Three Amisom conditions that stilled a political storm in Mogadishu

18/09/2011 – Mogadishu, Somalia – Commander of UPDF Land Forces Lieutenant General Edward Katumba Wamala inspects Bakaara Market with Contingent Commander Paul Lokech (centre), the key economic hub of Mogadishu, . Al-Shabaab withdrew from the capital on August 6th 2011. Photo: Amisom

Brigadier Gen. Paul Lokech who heads the Ugandan contingent under Amisom issued three conditions to the Lower House leaders Wednesday as the anti-Jawari motion tirade hit the crescendo.

Gen. Lokech who spoke passionately about the need for sobriety in the ongoing crisis reminding politicians the sacrifices made thus far towards Somalia’s recovery made it clear to the lawmakers he also had the option of pulling out ‘and I leave you sort out your problems’.

His first condition was for parliament to agree with the executive to let his forces take charge until a solution is arrived at.

“I gave three option to the Professor (Jawari). One is for them to accept with the Executive that we take charge of the whole of parliament so that you deliberate in a free atmosphere.”

Given the history of the push and pull then break which has defined the political crisis since early March, Gen. Lokech dropped in a second option. “The second option is that if they (talks) fail we look for a neutral ground.”

But the hard battled led the Ugandan soldiers to liberate Mogadishu in 2011 from the stranglehold of Al-Shabaab wasn’t done yet and pulled his last and most difficult of options.

“The third option which is the worst case scenario was for me to pull out and leave you to sort out your problems.”

He however noted for the third option, ‘I will have done a disservice to my people’.

We agreed, the army man said, ‘That Parliament through the Speaker be suspended for a period of time.’

Gen. Lokech told the lawmakers he had to pull out of the front-line to help in the political dispute appealing to the lawmakers to make good use of the negotiations for a way forward.

“This country is enough for all of you, nobody will be closed outside the door. We need to accept one another.”

“I will also take the same message that I got from the honorable Speaker to the Executive to tell them we have called off so that dialogue continues until we secure parliament and the time which the speaker will instruct the Chief whip to call Parliament so that people can sit in an atmosphere where there is no intimidation.”