20100816
Monitor

The South African cabinet is due to meet on Wednesday to consider deploying its forces to bolster the African Union troops in Mogadishu, the UK press reported yesterday.

Government spokesman Themba Maseko, speaking to the Observer of London, confirmed the meeting but gave no details. Another source that preferred anonymity, however, told the newspaper "it appears President Zuma will definitely give a nod to the AU's request for South African military support".

African Union chairman Jean Ping recently wrote to the South African government, imploring it to contribute troops for the Somalia mission against a resurging al Shabaab, an Al Qaeda affiliate.

There has been more rallying for troops in Mogadishu and open confrontation with al Shabaab after they claimed responsibility for the July 11 bombings in Kampala that killed at least 76 people - and injured scores.

"The South African government will definitely seize the opportunity to show the continent that they are the big brothers," the source told the Observer.

Uganda, which contributes the bulk of the 6, 300-strong Amisom troops, yesterday welcomed the development as a "pleasant surprise".

State Minister for International Affairs Okello-Oryem said: "The assurance that President Zuma gave President Museveni during AU summit in Kampala last month was to give logistical assistance and other support to ensure Amisom does its work better than now."