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Presented and edited by Joseph Kizza
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 8:30 PM 

It's wrap!

Well, not entirely...but at least for this live text today. Friday promises to be busier, so let's pause a bit now. Glad you could follow along today — be sure to join me again on Friday.

Head over here to read related stories.

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 8:28 PM 

🇺🇬🇺🇿   Uganda, Uzbekistan sign MOU

Meanwhile, also during the NAM Summit, Minister Odongo and Uzbekistan's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bakhromjon Aloyev, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish diplomatic relations.

Uzbekistan will chair the Non-Aligned Movement in 2027-2029.

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 8:23 PM 

🇺🇬🇰🇵  Uganda, Korea hold bilateral meeting

On the sidelines of the NAM Summit in Kampala, Uganda's foreign affairs minister Gen. (rtd) Jeje Odongo held a bilateral meeting with Kim Son Gyong, the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs  and Special Envoy of The Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea.

"They discussed matters of mutual interest between the two countries," said the foreign affairs ministry on social media platform X.

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 7:47 PM 

EARLIER: Ministerial meeting adjourned

Earlier today, the ministerial meeting of the 19th NAM Summit was adjourned by its chairperson, Gen. (rtd) Jeje Odongo, who is Uganda's foreign affairs minister.

The adjournment followed the successful adoption of the Kampala Declaration, the Political Declaration on Palestine and the Outcome document of the NAM.

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 7:24 PM 

🇮🇳  'India stands to co-operate with NAM chair'

India's Minister of State for External Affairs and Education, Dr Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, is in Kampala and has taken part in the NAM ministerial meeting, which he said he is "delighted" to have been a part of.

"India stands ready to co-operate with NAM Chair, ensuring for [the forum] re-emerges as a force for +ve [positive] change for the Global South," he posted on social media platform X.

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 7:07 PM 

🇷🇸  'Serbia will never turn its back on its friends'

Earlier today, Serbia's First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ivica Dacic, took part in the NAM ministerial meeting, during which he delivered his statement.

He said being at the summit is "a special honour" to represent his nation, the Republic of Serbia.

"We are particularly pleased that, in the coming period, the Non-Aligned Movement will be chaired by an African country - our friend the Republic of Uganda, which, on this occasion, we also congratulate for assuming this responsible role," said Dacic.

"We are convinced that, despite the complex situation in the world, the Republic of Uganda, together with the other countries of the Movement, will work successfully to overcome all challenges and achieve our common goals."

The Serbian top minister also went on to congratulate Azerbaijan upon successfully presiding over the NAM "under no easy conditions".

"I am convinced that the Summit in Kampala will also confirm that a world in which understanding, cooperation and solidarity reign - is still possible and achievable.

"Serbia has always strived to create a fairer and better world. This is evidenced, among other things, by the fact that the former Yugoslavia, whose successors were the Republic of Serbia, was among the founders of the Non-Aligned Movement - a movement that significantly influenced the creation of international relations based on respect for the universal principles of international law and the United Nations Charter. 

"Even today, the Republic of Serbia consistently and firmly advocates for the observance of these principles," said Dacic.

"We are proud of belonging to the European family of nations, but also of the fact that we are part of both the history and the present of the Non-Aligned Movement. We will continue to conduct an independent foreign policy, based above all on the preservation of national and state interests, but always respecting the basic principles of international law.

"Regardless of whether anyone likes it or not, as well as all the pressures we are often exposed to because of it, Serbia has not and will never turn its back on its friends. We know very well that sincere friendships are rare. That's why we try to preserve and nurture such friendships, based on an indomitable libertarian spirit. 

"Events like this are a good opportunity to remind ourselves again of all the bonds that make our countries always a safe support for each other.

"The friendship and mutual respect I am talking about have been proven by many of you, present here, by showing your trust and supporting the Republic of Serbia when it was chosen as the host of the Specialized World Exhibition Expo 2027. 

"It will be a great honour and pleasure for us to host you all in Belgrade in 2027, when you will have the opportunity to feel the hospitality, characteristic of the Serbian people, and the true spirit of our country."

