Museveni, UN envoy discuss Sudan peace efforts, regional stability

KAMPALA - President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has held talks with Pekka Haavisto, the United Nations Secretary-General's Personal Envoy for Sudan.

During the engagement at State House Entebbe, on Friday, July 17, key issues discussed were the ongoing conflict in Sudan, the humanitarian situation and the broader peace and security landscape in the region.

A release from the Presidential Press Unit states that the meeting focused on: strengthening dialogue among the parties to the conflict, enhancing regional cooperation and supporting initiatives aimed at securing a sustainable and inclusive peace in Sudan.

President Museveni with the United Nations Secretary General Personal Envoy for Sudan H.E. Pekka Haavisto after a meeting at State House Entebbe on Friday. (Credit: PPU)

President Museveni emphasised that achieving lasting peace in Sudan requires addressing the ideological and political issues that have continued to fuel instability.

He stressed that dialogue, democratic processes and inclusive governance remain the most effective means of resolving conflicts.

The President  also cautioned against what he described as “sovereignism” in multinational states, arguing that attempts to impose a single identity on diverse societies have often led to recurring political crises.

“There is an ideological crisis. We have been telling them for years that they should respect the identities of their people. If people do not agree, why don't they go for elections? Using force to settle political differences is a wrong idea,” President Museveni said.

United Nations Secretary General Personal Envoy for Sudan H.E. Pekka Haavisto (L) and his delegation during a meeting with President Museveni at State House Entebbe on Friday.

President Museveni urged all parties to remain committed to dialogue and called upon regional and international partners supporting the peace process to prioritise negotiation and engagement over confrontation in pursuit of a lasting political settlement.

He reaffirmed Uganda's longstanding commitment to protecting people fleeing conflict, noting that the country's refugee policy is anchored in humanitarian values as well as the historical and cultural ties shared by communities across the region.

“These refugees are our people. They are contributing and building Uganda. They come with knowledge, so we don't mind. They can come because this is their country. We have slightly more than two million refugees, including Congolese and South Sudanese, and many of our cultural groups are connected,” he said.

Haavisto commended Uganda for its continued generosity in hosting refugees, describing the country's open-door refugee policy as an example that is widely recognised and appreciated by the international community.

President Museveni shares a light moment with the United Nations Secretary General Personal Envoy for Sudan H.E. Pekka Haavisto (L) and his delegation after a meeting at State House Entebbe on Friday.

“Your Excellency, I want to thank you  for hosting so many Sudanese refugees. Everyone recognises that effort, and the United Nations is very grateful that Uganda has kept its doors open to refugees,” Haavisto said.

He stated that President Museveni's engagement with both sides of the Sudan conflict places him in a unique position to contribute to ongoing peace efforts.

The UN envoy expressed optimism that sustained dialogue, backed by regional and international support, could help improve the situation and pave the way for lasting peace and stability in Sudan.

Haavisto reaffirmed that the United Nations continues to engage the parties to the conflict through dialogue, with discussions covering humanitarian access, the release of detainees and support for young people whose lives have been disrupted by the war.