KAMPALA: The UN Security Council on Thursday voted unanimously for a new African Union peacekeeping force in Somalia. Uganda, which was the first African country to put troops on the ground in 2007, has more than 6,200 soldiers serving with the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). The contineget which is currently commanded by Brig Keith Katungi, is mandated to secure strategic installations which include the UN compound, the Presidential Palace and key government installations as well as the Airport. The new force to be named “The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia” (ATMIS) will work to enable Somali forces to take responsibility for their security in 2024, replacing the current AMISOM mission, whose mandate was set to expire Thursday.
MediaScape News speaks to the Ugandan army spokesman Brig Gen Felix Kulayige about the future of Somali security and what the implications of this decision are.
MediaScape News: You have heard of this UN decision. What do you make of it?
Kulayige: It is a rushed decision in my view.
MediaScape News: What do you mean?
Kulayige: State institutional capacity building is not a short term issue. That is why last year, you saw how the Taliban were able to roll back all the US gains and the Afghan government in less than two weeks.
MediaScape News: Is this a problem of diagnosis?
Kulayige: I believe so. These western countries, especially Europeans, tend to espouse quick fix approaches. They sit and project that by 2024, the transitional state in Somalia will be able to handle the security situation there.
MediaScape News: What if their projections are based on empirical evidence?
Kulayige: Well, you can theorise. But what is the practical reality on the ground?
MediaScape News: What is the reality in Somalia?
Kulayige: The reality is that the level of infiltration in the security forces in Somalia is worrying and has complicated efforts to build a true and robust security capacity for the country. We believe it is still early to let go of Somalia.
MediaScape News: Cite some examples other than Afganistan
Kulayige: You recall how the British organised conferences about South Sudan and pushed quick fix solutions towards the realization of a democratic process there. We told them, state building is a long term process. We have since been proven right. You know what is happening there right now.
MediaScape News: Aren’t these decisions supposed to be borne out of stakeholder consultations?
Kulayige: Yes. This is true but not all the views from experience are taken.
MediaScape News: What is your view has been the main achievement of the UPDF in Somalia?
Kulayige: We have made our contribution. If it wasn’t for UPDF and other sister countries in AMISOM, Somalia would not be talking about a transitional government and elections where Somalis choose their leaders without resorting to arms as it used to happen. This is no mean achievement.
MediaScape News: What else?
Kulayige: Look at commerce. Trade between Somalia, the horn of Africa and the Middle East across the red sea is booming. This has not come by accident. The good thing is that the Somalis recognize our contribution as that is what matters.