Read the minister's full statement here.
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 6:32 PM 

✈️ LEADERS: Who has arrived?

As of 6:30pm (Ugandan time), the following are the leaders that have arrived in Uganda for Friday's NAM heads of state and government meeting in Kampala, with more expected:

 PRESIDENTS 

▪️ Willam Ruto (Kenya)
▪️ Salva Kiir Mayardit (South Sudan)
▪️ Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (Somalia)
▪️ Ismail Omar Guelleh (Djibouti)
▪️ Emmerson Mnangagwa (Zimbabwe)
▪️ Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo (Equatorial Guinea)
▪️ Ranil Wickremesinghe (Sri Lanka)
▪️ Roch Wamytan (New Caledonia)
▪️ Željka Cvijanović (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

 VICE-PRESIDENTS 

▪️ Kassim Majaliwa (Tanzania)
▪️ Nangolo Mbumba (Namibia)
▪️ Cevdet Yılmaz (Turkey)
▪️ Salvador Valdés Mesa (Cuba)
▪️ Vo Thi Anh Xuan (Vietnam)

 PRIME MINISTERS 

▪️ Édouard Ngirente (Rwanda)
▪️ Nadir Larbaoui (Algeria)
▪️ Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Nepal)
▪️  Philip Davis (The Bahamas)

 OTHER LEADERS 

▪️ Abdul Aziz Bin Fahd Al-Said (Speaker of the Council of State of Oman)
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 6:14 PM 

✈️ WATCH: Kenyan president jets in

Earlier today, Kenyan President William Ruto jetted into the country to take part in the NAM Summit in Kampala.

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 6:11 PM 

✈️ WATCH: Equatorial Guinea leader arrives

Earier, the moment President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea landed in Uganda for the NAM Summit.


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 4:23 PM 

📸  In pictures: G77+China Summit opens

Take a look at pictures of G77+China senior officials earlier this afternoon as they convened inside the Speke Resort Convention Centre for the opening ceremony of the Third South Summit in Kampala.

The Third South Summit of the G77+China is themed 'Leaving no one behind'.

During the opening ceremony, the permanent secretary of Uganda's foreign affairs ministry, Vincent Bagiire Waiswa was unanimously elected the chairperson of the G77+China senior officials meeting.

Cuba is the current chair of this summit and will be handing over the chairmanship to Uganda for the next one year.

(All photos by taken by Eddie Ssejjoba)

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 4:00 PM 

 BREAKING NEWS 

G77+China Summit declared open

Meanwhile, Uganda's foreign affairs ministry permanent secretary, Vincent Bagiire Waiswa, has officially declared the G77+China Summit open in Munyonyo.

He says the implementation of the UN Agenda for Sustainable Development with its 17 SDGs by 2030 is "lagging, partly on account of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact".

Bagiire adds: "It is, therefore imperative, that concerted efforts are made to scale up mobilization of resources in terms of financial, capacity building and technology required to deliver the agenda and the SDGs, which mainly aim at eradicating poverty, addressing climate change and indeed leaving no-one behind."

❝The need to create opportunities for young people and harness their potential as well as achieving gender equality, among others, is more important than ever. I wish to underscore that climate change and sustainable development are two sides of the same coin.

"As you are aware, the G77 has been at the forefront of calling for the successful implementation of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

"We must remain persistent in insisting that the international community lives up to its commitments while respecting the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.

"As the G77+China, we must continue to promote and reaffirm the need to respect national sovereignty and giving positive space to developing countries while implementing internationally agreed development goals.

"We recognize the importance of adopting science, technology and innovation (STI) strategies as integral elements for achieving sustainable development. In this regard, we need to promote STI, innovation-driven development and transfer of technology through South-South co-operation while strengthening strategic partnerships with countries of the North on favourable terms.

"There is growing concern that the international financial architecture, especially the Bretton Woods institutions, is not equitable and responsive to financing the needs of developing countries. Therefore the need to reform global financial institutions and architecture, addressing related issues such as debt management and giving greater voice to developing countries are very critical for our group.

"Against this background of the valid obstacles and challenges, we need to work collectively in partnership to reassert the value of global co-operation as we seek to build a more prosperous world for all.

