Hon. Oryem Okello special Envoy to Algeria.

The Minister of State for International Affairs, Special Envoy of the President of the Republic of Uganda, Henry Okello Oryem, highlighted on Thursday in Algiers the “close ties” between Algeria and his country. “Close links unite Algeria and Uganda and bilateral relations date back to before the independence of both countries” OKELLO told the press after his meeting with the Ministre d’Etat, Minister Foreign Affairs and international Cooperation, Ramtane Lamamra.

He further reported having discussions with Lamamra.

On the purpose of his visit to Algeria, Mr. Okello said he discussed with Algerian officials the issue of AU Commission scheduled for the next summit of the Pan African organization, where Uganda has submitted a candidate for President of the Commission of the Union. “We came to seek the support of Algeria to Uganda’s candidacy” he said, recalling that the President of the AU Commission was “very important”, the candidate for the job “must have high qualifications and abilities necessary to represent Africa”. “We also discussed the election of the other commissioners of the AU who must also have high qualifications and the necessary experience” said the Ugandan Minister.

Hon. Okello was also received by Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal.

After making an overview on the state of bilateral relations, the situation in Africa was discussed. Referring to the issue of African institutions, the analysis “converges to the need to further strengthen them to participate in better governance issues related to human and political promotion in Africa”.