Djibouti to send second battalion to Somalia to boost African mission

Djibouti is set to send the second battalion to Somalia under the auspices of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), according to the information obtained here Monday from the official ADI news agency. "In early 2014, Djibouti government will avail to AMISOM the second battalion in addition to the first one that is operational in zone 4, one of the largest zones in Somalia," the ADI said. Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guellleh already discussed the decision with his African peers and European partners on the Somalia issue during a summit on Peace and Security in Africa held on Dec. 6-7 in Paris. Since 2011, Djibouti has deployed 1,000 soldiers under the auspices of AMISOM. The troops are based in Beledweyne town, central Somalia. Besides a common border, Djibouti shares with Somalia the same language, the same religion (Islam) as well as the same culture.