No deal yet with US over Afghan refugees – Ugandan Foreign Minister
Uganda’s foreign affairs minister says the government has not yet reached a formal agreement with the US to take in refugees who have fled Afghanistan in the aftermath of the Taliban’s seizure of power.
Jeje Odongo’s comments came two days after Refugee Minister Esther Anyakun told the BBC that Uganda had agreed to accept at least 2,000 Afghans following a request from the US.
Addressing a parliamentary committee, Mr Odongo said discussions were continuing but no decision had yet been made.
He added that the US had approached Uganda because of its track-record on hosting refugees.
More than one million refugees, most of whom fled conflicts in other parts of East Africa, live in Uganda.
On Wednesday, some members of parliament asked the government to explain why it made a commitment to take in the Afghans without consulting the legislature.
Those who support the plan say that during emergencies, Uganda, as signatory to international conventions, is under an obligation to provide support to people fleeing.
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Emmanuel Ukoh/BBC
