Global General
US looking into helping train Somali forces
(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-03-04 23:33
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BRUSSELS – The US is considering joining a European Union effort to train a new army for Somalia, whose government is fighting a massive rebellion by Islamic militants.
Maj. Gen. Richard J. Sherlock of the US Africa Command says there is considerable scope for cooperation with the EU training program.
The EU mission is part of a wider international effort to help stabilize Somalia's transitional government. Under the EU plan, about 200 European military instructors will train a unit of up to 2,000 Somali troops at a military base in Uganda.
The US has so far not participated in the effort, which is seen as crucial for bringing stability to a country that has been without a functional government or army since 1991.
