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Museveni Discuss Africa’s Challenges With Visiting Leaders

The leaders were in Uganda to attend the African Union Extraordinary Summit on the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) which ended Saturday at Speke Resort Munyonyo.
13 Jan 2025 07:42
CAADP Kampala Summit 2025 - Munyonyo - Side Meetings - President Museveni meets Liberia VP Jeremiah Kpan Koung 1
 President Yoweri Museveni has held private meetings with visiting leaders from different parts of Africa in which they discussed the problems facing the continent. The leaders were in Uganda to attend the African Union Extraordinary Summit on the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) which ended Saturday at Speke Resort Munyonyo. 

Among those Museveni met after the meeting is the President of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), Brahim Ghali. Museveni’s discussion with Ghali centered around African unity, challenges faced by the Sahrawi people, and the need for strengthened continental solidarity. Ghali expressed his appreciation for Uganda's steadfast support for the Sahrawi cause. 

“We want to express our deepest gratitude for this opportunity. Last year, you received us with great warmth and now you have honored us again with this meeting. Uganda's commitment to the struggle for African freedom and solidarity is deeply inspiring,” Ghali said. He further shared how the SADR had acted upon Uganda's past recommendations to improve conditions for the Sahrawi refugees. “There is no way to make a refugee happy because a refugee remains a refugee. 

However, through your guidance and solidarity, we have taken steps to improve the conditions for our people as we continue this fight for freedom,” Ghali said. He also praised Museveni’s leadership, describing him as a key defender of African interests. “After the late Robert Mugabe, you remain one of the few towering figures of African leadership. Your role in defending Africa's sovereignty and interests has been critical.” 

For his part, Museveni reaffirmed Uganda’s unwavering support for the Sahrawi people and used the opportunity to reflect on broader African challenges. “It is unfortunate that Africa continues to face unresolved issues like the crises in Libya and Sudan. How can such situations persist after we fought so hard for liberation? I was recently discussing with President Sisi about Libya and asking, ‘Why are there no elections? Why can’t the people there decide their future?’ We need answers to these questions as Africans.” 

Museveni also condemned acts of African countries fighting over borders and causing unnecessary conflicts which eventually lead to disastrous consequences. “If African countries start redrawing borders, it will be the end of our continent. The wisdom of our founding fathers was to maintain colonial-era borders and work towards voluntary unions, like Zanzibar and Tanganyika uniting to form Tanzania. That is how Africa should operate,” he said. 

Meanwhile, Museveni also held a meeting with Jeremiah Kpan Koung, the Vice President of the Republic of Liberia in which they discussed potential collaboration in the steel industry. Museveni highlighted the untapped potential of Liberia's steel sector, emphasizing its strategic importance for economic development. He encouraged the Vice President to present the idea to the President of Liberia, Joseph Boakai, to position Liberia as a regional hub for steel production. 

“I see great potential in the steel industry in Liberia. This is an area that can bring tremendous economic growth and development. I urge you to take this proposal and see how we can work together to make it a reality,” Museveni said. 

In response, Koung underscored Liberia’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and exploring opportunities for mutual benefit. “We appreciate the wise counsel and leadership you continue to offer not only to Uganda but also to the continent. Liberia values its friendship with Uganda, and we look forward to deepening our collaboration in key areas, including industrial development,” he stated.

In the same line, Museveni also held a meeting with the Prime Minister of Eswatini, Russell Mmiso Dlamini in which they discussed matters relating to agriculture, economic sovereignty, and deepening ties. Dlamini expressed gratitude for Uganda's hospitality, acknowledging Museveni's consistent advocacy for food sovereignty and economic self-reliance. 

“I have been following your speeches on social media and in meetings like this, you have been articulate in emphasizing food sovereignty and the dangers of relying on external aid. Today, your simple yet profound explanation of exporting jobs and relying on donations resonated deeply with me,” Dlamini said. He added that Museveni’s approach demonstrates that transformation can be achieved through practical, small-scale efforts rather than complex solutions. 

Dlamini sought Uganda’s support for Eswatini's candidate for the African Union Commissioner of Agriculture job. “Eswatini has never held this position before, and we believe it is time. Our candidate, Moses Vilakati, a former Minister of Agriculture, is highly qualified and certified. We request Uganda’s backing in this contest, especially since we are competing with Zimbabwe and other countries. We have engaged South African states and believe we have a strong chance.”

Museveni responded positively, acknowledging Eswatini's lack of representation in major African Union appointments. “If Eswatini has never had a significant appointment, that is a strong reason to support its bid, provided the candidate is competent,” Museveni said. He asked the Eswatini team to research Mozambique and Zimbabwe's history of representation to ensure a balanced approach.

Museveni also reiterated the importance of Africa moving away from exporting raw materials and instead focusing on adding value to its resources. He highlighted the example of coffee, where Africa earns $2.5 per kilogram as a raw material, compared to $40 per kilogram for processed coffee abroad. 

“This is how Africa has been a major donor to the rest of the world. We lose not only money but also jobs. The roasting, grinding, and packaging jobs go to the children of foreigners, while our children drown in the Mediterranean Sea, running away from impoverished Africa to prosperous Europe.” 

The President also emphasized the need for African nations to adopt commercial agriculture and invest in local value addition. “The crisis of unemployment stems from exporting jobs. We grow coffee, de-husk it, and sell it for $2.50, while others process and package it, creating jobs for their children,” he said.

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