Omanghana
Uganda and Burundi have taken further steps towards expanding military cooperation with Israel as both East African nations consider contributing troops to a proposed international stabilization force.
Delegations from Kampala and Gitega are reportedly working with Israeli defense officials to finalize operational arrangements, including the force’s mandate, deployment conditions, logistics and rules of engagement.
Under the proposal, participating troops would operate in designated areas administered by a transitional technocratic committee. Their responsibilities would include monitoring security agreements, protecting post-conflict administrative structures and supporting wider demilitarisation efforts.
The proposed force is expected to serve as a security buffer during a transitional period, helping to prevent renewed fighting while civilian institutions and essential public services are restored.
Authorities in Uganda and Burundi have reportedly indicated their willingness to secure the necessary legislative approvals for the mission. Their respective parliaments would be expected to review and authorise any formal troop deployment.
Uganda has signalled its readiness to contribute more than 1,200 personnel. Discussions are continuing over entry arrangements, command structures, operational boundaries, troop protection and logistical support.
Burundi is also involved in negotiations to determine the size and responsibilities of its possible contingent. The final level of participation will likely depend on the force’s legal foundation, international backing and agreed operational mandate.
Uganda’s possible involvement reflects its long-standing security relationship with Israel. The two countries have maintained cooperation in intelligence, defence technology, military training and other security-related areas.
Kampala has also frequently supported Israel’s security concerns in diplomatic engagements, making Uganda a potentially important African partner in any internationally backed stabilisation arrangement.
Both Uganda and Burundi bring substantial peacekeeping and expeditionary experience to the proposed mission. The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces and the Burundi National Defence Force have served as major troop contributors to multinational security operations in the Horn of Africa.
Their forces have played significant roles in African Union missions in Somalia, including the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia. Those deployments have provided both militaries with experience in urban security, counterterrorism, civilian protection and operating within multinational command structures.
However, several important questions remain unresolved, including the force’s international legal mandate, financing, command structure, duration and accountability mechanisms.
The involvement of African troops in a politically sensitive post-conflict environment could also attract domestic and international scrutiny. Uganda and Burundi may therefore seek firm guarantees concerning troop protection, operational independence and the limits of their responsibilities before approving a deployment.
If concluded, the arrangement would mark a significant expansion of military engagement between Israel and the two East African countries. It would also highlight the growing role of experienced African troop-contributing nations in international efforts to manage post-conflict security and political transitions.
Source: Omanghana
