Mogadishu (Halbeeg News) – Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has called on Somalis to jointly work on stabilization of their country and enhance the security of nation.
Addressing Somali delegation led by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Museveni said that his government was willing to assist Somalia in its fight against Al-Shabaab but that his country did not have the financial capabilities to pay for the salaries of Somali soldiers.
“We can help Somalia to defeat Al Shabaab. If it’s a question of weapons, we can buy them and give it to them (Somalia). We can buy uniforms and even share food, but we cannot manage the salary. Salary, for even a month, we can’t manage,” Museveni said.
Museveni warned Somalia against relying on Somalia’s international partners – namely the UAE, Qatar and Turkey, saying funding, arming and training of Somali soldiers by foreigners are not sustainable.
“When will you (Somalia) get security? If I’m a poor woman who doesn’t have money, I can still defend my home. I can mobilize my son and brother, and we will defend our home. We want peace.
Uganda is one of the countries that distributed thousands of soldiers to African Union Transition Mission in Somalia. AU troops are in Somalia to help Somali government defeat al-Shabaab and ISIS fighters.
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