President Museveni though currently busy with his presidential campaign in Northern Uganda has spared some time and held talks with the Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister, H.E Demeke Mekonnen Hassen and his delegation, at Gulu State Lodge.
The president had earlier on made special arrangements to meet the special delegation from Ethiopia where Federal Forces are fighting Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) fighters.
President Museveni who has a good relationship with Abiy as well as Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and given the fact that he has in the past supported Ethiopia’s ambitious infrastructure projects including the construction of the renaissance dam against the chagrin of Egypt, is in the right position to hold talks with both sides.
Museveni who is also remembered for having closely worked with TPLF which held power for about 30 years is a highly regarded figure in Ethiopia and he is among the few leaders who live in the presidential palace when ever in Ethiopia.
“It’s only Museveni whom TPLF listens to in this region,” said a retired diplomat who worked at Uganda’s Foreign Affairs Ministry for two decades. “And Museveni is respected for his vast experience in the regional security affairs. And he has defended Ethiopia’s national interests for a very long time.”
On Sunday morning, reports indicated that TPLF had fired rockets from northern Ethiopia, hitting Eritrea’s capital, Asmara and such development could escalate into a regional conflict.
After the meeting, Museveni said, “Our discussion focused on the peace and security issues affecting Ethiopia currently. Being one of the oldest countries that was not colonized in Africa, Ethiopia is the pride of the continent.”
