The Trump and Brexit votes are a “nationalist backlash against Western liberalism” triggered by the consequences of Western military adventurism – something Africans should not still be putting up with, President Yoweri Museveni says in a long article this website published on Wednesday night.
“The promoters of attacks in the Middle East and North Africa, provoked a human exodus that has caused the backlash bringing down [former UK prime minister] Mr Cameron and [US presidential contender] Mrs Clinton. Although immigration is not the only reason that brought down those groups, it is certainly one of them,” part of Museveni’s statement said.
Mr Museveni said that while the US invasion of Afghanistan was justified following the 9/11 attacks, the invasion of Iraq and ousting of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi were not – and they have caused “human disasters” in the Middle East and Africa.
Libya, previously a source of investment and employment for the rest of Africa, is now an exporter of arms and militancy, he said.
“Why should Africa tolerate such disruption on her territory caused, in part, by foreigners?” he questioned.
Allowing Western countries to attack Libya without an African response was a “betrayal” of Libya, the Ugandan leader said- even though he also said he was “caught by surprise” by the intervention.
To prevent such events in the future, he proposed an African version of the “Monroe doctrine” – a pact whereby interference with any part of Africa is viewed as a hostile act towards the continent as a whole.
“The AU needs to put out a ‘Monroe doctrine’ of sorts to all and sundry. Africa has its owners – the Africans… Africans should not tempt greedy or confused foreigners into the temptation of interfering with us by being weak.”
