Summit urges Uganda to probe 'anti-Rwanda' activity to end tensions

News24
22 Feb 2020, 07:11 GMT+10

Uganda was on Friday urged to look into allegations that anti-Rwandan rebels are operating on its territory before the long-shuttered border between the neighbours can be re-opened, during a summit of regional leaders.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame and his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni held a fourth round of talks mediated by Angolan President Joao Lourenco and the Democratic Republic of Congo's Felix Tshisikedi in a bid to end year-long tensions.

In February 2019, Rwanda abruptly closed the border with its northern neighbour, severing a major economic land route.

It accuses Kampala of supporting rebel groups and illegally arresting and torturing its citizens.

Uganda, for its part, also accuses Rwanda of espionage.

The heads of state met at the border town of Gatuna, which has become a virtual ghost town because of the closure.

A communique after the summit said it had "recommended that the Republic of Uganda should, within one month, verify the allegations of the Republic of Rwanda about action from its territory by forces hostile to the Government of Rwanda.

"If these allegations are proved, the Ugandan Government will take all measures to stop it and prevent it from happening again."

Once Uganda does so, another summit will be convened for the formal re-opening of the border.

Both sides have since released prisoners from the other country.

During Friday's summit they also signed an extradition treaty for cases "related to alleged subversive activities practiced by their nationals in the territory of the other party."

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