Burundi Government to pull out its troops from AU force in Somalia

The Burundian government has said it would pull out its troops from the African Union (AU) force fighting Al-Shabaab fighters in Somalia over nonpayment of its troops following EU’s decision to cut off its funding for the troops.

The Defence Minister, Emmanuel Ntahomvukiye, on Thursday told lawmakers in a plenary session that the soldiers had not received their monthly allowance which is supposed to be paid by the European Union (EU).

“Burundian soldiers are not given leadership positions at the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). Another problem is that there are plans to pay our (Burundian) peacekeepers directly into their accounts in violation of the Memorandum of Understanding stipulating that it is the government that pays them after receiving the money,” Ntahomvukiye told the parliament.

He noted that $800 (£640) allowance was in arrears for 10 months and Over that period, soldiers are only receiving their low army wages.

The minister said that there are plans of paying Burundian peacekeepers directly to their accounts.

“Since the beginning of peacekeeping missions, no troops have been able to get their wages directly from donors. The money goes first to the contributor country and then the country pays its troops. We will not accept a direct payment to Burundian peacekeepers’ accounts,” said Ntahomvukiye.

Ntahomvukiye pointed out that consultations with the African Union (AU), which is a signatory of the Memorandum of Understanding, are underway.

“Before sending troops into Somalia, we discussed with the AU on the Memorandum of Understanding. The withdrawal from the AMISOM also requires prior discussions with the AU, Burundian citizens and the Burundian parliament,” he underscored.

More than 50 soldiers from Burundi were killed last year in an attack by Al-Shabaab fighters on an African Union military base in Lego village.

The base was manned by some 100 Burundian soldiers who are part of the 22,000-strong AU mission.

Burundi is the second largest contributor to AMISOM the AU intervention force fighting Al-Shabaab insurgents in Somalia. Their over 5400 troops come behind Uganda who have over 6000 troops.