Museveni and Guterres Confer on Regional Peace

Last updated: January 21, 2024 2:57 pm

During the closing stages of the 19th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit, President Yoweri Museveni engaged in discussions with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. The meeting took place in Kampala, Uganda’s capital, where leaders at the summit emphasized the importance of a unified stance on pressing global issues.

President Museveni and UN Secretary General Guterres convened on the sidelines of the NAM Summit, addressing key matters related to peace and security in the Great Lakes region. Guterres lauded Uganda’s vital role in maintaining peace and stability across Africa, particularly acknowledging the nation’s inclusive refugee policy that has provided shelter to numerous refugees from the region.

UN Chief Guterres, at the helm since 2017, highlighted ongoing UN reforms, including those within the Security Council and international financial systems. President Museveni expressed gratitude for the international community’s support, especially in handling security issues on the African continent, emphasizing the need for region-specific approaches rather than relying solely on UN peacekeeping forces.

During the summit’s closing ceremony, Guterres passionately called for a ceasefire in Gaza, a sentiment echoed by other speakers throughout the week. Uganda, hosting back-to-back major summits, saw Museveni assume leadership roles in both the Non-Aligned Movement and the Group of 77 and China coalition.

Reflecting on the meeting, President Museveni underscored the necessity for reforms in the UN Security Council and international financial architecture to ensure fair representation for developing countries, fostering inclusivity and preventing fragmentation.

As the summits concluded, Museveni expressed satisfaction with progress, citing the withdrawal of UN peacekeeping missions from Mali and the Democratic Republic of Congo. He reiterated the importance of empowering affected stakeholders, including citizens and neighboring nations, for more efficient and prompt solutions to regional challenges.

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