British Troops To Be Deployed On Somalia Peacekeeping Mission

Dozens of British troops are to be deployed to Somalia as part of peacekeeping efforts to counter Islamic militants.

 

David Cameron has announced that up to 70 Armed Forces personnel will be sent to bolster a United Nations-backed mission to push back against Al-Shabaab extremists.

 

Another 250-300 could also be deployed in troubled South Sudan in a twin approach the Prime Minister said could help curb the flow of migrants towards Europe.

 

But he sought to reassure the public that "all the right force protection arrangements" would be put in place to minimise the risk of harm.

 

Details of the UK contribution were revealed as the Mr Cameron prepared to attend a summit at the UN General Assembly in New York designed to bolster international support for peacekeeping missions across the globe.

 

It is the first time Britain has formally joined the international contingent backing the long-running push by African Union troops against Al-Shabaab.

 

 

Smaller numbers have been involved in similar work after Mr Cameron made Somalia a priority case - hosting two summits in London aimed at filling the political void exploited by the extremists, who have been pushed out of around three-quarters of the territory they controlled over the last couple of years.

 

British forces will provide combat training and medical, logistical and engineering support.

 

The role of those being sent to South Sudan will also include combat training as well as engineering work to strengthen vital infrastructure, with final numbers still to be negotiated with the UN.

 

 

Mr Cameron told reporters travelling with him to the UN meeting that it was in the UK's national interest to use its resources and expertise to improve existing efforts. He said:

 

 

"We also think the quality of peacekeeping forces and what they do needs to be enhanced and we think Britain has a particular role in training and logistics and expertise and standards and so we want to step up what we are doing.

 

"Obviously we will want to see all the right force protection arrangements in place but we should be playing a part in this.

 

"The outcome in Somalia, if it's a good outcome, that's good for Britain. It means less terrorism, less migration, less piracy. Ditto in South Sudan: if we can, as peacekeepers, help to maintain order and peace and see stable development in that country then that is going to be, again, less poverty, less migration, less issues that affect us back at home.

 

"So I think it is right that we are stepping up and playing a greater part. We are able to do this because of the resources that we have but we will take very great care to ensure the security and safety of our troops."

 

He went on: "As the world agrees ambitious goals to end extreme poverty, it is absolutely vital that the international community works together to shore up stability in Africa.

 

"Britain - with our 2% defence budget and 0.7% aid budget - is more than able to play her part."