Uganda begins withdrawing troops from Somalia
Kampala's move ends a near two-decade deployment that started in 2007 under the African Union mission.
Key facts
Story- Uganda has started pulling its troops out of Somalia, the sources say.
- Uganda was the first country to send troops to the AU mission in 2007.
- The mission has faced growing pressure since a US decision to cut its funding.
Uganda has begun withdrawing its troops from Somalia, ending a deployment of almost two decades. The move was reported on Sunday, 2 November.
Uganda was the first country to contribute soldiers to the African Union mission set up in 2007 to stabilise Somalia. The Ugandan forces were sent to fight Islamic insurgents as part of an international military coalition.
Pressure on the mission
The mission has come under mounting strain since the United States decided to stop funding it. That decision has left the operation facing serious questions about how it can continue. The sources do not say when the last Ugandan soldiers will leave, or how many remain in the country.
The sources also do not say what the withdrawal means for security in Somalia, where Islamist militants remain active. Neither the Ugandan government nor the African Union has been quoted in the reports on the pullout's timing or next steps.
For readers in India, the story is mainly about the wider shape of foreign peacekeeping in Africa. It has no direct link to Indian troops or business in the region that the sources describe.
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