Somalia's neighbours urge AU to double peacekeepers

The African Union needs to double the size of its peacekeeping force in Somalia, where an Islamist insurgency threatens the internationally backed government, an east African bloc said Tuesday.Leaders of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), which includes Somalia and five of its neighbours, met on the eve of an African Union summit in the Libyan town of Sirte.In a communique, IGAD again singled out Eritrea for posing "obstacles to peace and stability in Somalia through the provision of assistance to the extremists including foreign forces who continue to cause mayhem in Somalia."IGAD reiterated its call to the United Nations to impose sanctions on Eritrea, a position supported by the African Union, while urging the AU to boost its 4,300-strong force in Somalia, already its largest peacekeeping operation.
The AU has approved a force of 8,000, but has yet to deploy the full contingent. IGAD insisted Somalia needed the full force, for which Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Malawi have promised troops...more..http://www.africasia.com/services/news/newsitem.php?area=africa&item=090630205925.n75gkqs0.php