Uganda's hidden role in Congo's conflict
Fri Jan 04, 2013 12:37 pm
( <
http://www.dw.de/ugandas-hidden-role-in-congos-conflict/a-16494434> DW)
-- Despite Uganda's denial of involvement in the Congo conflict, Kampala and
the DRC's histories are entwined, with ethnic and political alliances that
go way back to a guerilla war that ousted Ugandan dictator Idi Amin.
The Ugandan government continues to deny a UN report accusing it of
involvement in the armed conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Ibrahim Abiriga, the representative of the Ugandan president in the border
district of Arua, told DW that his country is being falsely accused.
"The UN report is not correct. We are not reacting on it because we know
these experts made up unfounded stories, which we can not confirm," Abiriga
said.
"Our president (Yoweri Museveni) is the oldest in the region, he wants peace
and development, " Abiriga added.
However, the situation in eastern DRC remains unstable. Since April 2012,
M23 rebels have been fighting in North Kivu province. They accuse President
Joseph Kabila's government of not keeping to a common peace agreement signed
in 2009. Now they are seeking to bring parts of the country under their
control.
The outcome of the conflict is relevant to Uganda in three ways: strategic,
economic and for its own domestic policy.
Guerilla alliance
President Yoweri Museveni's regional strategic alliances date back to the
overthrow of Ugandan dictator Idi Amin. Tutsi refugees from Rwanda and the
Congo at that time joined the rebels from Uganda. Together they overthrew
the dictator, and brought Museveni to power. Later some of these troops
fought in the civil war in Rwanda, ending the genocide of the Tutsis.
There, they brought the present government of Paul Kagame to power. Now the
two countries are supporting their old allies in the DRC.
The Tutsis in Uganda have remained close to the government. They currently
hold many positions in the military and police. Noah Achikule is familiar
with the background. Having initially fought in Idi Amin's army, he later
joined a rebel organization based in the Congo. Today he is an international
election observer and advises the Kampala government on security issues.
"A Tutsi-led government in Congo would be a privilege for Uganda, and a
privilege for Rwanda," Achikule said. "And a Tutsi regime in this part of
the DRC would give them the ability to access large amounts of mineral
resources. It would also act as a retreat position in case chaos break out
in Uganda or Rwanda".
Plunder and blunder
Since the 1990s, Uganda has been robbing the DRC of its minerals.
In December 2005, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague
ordered Kampala to compensate Kinshasa. The court found the Ugandan state
guilty of plundering natural resources during its five-year occupation of
the northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
The latest report by the UN group of experts gives an account of how Ugandan
politicians and Congo's military brass have enriched themselves. It says the
Ugandan military is cooperating with various rebel groups, including the
M23, who help smuggle goods such as gold and precious tropical hardwoods out
of the country.
High stakes
President Museveni is fighting for his political survival. He has been in
power for over 25 years. Opposition groups and international donors are
demanding the democratization of his regime.
Ugandan journalist Moses Odokonyero explained to DW what drives Museveni to
play such huge a role in the region.
"The President of Uganda has many interests; he has an interest in Somalia
and in Congo. He was involved in Rwanda, Southern Sudan, and in the Central
African Republic. He is clearly a guy who likes to influence the region. And
the reason for that is very simple: he wants to use that as a bargaining
chip when negotiating with the West."
Uganda's internal political development is highly dependent on the opinion
of Western countries. The US alone accounts for almost half of Uganda's
national budget. Uganda's threats to pull out its troops from peacekeeping
missions in Somalia, Central African Republic, South Sudan and the
Democratic Republic of Congo should be seen in this context. They may not be
serious; however they could change Uganda's negotiating position
considerably.
Some Western countries have already frozen their budget support to Kampala.
Whether more radical sanctions will follow is yet to be seen.
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Received on Fri Jan 04 2013 - 18:05:46 EST
