HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I As the Iran-Israel war seem to recede, with a shaky cease fire in place, President Yoweri Museveni has stepped in to give thoughtful counsel.
Posted on Tuesday June 24 via his official X account, Museveni, who also serves as Chairman of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), has urged for peace and diplomacy in a region drowned in historical conflict.
Museveni’s statement was a direct response to a complaint from the Iranian Ambassador to Uganda about the continued silence of the NAM member states about the attack on Iran.
The Ugandan leader acknowledged the anomaly, saying that, “It is true that we have not yet externalized our long-held views on that situation.” He then delved into the Middle East’s complex past, pointing out what he sees as historical missteps.
“We read about in the Bible — the Jebusites, etc. What happened to them? How about the Philistines of Gaza? Even if you assume that all those People perished, there are People who dispersed the Jews in AD 70,” reads part of his statement. He questioned the narrative of Israel as a “transplant” in the region.
According to Museveni, these identity-based conflicts—rooted in race, religion, or gender—must give way to “the politics of interests — legitimate interests of the stake-holders.”
Museveni went ahead to emphasize the neutral stand of the East African country in this conflict. He said that Uganda maintains good relations with both Israel and Iran, a testament to his 40-year leadership navigating global ties. He advocated for diplomacy over aggression, stating that:
“Force should be for legitimate defence and not for aggression. May we have the willingness to humble ourselves and pray and ask for God’s wisdom,” he pointed out.
Museveni’s statement seem to align with NAM’s mission to support developing nations against Western hegemony, a role he underscores amid rising tensions.
Meanwhile US president, Donald J Trump, the main backer of Israel said that the war between the two countries was coming to a close in a couple of hours.
He said that the two warring parties agreed to a cessation of hostilities, followed by downing of their lethal arms. However, the Iranian Leader Ayatollah Khamenei said that the Iranian people don’t easily give up casting doubts on the cessation agreement.
Museveni said humility and dialogue offers a glimmer of hope in a troubled Middle East region, away from use of force and aggression.
“Force should be for legitimate defence and not for aggression. Iran and the Islamists should listen to our advice to recognize Israel and Israel should implement the two states solution,” he said.
He urges Middle Eastern actors to “pray together and consult that Creator that cares for all of us without preference.”
