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afrol News, 17 March - The Rwandan President Paul Kagame has pledged to back the newly elected Somali President Sheikh Sharif's on security and development, local news reports said.

President Sharif who was elected in January this year, has been travelling to a number of East African countries seeking regional support to his emerging administration.

Rwanda's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rosemary Museminali said the proposed areas of cooperation between Rwanda and Somalia will include training the Somali army, advising on setting up the country's different governance institutions and their reconciliation process.

“The President of Somalia is seeking Rwanda's support in training their security forces, to really look at the general security of the country and see how Rwanda can input, mainly in training areas," Ms Museminali said.

Ms Museminali said that President Ahmed has also requested Rwanda’s support in its plans to unite the country's Islamist hardliners and other insurgents groups in the country through the establishment of democratic institutions.

According to local reports, Rwanda has in the recent past provided training to Somali armed forces to assist efforts to build national security capacity, which is likely to continue even in the new administration.

Somalia which had a strong backing from Ethiopia, saw its ally began withdrawal early January after announcing that the mission had failed to achieve its stated purpose of curbing Islamist insurgents.

However, the withdrawal of Ethiopia's estimated 3,000-strong force has sparked security concerns for the war torn country, with analysts fearing that the power vacuum could lead to more fighting.

At least 16,000 civilians have been killed in the fighting, and a million more have been forced from their homes. Somalia has not had an effective national government since 1991, since when various militias have been battling for control.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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