by Ahmed Ismail
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
The year is mid 2012; President Museveni is in his second term of office after becoming a victor in a hotly-contested election against a united opposition. In the same year, Mr Museveni is awarded the most prestigious award- the Nobel Peace Prize for bringing peace and stability to Somalia where the American and the Ethiopian military might was humiliated and embarrassed by a bunch of ‘Somali warriors’ dressed in sandals and kanzus.
This time again, pacifying Somalia came with high costs in terms of civilian deaths both in Mogadishu and Kampala and his Excellency knew this very well before he led his army under the auspices of an African Union (AU) mandate to restore peace and stability in a country that has been in turmoil for the last 21 years!
Museveni commands the deadly battleground and confronts al Shabaab, vows to root out extremists in Somalia, winning the hearts and minds of the Somali people. As his army nears victory, Somalis ask who this guy is; sacrificing a lot to make this country stable? And they add, “He looks like us, hope he is not another warlord who is trying to capture power!”
The Ugandan army restores calm in Somalia, facilitates peace talks and participates in peace-building, disarmament, demobilisation and rehabilitation, warning Somali politicians NOT to disturb this peace or else “We’ll will be back!”
In the end, the Ugandan army withdraws from Somalia with smiles as President Museveni concludes a job well done.
In September 2012, he addresses the UN General Assembly and speaks for more than six hours; lecturing world leaders on how to defeat terrorists, restore peace and stability in Africa. He inquires if Iraq and Afghanistan are still burning and declares, “My boys are ready…just in case!”
Museveni will add this achievement to his brilliant CV, following his role in liberating Rwanda, kicking dictator Mobutu Sese Seko out of Zaire, defeating domestic rebel groups like the LRA and ADF and making Uganda the third largest economy in the region.
The world is divided on Museveni’s Nobel Peace Prize. Most human rights organisations question his record on democracy, rule of law, and respect for human rights. Nobody listens.
Somalia is back on its feet, picking its pieces as it tries to rebuild. The people of Somalia are celebrating on the dusty streets of Mogadishu, carrying posters, some reading, “Thank you Uganda, We love you Museveni, We shall offer you our daughters.” (In modern Somali culture a girl is given out as gift to a man who has done a lot for her family).
In the end, democracy flourishes in Somalia. There is sense of law and order and the economy is growing. Foreign Direct Investments begin to pour in, the tourist sector records the highest numbers of visitors in the region, Somalia beaches are filled to capacity. Government institutions are functioning and people in the Diaspora are also back, fundamental freedoms are respected as piracy becomes history. This is Somalia 2013!
Thank You, Your Excellency President Museveni!
Mr Ismail is a human rights student at Makerere University
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