Amama Mbabazi bounces back as Special Envoy
President Museveni has appointed former Prime Minister John Patrick Amama Mbabazi as a Special Envoy to South Sudan and Ethiopia.
Sources privy to Mbabazi’s new assignment told the press that Museveni last month directed his Principal Private Secretary, Dr Kenneth Omona, to work with the President’s Office and Public Service Commission (PSC) to formalize Mbabazi’s appointment.
On September 29, Dr Omona wrote on behalf of the President, instructing the permanent secretary in the Office of the President, Hajj Yunus Kakande, to handle the matter with PSC which is supposed to issue Mbabazi’s instruments.
In the same letter, Hajj Kakande, who did not respond to calls and text messages yesterday, was instructed to liaise with PSC to finalise the appointment and work out the nitty-gritties, including ensuring that Mbabazi gets a monthly salary that is “personal to holder”.
A senior official at PSC yesterday explained that the reference to personal-to-holder proviso, meant that Mbabazi’s pay would be determined on his experience, qualifications, and all characteristics that are taken into account when a person is being evaluated for a promotion.
Senior presidential press secretary Lindah Nabusayi yesterday requested the press to give her time to crosscheck the facts surrounding Mbabazi’s mission to Juba and Addis Ababa.
After consultations, Ms Nabusayi later responded, saying: “Can’t confirm or deny. In case of anything, we shall let you know.” She didn’t provide any additional details on Mbabazi’s appointment.
While the former ‘super minister’ didn’t respond to calls and text messages, sources close to him told the press last evening that for personal reasons, he preferred to keep the appointment “hush-hush” but accepted the assignment.
Why South Sudan, Ethiopia?
There are mutual and longstanding ties between Uganda and South Sudan. However, it’s the long-standing security interests, influx of refugees from South Sudan, insecurity, threats to future market integration and bilateral trade that constitute President Museveni’s concern. The 2005 Comprehensive Peace agreement deepened relations between the two countries.
South Sudan is bordered to the east by Ethiopia, to the north by Sudan, to the west by the Central African Republic, to the southwest by Democratic Republic of the Congo to the south by Uganda and to the southeast by Kenya.
Unlike South Sudan, Uganda and Ethiopia don’t share borders, but share aspirations for a peaceful and prosperous Africa.
In 2011, Uganda and Ethiopia signed bilateral agreements to cooperate in regional security operations. The deal also sought to strengthen economic ties while allowing for the free movement of people between the two countries.
The President was in Ethiopia on Monday this week and spoke against the politics of identity. He was at Meskel Square in Addis Ababa, where he addressed African leaders who graced the inauguration of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for a new five-year term.
The former director of Internal Security Organisation, Brig Ronnie Balya, is Uganda’s ambassador to South Sudan and Ms Rebecca Amuge Otengo is in charge of Ethiopia and Djibouti. This position also makes her Uganda’s permanent representative to the African Union (AU), Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) as well as United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).
Explaining how Amama Mbabazi’s appointment is going to fit into the diplomatic mix, sources told Daily Monitor that Balya and Otengo won’t be antagonised since they report to Foreign Affairs minister and the new special envoy reports to the President.
Museveni- Amama Mbabazi fall out. President Museveni and Mbabazi fell out following what insiders said was a power struggle.