Audio By Carbonatix
Ugandan authorities sought and won parliamentary approval Thursday to deploy troops to Gaza as part of the international force proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace to secure the territory following the devastating Israel-Hamas war.
The successful motion, brought by the defense minister, is Uganda’s first public indication of its willingness to join the International Stabilization Force for Gaza. Morocco also has pledged troops for the mission.
It was not immediately clear why Uganda agreed to deploy in Gaza, or if there was a quid pro quo involved, and some opposition lawmakers immediately questioned Uganda’s motive in the decision. Lawmaker Hassan Kirumira said the deployment would raise “diplomatic concerns” for a country that is a member of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
The “big question” for supporters of the deployment to clarify is: “On which side is our army going to fight?” he said in parliament.
Defense Minister Kiryowa Kiwanuka, seeking the support of lawmakers, cited Uganda’s military capabilities stemming from its peacekeeping deployments in countries such as Somalia.
The force, proposed by Trump’s Board of Peace in February, would be led by American Maj. Gen. Jasper Jeffers, who said in May that the 20,000-strong force would ensure “future prosperity and enduring peace.”
Last week Trump announced a deal for Hamas to disarm and for Israel to withdraw its forces from Gaza. According to that deal, the International Stabilization Force would be deployed to Gaza after the completion of a phased withdrawal of Israeli troops.
The agreement, part of a broader ceasefire deal reached last year, calls for Israel to cease its military operations and for Hamas and its allies in Gaza to halt all militant activity. The agreement also laid out in general terms what the decommissioning process would look like.
After the text of the agreement was released, Israel said it had “serious security concerns” and that it shared those with the U.S.
Israeli attacks have killed 1,250 people since the ceasefire deal was reached in October, an agreement that ended major fighting in the Israel-Hamas war that had raged for two years.
Latest Stories
-
Savio scores on debut as Spurs bounce back to beat Charlton
3 hours -
Uefa to push to remove Infantino after dropping boycott
3 hours -
GH¢1.7bn GoldBod loss misconstrued – IEA
3 hours -
Mahama unveils Bawku Revitalisation Fund Committee
3 hours -
Christians urged not to hide their gifts for church development
3 hours -
Deputy AG punches holes in Hannan’s counsels’ letters, medical reports
4 hours -
Field cashier of Cooperative Credit Union remanded for stealing
4 hours -
Ghana Armwrestling Federation engages Egyptian Ambassador over sports collaboration
4 hours -
NSMQ 2026: Augusco declared winners, book quarter-final spot after Anlo, Kumasi High walk off
4 hours -
Mourinho says hat-trick hero Mbappe hungry for Real Madrid history
4 hours -
Democracy Cup 2026: Winner to play in the United States in May 2027
4 hours -
NSMQ 2026: St. John’s Grammar knocks Mpraeso SHS off seeded spot, advances to quarter-finals
4 hours -
Rashid Pelpuo welcomes new role, thanks Mahama for keeping him in government
5 hours -
Mahama inaugurates committee to oversee GH¢1bn Bawku Revitalisation Fund
5 hours -
Berko’s US conviction does not automatically establish Ghana bribery claims – OSP
5 hours