"I welcome you once again to Uganda and encourage you to find time to explore this country beyond Kampala once the business of the summit is over.

"It is now my honour to declare this session of senior officials of the G77+China officially open and wish you very good deliberations."
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 3:20 PM 

Oman, which joined the NAM in 1973, is also represented here in Uganda by Khalid bin Hilal Al Ma'awali from the Consultative Council of Oman, which is a bicameral parliament.
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 3:13 PM 

To be honest, it's kinda dizzying trying to keep up, but I will try my best to keep you updated on which head of state and government has arrived.

It's a steady stream now.

Big event for Uganda!
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 3:10 PM 

 BREAKING NEWS 

🇱🇰  Sri Lanka's president jets in

President Ranil Wickremesinghe of Sri Lanka is also here. His nation, located in South Asia, joined the NAM in 1961.
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 2:58 PM 

 BREAKING NEWS 

🇳🇦  Namibian VP lands in Entebbe

The planes are flying in at a steady pace.

Right now, the jet carrying the Vice-President of Namibia, Nangolo Mbumba, has touched down on the tarmac of Entebbe.

Namibia, a country in southwest Africa distinguished by the Namib Desert along its Atlantic Ocean coast, became a member of NAM in 1979.
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 2:53 PM 

 BREAKING NEWS 

🇬🇶  Equatoguinean president arrives in Uganda

President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea has arrived in Uganda for the NAM Summit.

The Equatoguinean leader is warmly received at Entebbe International Airport by foreign affairs state minister (for international affairs) Henry Okello Oryem.

Equatorial Guinea, located in Central Africa, joined NAM in 1970.
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 2:41 PM 

✈️ WATCH: Tanzanian PM flies in

Earlier today, watch the moment Tanzania's Prime Minister, Kassim Majaliwa, landed at Entebbe.


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 2:39 PM 

✈️ WATCH: Cuban VP lands at Entebbe

Footage of Cuba's Vice-President, Salvador Antonio Valdés Mesa, being received at Entebbe International Airport earlier today.


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 2:24 PM 

 BREAKING NEWS 

🇰🇪  Kenya's President jets in for NAM Summit

The latest head of state to arrive in Uganda for the 19th NAM Summit is President William Ruto of Kenya.

Ruto, Kenya's fifth president, is received on the Entebbe International Airport tarmac by Ugandan foreign affairs state ministers Henry Okello Oryem (for international affairs) and John Mulimba (for regional affairs).

Kenya, Uganda's neighbour to the east, became a member of NAM in 1964, three years after the establishment of the forum.

Meanwhile, Rwanda's Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente, already in Uganda, is leading his country's delegation at this NAM Summit.
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 1:18 PM 

💬  'Fasten your seat belts: NAM stands with Palestine'

Amb. Ayebare has said that as NAM, they are waiting for the International Court of Justice's decision on South Africa's petition accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza.

"Everybody was watching the situation in Gaza. We [NAM] have expressed solidarity with the people of Palestine. [In their report] We have focused on the ceasefire, humanitarian assistance, but we avoided divisive language," says Ayebare.

"The achievement is that we encouraged the case of South Africa to go to the court (International Court of Justice, which is also called the World Court) so that the court can determine whether there is genocide or not.

"This forum [NAM] is political, it is not judicial. I was able to convince member states that we don't need to go there. And I think that was the greatest achievement. We will be respected as NAM. People thought that it was going to be slogans, condemnations, accusations. No. We have focused on the issues, which are; people dying in Palestine, killings have to stop so that there is peace.

"Let's wait for the court, and South Africa has done well by taking the lead, and within a week, we will know. Fasten your seat belts. Once the court pronounces itself, NAM will pick it and we will talk about it and implement it in the UN," says Uganda's Permament Secretary to the UN.
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 1:07 PM 

💬  Loss & Damage Fund 'to be implemented'

Last year, the COP28 in Dubai began with a historic agreement on a Loss and Damage Fund to help developing countries cope with the effects of climate change.

"The Loss and Damage Fund is going to be institutionalized and implemented under our chairmanship and we will make sure that money is easy to access by a member state in case of a catastophe," says Amb. Ayebare.

