Museveni, Kagame sign pact on security, regional cooperation

DIPLOMACY

LUANDA - President Yoweri Museveni and his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, have signed a memorandum of understanding on regional cooperation and security.

The pact was signed on Wednesday in Luanda, Angola during the second Quadripartite summit, which was convened find a lasting solution to mild existing differences between the Uganda and Rwanda.

"President João Lourenço (Angola), President Kagame (Rwanda), President Museveni (Uganda) and President Tshisekedi (DRC) conclude the Quadripartite Summit with the signing of an MoU committing to regional cooperation & security. The signing was also witnessed by President Sassou Nguesso (Congo Brazzaville)," Rwandan Government officials said.

The summit was chaired by the President of Angola, Joao Lourenco.

(L-R) Presidents Sassou Nguesso, Yoweri Museveni, João Lourenço, Paul Kagame and Felix Tshisekedi after the signing of the agreement. Courtesy Photo

 
Since February this year, Rwanda and Uganda have had trade tensions, which culminated into Rwanda closing its border point at Gatuna.

The closure of the border has disrupted trade between the two countries. On Average Uganda derives $200m (about sh744b) annually from trade inflows with Rwanda.

To ease the tension, Museveni and Kagame held the first high-level political dialogue in Luanda, Angola on July 12, which tackled regional security, cooperation and strengthening of ties.

During the July 12 summit, Lourenco, Tshisekedi, Museveni and Kagame, welcomed the "political will of Rwanda and Uganda to continue dialogue with a view of finding a solution to existing problems."