Burundi rotates two battalions for Somalia peacekeeping mission

The Burundian army Saturday sent two battalions to the African Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) in a takeover, replacing two other battalions that have completed their one-year duty, the Burundian army spokesman has said.

"Since the beginning of this month, we are sending two battalions made up of 1,700 peacekeepers to the AMISOM and another 200 soldiers at the AMISOM headquarters for the Burundian contingent," said Burundian Army Spokesman Colonel Gaspard Baratuza.

According to Baratuza, the two battalions that have been sent to Somalia include the 38th and the 39th battalions that are replacing the 32nd and the 33rd battalions.

"Since 2007 when Burundi started sending peacekeepers to Somalia, achievements are numerous. The situation was chaotic in 2007 with Al Shabaab terrorists shooting aircrafts at Mogadishu Airport, but now the traffic is high at the airport, maritime activities are underway and traffic on roads is also normal thanks to efforts of peacekeepers from Burundi and other countries," said Col Baratuza.

Burundi is among the main contributors of troops in AMISOM.

Since December 2007, the east African nation has deployed six rotating battalions in Somalia.

Earlier in June, the Burundian government said that the European Union's decision to cut funding for the AMISOM was unfair.

The EU in April announced it would cut by 20 percent its financial support to AMISOM due to competing priorities in Africa and the world in general.

Burundian External Relations and International Cooperation Minister, Alain Aime Nyamitwe, said the funding cut was unfair and would destabilize AMISOM while the AU peacekeepers were fighting terrorism. Endit