From: Berhane Habtemariam (Berhane.Habtemariam@gmx.de)
Date: Sun May 23 2010 - 05:24:08 EDT
German mercenaries to fight UN-backed government in Somalia
23.05.2010
A German security company has sealed a deal with a Somali warlord that
politicians say violates UN sanctions. According to German TV, more than a
100 former Bundeswehr soldiers are to fight as mercenaries in Somalia.
Former Bundeswehr soldiers are to fight as mercenaries in the civil war in
Somalia according to a German public TV station NDR. Asgaard German Security
Group, a company based in Telgte near Muenster, has clinched a deal with
Somali opposition politician Galadod Abdinur Ahmad Darman, who wants to
topple the internationally-recognized Transitional Federal Government (TFG)
in Somalia.
Security experts warn that a Somali warlord backed by highly-trained western
soldiers could shift the fragile political balance in the east African
country and spark a blood bath.
German interests compromised
"If a German company now trains and supports a Somali warring faction then
it is surely against the interests of the German government," Annette Weber
from the German Institute for International and Security Affairs told NDR.
Several German lawmakers have criticized Asgaard's proposed military
involvement in Africa.
"The contract includes wide-ranging tasks and areas of competence: from
strategic planning to security to implementation of all measures that are
necessary to restore peace and stability," said Asgaard in a press release.
The company also provides police and military training and logistics.
Asgaard managing director Thomas Kaltegaertner, a former Master Sergeant in
the Bundeswehr, told NDR that the Somalia project involved providing armed
protection for military, buildings and convoys in the high risk country. In
a statement Asgaard said it would not act against the interests of the
Federal Republic of Germany and would never get into a conflict situation
with the German armed forces.
"If worst comes to worst, that a patrol or convoy is attacked the team will
take appropriate action", said Kaltegaertner.
Ninety-nine percent of the personnel are recruited from Germany, he said.
The first contingent is reportedly already on its way to Somalia.
The Asgaard deployment would potentially put the German ex-soldiers in
direct conflict with the TFG's only protective force, the African Union
Mission to Somalia (AMISOM), backed by the United Nations. At a conference
in Brussels a year ago, the international community pledged $213 million
dollars (172 million euros) to the besieged TFG and AMISOM.
EU mission
The deal between Asgaard and Darman, a member of the powerful Hawiyes clan
is Somalia, is especially explosive because the European Union has been
training Somali security forces of the interim government in Uganda.
Thirteen Bundeswehr soldiers are also participation in the European Union
training mission (EUTM) in Somalia.
Darman told NDR that the German mercenaries would be involved in military
combat with his militia against pirates, radical Islamists and terrorists.
"The government installed by the international community does not have the
backing from the country's population", said Darman.
Darman is currently seeking international support for his bid to become
president of Somalia.
No prior knowledge
The German Foreign Ministry acknowledged that it knew nothing about the
contract and the activities of Asgaard Germany Security Group. The Defense
Ministry also confirmed that has never entered into any contractual
agreement with the company.
Rainer Stinne, a FDP foreign policy expert said that Asgaard should be made
accountable because the contract violated UN sanctions.
nrt/dpa/AFP/Reuters
Editor: Ben Knight
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