To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Answer of 7 March 2007, Official Report, column 2017W, on Somalia: official visits, when she expects Ethiopian troops to complete their withdrawal from Somalia; and if she will make a statement. (130258)

We understand Ethiopia has been gradually withdrawing its forces over the past weeks.

At the same time, we recognise that until an effective and appropriate alternative is in place a complete Ethiopian withdrawal could risk a dangerous security vacuum. For this reason, we strongly support the deployment of the Africa Union stabilisation force (AMISOM). The UK-sponsored UN Security Council Resolution 1744, unanimously adopted, explicitly authorises (the establishment of AMISOM and we have offered logistical, planning and financial support to the force to help it deploy as soon as possible. On UK contributions to AMISOM, I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Europe (Mr. Hoon), today (UIN 130261).

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Answer of 7 March 2007, Official Report, column 2017W, on Somalia: official visits, what recent discussions she has had with her (a) United States and (b) EU counterparts on the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM); what commitments have been made to support AMISOM as a result of these discussions; and if she will make a statement. (130259)

My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, and officials at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, have been in frequent contact with US and EU colleagues, both bilaterally and in international fora, including the UN and the International Contact Group for Somalia, regarding the African Union’s (AU) stabilisation mission to Somalia (AMISOM). I have also discussed it with my EU colleagues at recent EU Foreign Ministers’ meetings. We urge a prompt, focused and co-ordinated international response to help Somalis seize this historic opportunity for stability, which is what Somalia needs above all.

AMISOM is a key element in bringing stability to Somalia. For this reason, the UK sponsored United Nations Security Council Resolution 1744, adopted unanimously on 20 February. The Resolution explicitly authorises the deployment of AMISOM, as well as recognising the need for a reconciliation and a political process in Somalia, and permitting support to the Transitional Federal Government and Institutions to develop their own security sector. We commend the AU for taking on this mission and are grateful to those countries that have so far offered to contribute personnel to AMISOM.

On UK contributions to AMISOM, I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Europe, today (UIN 130261).

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Answer of 7 March 2007, Official Report, column 2017W, on Somalia: official visits, which African Union countries have pledged troop contributions to the African Union Mission in Somalia; how many troops they have pledged; when she expects those contributing to deploy those troops; and if she will make a statement. (130260)

Uganda has pledged nearly 1,700 troops to Somalia as part of the African Union (AU) stabilisation force (AMISOM), most of which we believe have now deployed. We understand that Ghana, Burundi, Nigeria and Malawi have also pledged troops to AMISOM, which would bring the total numbers to around 4,000, although the timeframe for these deployments remains unclear.

The UK has made clear its strong support for AMISOM and believes that a prompt and effective AMISOM deployment is vital for bringing long-term stability to Somalia. For this reason, we are discussing with several potential troop contributing countries what support we might best provide them. We have also offered direct support to the AU. On UK contributions to AMISOM, I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Europe today (UIN 130261).

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to her Answer of 7 March 2007, Official Report, column 2017W, on Somalia: official visits, what financial and logistical support the British Government are contributing to the African Union Mission in Somalia; and if she will make a statement. (130261)

The Government believe it is vital that a successful African Union (AU) Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) deployment ensures lasting stability in Somalia. The UK has offered planning, and logistical support for a Somalia planning cell within the AU’s Peace and Security Operations Division in Addis Ababa. The UK has also offered planning, logistical and financial assistances direct to troop contributing countries.

We strongly support the early disbursement of the EU’s pledge of €15 million to AMISOM.