"We are also looking at pandemics. Azerbaijan did well on COVID. They have set guidelines on how developing countries can develop vaccines, access vaccines, access medicine when there is a pandemic."

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 1:03 PM 

💬  'We are aiming for cohesion in NAM'

Back to Amb. Adonia Ayebare's interview at Munyonyo...

On Uganda's three-year chairmanship, he says: "What we are going to achieve is to make NAM more cohesive. We need to work together, avoid differences that will tear us apart.

"We are going to attempt to change the work methods. We don't need 2,000 paragraphs, we could make them shorter. This document came from Azerbaijan and it's adopted in Kampala. We will have the Uzbekistan [the next NAM Summit host] document but it will be done by Uganda," says Ayebare, who was elected the chairman of the NAM senior officials preparatory meeting.

"Under our chairmanship, we will want to change the work methods so that we are more efficient.

"We have already started: senior officials. Two days before the ministers meeting — it has never happened — we have already delivered the document. They tasted how our chairmanship is going to look like in the senior officials meeting."
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 12:45 PM 

 BREAKING NEWS 

🇹🇿  Tanzanian PM arrives in Uganda

A jet carrying Tanzania's Prime Minister, Kassim Majaliwa, has landed at Entebbe International Airport. Shortly after, Majaliwa has been received by Uganda's foreign affairs state minister (for regional affairs), John Mulimba, as he arrives to attend the 19th NAM Summit.

Tanzania has been a member of NAM since 1964, having joined a year after gaining independence.

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 12:30 PM 

💬  'If UN is not strong, NAM is not strong'

Uganda's Permanent Representative to the UN, Adonia Ayebare, has commented on the repeated calls for reforms in the UN Security Council.

"The international governance architecture is very archaic. Look at the UN Security Council: 1945 — not representative of the current reality. We have been calling it for its reform as NAM," he has told UBC TV at Munyonyo, where the 19th NAM Summit is taking place.

"We have a working group in NAM on the UN Security Council reform. Not only the Security Council, but also the international financial institutions. These global institutions are not fit for purpose. No wonder the Security Council now is irrelevant in the crisis in Gaza.

"We, as UN members NAM, it is to our benefit that the UN is strong. If the UN is stronger, we are stronger as NAM and G77. So we need to reform it that it's fit for purpose and stronger so that we can work within the UN context. If the UN is not strong, NAM is not strong."

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 12:07 PM 

Uganda to host NAM women forum secretariat

For the next three years, Uganda will lead the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) after taking over the chairship from Azerbaijan at this summit in Kampala. After taking on the mantle, the East African nation will also serve as the coordinating secretariat for all NAM activities.

Under Azerbaijan's leadership, the NAM Youth and Women Forums were established. That means Uganda has to take on the responsibility of implementing the forums' objectives.

Betty Amongi, Uganda's Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, said the women of Uganda, within the framework of NAM, are actively working towards establishing the NAM Women Forum Secretariat in Uganda.

She said this initiative aims at effectively co-ordinating matters concerning women across NAM member states over the next three years, while advocating for economic empowerment and women's leadership.
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 11:37 AM 

 BREAKING NEWS 

🇨🇺  Cuban VP arrives in Uganda

Cuba's Vice-President, Salvador Antonio Valdés Mesa, has arrived in Uganda for the 19th NAM Summit.

He has been received by Uganda's Minister in charge of the Presidency, Milly Babalanda, and Lucy Nakyobe, the Head of Public Service and Secretary to the Cabinet, who is also the chairperson of this NAM Summit's organizing committee.

Cuba, which is located where the northern Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and Atlantic Ocean meet, joined NAM in 1961.

The island nation hosted the sixth NAM Summit in September 1979 under then-President Fidel Castro and then the 14th summit in September 2006.

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 10:22 AM 

A truly Ugandan culinary delight!

Are you conflicted over what to prepare/have for lunch today? Can't blame you — what with the many options there are on the Ugandan platter!

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 9:45 AM 

WATCH: 'Proceed with your flight'

The current increased traffic at Entebbe International Airport as a result of the ongoing NAM Summit as well as the upcoming G77+China Summit immediately after should not discourage your air travel plans.

