To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to seek agreement on the extension of the mandate of the African Union Mission in Somalia beyond 19 March 2009. (253956)

The UK supports the mandate given to the African Union (AU) Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) by the UN, most recently through UN Security Council Resolution 1863. This resolution provides a mandate to AMISOM until 16 July 2009, as well as providing for a package of support to that mission. The AU’s own mandate for this mission is a matter for AU member states themselves, but the UK has encouraged these states to extend this mandate beyond 19 March 2009, including by my noble Friend Lord Malloch-Brown at the AU Summit on 1-2 February 2009. The UK is also supporting the implementation of AMISOM’s mandate financially, with a contribution of £10 million during this financial year toward the costs of the mission. We also intend to contribute to the UN trust fund and logistical support package for AMISOM authorised under resolution 1863.