East Africa: Is Uganda Really Set to Withdraw Troops From Somalia?
14 November 2012
analysis
Uganda has threatened to withdraw its forces from a number of peacekeeping
missions including the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). Currently,
the country provides the largest contingent to Somalia and has been key to
the successes of the mission in its efforts to extend security beyond
Mogadishu.
This threat follows allegations of Uganda's support for the M23 rebellion in
the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which came to light from a
leaked version of the United Nations Group of Experts report on the DRC.
Apart from Somalia, Ugandan troops are also active in the Central African
Republic (CAR) and DRC where they are involved in efforts aimed at hunting
down Joseph Kony of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA).
After Uganda's threat of its intentions to pull out of Somalia, a number of
concerns and questions have been raised. Currently, Somalia is at a
crossroad between progress and relapse and an untimely withdrawal from
AMISOM without commensurate replacement would threaten the consolidation of
the progress made and the execution of the task ahead. The chances that the
achievements of the AU mission will be reversed if Uganda withdraws, without
replacement, are high.
Another key concern of such a move is its implications for Uganda's record
as a key player in the quest for peace in the region and contribution to
international peace and security. Apart from the fact that Uganda also gains
from troop contributions in the form of military aid, the country has
through its commitment to peace in Somalia, earned itself respect, in some
circles, as an important peace-broker acting in search of peace in the
region motivated by the spirit of African brotherhood. However, the troop
pullout pronouncements, have raised questions about the country's role in
Somalia being Somali-centred or informed by self-interest and the search for
recognition of relevance.
On the other hand, the threat could be, and does appear to be, a political
strategy to highlight the contributions Uganda is making to international
peace and security without the country actually intending to pull out. It is
clear that it will be extremely difficult for the international community to
allow such a threat to be followed through since it will come at a cost.
Whilst Uganda might want to lobby to make its intentions known, it is
expected that a great deal of diplomatic pressure will be brought to bear to
preclude the country's threat to withdraw troops, at least for the moment.
Last week's visit to the region by Ambassador Wendy Sherman, Under Secretary
for Political Affairs in the United States Department of State, is thus
being seen as part of moves to try and dissuade Uganda from recalling its
troops, as threatened.
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Received on Wed Nov 14 2012 - 08:56:32 EST
