Uganda bombings highlight need for new US policy on Somalia
厂耻苍诲补测鈥檚 may be the actions of Somalia鈥檚 Al Shabab group, which claimed responsibility on Monday. The claim is more than plausible. Uganda has been a strong supporter of the American military role in Somalia and has even provided a contingent of troops to the American-led effort 鈥� and training of pro-US Somali forces on .
Al Shabab . The in the sad events of yesterday seems clear: revenge.
And there鈥檚 the real . The Bush-era US policy toward Somalia has not yet been revised under the Obama administration; that the policy urgently needs revision 鈥� perhaps radical revision 鈥� is a 鈥渘o brainer.鈥� James Traub, in the current issue of Foreign Policy, on Somalia; is anyone in the Obama administration listening?
That Shabab-directed violence may now be spilling into Uganda adds urgency to the importance of crafting a US policy toward Somalia that reflects the realities on the ground, which include the de facto partition of this geographically well-endowed region into three autonomous 鈥減rovinces.鈥� For Uganda, the time may also have come to review its explicit support for US military actions in Somalia; such a review need not occur because of the menace of Shabab and the threat of continued terrorist attacks against innocent Ugandans as well as foreign guests, but stands on its own merits.
Having spent many pleasant and productive days in Kampala, I hope the city soon returns to 鈥渘ormal.鈥� Kampala is perhaps the most peaceful, crime-free large cities in the entire African continent. Whatever shortcomings shown by Uganda鈥檚 often-criticized and autocratic president, Yoweri Museveni, he deserves great credit and respect for Kampala鈥檚 tranquility. The city is safe than any of similar size that I know in the US, for instance. And because of Kampala鈥檚 charms, which include its position on a tropical plateu, the city is a magnet for talented people throughout East Africa.
In the days ahead, look for understanding to the writings of the city鈥檚 great newspaper, The Monitor, and its fine political commentator, .
--- G. Pascal Zachary blogs at .
