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africanews

The African Union called on the United Nations on Thursday to approve a naval and air blockade of Somalia. The blockade would stop arms and foreign fighters reaching Al-Qaeda linked group of Al-Shabaab, said the AU's commissioner for peace and security, Ramtane Lamamra.

"The African Union is very concerned that the insecurity in Somalia is spilling over into the region," Lamamra told the UN Security Council.

He requested U.N. for a naval blockade and a no-fly zone over Somalia to prevent the entry of flights carrying shipments of weapons and ammunition and also foreign fighters into Al-Qaeda linked group of Al-Shabaab.

The envoy said the international naval force seeking to prevent pirate attacks in the Indian Ocean should provide "a more direct, tangible and operational support to Amisom."

The African envoy said an AU ministerial meeting had decided to strengthen the AU force in Somalia (AMISOM) in coming months "in order to bring its military component to 20,000 and its police component to 1,680."

Lamamra also asked the United Nations to endorse the move and ensure that the troops are properly paid and equipped.

African Union had already deployed into Mogadishu less than 8,000 poorly funded and badly equipped troop. They are mostly from Uganda and Burundi.

Uganda is ready to provide the troops needed to increase the international force to 20,000 but funding has become a problem.

The United States has promised to support.