Museveni Identifies Somalia’s Core Challenge, Calls for Unity to Defeat Al-Shabaab

ENTEBBE, Uganda — Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni on Monday urged Somalia to unite against Al-Shabaab, saying divisions among the majority could allow a minority to maintain influence, as the two countries discussed security cooperation and expanding trade.

Museveni made the remarks during a meeting with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud at State House in Entebbe, where the leaders discussed Somalia’s security situation, efforts to defeat the Islamist insurgency and ways to strengthen economic ties.

“The problem of Somalia is ideological and a misdiagnosis of problems,” Museveni said, drawing parallels with other African countries, including Sudan, where sectarian approaches to governance have contributed to political divisions.

“All the problems you’re talking about, we know them. We need to be organised and stand with the main problem,” he said.

“Unite the many to defeat the few, but some Africans want to annoy the many to stay with the few,” he added.

Museveni stressed the need for political organisation and unity to address the challenges threatening Somalia’s stability.

Mohamud briefed the Ugandan leader on the security situation in Somalia and praised the contribution of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces to efforts to restore peace. Ugandan troops have served in African Union-led peace support operations in Somalia, helping Somali forces fight Al-Shabaab.

The Somali president thanked Uganda for its continued military support and expressed hope that Ugandan troops would remain in Somalia longer to help achieve lasting stability.

Al-Shabaab, which is linked to al-Qaida, continues to wage an insurgency against Somalia’s federal government and security forces, carrying out attacks in Somalia and posing a broader regional security threat.

Mohamud also thanked Uganda for its hospitality toward Somali nationals living, studying and doing business in the country.

Somalia’s ambassador to Uganda, Fardowsa Mohamed Qanyare, told the meeting that about 8,000 Somalis operate businesses in Uganda and roughly 15,000 Somali students attend Ugandan universities.

Uganda seeks direct access for coffee exports
The leaders also discussed expanding bilateral trade, particularly by improving access for Ugandan products to the Somali market.

Museveni welcomed Somalia’s decision to allow Uganda to establish a warehouse in Somalia to market and sell processed Ugandan coffee, according to the account of the meeting.

The proposed arrangement could give Ugandan exporters a more direct route to Somali consumers and reduce reliance on intermediaries.

Nelson Tugume, who recently returned from Somalia, told the leaders that Somalia imports coffee from European countries, with Ugandan coffee reportedly passing through other markets before reaching Somali buyers.

The warehouse initiative is intended to strengthen commercial links and create further opportunities for trade and investment between the two countries.

The meeting was attended by Uganda’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Haruna Kasolo; Minister of State for Defence and Veteran Affairs, Huda Abason Oleru; Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Vincent Bagiire; and Uganda’s ambassador to Somalia, Sam Tulya-Muhika.

GAROWE ONLINE