NAM summit: Uganda speaks out on wars in Ukraine, Gaza

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The Vice President, Jessica Alupo, has said the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Palestine’s Gaza Strip pose challenges to the core principles of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the largest grouping of states worldwide after the United Nations.

Alupo made the remarks on Wednesday while opening the Ministerial Meeting of NAM’s 19th summit at Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort Hotel in Kampala.

“Ongoing geopolitical tension and conflicts, such as the current conflict between Israel and Palestine, Ukraine and Russia are a matter of concern for all of us. They not only pose challenges to the core principles of our movement, but they have also caused the loss of human lives and destruction of property, among others,” she said.

The Vice President, Jessica Alupo, has said the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Palestine’s Gaza Strip pose challenges to the core principles of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). (Photo by Eddie Ssejjoba)

NAM's five principles are; mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, mutual non-aggression, mutual non-interference in domestic affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful co-existence.

Alupo stated that as countries of the Global South, they have regularly come together to discuss issues of common interests and concern.

“This meeting is yet another opportunity to continue with a constructive conversation on these issues. As we deliberate during this summit, we should reaffirm our commitment to maintain cohesion and unity among ourselves on all issues of common interest and promote our common position on the relevant multilateral forum,” she implored the meeting.

Uganda’s foreign affairs minister Gen (rtd) Jeje Odongo was elected the chairman of the meeting, which is a preparatory to the summit conference.

Alupo told delegates from 120 NAM countries that their presence is an affirmation of the trust and confidence in Uganda’s leadership to steer the movement in line with the founding principles and promotion of the interests of its membership in a globalized world.

Uganda, which is led by President Yoweri Museveni, is taking over as NAM chair from Azerbaijan for the next three years.

Palestine implores NAM

On January 15, 2024, Palestine implored NAM to help end Israel’s offensive in the Gaza Strip.

“I know that the movement that supported Palestine from the beginning will continue to support Palestine until we put an end to this tragedy. Palestine needs all of you and I know all of you will not hesitate to give us all the support that we need,” Palestinian foreign affairs minister, Riyad al-Malik, said.

He made the call at the opening of the Senior Officials Preparatory Meeting of the summit.

Riyad said they succeeded in having unity among the Muslim groups and the NAM which called for an end to Israel's relentless attack on Gaza.

“We need a ceasefire now to address the needs of our people in all corners of the Gaza Strip and fight very strongly against the crimes against humanity of mass displacement of our people out of Gaza Strip,” he said.

Israel launched its offensive in Gaza in response to a cross-border assault by Hamas on October 7, 2023 which reportedly left 1,300 people dead.