KAMPALA, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- The visiting African Union Chairman Yayi Boni in Uganda said on Thursday that he fully supports the decision to send an international peace-keeping force to Mali to battle an extremist rebel group in its northern region.
The remark was made when Boni, also the president of Benin was meeting with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni about the ongoing military operation in the West African state of Mali.
He commended Museveni for the role he has played towards stabilizing Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan and Somalia where Uganda provides the bulk of the African Union peacekeeping troops.
Museveni said Africa needs a security and common defense system at the continental level.
Troops from the Economic Community of West African States are expected in Mali soon. France has already intervened militarily to stop rebels advancing southwards.
