Uganda and Burundi are in talks with Israel to join a US‑Trump‑initiated international peace force for Gaza. The move aims to buttress a fragile cease‑fire, even as troop contributions fall short of the 20,000‑strong target.

  • Uganda secured parliamentary approval and is finalising a 1,200‑troop contribution to the Gaza peace force.
  • Burundi’s military delegation is still negotiating in Israel; a final decision is expected soon.
  • The international goal is 20,000 soldiers, but current commitments total well under 2,000.

Uganda and Burundi are negotiating with Israel to send troops as part of a Trump‑backed international security force designed to stabilise Gaza. The discussions are taking place under the U.S. President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” framework, which seeks to reinforce the fragile cease‑fire that began in October 2025.

Ugandan officials joined a Burundian military delegation in Israel last week. Uganda’s parliament approved the mission earlier this month, paving the way for roughly 1,200 Ugandan soldiers to be deployed. Burundi has not yet made a public commitment, but its senior military officer indicated strong interest in joining the effort.

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If Burundi proceeds, the two African nations would stand alongside Morocco, Kosovo, Kazakhstan and Albania as contributors to the proposed Gaza force. Morocco has pledged up to 500 troops, Kosovo, Kazakhstan and Albania together about 80, and Indonesia once announced a potential 8,000‑troop commitment that was later paused.

The 20,000‑strong force will be led by U.S. Major General Jasper Jeffers. Its core tasks include monitoring the cease‑fire, training Palestinian police, and securing the delivery of humanitarian aid. Trump’s recent deal calls for Hamas to disarm and Israel to withdraw its forces, but disagreements over the pace of withdrawal and disarmament have stalled progress.

The cease‑fire, which took effect in October 2025, has stalled over Israel’s reluctance to pull back from roughly 60 % of Gaza and Hamas’s incomplete disarmament. Earlier this month, a U.S. delegation held lengthy talks with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, yet no concrete commitments emerged.

Paul D. Williams, director of the security policy studies programme at The George Washington University, notes that Uganda and Burundi bring extensive peace‑keeping experience from long‑standing African Union missions in Somalia against al‑Shabab. He adds that, with the Somalia mission winding down, both nations are seeking financial and material support for their militaries, and a Gaza deployment backed by the U.S. offers a viable avenue.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that African participation not only reshapes the geopolitical balance but also tests the credibility of the Trump‑endorsed peace initiative on the world stage.

"Deploying troops to Gaza gives African forces a strategic foothold in a high‑profile international security operation," said a security analyst.
Did You Know?: Uganda has contributed over 15,000 soldiers to African Union peace missions since the 1990s.

Frequently Asked Questions

What specific roles will Ugandan and Burundian troops perform?
They will monitor the cease‑fire, train Palestinian police units, and protect humanitarian aid convoys.

Is the 20,000‑troop target realistic?
While the target remains ambitious, current commitments are far below it, making the goal uncertain.