Calm In Mogadishu Encourages AU To Upgrade Peace Mission

African Union officials, encouraged by the calm in Mogadishu in recent days, are preparing to double the size of the A.U. peacekeeping mission in Somalia. The departure of Ethiopian troops is creating new hope for stability in a country seen as practically ungovernable for nearly two decades.Teams from the African Union, the United Nations and countries contributing troops to the A.U. peacekeeping force AMISOM meeting Saturday were cautiously optimistic about Somalia's chances of emerging from 18 years of virtual anarchy.A day after the U.N. Security Council expressed its intention to take over peacekeeping duties in Somalia in the near future, A.U. officials spoke confidently of assembling an eight-thousand strong force and having it ready for U.N. command by June. AMISOM is currently manned by about 3,500 soldiers from Burundi and Uganda. Both countries say they will increase their troop commitments. Nigeria is said to be offering one, and possibly three battalions, and AU Peace and Security Commissioner Ramtane Lamamra told reporters at least three other African countries are ready to pledge troops. more..http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-01-17-voa32.cfm?rss=africa