Special Representative Mahiga underlined the support by IGAD

Mogadishu,Sunatimes- With IGAD member-nations taking a strong decision to suddenly send 2,000 strong forces to join the AU peace mission in Somalia this week, the newly appointed United Nations Special envoy for Somalia Augustine P. Mahiga lauded for the regional move.

In an emailed [press release issued on Friday Mr. Augustine P. Mahiga, welcomed the decision taken by Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) at the summit held in Addis Ababa on 5 July 2010 to engage more forcefully in the search for the resolution of the conflict in Somalia.

Special Representative Mahiga underlined the support by IGAD, as expressed in the communiqué, of the Djibouti peace process as the sole basis for peace and reconciliation in Somalia.

"The UN will continue to uphold its partnership with IGAD and the African Union in Somalia in line with the Memorandum of Understanding on Somalia signed by the three Organizations on the 28 April 2010", the Special Representative said. .

The African Union formerly promised send 8,000 peacekeepers to the lawless horn of African country, but there are currently at least 6,000 peacekeepers from only tow of the troop contributing countries Uganda and Burundi.

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