"If you have a flight, please feel free to proceed with it," says Vianney Luggya, the spokesperson of the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), during an interview with Urban TV this morning at the airport.

"We just appeal to you to plan for more time so that you are at the airport at least three hours prior to your scheduled departure time to avoid missing flights."


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 9:38 AM 

'884 delegates have arrived as of Wednesday'

This morning, Urban TV's Rush Hour show is being broadcast live from Entebbe International Airport, with an interview with Vianney Luggya, the spokesperson of the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA).

He says since CHOGM 2007, Entebbe has facilitated a number of very important people.

"We have since hosted several other high-profile conferences. They may not have been of this [NAM] magnitude, but the same airport has been facilitating various VVIPs, among others," says Luggya.

"On top of that, the last month of December was quite a busy month, partly because it is during that month that many Ugandans return home and other tourists are coming in for Christmas. So we had heavy traffic in December.

Qn: Would you compare this summit to CHOGM in terms of aviation traffic?

"So far not yet," responds Luggya.

"We had several arrivals then, but we are still expecting other arrivals, especially heads of state because that is where those that come with private jets are the ones that probably make it busier in terms of parking.

"When you look at the number of delegates we have received so far, by last night we had received about 884 delegates. Others are still coming in.

"So that traffic is expected to be higher, not just in terms of those coming in. The airport is now busy because even the stakeholders facilitating the arrivals are all operating at the airport in different ways. So that makes it a little bit busier than usual."
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 9:00 AM 

 BREAKING NEWS 

Dokolo Woman MP Cecilia Atim Ogwal dies

News emerging is that the Dokolo district Woman MP, Cecilia Ogwal, has died in hospital in India. She was 77.

Ogwal has been a member of Uganda's Parliament since 1996.

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 8:30 AM 

📝 Day four programme

Well, well, well. So what's on today's NAM Summit menu, you ask?

It will be a continuation of the ministerial meeting across the morning period until the lunch break.

The plenary session, which will be behind closed doors, will feature interactions by ministers and heads of delegation, with speakers of each member state required to compress their statements into no more than four minutes.

Later on, the plenary session will consider and adopt documents to be submitted to the heads of state. The documents will include;

▪️  Final Kampala Outcome Document, Kampala
▪️  Kampala Declaration
▪️  Declaration on Palestine

NAM ministerial meeting chair Gen. (rtd) Jeje Odongo will then deliver the closing statement.

More heads of state and government are expected to be arriving today.

Already, Presidents Salva Kiir (South Sudan), Ismail Omar Guelleh (Djibouti) and Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (Somalia) are in the country — first, to attend today's 42nd Extraordinary Session of the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government at State House Entebbe.

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 8:23 AM 

#⃣  Join the conversation

Follow the conversation on all things 19th NAM Summit on X (formerly Twitter) using the hashtag #NAMSummitUg2024.
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 8:16 AM 

🗞️ In today's New Vision

Got your copy of the New Vision yet? You can also read its electronic version 👉🏽 over here.

Watch  👇🏽


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 8:04 AM 

🖱️  Investors protection portal only a click away!

Speaking of investors, the Ugandan government created an online portal aimed at protecting prospective investors —  both foreign and domestic.

Named the Uganda Electronic Investors Protection Portal (EIPP) and launched by President Yoweri Museveni last December, the platform is managed by the Col Edith Nakalema-led State House Investors Protection Unit.

It is aimed at enabling investors to do due diligence before investing their money.

Here is all you need to know about this portal. 

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 7:45 AM 

Museveni welcomes Moroccan investor

On the sidelines of the 19th NAM Summit have been a number of related engagements. One of them is the East Africa Trade and Investment Forum, which will be wrapping up today having begun on Monday.

Here, prospective investors have been wooed to inject their money in Uganda and the wider East African region, with a promise of value for their money.

Relatedly, on Tuesday this week, President Yoweri Museveni met and held discussions with Hassan Berkani, an investor from Morocco, at State House, Entebbe. 

Berkani is the president of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services of Casablanca-Settat, a professional public establishment with legal personality and financial autonomy under the supervision of the state. 

