Security Chiefs Discuss Al-Shabaab

THE United Nations and top security chiefs from nine countries are in Uganda to discuss the terrorist threats posed by the al-Qaeda and its Somalia insurgents, the al-Shabaab.
The two-day conference opened yesterday at the Imperial Botanical Hotel in Entebbe.
The Chief of Military Intelligence, Brig. James Mugira, said links between the terrorist groups and individuals in the region and supply of arms, material and training of al-Shabaab will be discussed.
"The meeting will also discuss financial support to the al-Shabaab and methods of financing operations," he said.The meeting will also consider updates on listed persons and possible new names for submission to the UN Security Council for listing.The security chiefs will share additional information regarding individuals and entities already subjected to UN sanctions.Non-listed individuals and entities believed to be associated with al-Qaeda or involved in threats to peace and security in Somalia will also be considered.Mugira said the meeting will discuss measures to combat the growth of al-Qaeda influence through existing and new measures.The coordinator of the UN al-Qaeda and Taliban Monitoring team, Richard Barrett, said the international community would continue providing support to Uganda in its fight against terrorism.He commended Uganda for the progress made in investigating the July 11 Kampala bombings in which 70 Word Cup fans were killed.Barrett called on Uganda to bring the perpetrators to justice.Defence forces chief Gen. Aronda Nyakairima asked the meeting to consider listing the Allied Democratic Forces rebel leader, Jamil Mukulu, among the UN sanction people.He also wants Mukulu indicted by the International Criminal Court.Nyakairima said the solution to the fight against terrorism lies in trans-national operations."The calls from Uganda and Burundi for other troops to join the peacekeeping mission in Somalia have been ignored. How can two contingents manage a coastline of 3,000km?" he asked.Ugandan troops have been in Somalia since March 2005, with Uganda contributing the bulk of the 7,500 peace-keeping troops.Meanwhile, East African leaders, including President Yoweri Museveni, met yesterday in the Ethiopian capital to discuss among other issues beefing up the African Union (AU) force in Somalia.The start of the six-member Inter-Governmental Authority on Development summit was delayed when host prime minister Meles Zenawi mediated a separate meeting between Sudan's president, Omar al-Bashir, and south Sudan leader Salva Kiir.According to the Ethiopian foreign minister, Hailemariam Desalegn, the AU troops in Mogadishu were now fully paid by the European Union and said this had eased funding pressure.
He added that the United Nations had not given enough support.
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