Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has blamed Iran, Israel, and Western powers for fueling the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. In a five-page letter shared on June 24 via his official X account, Museveni broke his silence on the crisis, offering one of the first major African responses to the escalating tensions in the Middle East.
The letter was prompted by alleged criticism from the Iranian Ambassador to Uganda over Museveni’s earlier silence. Responding directly, Museveni accused Iran of refusing to recognize Israel and condemned Israel for blocking the two-state solution, calling both positions “mistaken.”
He also held Western powers, particularly the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), responsible for contributing to Iran’s radicalization. He referenced the 1953 CIA-backed coup that overthrew Iran’s Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh, arguing that the move led to long-term instability and eventually to the rise of Iran’s current theocratic regime.
Museveni urged global powers to refrain from further military interventions in the region, warning that continued use of force would only deepen the crisis. He called instead for diplomacy, mutual recognition, and respect for sovereignty.
As chair of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) from 2024 to 2027, Museveni’s remarks carry diplomatic weight. The NAM consists of 121 member states and advocates for neutrality in global power struggles, particularly those involving superpowers.
His statement signals Africa’s potential role in shaping global peace efforts and reflects growing concern among Global South leaders about escalating conflicts driven by historical grievances and foreign interference.
