This just came across my virtual desk and I thought it was interesting.  First of all, the story is completely in German and I had to do some hunting around for a translation.  If any of my German readers would like to confirm the content on the original post, that would be cool.  But I think we get the picture with this translation.

   Now for the point of this post.  It would be great to get some confirmation on this from the EU or the UN or even the VOA which is pretty quick to confirm the yes or no on stuff like this.  Until I hear some official confirmation out there, I will hold any commentary. (we get a lot of companies claiming contracts in Somalia, and most are just talk) Interesting stuff if true. If anyone from Asgaard GSG would like to confirm this and provide a little more detail, I would gladly put up a edit. -Matt

Edit: 5/23/2010 – I had a fantastic response by the readership as you can see below, and here is the latest.  Asgaard GSG has made a public statement on this article and you can read that below in the comments.

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German mercenaries for Civil War in Somalia

By Franz Feyder

May 22, 2010

More than 100 former Bundeswehr soldiers will soon intervene in the civil war in Somalia, according to information from NDR Info and tagesschau.de. A German company has signed a contract with a Somali politician. Experts warn of a “bloodbath”.

Until now, firms like Blackwater, Armor Group or Aegis are synonyms for modern mercenaries. German companies do not really play any role in the global market of privatized war. But now the German “Asgaard German Security Group” wants to compete against the big ones: at the end of last year the company, based in Telgte near Münster, made a contract with a Somali politician who does not recognize the internationally accepted transitional government. More than 100 men will be sent by Asgaard to the Horn of Africa, to bring Galadid Abdinur Ahmed Darman to power.

Protection under “Vollbewaffnung”

“The contract includes extensive and exclusive tasks and areas of competence: from strategic consulting and planning for security to operational implementation and execution of all measures necessary to ensure safety and restore peace,” it said in a Asgaard Press Release of last year’s end. CEO Thomas Kaltegärtner, a former sergeant major of the army, said to NDR Info and tagesschau.de that it is about militarily Personal Security Detail, property security and convey protection in the high-risk country Somalia. “In the event of cases, that is if an attack on the patrol, the convoy is taking place, this team responds immediatly. It has been taught.”

Kaltegärtner further explained that the contract had a term of five years and he will fulfill the contract with former army soldiers: “We are a German company, with German employees – 99.9 percent.” In total Kaltegärtner expects a man’s strength in “clear 3-digit range.” A first team had already traveled to Somalia.

The Asgaard-men shall support Darman and train its military. The 57-year-old describes himself as “elected President of the Republic of Somalia” who wants to bring peace and stability to the country. At the same time speaks Darman from the internationally accepted transitional government of any legitimacy.

Germans to fight alongside Darman’s troops

Darman confirmed the contract with Asgaard and stressed the importance of the Germans for his plans. There is a wide range of tasks: security, development of our forces and our operations. We are fighting a war, as there is urban warfare. They should train our military. At the same time they will help us in the fight against piracy. And they receive orders to fight as well. They will fight together with our units. “

Experts warn

Annette Weber of the SWP and Dustin Dehèz of the Düsseldorf Institute for Foreign and Security Policy emphasized that Darman had been played no real part in the Somali politics. But at the same time they warned of an impending danger. ‘When a new armed player joins the game, it has certainly no peaceful impact “, said Weber.

Her colleague Dehéz said that in the capital Mogadishu Darman will meet alone three armed groups and the peacekeeping force of African Union (AMISON), which support the transitional government. “If the possibility exists that Darman is actually seeking a military confrontation, with e.g. AMISON, it would certainly lead to a bloodbath,” said Dehéz.

Germans on two different sides

What makes the contract between Asgaard and Darman particularly volatile is that the European Union trains Somali security forces of the transnational government in Uganda. 13 Bundeswehr soldiers are participating in the mission “EUTM” as well. For Weber it is clear, “if a German company forms a Somali militia, and supports them, then that is certainly against the interests of Germany.”

But the Foreign Office will have known nothing of the contract. “The Foreign Office is not aware concerning the activities of the company Asgaard German Security Group,” said a spokesman for Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle. There would be no cooperation. The Federal Ministry of Defence announced that it has no contractual relations or have maintained relations with Asgaard. But the issue of ex-military soldiers in war zones on behalf of security companies will haunt the Federal Government in the future.

Story here.

Asgaard German Security Group website here.