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By Our Reporter
Rwanda and Uganda have had trade tensions, which culminated into Rwanda closing its border point at Gatuna
President Yoweri Museveni and his Rwandan counterpart, Paul
Kagame, have signed a memorandum of understanding on regional cooperation and
security.
The pact was signed on Wednesday in Luanda, Angola during
the second Quadripartite summit, which was convened find a lasting solution to
mild existing differences between the Uganda and Rwanda.
“President João Lourenço (Angola), President Kagame
(Rwanda), President Museveni (Uganda) and President Tshisekedi (DRC) conclude
the Quadripartite Summit with the signing of an MoU committing to regional
cooperation & security. The signing was also witnessed by President Sassou
Nguesso (Congo Brazzaville),” Rwandan Government officials said.
The summit was chaired by the President of Angola, Joao
Lourenco.
Since February this year, Rwanda and Uganda have had trade
tensions, which culminated into Rwanda closing its border point at Gatuna.
The closure of the border has disrupted trade between the
two countries. On Average Uganda derives $200m (about sh744b) annually from
trade inflows with Rwanda.
To ease the tension, Museveni and Kagame held the first
high-level political dialogue in Luanda, Angola on July 12, which tackled
regional security, cooperation and strengthening of ties.
During the July 12 summit, Lourenco, Tshisekedi, Museveni
and Kagame, welcomed the “political will of Rwanda and Uganda to continue
dialogue with a view of finding a solution to existing problems.”
However, political actors from Uganda have welcomed the move whereas others are wondering why the two presidents didn’t use the regional platform (EAC) to iron out their issues.
END