President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni week received a Special Envoy from the Republic of Somaliland, Dr. Jama Musse Jama at State House-Entebbe, where the Ugandan leader agreed to be the unification facilitator between Somaliland and Somalia.
Somaliland, officially the Republic of Somaliland, is an unrecognised sovereign state in the Horn of Africa, that is recognised internationally as a de jure part of Somalia. The President said that he does not support the secession of Somaliland from Somalia because it is wrong. “We don’t support secession because strategically, it is wrong,” President Museveni emphasized.
President Museveni told Dr. Jama that Somalia and Somaliland should do away with politics of identity if they want prosperity for their country.
He explained that people face similar challenges regardless of their race and religion. He instead advised leaders to embrace politics of interest which is more important and will transform the citizens socially and economically.
President Museveni further agreed to trade with Somaliland saying that this will benefit the two economies.
“In case you have something that we don’t have, we shall buy from you, you can also buy from us what you don’t have if we have it,” President Museveni said.
President Museveni also advised that a Country’s internal market alone is not enough, and therefore there is need for Somaliland and Somalia to unite, trade together and also trade with other African countries.
Dr. Jama informed President Museveni that there is an urgent need for Somalia and Somaliland to unite because they are missing out a lot on development.
Dr. Jama also requested the President to take the center stage in uniting the two countries because of his influential role in Somalia.
On the other hand, he expressed the need for Uganda to partner with Somaliland in trading, saying that Ugandan investors should start supplying goods to Somaliland and also buy from them the goods they do not have.
The meeting between the two leaders comes on the backdrop of the withdrawal of African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (Atmis) peacekeepers, which began earlier this year and is scheduled to end in December 2024. A move pundits argue is like to present several challenges and considerations for the future prospects of peace in Somalia, and thus the importance of addressing security, governance, and international cooperation as key factors in maintaining peace and stability in the war-torn country, as Paul D. Williams – Professor of International Affairs, George Washington University argues in the East African;
Risks of Al Shabaab Advancement: The withdrawal of AU peacekeepers may reduce the pressure on Al Shabaab during the Somali government’s ongoing offensive. It could provide Al Shabaab with a battlefield and propaganda advantage. Additionally, Somali forces stationed in former AU bases may become more vulnerable to Al Shabaab attacks.
AU Mission Phases: The AU Mission in Somalia has gone through several phases of downsizing and transition. In the next drawdown phase, 3,000 out of 17,500 peacekeepers are expected to depart by the end of September. The ultimate goal is to complete the withdrawal by December 2024.
Key Tasks for Somalia: For Somalia to ensure a smooth transition after the AU peacekeepers leave, it is essential to finalize the structure of the national security architecture. This includes defining the roles, numbers, and relationships between federal and regional security forces. The recruitment of additional security personnel, such as soldiers and police officers, is crucial. However, it’s not just about numbers; the Somali army needs equipment, training, infrastructure, and governance institutions to succeed.
Challenges for AU: The AU has its own set of challenges to manage a phased withdrawal. This involves identifying and withdrawing troops, coordinating logistics, and continuing to support the Somali Army’s offensive operations.
Post-Withdrawal Scenarios: The article suggests that the withdrawal of the AU force by 2025 may not necessarily mean the end of international forces in Somalia. Security assistance programs from various countries, such as the United States, Turkey, the European Union, and the United Kingdom, are likely to continue. Somalia may also enter into bilateral security agreements with neighboring countries to ensure stability. Uganda, with its experience in fighting Al Shabaab, may play a crucial role in this regard.
