Amin's Son Takes Over DRC Embassy

Apr 04, 2001

FORMER President Idi Amin's son, Taban, has occupied Uganda's embassy in Kinshasa, DR Congo.

By Yunusu Abbey FORMER President Idi Amin's son, Taban, has occupied Uganda's embassy in Kinshasa, DR Congo. Taban, who has lived in Congo since his father's overthrow in April 1979, is reported to have taken over the embassy several months ago. Amin lives in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. A senior foreign affairs ministry official confirmed the reports yesterday, saying, "High level contacts have been made between government authorities in Kampala and Kinshasa over the issue. "It appears Taban occupied the embassy and the residence when the late President Laurent Kabila was still in power. This was after our diplomatic staff in Kinshasa returned home due to the misunderstandings between the two countries." Taban, described as stubborn and daring, reportedly told DRC authorities that he had the right to occupy the embassy because he is a Ugandan. "Taban claimed that since the Ugandan diplomatic staff had deserted the property, he would rather occupy it instead of the Congolese taking it over," said the source. Congolese government troops occupied the embassy and the envoy's residence when the Ugandan diplomats left Kinshasa in August 1998. On Tuesday, Eriya Kategaya, the first deputy premier and foreign affairs minister, flew to Kinshasa to deliver President Yoweri Museveni's special message to his Congolese counterpart, Joseph Kabila. Kategaya told journalists yesterday he discussed the embassy issue with Kabila. Without mentioning Taban, Kategaya said some people have occupied the chancery and the ambassador's home. He said the two properties were damaged and vandalised. He said Kabila promised to evict the illegal embassy occupants. Ends

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