To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment she has made of (a) the numbers of African Union troops deployed in Somalia and (b) the impact of that deployment on the security situation in the country. (141197)

The African Union (AU) mission to Somalia (AMISOM) currently has about 1,700 Ugandan troops deployed to Somalia. The UK is working closely with international partners to seek to increase the number of AMISOM troops from other AU countries.

AMISOM was authorised by UN Security Council Resolution 1744, which was sponsored by the UK and adopted unanimously on 20 February. The troops currently deployed are playing an important part in ensuring stability in the parts of Mogadishu and Baidoa in which they are operating. We judge that AMISOM has a crucial role to play in creating the security conditions that would enable a fuller withdrawal of Ethiopian troops from Somalia.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support is being provided by (a) the UK and (b) the EU to the African Union AMISOM force in Somalia; and if she will make a statement. (141568)

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 assistance direct to troop contributing countries, including £1.3million to Uganda.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what requests have been received by the UK from the African Union (AU) for NATO air transport support for AU troops in Somalia; and if she will make a statement. (141198)

The UK has not been approached directly by the African Union (AU) in connection with requests for NATO air transport support for AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) troops in Somalia. We understand that the AU has made a request to NATO in connection with air transport support. The UK will wish to support NATO on this issue where we can.

The UK strongly supports AMISOM and is already offering planning assistance to several potential troop-contributing countries and logistical support for the AU military cell in Addis Ababa.