According to a press statement by the President's press team, Museveni and Berkani centered their discussions on the exciting venture of adding value to Ugandan coffee, a move the former hailed as a significant stride towards breaking free from the shackles of raw-material dependency.

“I have been involved in the struggle against this modern slavery for Africa ─ the curse of producing raw materials for cleverer people in the world who add value to those resources and get much more value from them," said the Ugandan leader.

"A kilogramme of bean coffee of good quality may go for $2.5 (sh9,500). The same quantity of coffee roasted, grinded and packaged may go for US$40 (sh152,000). This is now where I want my brothers to liberate me from this slavery.

Museveni then went on to encourage the Moroccan investor to contribute to Uganda's transformative journey of adding value to its raw materials. 

On his part, Moroccan Berkani pledged to export Ugandan coffee to Morocco and Europe after adding value for enhanced market competitiveness. 

Expressing interest in Uganda’s diverse sectors such as infrastructure, tourism, agriculture, and industry, Berkani acknowledged the vast opportunities in Uganda.

“Your Excellency, the Kingdom of Morocco is having many bilateral agreements with different countries; out of the 82 bilateral agreements which have been signed between Morocco and various African countries in areas such as agriculture, religious tolerance, tourism, infrastructure development, among others, I am interested in knowing where Uganda’s interest would be," he said.

After further valuable guidance on potential investment areas by President Museveni, Berkani was also prompted to broaden his scope by including honey value-addition and beverage packaging to his business areas of interest.

“Apart from coffee, I am also interested in packaging beverages and adding value to Ugandan honey. Your Excellency, I commit to making this happen because I am determined to."

Uganda's investment and privatization state minister, Evelyn Anite, attended the meeting.
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 7:33 AM 

✈️ WATCH: Djibouti president jets in

President Ismail Omar Guelleh of Djibouti was received at Entebbe International Airport by Uganda's defence state minister Jacob Marksons Oboth.


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 7:30 AM 

✈️ WATCH: Somalia president arrives

The moment President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia arrived at Entebbe International Airport on Wednesday.


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 7:23 AM 

✈️ Leaders fly in for IGAD & NAM summits

Three heads of state flew into Uganda on Wednesday to specifically attend an IGAD summit and the 19th NAM Summit in Kampala.

Presidents Salva Kiir (South Sudan), Ismail Omar Guelleh (Djibouti) and Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (Somalia) arrived on the eve of the IGAD Summit, scheduled to take place today (Thursday) at State House Entebbe.

IGAD is the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, an eight-country trade bloc headquartered in Djibouti.

The 42nd Extraordinary Session of the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government is set to discuss the political issues facing the Horn of Africa.

Meanwhile, the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit got under way on Monday at Speke Resort Munyonyo and is set to end this Saturday, to give way for the G77+China (Third South) Summit, to be also hosted by Kampala.

Somalia joined NAM in 1961 — the same year the forum was formally established — while Djibouti became a member in 1983.

At Entebbe International Airport on Wednesday, President Kiir, whose country has just joined the NAM as its 121st member, was received by Uganda's foreign affairs state minister in charge of regional affairs John Mulimba and South Sudan's Ambassador to Uganda, Simon Juach Deng.

President Guelleh was received at the airport by Uganda's defence state minister Jacob Marksons Oboth.

President Mohamud was received by Uganda's defence minister Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja.

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 7:15 AM 

📝 Day three recap...

 CALL FOR UN SECURITY COUNCIL REFORMS 

Another sticking issue was the UN Security Council composition, with Africa making its case for permanent representation on the council.

"Africa has always demanded and we continue to demand and continue to insist that Africa is being short-changed for not being a member of the UN Security Council," Uganda's foreign affairs state minister (for international affairs) Henry Okello Oryem told a press briefing on Wednesday.

"Seventy-five percent (75%) of discussions that take place in the Security Council is about Africa, but Africa is not available with a permanent representative in the United Nations and decisions are taken of Africa where they are not given the opportunity to express themselves.

"Africa is demanding two permanent seats on the UN Security Council with veto rights."

