30 11 13 The Monitor: Angola joins Uganda in Congo, M23 peace talks

Peace talks

Peace talks
initiated by the Ugandan government dragged on for months, with little hope of
reaching a peaceful agreement. DR Congo has several rebel groups in its eastern
region, controlling areas rich in gold and diamond, which are exported to
western countries. “Angola shall continue to be an advocate of
peace as a member of African Union and SADC, among other international
organisations,” Mr Lukoki told guests during Angola’s
independence anniversary celebrations in Kampala
recently. He added: “I call upon fellow member states to work for peace. Force
is turning into a culture of political violence.”

He hailed Uganda for
supporting Angola
in attaining its independence in 1975.

Speaking at the same function as chief guest, Ugandan state minister for
Foreign Affairs, Mr Okello Oryem, urged the local business community to take
advantage of the cordial relations between the two countries to do business. “Uganda will
soon become an oil producing country. We hope to learn from your country (Angola). I take
this opportunity to invite Angolan investors to invest in Uganda and the
locals to do so in the same spirit,” he said.