New York (Sunatimes) U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has hinted for additional forces beyond the authorized 12,000 for Somalia in order for the military strategy to be successful across the country.

Ban who has just recently visited Somalia’s capital, told the U.N. Security Council Tuesday that additional troops might be required to secure these military gains.

The U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says the retreat of militant groups such as Al-Shabaab from Mogadishu presents an opportunity to stabilize the country.

On Friday, Ban paid a lightning visit to Mogadishu — the first time a U.N. chief has visited the war-torn country in more than 18 years.

He said that all districts in the city are effectively under the control of the Transitional Federal Government, with the assistance of some 9,000 African Union troops from Uganda and Burundi which make up AMISOM, adding that the gains made by these forces must be secured beyond the capital.

While in the region last week, Ban also visited the Dadaab refugee camp in northern Kenya, the world’s largest refugee camp which hosts nearly a half-million Somali refugees. Nearly half of them have been displaced this year due to both insecurity and famine.

Ban said assistance from the international community has saved hundreds of thousands of lives and that parts of southern Somalia have been lifted out of famine. But he warned that millions of people remain in danger of starvation.

By Fadumo Farah