A military tribunal in Uganda has rendered a verdict against two officers who exhibited cowardice during an assault by Islamist insurgents on an African Union outpost in Somalia. Majors Zadock Abor and John Oluka absconded from their post when al-Shabab militants launched a deadly attack on the base at Bulo Marer, situated south of the capital Mogadishu.
The assault resulted in the loss of at least 50 Ugandan soldiers, marking one of the most devastating encounters for the African Union force, known as AMISOM, since its escalated offensive against al-Shabab last year. Uganda is an integral part of the African Union mission dedicated to supporting the Somali government in combatting the al-Qaeda affiliate, al-Shabab.
Expressing disappointment in the military’s response, Uganda’s President, Yoweri Museveni, admonished the actions of the commanders. During the proceedings in Mogadishu, the Ugandan military court heard that the officers had been forewarned about the impending attack but did not take effective measures to thwart it.
As al-Shabab insurgents overran the base, Abor and Oluka failed to rally their troops and instead fled to seek refuge at another base. Consequently, both officers have been relieved of their duties and dismissed from the army. Furthermore, four non-commissioned officers were also found culpable for their negligence in safeguarding military equipment.
Since its deployment in 2007, the 19,000-strong African Union force has played a key role in expelling al-Shabab from numerous urban centers in Somalia. Despite plans to transfer security responsibilities to the Somali government forces and exit the country next year, the campaign against al-Shabab has encountered impediments, with the group retaining control over many rural areas.
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BBC/Jide Johnson
