Commonwealth Foreign Ministers pledge support for Uganda government and rebel peace talks
Posted by africanpress on November 22, 2007
Kampala (Uganda) The Commonwealth Foreign Ministers meeting Thursday ahead of the heads of state and government encounter with the Queen in Kampala, have pledged support for the ongoing peace talks between the Uganda and the rebel Lord’s Resistance Movement/Army (LRM/A).
Ugandan Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Kuteesa, told a press conference that the ministers remained deeply concerned with the 20-year old insurgency that has claimed millions of lives of innocent civillians and forced millions more into refugee camps.
The minister also called for the suspension of Pakistan from the organisation and pressurise General Perves Musharraf to resign.
Such measures, the ministers contend, would help put Pakistan back on the road to democracy and good governance in keeping with the ideals of the Commonwealth organisation.
Among other things, the minister expressed regrets that only a few countries have really made significant moves towards attaining the Millennium Development goals (MDGs).
It is the role of the 53 member states of the Commonwealth to improve the welfare of its members, the ministers said.
The press briefing was also attended by the common wealth secretary general Don Mackinnon.
The ministers meeting which was held at the Serena hotel in Kampala, also insisted on fair terms of trade among the member countries and underscored the need for more efforts to help push forward issues concerning positive climate change.
Published by Korir, API/APN africanpress@chello.no tel+47 932 99 739 or +47 6300 2525 source.apa
