Uganda Threatens to Pull Troops From Somalia

Uganda's Security Minister Amama Mbabazi, March 31, 2011.

Uganda is threatening to pull its troops from African peacekeeping missions, including the one in Somalia, because of a U.N. report that accuses Kampala of supporting Congolese rebels.

In a statement to parliament issued late Thursday, Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi dismissed the U.N. report as false and said Uganda deserves more respect for its contributions to regional peace.

He said Uganda has decided, after consultations with the African Union, "to completely withdraw from regional peace efforts."

Earlier this month, a leaked U.N. report accused Uganda and Rwanda of giving military support to rebel group M23 in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Both countries have repeatedly denied the allegation.

A government-run newspaper New Vision quotes the prime minister as saying "The U.N. must sort out the malignments against Uganda" before Kampala reverses its decision to withdraw its troops.

Ugandan forces form the bulk of the African Union force fighting militant group al-Shabab in Somalia. The country has also contributed troops to peacekeeping forces in Congo and the Central African Republic.