African Unions's 5,000 Troops for Burundi was a Gimmick
Following the crisis in Burundi, the
African Union (AU) threatened to act and ‘terrified’ the world with how ready
and prepared it was to ensure that Burundi does not go down South. It so appeared
that the AU had learnt; learnt lessons that came with the post-Cold war complex
emergencies that hit Africa hard. Who has forgotten Rwanda? I haven’t. Why would
the AU do? So the continental body posed as though it was really concerned about
the grave situation in Burundi and that it was doing everything in its power to
ensure that Burundi does not go the Rwanda way.
We could see it; see like the AU was
really concerned. That the continental body was actually doing something about the
situation in Burundi and that the AU was in control. So there were statements
and resolutions emanating from its capital Addis Ababa. For instance, there was
this famous one; a decision by the AU to deploy 5,000 troops to Burundi. At
first this sounded like a great idea. But come to think about it! Was the AU
serious? Was that even feasible? Look at the sheer number. Look at the
challenges of the mandate and the legal huddles (for instance, Burundi already declared
to fight the force if it set foot on her soil). But, even more interesting is
this; where was that force to be stationed? Where would the AU organize the
5,000 troops from? I mean, where would they put the base? Uganda? No. Because
Museveni had no moral authority. Rwanda. No. Because Kagame had taken a side.
Tanzania? No. Because Tanzania is always Burundi’s godfather. Democratic
Republic of Congo (DRC)? No. Because Kabila was busy doing something not so
different from Nkurunziza’s. Kenya? Perhaps yes. But what about the logistical
nightmare given the distance.
Looking at it a little carefully tells
you that there was not such a possibility for the AU to deploy any force in Burundi.
It was just a gimmick. The AU had to appear to be concerned; appear to be
working; appear to be responsible; appear to be ready; appear to be prepared; appear
to be proactive; appear to have learned its lessons and above all appear to be offering
African solutions to African problems. Having said that; what again is holding
back the AU standby force?
African Unions's 5,000 Troops for Burundi was a Gimmick
Reviewed by Ibrahim Magara
on
May 12, 2017
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