Cablegate: Burundi Maintains Pledge for Amisom Third Battalion

P 020944Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1239
INFO RWANDA COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY ABUJA PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY KAMPALA PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY KIGALI PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY

UNCLAS BUJUMBURA 000603

LONDON, PARIS, PLEASE PASS TO AFRICA WATCHERS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPKO SO AU BY KE NI RW SU UG ET
SUBJECT: BURUNDI MAINTAINS PLEDGE FOR AMISOM THIRD BATTALION

REF: STATE 125135

1. (U) Minister of Defense Lieutenant General Germain
Niyoyankana assured the Ambassador November 28 that Burundi
will indeed honor its pledge to provide a third battalion of
Burundian troops for the African Union Mission to Somalia
(AMISOM), and that Burundi stands ready to promise further
battalions if needed. Niyoyankana said his troops would
benefit from an additional ACOTA training visit, but they
stand prepared to depart mid-January without such refresher
training if necessary. The MinDef welcomed USG equipment and
logistical support, acknowledging that donor assistance is
necessary if Burundi is to continue to participate in AMISOM.
Niyoyankana noted it would be useful if an additional 850
desert uniforms for the pledged third battalion could be
procured and delivered in mid-January - the same time as
1,700 desert uniforms destined for the battalions already in
theatre are scheduled to arrive in Bujumbura.

Moller

NOTE: MISSING SUBJECT TAGS.

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