UK Threatens to Withdraw Support for Somalia If Army Engages in Politics

UK military trainer in Somalia

MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – The United Kingdom will withdraw support for Somalia’s army if troops it has trained in the town of Baidoa in Southwest regional state step into politics, UK ambassador to Somalia Kate Foster said on Monday.

We’re committed to helping Somalia rebuild its army, but if the SNA troops we train in Baidoa military base become involved in politics, we will stop training, withdraw support and exit,” The UK ambassador to Somalia said during a Twitter space discussion hosted by Garowe Online.

The comments follow remarks by US diplomats in Mogadishu, who said weeks earlier that the United States government will review its support for Somalia’s Danab elite force over its participation in fighting against a former ally, Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jama’ah in the course of which a number of commanders had been killed.

Somalia’s government has not immediately responded to the comments, which come months after the opposition accused the army and security forces of being involved in politics.

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