Re: US 'concerned' by Somali private military
Posted: Thu Dec 02, 2010 7:34 pm
Faroole is vowing to break the arms embargo and to seek weapons of any kind.
Anti-piracy force
Puntland's leader said that the government of Puntland "will not seek approval" from anyone when it comes to security matters.
"For nearly two years, we have requested the international community to help us establish anti-piracy troops and to construct monitoring stations along Puntland's coast to fight pirates…but we received no answer," the president said.
He indicated that there are "questions" about Puntland's agreement with Saracen International, a South Africa-based maritime security company that inked a deal to train anti-piracy troops in Puntland last month.
"What is important is that Puntland improves its security. Without sufficient security, there can be no investment because investment depends on security and stability," Puntland's leader said.
He noted that the anti-piracy troops, which are to number 1,050 soldiers when training completes, will still need equipment and telecommunications gear in order to commence the fight against Somali pirates who threaten the world's shipping lanes.
President Farole said that only African Union peacekeepers (AMISOM) are allowed to bring weapons to Somalia under U.N. regulations, adding: "We will continue to seek equipment and other support for our anti-piracy troops when training completes."
He indicated that the Puntland-Saracen agreement is "in the spirit of the Istanbul Declaration, which encourages public-private partnerships" for Somalia.
you know the drill.