DETAILS: Minister Oryem, French Ambassador Discuss South Sudan Polls, AU Agenda and Regional Security

Uganda’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (International Affairs), Hon. Henry Okello Oryem, held high-level talks with the Ambassador of France to Uganda, H.E. Virgine Leroy, focusing on continental priorities, regional stability, and bilateral cooperation.

According to reports, the meeting reviewed outcomes of the recent 39th Ordinary Session of the African Union Summit held in Addis Ababa. This year’s summit placed strong emphasis on sustainable water management and sanitation under Agenda 2063, alongside discussions on peace and security, climate resilience, economic integration, and strengthened partnerships between Africa and global actors, including the European Union.

Regional developments featured prominently in the talks, particularly the political transition process in South Sudan, which is currently scheduled to hold general elections in December 2026 following repeated postponements linked to peace implementation challenges, security concerns, and delays in constitutional and institutional reforms.

Pundits say France places stability in South Sudan and the wider region not only as a diplomatic priority but also a development concern. As a key EU member state and major contributor to European development financing, France supports governance reforms, humanitarian programming, peacebuilding, climate adaptation, and infrastructure initiatives across East Africa. Electoral instability or renewed conflict in South Sudan could undermine these investments and trigger broader regional displacement and security risks.

Discussions also covered migration governance, oil revenue transparency, and regional security dynamics in the Great Lakes and Horn of Africa. Oil revenue management in fragile states such as South Sudan remains central to long-term stability, with international partners advocating for transparent systems to prevent resource-driven conflict.

Both sides reaffirmed the strong Uganda–France partnership, underscoring continued cooperation in diplomacy, security collaboration, and sustainable development programming. France views Uganda as a strategic regional actor, particularly given Kampala’s diplomatic engagement in regional peace efforts and its role in continental processes under the African Union framework.