We are yet to recognise new Afghan government – Uganda

Uganda is still holding it’s recognition of the Taliban government, with Minister of State for International Affairs, Henry Okello Oryem saying no formation of a new government has been brought to the attention of Kampala.

Minister Okello Oryem said when the formation of the government is brought to the attention of Uganda, a decision will be made on whether to recognise it.

“Government of Afghanistan has not been established and as such there is no government to recognise at the moment; at an appropriate time when a government is established, a decision will be taken on whether or not to recognise the government,” he said.

The Minister was responding to a question raised by MP Betty Nambooze (NUP, Mukono Municipality) on government’s stand regarding the state of affairs in Afghanistan, and the status on efforts to evacuate Ugandans stuck in the violence-laden country.

Okello Oryem said the hosting of Afghan refugees is temporary, as they are merely here to sought out the processing of their permanent residence or refugee status in other countries.

“The evacuees will remain in Uganda while they are being processed by the United States government before their travel to their destination; the government of Uganda has a framework of handling this issue through the exchange of diplomatic notes,” he said.

Nambooze said government’s actions contradicts its stance against meddling into the internal affairs of sovereign states, questioning why the evacuees were first brought to Uganda if they are meant to ultimately be re-routed to the United States or other host countries.
“We have always told countries to stay out of issues related to internal affairs,” she said.

Nambooze argued that by hosting the refugees, Uganda makes itself a target of any retaliatory terrorist attacks, given the violent relations between Washington and Kabul.

“What measures have we put in place to guard against the anger that usually follows America’s dealings with Afghanistan,” she said.

Minister Oryem dismissed the fears.