Ghana recognises Ugandan Govt

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32525, 8 February 1971, Page 13

Ghana recognises Ugandan Govt

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) ACCRA, February 7. Ghana has recognised the new Ugandan Government led by Major-General Idi Amin. In a message to General Amin—who took power in a military coup on January 25—the Ghanaian Government said that a cardinal principle of its foreign policy was noninterference in the internal affairs of sovereign independent States.

“Ghana recognises the sovereignty and independence of Uganda, and the change of Government announced by Major-General Amin does not affect this position,” its message said. Ghana is the first African state to recognise the new Government in Uganda, after Britain’s decision to do so. Several African Governments have been reported waiting only to avoid being the first to recognise the Government of Major-General Amin.

Britain’s decision caused some consternation in parts of East Africa, where sympathies still lie with the former President, Dr Milton Obote, the New York Times News Service has reported. Far from relinquishing his claim to the Presidency, Dr Obote lias been travelling round East Africa trying to persuade other leaders to continue recognition of him as the legitmate head of Uganda. Diplomats in Kampala, the Ugandan capital, now expect

that de facto recognition of the new Government will come soon, even from governments that stop short of a formal announcement. The United States has taken no step toward recognising the new government, but is considered quite likely to do so -now, de facto, following Britain’s lead.