‘True Pan-African Leadership’: Darfur Governor Minnawi Praises Museveni’s Sudan Refugee Policy

KAMPALA — Darfur Governor Minni Arkou Minnawi has hailed President Yoweri Museveni for Uganda’s continued support for Sudanese refugees, describing the Ugandan leader as a great Pan-Africanist whose response to Sudan’s war reflects solidarity with Africans in times of crisis.

Speaking to members of the Sudanese community in Uganda at the Pearl of Africa Hotel in Kampala on Sunday, Minnawi expressed his “sincere appreciation and gratitude” to President Museveni for his contribution towards supporting and protecting people affected by the conflict in Sudan.

Minnawi, who also leads the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM), praised Museveni as a leader of wisdom, unity and Pan-African vision, particularly for the manner in which Uganda has welcomed Sudanese fleeing the war.

Sudan Ambassador to Uganda Ahmed Ibrahim Ahmad, addressing the community. PHOTO BY ALEX MASEREKA JOEL

He said Uganda had provided victims of the conflict with safety, dignity and hope at a time when millions of Sudanese have been displaced by the devastating war.

The Darfur governor also commended Museveni’s continued efforts to promote peace and stability in Sudan, saying Uganda’s engagement was important to efforts aimed at ending the suffering of the Sudanese people.

“Credit to the great African leader Gen Museveni who gave the people of Sudan and gave them a chance and opportunity to survive,” Minnawi said, emphasizing the importance of continued regional efforts to restore peace in Sudan.

He contrasted Uganda’s approach with what he described as the actions of ill-minded actors from outside the region who, he said, had contributed to the destruction of Sudan’s unity while pursuing their own interests.

Members of the Sudanese community attending the event. PHOTO BY ALEX MASEREKA JOEL

According to Minnawi, Uganda has instead remained a “safe second home” for Sudanese victims of the war.

He attributed this to Museveni’s leadership, saying the President’s approach demonstrated what genuine Pan-Africanism should look like: standing with fellow Africans during moments of crisis while working for peace, unity and stability across the continent.

Minnawi conveyed his deep respect and gratitude to Museveni and expressed hope that continued regional leadership and cooperation would eventually restore peace to Sudan and bring an end to the suffering of its people.

His remarks come as Uganda continues to host a large Sudanese refugee population displaced by the conflict that erupted in Sudan in April 2023, making Uganda one of the region’s key humanitarian and diplomatic actors in responding to the crisis.

The African Union (AU) appointed Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni to lead the Presidential Ad-hoc Committee tasked with mediating an end to the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

For Kampala, the engagement also underscores Uganda’s continuing role in Sudanese affairs, combining humanitarian support for refugees with diplomatic efforts aimed at finding a political pathway out of the war.