President Yoweri Museveni has been elected as the head of the Non-Aligned Movement countries following a two-day conventional meeting in Kampala Uganda.
President William Ruto who joined the heads of state at the convention delivered a heartful message to Museveni, pledging to back his presidency.
"I take this opportunity to congratulate you on assuming the chair of the Non-Aligned Movement and to assure you of my full support throughout your tenure," Ruto stated.
Museveni was elected to be the president of the committee that comprises 120 countries, Kenya being among them.
"Kenya is aligned, as a matter of policy, with the areas of focus that you have identified as Uganda's priorities as chair of the non-aligned Movement," Ruto commented.
He urged Museveni, through patronage and affiliation to uphold enduring values and universal aspirations of humankind as aligned with the movement.
Ruto further expressed his admiration for the outgoing president, Ilham Aliyev (Azerbaijan) for his six-year leadership tenure. He observed that the former president led the movement through the major 2020 pandemic and international crises.
"Congratulations to the outgoing chair of the Non-Aligned Movement, His Excellency Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan for his committed and highly exemplary stewardship of the organisation," he stated.
Non-Aligned Movement was founded with the view of advancing the interests of developing countries in the context of the Cold War confrontation.
In his speech, Ruto also urged member states to continue upholding and promoting the enduring and universal values of freedom, democracy, and the sovereign equality of the nations of the world.
He further emphasised the need to oppose any powers that go against the sovereign equality of countries, including direct and indirect threats to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of nations. Nonetheless, they should also support countries and bodies that stand for democracy.
"The values we celebrate inspire us to take a robust position in demanding democracy and inclusion in the decision-making frameworks and institutional architecture of both the global security and governance, as well as the international financial systems.
"The collective voice of the Nonaligned Movement must therefore redefine and reorient the United Nations Security Council, as well as the multilateral development financing agencies," he encouraged.
On his end, Museveni applauded the member countries for backing his presidency and pledged to enact all recommendations agreed at the convention.
“The strength of NAM should be used to exercise considerable influence, particularly at the UN for the effective transformative process for a better common future," Museveni stated while assuming the chair.
