Geopolitics, defence imports, security and the region’s oil and gas
findings were at the centre of last week’s visits to the region by the
presidents of South Korea and Turkey, and the United Kingdom’s foreign
affairs minister. TEA GRAPHIC | NATION MEDIA GROUP
By ALLAN OLINGO
In Summary
- Geopolitics, defence imports, security and the region’s oil and gas findings were at the centre of last week’s visits to the region by the presidents of South Korea and Turkey, and the United Kingdom’s foreign affairs minister.
- South Korean President Park Geun-hye was on a diplomatic charm offensive in a bid to win over Uganda and Ethiopia into military co-operation.
- Just two days after President Park’s visit, Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Kampala, Nairobi and Mogadishu, where trade and defence agreements were signed.
Geopolitics, defence imports, security and the region’s oil
and gas findings were at the centre of last week’s visits to the region
by the presidents of South Korea and Turkey, and the United Kingdom’s
foreign affairs minister.
Uganda was the greatest beneficiary: The country signed defence agreements with South Korea and Turkey.
South Korean President Park Geun-hye was on a diplomatic charm
offensive in a bid to win over Uganda and Ethiopia into military
co-operation. She was also seeking to deflate North Korea’s arms
business and military co-operation with the region; North Korea has
relied on the business for foreign currency.
Just two days after President Park’s visit, Turkey President
Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Kampala, Nairobi and Mogadishu, where trade
and defence agreements were signed.
In Uganda, President Park met senior Ugandan military officers,
and her Vice Defence Minister, Hwang In-moo, led defence talks with
officials of Uganda and Ethiopia. The talks culminated in agreements for
an exchange programme between military personnel.
“During the discussions with defence chiefs from Uganda and
Ethiopia, Hwang stressed the need to increase co-operation in the
military and defence sectors. Both sides explored avenues to improve the
defence co-operation,” Yonhap, the South Korea news agency reported,
quoting a statement from Seoul’s Defence Ministry.
Since 2013, Seoul has sold $350,000 worth of grenades, helmets,
and bulletproof jackets to Uganda: Uganda’s growing defence spending was
$288 million last year.
Turkey's Africa military facility
Meanwhile, Turkey is said to be eyeing a share of Uganda’s
military imports. Since May, Turkish police have trained more than 80
officers from Uganda in the use of riot equipment said to have been
imported from Ankara.
Turkey aims to grow its defence export earnings to $25 billion
by 2013; it is among the world’s top 15 defence exporters. The country
is renowned for the manufacture of helicopter engines, armoured land
vehicles, rockets and missiles, light weapons and defence software.
It is understood that Turkey is planning to open its first
military facility in Africa later this year, to be hosted in Somalia.
President Erdogan appraised the leaders of Uganda, Kenya and Ethiopia on
its intention to train their respective Amisom contributing troop
contingents and regional police forces.
Uganda has halted military co-operation with North Korea — the
country had sent military trainers to Uganda for many years. This is
seen as a diplomatic win for Seoul, which is expected to provide Kampala
with military technology, training and arms sale contracts.
Uganda’s Foreign Minister Sam Kutesa announced that the military
relationship with North Korea, which dates back to 2007, has come to an
end. According to a UN report, Uganda has been purchasing small arms
and ammunition from North Korea.
“We are disengaging the co-operation we have with North Korea as
a result of UN sanctions. The president has already issued directives
that we disengage with Pyongyang on police and other military
engagements,” Mr Kutesa said.
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