Burundi sends more troops for AU Somalia force

Mar 14, 2011

BUJUMBURA, Burundi — Burundi has deployed an additional 1,000 soldiers for the African Union force protecting the Somali government, the military chief said Monday.

General Godefroid Niyombare told AFP the soldiers were sent a week ago to join the 8,000 Burundian and Ugandan troops in the Somali capital Mogadishu.

"Burundi and Uganda... agreed to each send 1,000 troops as part of the additional 4,000 soldiers required. Burundi has fulfilled its promise," Niyombare said.

The AU last year requested the force be boosted to 12,000 from its authorized strength of 8,000.

Somalia's civil war has taken a heavy toll on the troops and in a recent offensive against Al Qaeda-inspired Shebab rebels, at least 43 Burundian soldiers were killed.

"The morale of the troops in Somalia is very high despite the losses we suffered," the army chief said.

"Not only was the operation successful, but the arrival of their comrades will see them consolidate the new positions" seized from the insurgents.

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