From: Berhane Habtemariam (Berhane.Habtemariam@gmx.de)
Date: Sat Jul 10 2010 - 17:47:24 EDT
Uganda
<http://observer.ug/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9182:editor
ial-uganda-needs-an-exit-strategy-out-of-somalia&catid=35:editorial&Itemid=6
1> needs an exit strategy out of Somalia
Editorial
<http://observer.ug/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=35:editori
al&layout=blog&Itemid=61>
Written by THE OBSERVER
10 July 2010 07:35
Just last week, two Ugandan soldiers were killed and three others injured in
Somalia, adding to the growing list of our casualties in the lawless Horn of
Africa country. Another Ugandan soldier was killed in May.
Uganda and Burundi together contribute all the approximately 4,500 soldiers
that make up the African Union Peace Keeping Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).
Early this week, member countries of the Inter-Governmental Authority on
Development (IGAD) which comprises Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan, Djibouti
and Somalia held an extraordinary summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, during
which they urged the United Nations to take charge of AMISOM. They also
called for at least 2,000 more soldiers to bolster the mission.
The IGAD call is a reaction to gains made by extremist rebels, Al Shabaab,
over the recent past, which forced AU-backed interim president, Sheikh Ahmed
Sheriff, to go to the front line last week.
Uganda's main self-confessed reason for being in Somalia is noble; to help a
fellow African country gain stability and embark on development. The second
reason is noble too; that a failed Somalia poses immense security problems
for Uganda and the greater region. Notwithstanding the third reason, which
is to take care of Ugandan ally America's interests in the region, the first
two are strong enough. But the problem is, Uganda cannot do it alone, not
even with Burundi. More so, there is no peace to keep in Somalia at the
moment.
When the African Union decided to intervene in Somalia, after the Ethiopia
invasion, about three years ago, the understanding was that several African
countries would contribute troops to the pan-African cause. Nigeria and
Ghana were among those mentioned. Several years later, other African
countries have developed cold feet, leaving Uganda, and later Burundi, to
suffer the heat in Somalia.
Without enough soldiers, the rest of Africa not looking bothered, and Al
Shabaab looking ever more menacing, Uganda must find a way out of this mess.
An exit strategy. Our soldiers cannot remain in Somalia indefinitely,
especially when no visible progress is being made.
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