UN chief wants immediate end to South Sudan war
KAMPALA - The world has demanded an immediate end to the war in South Sudan.
During last week’s Uganda Solidarity Summit held at Speke Resort Munyonyo, the world leaders asked the key players in the conflict to engage and end the war. The war in South Sudan has had a spillover effect to neighbouring countries, like Uganda which are now receiving hundreds of displaced people every day.
Due to her open door policy for refugees, the world decided to stand with Uganda by holding the summit in Kampala on June 22- 23. The summit was also used to fundraise for the refugees accommodated by Uganda.
The two-day event was attended by a number of African Presidents and other international dignitaries from various governments and international humanitarian organizations like the Lutheran World Federation (LWF). These pledged billions of dollars in support for refugees with the European Union pledging about UGX 840 billion. Othe organizations and countries like Canada, Australia, Germany, Sweden, Japan and China also made substantive pledges.
UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres and President Yoweri Museveni the co-host led the call for ending the South Sudan war and other conflicts in the region. “Everything must be done to stop the war in South Sudan,” Guterres said.
Refugees move delegates to tears
As the summit started, refugees told their stories from the time wars swept their countries to the period they entered Uganda as refugees. But the heart-breaking stories drew strong emotions among delegates forcing some of them to break down.
The refugees from Somalia narrated sad stories of how war killed their close family members and left them alone before they ran and sought refuge in Uganda. The first lady of Uganda, Janet Museveni who was seated among the delegates was among those who broke down at one point after being bogged by emotions.
Mrs. Museveni in the 1980s ran out of Uganda like many of the refugees today when her husband President Yoweri Museveni was fighting a five-year guerrilla war.
Testimonies
Hindiyo Abudkadir Mohammed, a female student who came to Uganda as a child but is now studying in one of the secondary schools in Kampala told the delegates how she has been able to acquire education despite her status.
“I came as a child but I have got a chance to study in Uganda. I have learnt both English and Luganda and Uganda has become home,” Hindiyo said. The student then spoke passionately about Uganda’s hospitality for refugee children.
“Uganda embraces refugees and gives them hope. In Uganda refugees children have access to free primary and secondary education like the rest of the other children,” Hindiyo said. As she told her experience, the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterrres and President Yoweri Museveni, the co-hosts of the summit listened attentively.
Hindiyo noted that the limited chances for refugee scholarships in higher institutions of learning were denying them a chance for skills. “I recognise that being in school as a refugee is a privilege,” she said. “Please support Uganda and support the refugees.”
Hindiyo ended by thanking Uganda for accepting to accommodate refugees from different parts of the continent most especially Somalia.
Adjumani district's LC5 chairperson speaks on behalf of the refugee hosting communities
On behalf the hosting communities, the LC5 chairman for Adjuman District, James Leku stirred up the delegates when he noted that despite the challenges the communities are facing, they are not about to close doors on refugees.
“We shall continue to receive more refugees fleeing from countries with conflicts,” Leku said.
But he appealed to the international community for support to face the challenges which include looming food insecurity due to the long dry spell that hit Uganda last year.
Uganda's Prime Minister speaks out
On behalf of the organisers of the summit in Uganda, the Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda noted that the refugees need international support since nobody chooses to become one.
“This summit is coming at the time of the increasing number of refugees into the country but with reduced resources,” Rugunda said. “Refugees will therefore live to appreciate your effort to support their stay in Uganda.”
He also noted that Uganda’s open door policy on refugees is intended to ensure that the 2016 New York declaration on refugees is not left on paper.
UN commissioner
The UN commissioner, Filippo Grandi commended Uganda for holding the values and dignity of refugees despite the challenges the country faces. Grandi appealed to the international community to support Uganda on refugees. “Uganda has offered us a blue print on handling refugees but I appeal to leaders of countries like South Sudan to engage in talks and end the war,” he said.
UN secretary general
Guterres had no kind word for the parties fighting in South Sudan. Guterres noted that since the 1994 Rwanda genocide, the South Sudan conflict is the biggest cause of refugee exodus in Africa.
Guterres said it was disturbing that scenes he saw 12 years ago when he visited South Sudan refugees in northern Uganda when the country was about to get her independence when he was still high commissioner were coming back. He commended Uganda’s policy on refugees which doesn’t isolate them in camps.
“Uganda has an excellent refugee policy and is a symbol of integrity for refugees,” he said “Not all refugees are accepted even in countries richer than Uganda.”
Guterres also called upon the international community to step up support for Uganda to face the challenges brought by the inflow of refugees.
“International solidarity with Uganda is not a matter of generosity; it’s a matter of justice. International solidarity is absolutely crucial at the present. An appeal for all those present here to step up to our common responsibility to support refugees and to our common responsibility to recognize the enormous sacrifice the Ugandan people are making and to support this country in this very challenging moment,” he said.
Guterres noted that it is therefore absolutely essential for the international community not to let Ugandans down. “Without solidarity, this effort is not sustainable yet it is a challenge to security in the region,” he said.
Museveni challenges leaders
In his speech, President Museveni challenged leaders in government and those in the opposition to play a serious role in pacifying their countries. “If government constitutes bad leaders, opposition should help but in most African countries, governments are bad and opposition is worse,” he said.
The President called upon the UN to play a role in ending man made crises that are displacing people in eastern Congo and other countries, like South Sudan.
Uganda is home to about 1.27 million refugees according to United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) with 950,000 hailing from South Sudan and these are supported by the government of Uganda and humanitarian organizations like LWF, UNHCR et al.
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