KAMPALA: Speaking at the Liberation day celebrations at Kololo Independence grounds, Kampala on Wednesday afternoon, President Museveni said there is a need for African leaders to come together and find a lasting solution to the current wave of coups in several African countries.
In reference to the recent military coup d’etat against civilian President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré by mutinous soldiers in Burkina Faso, Museveni said civilian leaders have failed to build strength through strong armies.
As a result, he has invited African leaders to sit down and exchange views on how to build strength in Africa.
President Museveni insisted that the current problem of coups facing African governments, especially in the Western part of the continent can be dealt with when leaders come together to find lasting solutions.
“Here we have built some strength. we have 6000 soldiers in Somalia and have done some work there. Africa should not allow those novices to disturb our peace and agenda. We shall get in touch with West African leaders to harmonize our thinking,” he stressed.
On Monday morning, several armored vehicles from the presidential fleet, riddled with bullets, could be seen at what could be presumed as near the residence of President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré.
According to reports, security officials said, the coup was a result of Kabore’s failure to support the troops during the country’s years-long conflict with armed groups. Attacks linked to al-Qaeda and the armed group ISIL (ISIS) have exhausted Burkina Faso’s troops, claimed thousands and millions of lives, leaving thousands displaced.
Late on Monday, a group of soldiers calling themselves the Patriotic Movement for Safeguarding and Restoration, led by Lieutenant Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba appeared on state television to declare that they were in control of the county. The government and national assembly were dissolved, the constitution suspended, and closed the national borders, they said, as they also announced an overnight curfew.