President Museveni Takes Helm As NAM Chairman, Condemns ‘Strategic Shallowness’ In Global Politics

By Gad Masereka

In a historic moment at the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit ongoing in Munyonyo, Kampala, President Yoweri Museveni has been elected as the new chairman, succeeding President Ilham Aliye of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The symbolic transfer of the chairmanship took place as H.E. Jeyhun Aziz Ogu Bayramov, the Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan, officially handed over the seat to President Museveni.

In his inaugural address as the NAM chairman, President Museveni expressed strong sentiments regarding global politics. He denounced what he termed as ‘strategic shallowness’ among certain world actors who claim to be democratic but do not respect the freedom of people. The Ugandan president, referencing the ‘resistance fighters’ of Uganda, asserted, “We are flabbergasted and look down with contempt at the philosophical, ideological, and strategic shallowness of some of the actors in the world.”

President Museveni emphasized the need for respect for the freedom of all individuals and advocated for free associations of nations, particularly those sharing a common origin, collaborating for mutual advantage on the global stage.

“Our stand is that the world should concentrate on the common human problems ─ prosperity through trade, the advance of science and technology to deal with human problems, the environment, crime, and terrorism,” President Museveni declared, outlining his vision for the future direction of NAM.

As the newly elected chairman, President Museveni is set to lead the Non-Aligned Movement from 2024 to 2027. The summit, attended by leaders from various nations, serves as a platform for discussing critical global issues and fostering cooperation among non-aligned nations. President Museveni’s leadership is anticipated to bring forth a renewed focus on addressing common challenges and promoting global prosperity through collaborative efforts.