Angola and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have expressed optimism that the ongoing discussions between Rwanda and Uganda to assess the implementation of the Luanda Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will yield results as the two sides met in Kampala.
By press time, the delegations from Rwanda and Uganda were still locked in talks, more than four hours after the second meeting of the AdHoc Commission opened at Speke Resort Hotel and Conference Centre Munyonyo, on the shores of Lake Victoria.
Both Angola and DRC are facilitators of the talks which are aimed at resolving issues that have led to tensions between Rwanda and Uganda.
Angola’s Minister for External Relations Manuel Domingos Augusto said that the meeting in Kampala, which happened behind closed doors should build on the progress made in the first meeting in Kigali in September to ensure further progress in the implementation process.
“In the last meeting in September in Kigali, we witnessed the political will of both governments to achieve an agreement that will further the bilateral relations of the two countries, to the benefit of the populations,”
“That shows to the world that in the spirit of African brotherhood and solidarity, Africans can find solutions to end disputes that may emerge between them by peaceful means through dialogue. Angola remains committed to these efforts to implement the Luanda MoU and is available to assist as a co-facilitator of the process,” – Domingos Augusto said.
The Angolan Minister said that they are confident that the two sister countries have all the necessary conditions to make the dialogue a success story, given the important role the two countries have in the geopolitical balance of the sub-region for the consolidation of peace and security a fundamental premise for integration.
“We are looking forward to hear from the delegations of Uganda and Rwanda positive reports that can confirm the results of the work already done,” he said
On his part, the DRC Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Interior, Security and Customary Affairs, Gilbert Kakonde Malambe, said that on behalf of President Felix Tshisekedi, DRC is in favour of normalisation of the two countries for the good of the region and continue.
“This dialogue in Kampala, which follows the one in Kigali, is happening in the context of Africans find solutions to conflicts or disputes as they used to do in the past, sitting under a tree. We believe as a continent we can find solutions to problems that affect us,” said Kakonde Malambe said, adding that DRC is confident that Rwanda and Uganda will resolve the issues.
The DRC official said that for the issues to be resolved, they have to be approached with openness, adding his government is committed to supporting the process until the concerns are effectively addressed and relations normalised.
Angola and DRC offered to facilitate the adoption and implementation of the Luanda Memorandum of Understanding signed by Presidents Paul Kagame and Yoweri Museveni of Uganda in August under the auspices of President João Lourenço.
Rwanda’s delegation is led by Amb. Olivier Nduhungirehe, the State Minister for Foreign Affairs in charge of East African Community (EAC), while the Ugandan delegation is led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Sam Kutesa.
Also on the Rwandan delegation is the Minister of Justice and Attorney General Johnston Busingye, Minister of Internal Security, Gen. Patrick Nyamvumba, the Minister of Local Government Prof. Anastase Shyaka, the Secretary General of the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) Maj. Gen Joseph Nzabamwita and the High Commissioner to Uganda Maj. Gen Frank Mugambage.
By press time, the delegations were still meeting, more than 4 hours later.
