AU Somalia force to take command of Kenyan troops
NAIROBI, MAR 17 (AP/UNB) - A Kenyan military official says the African Union's peacekeeping force in Somalia will soon take command of Kenyan troops in the war-torn Horn of Africa nation.
Col. Cyrus Oguna said Saturday the African Union will take over the 4,664 Kenyans as of March 30. He says the U.N. will provide major equipment.
Oguna says Kenya's inclusion in the force brings the total number of troops to nearly 18,000 from about 10,000. Burundi, Djibouti and Uganda have also contributed troops.
Kenya sent hundreds of troops to Somalia in October to pursue al-Qaida-linked Somali militants it blamed for a series of cross-border attacks. AU peacekeepers had been propping up Somalia's weak U.N.-backed government against al-Shabab militants.
Col. Cyrus Oguna said Saturday the African Union will take over the 4,664 Kenyans as of March 30. He says the U.N. will provide major equipment.
Oguna says Kenya's inclusion in the force brings the total number of troops to nearly 18,000 from about 10,000. Burundi, Djibouti and Uganda have also contributed troops.
Kenya sent hundreds of troops to Somalia in October to pursue al-Qaida-linked Somali militants it blamed for a series of cross-border attacks. AU peacekeepers had been propping up Somalia's weak U.N.-backed government against al-Shabab militants.
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