Idi Amin’s son clings to Uganda’s DRC embassy
Aug 21, 2003
A MONTH after a transitional unity government came into force in DR Congo, Uganda ambassador’s residence in Kinshasa is still occupied by Taban Amin, the elder son of the late President Idi Amin, reports Emmy Allio.
A MONTH after a transitional unity government came into force in DR Congo, Uganda ambassador’s residence in Kinshasa is still occupied by Taban Amin, the elder son of the late President Idi Amin, reports Emmy Allio.
The chancery is in ruins after it was vandalised by Kinshasa government soldiers in August 1998.
The attack on the embassy premises followed accusations by the late Congo leader, Laurent Kabila, that Uganda and Rwanda backed rebels who were fighting him.
The Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, James Wapakhabulo, yesterday said Uganda was dismayed that the property in Kinshasa had not been handed back to Uganda as agreed in Luanda last year when President Yoweri Museveni and the DRC leader, Joseph Kabila, signed a peace accord.
“We definitely need our property in Kinshasa. Whoever is occupying it must quit and Kinshasa government must meet its international obligations,†he said.
Recently, DRC information minister Vital’O Kamerhe said Taban Amin was defiantly occupying the embassy residence.
In 1998, Taban Amin backed by Sudan contributed troops to help Kabila stop the advance to Kinshasa of pro-Uganda and Rwandan rebels. His fighters estimated to be about 400-600 who are now believed to be in Beni and parts of Ituri in north-eastern Congo, comprise mostly of former fighters of the decimated West Nile Bank Front (WNBF).
Asked whether Taban and his fighters posed a threat to Uganda, Wapakabulo said Uganda is confident the UN observer mission will not permit anti-Uganda rebel groups to operate in Ituri.
The chancery is in ruins after it was vandalised by Kinshasa government soldiers in August 1998.
The attack on the embassy premises followed accusations by the late Congo leader, Laurent Kabila, that Uganda and Rwanda backed rebels who were fighting him.
The Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, James Wapakhabulo, yesterday said Uganda was dismayed that the property in Kinshasa had not been handed back to Uganda as agreed in Luanda last year when President Yoweri Museveni and the DRC leader, Joseph Kabila, signed a peace accord.
“We definitely need our property in Kinshasa. Whoever is occupying it must quit and Kinshasa government must meet its international obligations,†he said.
Recently, DRC information minister Vital’O Kamerhe said Taban Amin was defiantly occupying the embassy residence.
In 1998, Taban Amin backed by Sudan contributed troops to help Kabila stop the advance to Kinshasa of pro-Uganda and Rwandan rebels. His fighters estimated to be about 400-600 who are now believed to be in Beni and parts of Ituri in north-eastern Congo, comprise mostly of former fighters of the decimated West Nile Bank Front (WNBF).
Asked whether Taban and his fighters posed a threat to Uganda, Wapakabulo said Uganda is confident the UN observer mission will not permit anti-Uganda rebel groups to operate in Ituri.