Libya: Uganda explains stand
Aug 26, 2011
THE Government will support Libya to achieve democracy and an inclusive transitional period as spelt out in the African Union (AU) roadmap.
By Henry Mukasa
THE Government will support Libya to achieve democracy and an inclusive transitional period as spelt out in the African Union (AU) roadmap.
In a statement on Libya issued yesterday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, however, emphasised that the future of Libya lies with her people.
It said Uganda would support the Libyan people to achieve reconciliation and national dialogue.
“This will lead to a democratic dispensation that fulfils the aspirations and will of the Libyan people to freely determine their destiny,†the statement added.
Uganda was a member of the AU high-level ad hoc committee on Libya whose mandate was to push for a political solution to the conflict.
President Yoweri Museveni flew to the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa last evening to attend the committee’s latest meeting.
The situation in Libya remained fluid after rebels entered the capital, Tripoli, sending Col. Muammar Gadaffi’s regime in disarray.
Although the rebels control most of the capital, sporadic fighting continued as Gadaffi loyalists fought back.
Gadaffi’s whereabouts is still unknown.
The statement said Uganda was following with keen interest what was happening in Libya and particularly the military clashes in the capital since August 20, and regrets the continued loss of life.
“Uganda has maintained cordial relations with Libya and shall continue to do so,†the statement said.
The Government said it would continue to work with the Libyan people in the context of the AU road map and the international community.
The community includes the AU, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, the UN and the League of Arab states.
The Government is also working with the Organisation of Islamic Countries and European Union to obtain a cessation of hostilities and achieve lasting peace in Libya.
The Government called for humanitarian assistance to the Libyan people, saying they were in urgent need.
President Museveni was received at Bole International Airport by the Ethiopian state minister for minerals, Tolossa Shagi, Uganda’s foreign affairs minister, Sam Kutesa and Uganda’s ambassador to Addis, Mull Katende.
He will be joined by South African president Jacob Zuma and foreign ministers from Mauritania, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mali.
The leaders will review the situation in Libya and the status of the efforts to achieve a political solution.
They are also expected to exchange views on the current situation in Libya and the way forward before presenting their statement to the plenary session of the 291st meeting of the Peace and Security Council on Libya today.
The AU high-level ad hoc committee consists of president Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz of Mauritania (chairperson), President Museveni, president Amadou Toumani Toure of Mali and Jacob Zuma of South Africa.
The committee was tasked with coming up with a roadmap on Libya, including engaging with all the parties in Libya and continuously assessing the evolution of the situation on the ground.
The leaders are also expected to facilitate an all-inclusive dialogue between the Libyan parties on the appropriate reforms to be carried out and engage AU’s partners.
THE Government will support Libya to achieve democracy and an inclusive transitional period as spelt out in the African Union (AU) roadmap.
In a statement on Libya issued yesterday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, however, emphasised that the future of Libya lies with her people.
It said Uganda would support the Libyan people to achieve reconciliation and national dialogue.
“This will lead to a democratic dispensation that fulfils the aspirations and will of the Libyan people to freely determine their destiny,†the statement added.
Uganda was a member of the AU high-level ad hoc committee on Libya whose mandate was to push for a political solution to the conflict.
President Yoweri Museveni flew to the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa last evening to attend the committee’s latest meeting.
The situation in Libya remained fluid after rebels entered the capital, Tripoli, sending Col. Muammar Gadaffi’s regime in disarray.
Although the rebels control most of the capital, sporadic fighting continued as Gadaffi loyalists fought back.
Gadaffi’s whereabouts is still unknown.
The statement said Uganda was following with keen interest what was happening in Libya and particularly the military clashes in the capital since August 20, and regrets the continued loss of life.
“Uganda has maintained cordial relations with Libya and shall continue to do so,†the statement said.
The Government said it would continue to work with the Libyan people in the context of the AU road map and the international community.
The community includes the AU, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, the UN and the League of Arab states.
The Government is also working with the Organisation of Islamic Countries and European Union to obtain a cessation of hostilities and achieve lasting peace in Libya.
The Government called for humanitarian assistance to the Libyan people, saying they were in urgent need.
President Museveni was received at Bole International Airport by the Ethiopian state minister for minerals, Tolossa Shagi, Uganda’s foreign affairs minister, Sam Kutesa and Uganda’s ambassador to Addis, Mull Katende.
He will be joined by South African president Jacob Zuma and foreign ministers from Mauritania, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mali.
The leaders will review the situation in Libya and the status of the efforts to achieve a political solution.
They are also expected to exchange views on the current situation in Libya and the way forward before presenting their statement to the plenary session of the 291st meeting of the Peace and Security Council on Libya today.
The AU high-level ad hoc committee consists of president Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz of Mauritania (chairperson), President Museveni, president Amadou Toumani Toure of Mali and Jacob Zuma of South Africa.
The committee was tasked with coming up with a roadmap on Libya, including engaging with all the parties in Libya and continuously assessing the evolution of the situation on the ground.
The leaders are also expected to facilitate an all-inclusive dialogue between the Libyan parties on the appropriate reforms to be carried out and engage AU’s partners.