South African international relations minister Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Grace Naledi Mandisa Pandor has also touched on the subject earlier during the ministerial plenary session.

"As this Non-Aligned Movement, we should continue to advocate strongly for the system of global governance that is fair, equitable and has the capacity to respond to the needs of all countries and peoples. A system that is not just a tool for the most powerful countries of the world," she said.

"These reforms include our belief that the UN Security Council is in need of urgent reform. Afterall, it has the unique mandate for the maintanence of international peace and security.

"We believe that the UN Security Council should be expanded with urgency to include countries from Africa, Asia and Latin America as permanent members. 

"A reformed system of global governance and strengthened multilateralism will also allow us to address other major challenges, such as the scourge of terrorism, which today affects all parts of the world. We, as South Africa, condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations."
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 7:10 AM 

📝 Day three recap...

 MINISTER ODONGO ELECTED CHAIR 

The NAM ministerial meeting was the main business of yesterday (day three), having got off to a flying start with an opening ceremony presided over by Uganda's Vice-President Jessica Alupo.

Minister Jeje Odongo was then elected the new chairperson of the NAM ministerial meeting, after which he got the sessions started.

To begin with, he invited the chairperson of the senior officials meeting, compatriot Amb. Adonia Ayebare (Uganda's Permanent Representative to the UN) to present their collective report.

We then heard comments from Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Namibia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Co-operation, and Grace Naledi Mandisa Pandor, South Africa's Minister of International Relations and Cooperation.

Nandi-Ndaitwah said this 19th edition of the NAM Summit is happening in "a complex global context" and for that reason, the Fundamental Bandung Principles of 1955 should continue to guide the forum's collective work.

"We must continue to strengthen, advocate for consistent application of the UN Charter, which recognizes and promotes sovereignty, equality of all member states and respect for their territorial integrity," she told the meeting.

On her part, Pandor, too, pointed out that the Kampala summit has come at a time when the world is faced with "multiple and complex challenges".

"This summit is, therefore, an occasion to reflect on our past and achievements and to chart a role for our movement to contribute to a more peaceful and prosperous world," she said.

 GAZA CONFLICT 

The issue of Gaza was pointed out by the two female ministers.

"We must not forget the plight of the people of Palestine and Western Sahara," said Namibian Nandi-Ndaitwah.

"We, therefore, reiterate the call for the full implementation of relevant UN and AU decisions as well as respect of international laws and treaty obligations to realize those rights for self determination.

"We call on Israel, a fellow member of the international community, to end its ethnic cleansing military oppression, in other words, genocide in Gaza, in order for peace and stability to prevail and to ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches the hundreds and thousands that are injured and also about two million who are internally displaced."

South African Pandor said NAM should play "a leading role in the [Gaza] matter".

"We cannot ignore the plight of the people of Palestine. We are witnessing what we, as South Africans, believe is a genocide of unprecedented proportions. It is for this reason that our country has referred the situation in Palestine to the International Court of Justice, where we seek provision measures, including ordering Israel to stop its military campaign in Gaza.

"This also echoes calls made by many governments and people all over the world for an immediate comprehensive ceasefire and unhindered humanitarian access for the people of Gaza.

"We also call for the release of hostages held by Hamas.

"South Africa urges the international community to support with practical measures the establishment of a two-state within the Middle East, with Palestine and Israel living side by side in peace and security — this two-state to be based on the 1967 borders.

"It is our historic duty of international solidarity for us as the Non-Aligned Movement to play a leading role in this matter."

Read here what more was said.
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 7:00 AM 

🌤️ Good morning!

Hello everyone. It's a brand-new morning and another day for us to dive into the fourth day of the ongoing 19th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit that is taking place in Uganda's capital Kampala.

On Wednesday, after a busy day of meetings and deliberations, NAM foreign ministers and heads of delegations were treated to a cultural gala dinner at the Lake Victoria Serena Hotel in Kigo. The dinner was hosted by their new chairman, Gen. (rtd) Jeje Odongo, Uganda's foreign affairs minister.

Blend culture, entertainment and Pearl of Africa (Uganda as she is fondly called), and the result is a delightful memorable experience.