AU Troops in Somalia Facing Funding Shortfall

NAIROBI, Kenya -- Officials say African Union troops fighting Al Qaeda linked Islamists in the failed state of Somalia have a $10 million funding gap which has delayed the deployment of reinforcements and lifesaving equipment.

Senior commanders say the lack of cash is hampering recent advances against the Islamists, discouraging countries from sending troops and may have cost lives.

The shortfall comes as AU troops have taken control of the Somali capital for the first time since their mission began in 2007. Last month Kenyan troops crossed the border and opened a second front against the Islamist al-Shabab militia, which has been weakened by a famine.

Somalia has not had functioning government since the 1991 ouster of dictator Siad Barre by warlords who then turned on each other.