Uganda will not withdraw its forces from South Sudan despite a call from the donor community for it to do so. The remarks were made by Information minister Rose Namayanja, who was responding to calls by Norway that Uganda withdraws its troops from South Sudan.

Norwegian foreign minister Borge Brende on Wednesday said Uganda should begin withdrawing its soldiers from the conflict-hit south Sudan.

Speaking to Reuters, Mr Brende said: “It is now important that President Museveni of Uganda starts the process of reducing and later pulling out the Ugandan troops that are in Juba and surrounding areas.”

The government take

However, Ms Namayanja said it was not the first time some of Uganda’s development partners were ignoring looking at matters of security as a priority.

“For us as a country and as government, security is key and, therefore, we shall not heed the advice by the Norwegian government in as far as issues of security of our country and the neighbourhood is concerned,” she said

Uganda has been accused of taking sides in the fighting, supporting President Salva Kiir forces. However, the government says it intervened on the invitation of Mr Kiir.

Conflicts in the Central African Republic and South Sudan dominated the agenda of the African Union (AU) summit that began in Ethiopia yesterday and attended by several African leaders, including President Museveni.

While the two-day summit is officially centred on agriculture and food security, the members may spend much of the time yet again trying to resolve conflict in member states.

“Our hearts go to the people of the Central African Republic and South Sudan who face devastating conflicts in their countries, especially to women and children who have become the victims,” AU Commission chairperson Nkosazana-Dlamini Zuma said in her opening remarks.

“We have to work together to ensure that we build lasting peace,” she told the African heads of state gathered in Addis Ababa.

The outgoing AU chairperson, Mr Hailemariam Desalegn, expressed his fear that emerging conflicts in the continent may seriously damage peace and security of Africa if not addressed urgently.

 “While I am encouraged that progress has been made in resolving some of the conflict situations in our continent, I am deeply concerned by the emergence of new conflicts. If not addressed urgently, they will threaten our peace and security and undermine the gains that we have made in recent years,” Mr Desalegn, who is also the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, said.

CAR descended into chaos 10 months ago after rebels overthrew the government, sparking sectarian violence.

The warring parties in neighbouring South Sudan signed a fragile ceasefire last week, but clashes between government and rebels continue, with thousands killed and more than 800,000 forced from their homes in bloodshed that has now lasted for six weeks.

“We have to work together to ensure that we build lasting peace,” she told the African heads of state gathered in Addis Ababa.

The outgoing AU chairperson, Mr Hailemariam Desalegn, expressed his fear that emerging conflicts in the continent may seriously damage peace and security of Africa if not addressed urgently.

“While I am encouraged that progress has been made in resolving some of the conflict situations in our continent, I am deeply concerned by the emergence of new conflicts. If not addressed urgently, they will threaten our peace and security and undermine the gains that we have made in recent years,” Mr Desalegn, who is also the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, said.

CAR descended into chaos 10 months ago after rebels overthrew the government, sparking sectarian violence.

The warring parties in neighbouring South Sudan signed a fragile ceasefire last week, but clashes between government and rebels continue, with thousands killed and more than 800,000 forced from their homes in bloodshed that has now lasted for six weeks.