganda was ready for the deployment.

He said Uganda would soon contact Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki, the IGAD chairman, to call an urgent IGAD Summit to discuss the matter.

“Museveni informed the envoy that Uganda is preparing to send the UPDF to Somalia in a peacekeeping process on behalf of the IGAD,” said the statement.

Bebe said countries neighboring Somalia should not contribute any troops to the peace-keeping force.

Source: The New Vision

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