Mogadishu, Somalia, September 6, 2011 – Islamic insurgents, the al-Shabaab, have withdrawn from Mogadishu but the war is not over as peacekeepers brace for the second phase of spreading out of the Somali capital. 
However, the AU and the Transitional Federal Government cannot accomplish this without 10,000 more troops, military officials said.

Deployments beyond Mogadishu will stretch their presence and the insurgents can easily reorganize and overrun them. Amisom spokesperson, Lt. Col. Paddy Ankunda said the current force of 9,000 is not enough to occupy the whole of Mogadishu.

Although al-Shabaab has abandoned their conventional frontline, the delay to follow them might give them time to reorganize and attack government positions.

Amisom deputy commander Audace Ndiwumunsi said additional troops will stabilize Somalia. Brig. Gen. Ndiwumunsi said it is not enough to control only part of the country but the whole of it.

He was speaking at the send-off of the second batch of soldiers--specially trained for the Somali mission--at Bihanga Military School in western Uganda. At least 900 soldiers were dispatched.

Land Forces chief Katumba Wamala also pledged continued support that will eventually see a stable Somalia.

Source: Daily Monitor

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