Diplomacy: Key takeaways from President Ndayishimiye and Museveni's tete-a-tete
RegionWeek Newsletter Vol IV, Issue #176 | Thursday, May 13, 2021
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Dear Readers,
President Ndayishimiye Evariste paid a two-day state visit to Uganda at the invitation of his counterpart Yoweri Museveni. In Kampala, the Head of State of Burundi took part in the Swearing-in ceremonies of President-elect Yoweri Museveni organized at Kololo Independence Grounds Entebbe.
This Thursday, during their exchanges in Entebbe, the two Heads of State praised the good relations between Burundi and Uganda as well as the warming of relations between Burundi and its partners. They called on the European Union to lift unjust sanctions against Burundi. In today's newsletter let us explore key takeaways from a joint communiqué.
Boosting cooperation between Uganda and Burundi
The two Presidents identified key sectors that can boost bilateral relations starting from agriculture, energy, and minerals. They reviewed how to increase the volume of bilateral trade by bringing respective private sectors to identify opportunities for trade and investment. They directed their respective Ministers to ensure that implementation of existing agreements and other frameworks of cooperation is fast-tracked.
Deeper Integration in the East African Community
Their discussion revolved around ways and means to achieve wider regional and continental integration, recognizing the entry into force of the agreement establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCTA).
They directed their Ministers of foreign affairs to convene a meeting of the third session of the Joint Commission of Cooperation and a Joint Business Forum within the next six months. They underscored the need to enhance infrastructure connectivity such as improving road transport to connect both countries.
Their discussion on the need to maintain peace, security, and stability on the continental level was oriented towards the role of AMISOM( The African Union Mission in Somalia) in the fight against terrorist groups. They called the international community to continue supporting the government of Somalia.
Covid-19 response
The two East African leaders exchanged views on the current status of the outbreak of the coronavirus Pandemic in the region and agreed to strengthen surveillance and control measures in response to Covid-19 and other pathologies with epidemic potential between the two countries.
Burundi has 28 new reported cases, 4,261 cumulative cases (0.13 % of all the cases in the region). The attack rate of 32.33 per 100 000 population. 0 new reported deaths, 6 cumulative deaths, 3,936 cumulative recovered (92.37% of cumulative cases), and 319 active cases.
Uganda has 60 new reported cases, 42,487 cumulative cases (1.27 % of all the cases in the region). The attack rate of 86.62 per 100 000 population.0 new reported deaths, 346 cumulative deaths, 41,971 cumulative recovered (98.79% of cumulative cases), and 170 active cases.
Africa needs to speak with one voice
At the international level, the two Heads of State agreed to deepen their cooperation in regional and international organizations on issues of common interest. They underlined the importance for the African continent to speak with one voice in intergovernmental negotiations on global challenges such as climate change, the fight against terrorism, the reform of the United Nations Security Council, international migration as well as the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The two Heads of State welcomed the withdrawal of Burundi from the agenda of the United Nations Security Council and the African Union Peace and Security Council as well as the lifting of the sanctions against Burundi by several of its partners. They, therefore, called on Burundi's partners who have not yet lifted the remaining sanctions imposed on Burundi in 2015 to lift them immediately in order to boost the socio-economic development of the country.
Thanks for reading!
Fabrice Iranzi, Editor in Chief | RegionWeek.com
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