The Parliament of Uganda on Thursday approved the deployment of troops to the Gaza Strip as part of an international force proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump’s Peace Council to ensure security in the region following the destructive war between Israel and Hamas.
The successful vote on the defense minister’s proposal was Uganda’s first public statement of readiness to join the International Stabilization Forces for Gaza. Morocco has also pledged to provide troops for this mission.
Motives and concerns
It was not immediately clear why Uganda agreed to deploy troops to Gaza or whether a “quid pro quo” principle was at play. Some opposition lawmakers immediately questioned Uganda’s motives in this decision.
Lawmaker Hassan Kirumira stated that the deployment of troops would cause diplomatic complications for the member country of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. The main question that supporters of the deployment need to clarify is, “on whose side will our army fight?” he said in parliament.
Defense capabilities and leadership
Defense Minister Kiriowa Kiwanuka, seeking the support of lawmakers, referred to Uganda’s military capabilities acquired during peacekeeping missions in countries such as Somalia.
The forces proposed by Trump’s Peace Council in February will be led by U.S. Major General Jasper Jeffers. In May, he stated that the 20,000-strong force would ensure “a future of prosperity and lasting peace.”
Source: AP News
