The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister of Ethiopia, H.E Demeke Mekonnen, on Wednesday arrived in Uganda to participate in the the Heads of State Summit of the Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) to African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).
The summit is ongoing at State House, Entebbe, having kicked off on April 24 with preparatory meetings.
ATMIS TCCs and Development Partners including the UN, AU, UK, US, EU, IGAD and the EAC Secretariat are participating in the summit.
H.E Demeke’s visit to Uganda will be the last leg of his tour to African countries in the East and Great Lakes region having visited Tanzania, the Union of the Comoros, and Burundi in the for the last three days.
He held bilateral discussions with the leaders of the three sisterly countries to foster stronger ties and address peace and security challenges in the Horn of Africa.
On arrival at Entebbe International Airport in Uganda, H.E. Demeke Mekonnen was received by among others State Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uganda Henry Okello Oryem and Ethiopia’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Uganda, H.E Etsegenet Bezabih Yimenu.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister would then visit the Ethiopian Embassy in Kampala. The mission hosted dinner in honor of the Ethiopian delegation.
Summit of the Troop Contributing Countries To ATMIS
The Summit is intended to evaluate the achievements made in the implementation of the ATMIS mandate and also review the ATMIS drawdown plan in compliance with the United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs) 26/70 (2022) and 26/28.
The Summit is a follow-up event after the meeting between the President of Somalia, H.E Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and the President of Uganda, H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, during the United States Africa Leaders’ Summit held in Washington DC, from December 13-15, 2022.
During the U.S. meeting, H.E Hassan Mohamud requested H.E Museveni to host an Extra-Ordinary Summit of Heads of State of the Troop Contributing Countries to ATIMS which include Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda.
While opening the session of the Technical Officials of the TCCs to ATMIS on April 24, at Serena Conference Hotel in Kampala, the Head of Ugandan Delegation who is also the Head of the Regional Peace and Security Department in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Amb. Julius Kivuna welcomed delegates and thanked them for accepting to participate in this important meeting of the TCCs to ATMIS.
He called upon experts to discuss as candidly as possible so that the meeting can propose workable recommendations for strategic leaders of ATMIS to make decisions that will support the smooth and peaceful drawdown process of the ATMIS Troops.
He extended Uganda’s appreciation to the Troop Contributing Countries, the host Country Somalia and ATMIS Partners for the immense support, sacrifice and spirit of brotherhood in an effort to promote and sustain peace, security and stability in Somalia and our region.
“These efforts have led to a number of achievements, including saving lives, improved infrastructure, social services that have greatly improved the lives and livelihoods of our brothers and sisters in Somalia,” Amb. Kivuna noted.
He further underscored that the meeting provides a crucial platform for TCCs to deliberate on the pertinent issues under ATMIS but importantly to evaluate the achievements made in the implementation of the ATMIS mandate.
In attendance were delegates from Somalia, United Nations Support Office, African Union, East African Secretariat and representatives from Troop Contributing Countries: namely Uganda, Kenya, Burundi, Ethiopia and Djibouti.