Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has used the recent US military operation in Venezuela, which resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro — as a stark warning for Africa. In a recent engagement with youth leaders and social media influencers in Kampala, Museveni emphasized the need for greater African unity and strategic security to counter potential external interference.
The Venezuela Context as a Wake-Up CallMuseveni described the US actions in Venezuela as unclear but illustrative of broader global power dynamics. He noted that while the United States holds overwhelming superiority in air, sea, and space domains, ground confrontations could prove costly for any aggressor.
A key quote from the President:
"Although the Americans are powerful in the air and navy, but if they come within close range on land, we can defeat them."
He argued that Africa's historical failure to achieve full political and security integration has left the continent vulnerable to similar pressures from global powers.
Call for Pan-African IntegrationDrawing on past missed opportunities, such as the reluctance of leaders like Jomo Kenyatta and Apollo Milton Obote to pursue deeper East African federation - Museveni renewed his push for unity. He highlighted East Africa's potential, suggesting the use of Kiswahili as a unifying language and stressing the importance of collective defense capabilities across land, sea, air, and space.
"We can't remain here when other people are in space and say we are clever. You should wake up. East Africa has all the potential. We are very strong."
Museveni framed the Venezuela crisis as exposing the risks of remaining "big fish in small ponds," urging African nations to prioritize strategic security to avoid exploitation in an increasingly multipolar and militarized world.
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