AU: Chairperson Jean Ping says Somali crisis compounds list of challenges'AU: AU considers backing direct military aid for Somalia

The political crisis in Somalia and the global financial and economic crisis are expected to dominate the African Union (AU) heads of state assembly meeting due to begin in the Libyan resort of Sirte, Africa’s top diplomat Jean Ping said in Sirte on Saturday.In an exclusive interview, African Union Commission Chairperson Ping said the political crisis in Somalia, the global economic downturn and the worsening fighting in Somalia posed dangerous threats to the stability and peace in Africa and required the utmost attention of the continent’s leaders.“The global financial and economic crisis presents a variety of challenges and opportunities. We are facing difficulties which are very serious,” Ping told PANA on the sidelines of the 18th session of the Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC) meeting in Sirte, Libya on Saturday.African leaders due to meet in Sirte for the regular sessions of the AU assembly are expected to give the African Union Commission more political impetus to tackle challenges the continent faces.This year, the continent has been battling with the prospect of increased hunger pangs, declining economies, and the Horn of Africa region is facing its worst security threats as a result of intense fighting in next-door neighbouring state, Somalia.The Somali government, which the regional states - Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya, Sudan, and Uganda - have helped to establish, has been under renewed pressure from radical Islamic militant groups. These are are suspected of importing radical Islamist fighters into its ranks to help oust the transitional government.The fighting has claimed lives of several civilians and military targets, including last week’s suicide bomb, which killed Somalia’s Security Minister Aden Hashi while he was supervising plans to attack a militant hideout used by the radical Islamist factions hostile to the Transitional government in Somalia (TFG)...more..http://www.afriquejet.com/news/africa-news/au:-ping-says-somali-crisis-compounds-list-of-challenges-2009062730594.html
AU: AU considers backing direct military aid for Somalia