UK prepared to send peacekeeping troops to Africa

About 70 British troops would go to Somalia and up to 300 would be deployed in South Sudan. The British government said the deployments "will support efforts by the United Nations and African Union to end some of the world's most destabilizing conflicts."

Some observers are critical of possible British involvement in those two countries. They include Agina Ojwang, a human rights lawyer based in Nairobi, Kenya.

DW: How effective would this involvement be in the fight against terrorism?

Agina Ojwang: The problem that is bedeviling South Sudan today was created by the British over 60 years ago. Their presence there will not be welcomed because apart from South Sudan, there are also still problems in the west of Sudan, in Darfur and East Sudan. The presence of British soldiers there, advising the South Sudanese army or training them, will not be a welcome move to those who are still fighting for their freedom in South Sudan.

Secondly, the offer is coming before the establishment of the transitional government, with which it ought to be negotiated. So it will be seen as a sort of ploy to boost Salva Kiir's regime vis-à-vis the other part of the government headed by Riek Machar. That, too, will make it unwelcome.

Thirdly, why was this gesture not there when South Sudan became independent, when it needed this type of military mission to help it transform its army from a guerrilla force into a regular army? The British kept their distance. So many people are asking: Why now?

The problem in Somalia is part of the remnants of colonialism, when Somalia was divided into Italian Somalia and British Somalia. The presence of British soldiers will be seen as boosting the former British Somalia vis-à-vis former Italian Somalia.

So if British intervention is not exactly welcome, what would be the best option for these two countries as far as maintaining peace and fighting terrorism is concerned?

The best way forward for the two countries is what is already happening. Let the United Nations have the mandate and seek offers from countries who will give their soldiers to help in the task of training and advising on anti-terrorism techniques. Individual countries that have failed in the Middle East, in Afghanistan and in Iraq coming to Africa to be the same failure - they will not be welcome.

What can you tell me about the current situation in the two countries?

The current situation in South Sudan is that the peace agreement is not being implemented by one side, that is the Salva Kiir side of the SPLA. Instead, it is taking actions that are meant to sabotage and scuttle the implementation. So it is putting countries that helped to cobble together that agreement in a difficult situation whereby they will be seen as being against the Salva Kiir wing of the government and being supportive of Riek Machar. It is a situation that needs to be arrested, and it can only be arrested by the United Nations beginning to implement the agreement rather than waiting for an OK from Salva Kiir.

Agina Ojwang is a human rights lawyer based in Nairobi, Kenya

Interview: Jane Ayeko