Military brass from East Africa don't usually travel to the Middle East to chat about postwar stabilization. Yet, senior officers from Uganda and Burundi recently touched down in Israel. They headed straight for the US-led Civil-Military Coordination Center in Kiryat Gat. Their mission? Finalizing terms to send hundreds of boots on the ground into Gaza.
If you are wondering why nations from the African Union are stepping up when major global powers are holding back, you have to look past the surface headlines. This isn't just about a fragile ceasefire. It is a high-stakes calculation involving financial backing, military survival, and geopolitical maneuvering under the umbrella of US President Donald Trump’s proposed "Board of Peace".
The Reality of the Proposed Gaza Force
Let's look at the numbers. The international stabilization force envisioned by American Maj. Gen. Jasper Jeffers is supposed to hit roughly 20,000 personnel. Right now, it is nowhere near that target.
Indonesia prepared an 8,000-strong contingent, but put those plans on ice following direct military flashpoints involving the US, Israel, and Iran. Other nations have offered much smaller token forces: Morocco has pledged about 500 troops, while Kosovo, Kazakhstan, and Albania combined are sending a modest 80.
Into this vacuum step Uganda and Burundi. Uganda's parliament cleared the deployment of roughly 1,200 personnel, and military officials are actively selecting troops. Burundi's delegation, featuring at least three senior officers, signaled clear intent to follow suit, though final political rubber-stamping back home is still pending.
Why East African Militaries Fit the Bill
Security experts aren't surprised by this pairing. Paul D. Williams, a security policy scholar at George Washington University, points out that both nations possess extensive, hard-earned peacekeeping experience. For years, Ugandan and Burundian forces have formed the backbone of the African Union mission fighting Al-Shabaab in Somalia.
They know asymmetric warfare. They know hostile environments. More importantly, their leadership has shown a high tolerance for operational casualties without panicking or pulling out prematurely.
At the same time, domestic realities play a huge role. The long-running mission in Somalia is slowly winding down. Militaries that rely on international deployments for operational experience, global standing, and foreign financial support need new horizons. Deploying to Gaza with active US backing provides precisely that lifeline. The Trump administration recently signaled its financial commitment, telling Congress it is routing over $206 million toward the proposed peacekeeping framework.
The Stumbling Blocks on the Ground
Getting countries to volunteer troops is only half the battle. The entire framework remains paralyzed by fundamental disagreements between the primary actors.
The diplomatic math doesn't work yet. Hamas has generally expressed willingness to accept the Board of Peace framework, which envisions a technocratic committee running civilian affairs in Gaza while an international force handles policing, aid distribution, and ceasefire monitoring.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government has rejected these terms. Israel currently maintains control over roughly 60 percent of the strip and demands the absolute, total disarmament of Hamas before any military withdrawal takes place. Until that gap closes, troops from Kampala and Bujumbura will remain in a holding pattern, training for a mission whose starting gun hasn't actually fired.
What Happens Next
Critics back in Uganda are already questioning the wisdom of inserting national troops into a volatile Middle Eastern theatre, especially when Uganda currently holds the chair of the Non-Aligned Movement and risks diplomatic overreach.
Yet, military planners in East Africa are playing a long game. If the diplomatic deadlock breaks and the international force finally deploys, these troops will find themselves front and center in reshaping postwar Gaza.
They aren't going there for charity. They are going because international military deployments offer tangible dividends in funding, strategic alliances, and global relevance. Whether that gamble pays off depends entirely on whether Washington can force a compromise between an entrenched Israeli leadership and a cornered militant group.
For now, the boots are being picked, the briefings in Kiryat Gat are happening, and the rest of the world is waiting to see if the plan survives first contact with reality.
Uganda and Burundi Military Officials Visit Israel to Discuss Gaza Security Force Deployment
This article provides an in-depth look at the recent diplomatic and military meetings between East African defense officials and Israeli authorities regarding the proposed Gaza stabilization force.
