GULU – HE. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni Tibuhaburwa who is in Gulu City for his campaign meetings as the NRM party flag bearer for the presidency has today held a meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister of Ethiopia, His Excellency Demeke Mekonnen Hassen and a delegation at Gulu State Lodge where they discussed peace and security matters affecting Ethiopia.
According to reports thousands of Ethiopian refugees have continued to enter Sudan, escaping a worsening conflict that has spilled over Ethiopia’s borders and threatens to destabilise the wider Horn of Africa region.
The United Nations refugee agency said on Sunday that more than 20,000 people have crossed into Sudan from Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region, where federal government troops are battling forces loyal to the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), the party of the regional government. Sudanese state media put the number of refugees at almost 25,000.
President Museveni noted that it was wrong for African countries to focus on the politics of ethnicity federalism other than interest. He added that it was only oneness and focusing on the common interests of the people in Africa that could bring about prosperity.
“The problem in Africa is that we never discuss ideology but rather focus on diplomacy. We must watch out for our ideological mistakes. If we keep making them, the end results might be severe. Emphasis must be put on oneness and common interest,” he said.
President Museveni advised that immediate negotiations must come into place to see to it that the war is not prolonged as it might lead to massive loss of lives and dwindling of the economy.
His Excellency, Mr Demeke noted that despite the current situation, the government’s immediate plan was to see to it that the lives of the civilians are protected.
Ethiopia is the pride of the continent. It is one of the oldest countries that were not colonized in Africa and a war in Ethiopia would give the entire continent a bad image.
President Museveni has always been a wonderful source of reconciliation in Africa.
The central government of Ethiopia announced a military operation in the northern Tigray region on November 4 due to long fighting which has sent thousands fleeing the country.
The after events have sparked off fears of civil war and concerns that it could spread across the region after rockets were fired at an airport in neighbouring Eritrea.
The attack on Saturday was claimed by TPLF which has accused Eritrea of backing the government and the regions’ ruling party, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).
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