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OPINION
By Ndawula Shemei
Last Sunday (May 19, 2024), the world was shaken on its hinges by the sorrowful news of the passing of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. A nation builder at heart, President Raisi’s tenure has been marked by significant diplomatic achievements and a deepening of ties with various nations, most notably the East African community and Uganda. This was in a grander scheme to move Iran out of its long-standing diplomatic seclusion into world politics.
Ebrahim Raisi’s presidency has in the last few years revitalized Iran’s global diplomatic engagements, placing a renewed focus on Africa. Uganda, in particular, benefited immensely from his vision culminating into a state visit here in July last year underscoring this commitment. Reflecting the significance of this rare and symbolic state visit his arrival in Entebbe was greeted with a 21-gun salute and a warm reception by Hon Okello Oryem the minister for foreign affairs; a testament to the robust relationship between our nations.
In the discussions held during this state visit; Presidents, Raisi and Museveni explored avenues for enhancing political and economic cooperation. Importantly, there was also a business forum held on the sidelines which saw the signing of critical agreements aimed at boosting trade and investment between Iran and Uganda. These engagements were part of President Raisi’s broader vision and strategy to mitigate the effects of international sanctions by diversifying Iran’s economic partnerships.
Under President Raisi’s leadership, significant progress has been made in strengthening economic ties with Uganda and the greater African continent. Memorandums of understanding have been signed, focusing on the agriculture, technology, and energy sectors. These agreements are not only aimed at fostering economic growth but also at facilitating the transfer of technology and expertise. One initiative that arguably stands out is the plan to establish an Iranian manufacturing plant in Uganda, which promises to create jobs and enhance local industry.
Beyond the realm of economics, President Raisi has been an outstanding proponent of cultural and educational exchanges. As one of the most notable leaders in the Muslim world his visit to Uganda last July was also aimed at strengthening the ties between Ugandan Muslims and Iran. One of the main achievements of the discussions was the commitment to bolster Islamic pilgrimage by the Ugandan faithful to religious and historic sites in Iran. These initiatives have played a crucial role in deepening mutual understanding and respect between the Muslim faithful of both countries. Additionally, under President Raisi’s leadership student exchange programs and professional collaborations have enriched both our nations, promoting a shared sense of community and partnership.
What many may have overlooked during President Raisi’s visit to Uganda is that it also highlighted a convergence of values on certain cultural issues. His support for Uganda’s controversial legislative stance on what the parliament had perceived as cultural imperialism, while highly criticized by the West, underscored a mutual respect for each other’s societal norms and values. This alignment on sensitive issues showcased the solidarity and mutual understanding that characterized the relationship between Uganda and Iran.
Iran itself is no stranger to the controversy of stoking the West’s interventionist spirit in the national policies of independent nations with its nuclear program. President Raisi has throughout his tumultuous tenure endured a barrage of sanctions and restrictions because of his adamance at maintaining Iran’s sovereignty and his presence at such a time was reassuring to the country.
Not surprisingly, both President Ebrahim Raisi and President Museveni shared a mutual passion for a multipolar world. Looking at President Raisi’s commitment at breaking away from the imperialistic clutches of the “world powers” to chart an independent future for a prosperous Iran, it seems to echo President Museveni’s “African solutions for African Problems” mantra. Indeed in many ways President Museveni has with the East African Crude oil pipeline showcased traces of his counterpart’s resilience with the Iranian nuclear program which has gone a long way in improving the country’s technological and medical research as well as electricity generation capacity. We can only hope our own resilience is as rewarding as that of the Iranian people.
The Pan-African and Pan-Arabian philosophies espoused by our two leaders where both born out of a desire to break free from foreign dominance and interference to forge true national sovereignty and the loss of a sturdy personality like Ebrahim Raisi will definitely reverberate across both continents.
President Ebrahim Raisi’s legacy is one of friendship, cooperation, and mutual respect. His dedication to forging strong ties with Uganda has left an indelible mark on our diplomatic and economic landscape. As we mourn his passing, we also celebrate the enduring legacy of his efforts to build bridges and foster collaboration. The foundations laid during his presidency should continue to guide and inspire us, strengthening the bonds between Uganda and Iran for years to come.
In remembering President Raisi, we honor a leader whose vision and commitment to partnership have created a lasting legacy of friendship and cooperation that will be cherished by future generations.
The writer is a senior research fellow at the Development Watch Centre
Source link : https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/news/president-ebrahim-raisi-remembering-a-disting-NV_189067
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Publish date : 2024-05-30 08:31:51
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