President Museveni may have to devise means of reinventing himself at African continental level after his country-Uganda has been slapped with nasty sanctions by the African Union.
As we speak, the Kiira-EV motors Republic has been kicked out of the AU arrangements alongside other countries including Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Central African Republic and Gabon!
We can authoritatively confirm that the Ugandan leader or any of his ministers cannot attend or purport to host any Summits under the auspices of African Union.
The reason is not anything else but defaulting on payment of Member State contributions to the Regular budget and Peace Fund of the continental body-African Union.
It’s not clear how much Uganda is being demanded but Inspectors suggested it’s in the region of not less than USD6million.
According to Inspectors, the country having been placed under what AU baptized as Intermediate Sanctions, has no right to vote, speak, host, win a contract but worse still, sponsor or present any candidate to take up any position within the AU structures.
Ironically, we’re told Uganda is the Chief Campaigner for Kenyan former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga who is battling four others to scoop the position of the AU Commission chairperson.
The final decision on this matter is expected to be sealed next month when the AU Heads of State Summit convenes to determine the next AU Commission chairperson.
“As we speak, Odinga’s chances are in total jeopardy. The Chief marketer for his candidature has been kicked out. Uganda is for now effectively a masquerader if any of it’s officials attempts to attend any AU meeting or function. They will not speak leave alone voting” said an inspector.
THE FACTS ABOUT SANCTIONS
According to available data, this embarrassment against Uganda arose from a decision taken during the Joint sitting of the ministerial committee on the scale of assessment and contributions and the Committee of the 15 Ministers of Finance.
This said meeting according to details before us sat to take note on the status of member states contributions to the Regular budget and Peace Fund.
In it’s decisions particularly item no.6, the meeting decided that Uganda and it’s other ‘partners in crime’ including South Sudan should be slapped with sanctions immediately.
“Meeting decides to impose sanctions on the following member states that have fallen back on the payment of their assessed contributions” the minutes of that meeting which we ably accessed read in part!
There were three categories of sanctions that were imposed on states depending on the degree of indebtedness. The first category was Cautionary sanctions and here, only Mozambique was mentioned.
The second category was Intermediate Sanctions where our dear Uganda, South Sudan, Central African Republic, Gabon, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger were placed.
The third category was Comprehensive sanctions where countries like Guinea, Sao Tome and Principe alongside Burundi were mentioned.
WHAT’S AHEAD FOR UGANDA AFTER SANCTIONS
Article 23 of the AU Constitutive Act, empowers the Assembly to determine the appropriate sanctions to be imposed on any member state that defaults (intermediate sanctions in this case) on the payment of contributions to the budget of the union. Such sanctions may include denial of the right to speak in AU meetings, right to vote, right to present candidates for any position or post within the Union or to benefit from any activity or commitments therefrom.
Rule no.5 goes on to state that any member state that offers to host any sessions of AU should not be under any sanctions.
Those who have defaulted for two years up to five are even denied a chance to be a member of a bureau of any AU organ, cannot host any organ of the AU, cannot have it’s nationals participate in election observation or missions and also it’s people cannot be appointed as elected or no elected staff including working as consultants, interns or volunteers of AU.
We’re told the fact that Uganda just recently hosted the AU Summit on Agriculture otherwise called CAADP, is not a guarantee that the country still enjoys such clout anymore. Inspectors said this was only possible after intense lobbying by Uganda and also the fact that President Museveni is held in high esteem among his peers on the continent.
“However, for now Uganda has no chance of attending, speaking or voting in any upcoming AU meetings. Unfortunately, it comes at a time when the Summit is siting in a matter of days from now. Uganda is under sanctions” explained an inspector.
The Inspector went on “Uganda is leading Raila Odinga’s campaign at continental level but can no longer vote, speak. Therefore, Raila has lost the vote of the head of his campaigns. Very sad for him”
Watch this space!
