Museveni Advocates for Regional Integration to Ensure Africa’s Strategic Security and Growth

 

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President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has stressed the importance of regional integration in Africa to achieve strategic security, economic growth, and political stability. During a lecture to a delegation of military officers from the Algerian High War College, President Museveni emphasized that overcoming historical rivalries and fostering unity in the Maghreb region is vital for long-term peace and resilience in Africa.

The Maghreb region, which includes Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, and Tunisia, holds great potential as a powerful center of influence, according to the President. He noted that regional integration, particularly among countries in the Maghreb, is crucial for the continent's future success. Museveni reflected on his own experiences with the region, recalling his familiarity with Arabic and his admiration for former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi’s vision of a united Maghreb.

The 19-member delegation from Algeria, led by Brig. Gen. Benhamouda Rabal, was visiting President Museveni at his country home in Rwakitura on February 28, 2025. The group included military students and staff from Algeria, France, Palestine, and Uganda. In welcoming them, President Museveni praised Algeria's historical role in supporting African liberation movements, particularly its contribution to the anti-colonial struggles in Mozambique.

During the lecture, President Museveni highlighted that East African integration, as part of the broader African integration process, is a cornerstone for ensuring strategic security and prosperity across the continent. He pointed to the ongoing instability in Libya as an example of how lack of unity and integration can lead to chaos, urging African nations to take a more active role in stabilizing regions such as North Africa.

"How can this happen? And Africans are just sitting here. It’s not good," Museveni remarked, expressing concern over the prolonged instability in Libya. He further stated that Africa must look to successful examples of regional integration, such as the United States, which has had a unified approach to security and economic development for over 120 years.

Addressing the importance of technological advancement, the President warned that Africa’s lag in technology had contributed to the continent’s colonization and continues to hinder its progress. He argued that without integration, Africa would struggle to compete with powerful nations like the U.S., Russia, and China, particularly in areas like space exploration and military capabilities.

Museveni also discussed the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a critical step toward economic prosperity but emphasized that achieving long-term security through political integration is equally important. He reiterated his long-standing support for the East African Federation, noting that without strong regional unity, Africa’s strategic security would remain a distant dream.

On the topic of Africa’s representation at the United Nations Security Council, President Museveni revealed that two rotational seats for the African Union had been agreed upon, ensuring broader representation and preventing a few countries from monopolizing Africa’s influence on the global stage.

In an interactive session, President Museveni addressed the ideological and strategic challenges facing some African leaders, attributing much of the continent's underdevelopment to a lack of patriotism, pan-Africanism, and socio-economic transformation. He reflected on Uganda's history, highlighting the importance of the private sector in driving economic growth and how Uganda had learned from past mistakes, including the expulsion of Asians under Idi Amin's regime.

Brig. Gen. Rabal, speaking on behalf of the Algerian delegation, expressed deep gratitude for the warm hospitality and the insightful exchange of ideas. He commended President Museveni for his wisdom and the valuable lessons shared during the visit.

The delegation’s visit included a tour of key Ugandan institutions, such as the UPDF headquarters, the Ministry of Defense, and various government ministries, giving them a broader understanding of Uganda’s military and strategic operations.

The visit and President Museveni’s lecture reinforced his vision of a united Africa where regional integration is central to achieving peace, prosperity, and security across the continent.