Angola proposes MoU to solve Rwanda –Uganda impasse

By Maniraguha Ferdinand [caption id="attachment_64147" align="alignnone" width="873"] President Kagame (left) chatting with President Museveni[/caption] Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame and Uganda’s Yoweri Kaguta Museveni are expected in Luanda, Angola on Wednesday, 21th August to sign a memorandum of Understanding  that will end years of hostility between both countries. The agreement was proposed by Angolan government according to Rwanda state Minister in charge of Foreign Affairs, Olivier Nduhungirehe. Rwanda and Uganda’s relations has been tense for about three years, with one accusing another to be a threat to its national security. On Wednesday,  four Heads of state including  João  Gonçalves Lourenço of Angola, Felix Tshisekedi of Democratic Republic of Congo, Yoweri Museveni and a Paul Kagame are expected to meet in Luanda. This summit follows another one that happened in July, where issues between Rwanda and Uganda were discussed with Angola standing as a mediator. “ We have a quadripartite meeting in Angola on Thursday. Angola has proposed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Rwanda and Uganda”, Nduhungirehe told local media Statement from Angolan government says that the summit will kick off  11 AM, aiming at  signing of the instruments that enshrine the understanding reached between Rwanda and Uganda after steps undertaken by Angola assisted by DRC. Nduhungirehe has declined to confirm if Rwanda will sign that Mou, he however insisted that Rwanda’s side will be revealed after the summit. Stand off between Rwanda and Uganda has taken long, and It hurt the economy of both countries so badly as the busy border of Gatuna was closed. Rwanda said the border was not closed due to the tensions, however analysts said the matter may have contributed. Rwanda accuses Uganda of harboring dissidents who want to destabilize its security, with its nationals being held incommunicado in Uganda. Uganda  retaliates the accusations, alleging that Rwanda send  spies on its territory. Both countries deny the allegations.