Presidents Of Rwanda, Uganda Sign Ceasefire Pact After Angola, Congo Mediation

The presidents of Rwanda and Uganda signed an agreement on Wednesday in the Angolan capital Luanda aimed at end months of tensions between the two countries, reported Reuters.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame and his Ugandan counterpart, Yoweri Museveni, who were once close allies, had faced off in a series of disputes after the two exchanged accusations of spying, meddling and political assassinations.

 Trade between the two countries has been severely disrupted after Rwanda abruptly closed the border with its northern neighbor, severing a major economic land route. The dispute escalated in March when Rwanda publicly accused Uganda of abducting its citizens and supporting rebels bent on overthrowing the government.

The signing of the agreement was witnessed by the presidents of Angola Joao Lourenco, Democratic Republic of Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi and Congo’s Denis Sassou Nguesso.

According to a statement issued at the end of the latest round of talks between the leaders in Luanda, the two Presidents have also agreed to “refrain from actions conducive to destabilization or subversion in the territory of the other.”

They also agreed to protect and respect the rights and freedoms of people residing or transiting through their respective countries and to resume cross-border activities including movement of persons and goods as early as possible. It currently remains unclear when the main border crossing will actually open.

After the signing, Kagame said he did not anticipate any problems in working “more specifically with President Museveni to address what we have agreed to address,” while Museveni said, “Uganda is fully committed to enforcing this agreement.”

The peace talks between Uganda and Rwanda have been mediated by the leaders of Congo and Angola since July.

Angolan President Joao Lourenco hailed the agreement, saying it showed the two leaders’ willingness to overcome conflict.