President Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara at Village Urugwiro in Kigali. (Photo: New Times)
A regional Heads of State and Government Summit on counter terrorism between the State of Israel and Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Zambia, South Sudan and Tanzania, has resolved to enhance efforts to fight and decisively defeat terrorism in all its forms because of the threat it poses to international peace and security.
The Summit that was hosted yesterday by President Museveni at State House, Entebbe, coincided with the official visit to Uganda by the Israeli Prime Minister, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu and was attended by Presidents Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, Paul Kagame of Rwanda, Edgar Lungu of Zambia, Salva Kiir of South Sudan and Prime Minister Halemariam Desalegn of Ethiopia. Tanzania was represented by its Foreign Affairs Minister.
In a joint communiqué issued after the Summit and read by Uganda’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr. Sam Kuteesa, the regional leaders and the Israeli Prime Minister agreed to strengthen cooperation on security, fight and defeat terrorism and all crimes that are associated with it, including cyber crime.
In his remarks at the closing of the Summit, President Museveni commended Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the people of Israel for having stood firm and defended the Israel State and people and also for their contribution to global security throughout all the difficult times.
“I want to thank your founding fathers of the Israeli State for having laid a foundation for the State that has weathered the storm, defended the Jews and contributed to the development of the world,” he said.
“I equally thank you, Mr. Prime Minister, for turning the sad moment that happened 40 years ago into a bonding factor with the Eastern and Central African states,” the President said, referring to the earlier function held in remembrance of the rescue mission in 1976 when Israeli commandos rescued Israeli hostages at Old Entebbe Airport.
President Museveni further commended the State of Israel saying Israel was a historical ally of Africa. He revealed that he together with other regional leaders had discussed and affirmed their commitment to working with the State of Israel in fighting global terrorism and strengthening economic cooperation… Full article at allAfrica
