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The words of the US State Department in the direction of Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni were, by diplomatic practice, extremely clear.

They are "deeply concerned" by the "many credible reports" of irregularities during the election, condemn the "ongoing attacks on political candidates" and call on the government to prosecute "those responsible".

You plan to take your own measures.

Museveni, who has ruled for 35 years, was confirmed in office on Saturday while challenger Bobi Wine was placed under house arrest by the army.

The Internet remains switched off nationwide, and the army and police killed dozens of demonstrators in the election campaign.

Security forces march in front of the polling station in Magere, where the president's challenger, Bobi Wine, is expected to vote

Source: AFP

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And the EU?

Their top diplomat in Uganda, Atillio Pacifici, was quoted as saying that they had "extremely well organized elections" and that everything "went off very peacefully".

Pacifici later denied it on Twitter.

His statements were "taken out of context", the report "misleading".

That is quite possible. Before the election there were also warnings from the EU to the security forces.

But clear and direct words to Uganda's government such as those from the USA were still missing on Sunday afternoon.

Europeans evidently shy away from conflict

The EU representative office in the country said that no election observation mission was sent and no assessment was made.

Now would have been the right time to finally announce officially that such a mission - unlike in the previous three elections - was not invited at all.

That was the main reason, not the corona virus.

The EU had offered the posting in vain.

Has ruled for 35 years: Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni

Source: AFP

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The silence is devastating.

It confirms Museveni's belief that the West depends on him.

The trouble spots are increasing in East Africa, and Uganda is an important partner in the fight against terrorism in East and Central Africa, especially in Somalia.

The US is obviously much less afraid of this conflict than the EU.

Rightly.

Because one will hardly be able to comment credibly on future developments relating to elections in other countries if one makes the handling of human rights violations dependent on the strategic importance of the perpetrators.