President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni who is also the Chairman of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) has through a Statement called on global actors involved in the Israel-Iran conflict to exercise restraint, abandon chauvinism and extremism, and return to principled diplomacy based on mutual recognition and historical realities.
In his detailed Statement, President Museveni addressed recent concerns raised by the Iranian Ambassador to Uganda regarding Uganda’s perceived silence on the escalating tensions in the Middle East. He clarified that Uganda’s position is guided by its historical values rooted in non-alignment, integrity, and respect for legitimate interests not identity politics.
“In our long history of resistance, we abhor chauvinism of identity whether racial, tribal, religious or gender-based and stand for the politics of legitimate interests,” Museveni stated.
President Museveni, who maintains strong bilateral relations with both Iran and Israel, criticized both sides for long-standing missteps. He noted that Iran’s refusal to recognize Israel as legitimate ignores historical and biblical realities, emphasizing that the Jewish people’s return to the region was justifiable and rooted in centuries of persecution following Roman dispersal.
Conversely, he challenged Israel’s continued resistance to the two-state solution, asserting that Palestinians also have a historical claim to the land.
“You cannot say the Palestinians do not belong there, that’s the same logic Idi Amin used when he expelled Ugandan Indians. We rejected that logic then, and we reject it now.” Museveni said
President Museveni also criticized Western imperialist actions, particularly the CIA-led overthrow of Iran’s Prime Minister Mosaddegh in 1953, which he said sowed seeds of resentment that continue to destabilize the region. He argued that foreign intervention rarely leads to peace, citing examples from European history and failed empires.
“Force must only be used for legitimate defense, not for aggression. External military interventions often backfire and destabilize nations further.” he stated
Below is the detailed Statement:
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