Museveni to Malian Officers: Pan-Africanism Key to Africa's Prosperity and Security

President Yoweri Museveni has called on African military officers to champion the cause of Pan-Africanism, economic integration, and strategic security. Speaking to a delegation of 37 student officers from Mali’s War College at State House Entebbe, Museveni highlighted three historical missions for the continent: achieving prosperity, ensuring security, and promoting continental unity.

Drawing on his extensive experience in African affairs, Museveni, who identifies as a Pan-Africanist, stressed that political independence alone is insufficient without robust economic production and expanded markets. He explained that prosperity stems from creating goods and services that others are willing to buy, not from external aid.

Museveni used his experience as a cattle farmer to illustrate the importance of wider markets beyond tribal or national boundaries. He noted that as production increases, regional integration becomes an economic necessity. “Pan-Africanism is not just an ideology; it is an economic necessity,” he stated, advocating for a shift from subsistence agriculture to commercial production for both consumption and income.

Regarding security, the President underscored that economic progress is vulnerable without strong defense capabilities. He warned that even significant achievements can be lost if a nation cannot defend itself against external threats. Museveni also pointed out that modern warfare has expanded into new domains, making closer political and military cooperation among African nations increasingly vital.

He welcomed the cooperative efforts among Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, seeing them as steps towards enhancing the continent’s sovereignty and development. Museveni cautioned that the “new scramble for Africa” is a consequence of the continent’s failure to unite effectively after gaining independence.

The Malian delegation expressed gratitude for Uganda’s commitment to peace, unity, and African-led solutions, acknowledging Museveni as a leading Pan-Africanist figure.

Source: Nile Post