- On Sunday, November 9, President Yoweri Museveni spoke about the possibility of Kenya going to war with Uganda
- Museveni explained how landlocked countries in Africa are denied access to the sea, an important trade route and strategic defense
- He used specific examples to explain why the idea of countries claiming exclusive ownership of the sea should end
Uganda – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has warned of future wars if landlocked African countries continue to be denied access to the Indian Ocean.
Source: Facebook
Speaking on Sunday, November 9, Museveni lamented that it is unfair to prevent landlocked countries from accessing an important trade and strategic defense route.
What did Museveni say about the Indian Ocean?
According to the president of Uganda who served for a long time, the idea of countries claiming exclusive ownership of the sea is madness.
Using the metaphor of a condominium building, the Ugandan president compared the geographical arrangement of Africa to a shared residence where all floors have the same rights as the building.
He said that it is not reasonable for the people on the ground floor to claim exclusive ownership of the building within the apartment building.
“How can you say that you are in an apartment building and that the building belongs only to the apartments on the ground floor? The building belongs to the whole building. All the houses have the right to the building. Uganda is a landlocked area here. But where is my sea. My sea is the Indian Ocean. It is mine. I am on the top floor of the building and then you say that area belongs to those on the ground floor. This is crazy,” Museveni said as reported by Daily Monitor.
Museveni: Can Uganda go to war with Kenya?
Museveni further explained how difficult it is for his country to build a naval force for self-defense due to the fact that they do not have access to the sea.
He explained how in the past his country has had difficulty negotiating with Kenya regarding important infrastructure that requires direct access to the Indian Ocean.
“In Uganda, even if you want to build a navy, how can you build it? We don’t have access to the sea. Political organization in Africa is illogical. Some countries do not have access to the sea, not only for economic purposes but also for defense purposes. You are stuck. How can I export my goods? That’s why we have had endless discussions with Kenya. This is stopping, another one is coming. Railway and oil pipeline – we are discussing. But that sea is mine. Because it is my sea. I have the right to that sea. In in the future we will have war,” he said.
Source: Twitter
How the oil import talks between Kenya and Uganda started
In February 2024, President William Ruto and Museveni met to discuss issues concerning the license of UNOC Ltd to import oil directly through the port of Mombasa.
Ruto revealed that the agreement reached was based on finding and planning the importation of petroleum to the region to ensure competitive prices.
This followed a move by the landlocked country to threaten to move business operations to Tanzania after Kenya abandoned the open tender system.
Read ENGLISH VERSION
Do you have an exciting story that you would like us to publish? Please contact us via news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
