Assessing the Impact of Uganda’s Participation in the African Union Mission in Somalia on its Foreign Policy Performance

Abstract

ACHATO DANIEL (2011-M172-20001) Assessing the Impact of Uganda’s Participation in the African Union Mission in Somalia on its Foreign Policy Performance In recent years, Peace Keeping Missions (PKMs) have attracted attention throughout the world especially on the issue that states which participate in PKMs are interfering in the sovereignty of other states and, therefore, contradicting the basic principles of international law and attracting unnecessary hostility towards themselves. Previous research into effect of PKMs on foreign policy 109 performance has yielded mixed results and in the Ugandan context has been minimal. What is clear, however, is that the foreign policy implementers in Uganda have embraced the idea of PKMs as is evidenced by Uganda‟s participation in the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). There are still questions though, on how participating in PKMs affects the foreign policy performance of a state. This descriptive research study sought to answer the question and provide information to various stakeholders on the effect of participation in PKM‟S, on a countries foreign policy performance. A survey questionnaire was used to collect primary data on factors that influence PKM practice, and its effect on Uganda‟s foreign policy performance. An analysis of the survey has indicated that Uganda‟s participation in AMISOM has a positive effect on foreign policy performance especially when it comes to the fulfilment of Uganda‟s foreign policy objectives such as the promotion of regional security. Results of the study further indicated that PKMs is just one of the myriad factors that affect foreign policy performance as there are many other factors that a country like Uganda needs to take into consideration regarding performance. The insights obtained from the study are of relevance to stakeholders and managers of foreign policy. Key Words: African Union Mission, Somalia, Foreign Policy Performance