Museveni Meets Sudan Foreign Minister

By Felix Osike SUDAN and Uganda have agreed to upgrade their diplomatic representation to ambassadorial level as a final step towards the normalisation of relations. The current representation is at charge d’affaires level.In a joint communique issued on Saturday after talks between the Sudanese foreign affairs minister, Mustafa Osman Ismail and his Ugandan counterpart, James Wapakhabulo, in Kampala, the two countries also agreed to establish a joint ministerial committee to supervise the resumption of full bilateral relations. The committee will be under the joint chairmanship of the ministers of foreign affairs of both countries.Osman was in Uganda to deliver a special message from Sudanese leader Gen. Omar El Bashir to President Yoweri Museveni.He met Museveni at State House Nakasero on Friday. “It is a leap forward towards the normalisation of our relations,” said the Sudanese Charge d’Affaires in Kampala, Mohammed Sirajjudin.Sources said “Operation Iron Fist, “ by the UPDF against the Lords Resistance Army rebels of Joseph Kony was discussed. The ministers agreed to discuss in advance their respective positions, in case of differences before taking any action on international issues. Uganda recently voted against Sudan in a European Union-sponsored resolution condemning the human rights record in Sudan. Sources said Osman raised the matter with the president. The conflict in Southern Sudan was discussed.Ends