This archive report was first published on 21 August 2019.
On August 21, 2019, a significant development took place in Luanda, Angola, as Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni signed an agreement aimed at ending the tensions between their countries.
The agreement was witnessed by the presidents of Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Congo, and marked a crucial step towards resolving the long-standing dispute between Rwanda and Uganda.
The tensions between the two countries had escalated in recent months, with both sides accusing each other of spying, political assassinations, and meddling in each other's affairs.
Trade between the two countries had been severely disrupted since late February, when Rwanda abruptly closed the border with Uganda, severing a major economic land route.
After the signing, Kagame expressed optimism that the agreement would lead to improved relations between the two countries, saying he did not anticipate any problems in working with Museveni to address the issues they had agreed to address.
The agreement was hailed by the Angolan leader, Joao Lourenco, who described it as a demonstration of the two presidents' willingness to overcome conflict.
However, the road to reconciliation will not be easy, as the standoff between the two leaders has already had a significant impact on regional stability and economic integration in the region.
Despite the challenges ahead, the signing of the agreement marks a significant step towards resolving the tensions between Rwanda and Uganda, and provides a glimmer of hope for improved relations between the two countries.
