Africa’s Climate Lead Negotiator Urges US to Support Loss and Damage Fund
The Chair of the African Group of Negotiators, Ali Mohamed, has urged the newly elected US President Donald Trump to commit to the loss and damage fund, arguing the lives of climate-hit Africans count on it.
Mohammed told the Uganda Radio Network at the sidelines of the COP 29 conference in Saturday in Baku that the loss and damage fund is a necessity for the survival of Africans whose livelihood is battered by the negative impacts of climate change.
“The US has been a great ally for many African nations, and it is regrettable that its resistance to include loss and damage in climate finance discussions does not align with the urgency of the crisis we are facing,” Mohammed said.
“We hope that Washington will revise its position on this very important issue, and we will use the means available to us, as the African Group of Negotiators, to advocate for a mutually beneficial solution.”
His concerns came after the recent re-election of Donald Trump as the United States President.
In 2019, Trump withdrew from the Paris Climate Agreement in his first term as president, saying that funding the loss and damage fund puts an “unfair economic burden” on the American citizens.
Despite that, Mohammed revealed that Africa negotiators are determined to fight for climate funding, adding that many lives of Africans are at risk due to climate crises.
Climate finance has been at the centre of discussion at this year’s COP29 which kicked off on November 11 in Baku.
Developing nations are pushing for the developed countries to adopt the New Collective Quantified Goals (NCGQ).
The NCQG succeeded the 2009 agreement in Copenhagen Climate, where developed countries agreed to “mobilise” 100 billion US dollars per year by 2020 to address climate needs of developing nations. This goal was, however, met in 2022- two years after the initial deadline.
In the Paris agreement of 2015, countries agreed that developed countries shall set a new collective quantified goal from a floor of $100bn per year before 2025, taking into account the needs and priorities of developing countries.
With the 2025 deadline approaching, this will be the final opportunity to settle on the new target.
Mohammed notes that loss and damage fund is a not political issue, adding that it is the moral obligation of the developed nations to support climate-hit communities in developing countries caused by their heavy carbon emissions.
Professor Isaac Kalonda, a negotiator from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, accused the developed nations of playing delaying tactics, adding that they should pay for the climate damages caused by their actions.
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Africa’s Climate Lead Negotiator Urges US to Support Loss and Damage Fund
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Ugandan Citizen Abducted, Held in Secret Detention for Three Months, Sparks Outrage and Calls for Justice
A disturbing new case of unlawful detention has surfaced, highlighting the ongoing human rights crisis in Uganda. A Ugandan citizen was reportedly abducted and held in a secret facility, known as a “safe house,” for three months, only to be released without charge or explanation. This incident, reported by NTV Uganda, has sparked widespread condemnation and renewed calls for accountability regarding human rights abuses in the country.
While the details surrounding the abduction remain unclear, reports indicate that the individual was taken without due process and held incommunicado—an action that has long been condemned by human rights organizations. The victim’s release, with no charges filed and no clear justification, has angered activists and citizens, who view this as yet another case of egregious abuse of power by the state.
“This is a recurring pattern,” said one human rights activist. “Abductions, secret detentions, and unexplained releases have become all too common in Uganda. These acts violate fundamental human rights and erode public trust in the justice system.”
The use of “safe houses,” unregistered detention facilities reportedly operated by security forces, has been a focal point in numerous allegations of torture and illegal imprisonment. Despite repeated calls from both local and international organizations for their closure and accountability for those involved, little action has been taken to address these violations.
This case underscores the urgent need for reform within Uganda’s security apparatus and greater accountability for human rights abuses. Observers hope that drawing attention to these injustices will spur concrete action to bring those responsible to justice and ensure the protection of basic human rights.
As frustration mounts, calls for both domestic and international pressure to hold the government accountable for such crimes grow louder. “One day, there must be accountability for all these crimes against our people,” stated one social media user, reflecting the sentiments of many Ugandans.
National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi has accused Ugandan security forces of using excessive force to disrupt a planned NUP gathering. The allegations were detailed in a statement shared on Twitter, following an event held to honor children of NUP supporters who were killed, disappeared, or detained for their political beliefs.
According to Kyagulanyi, security personnel, under the command of an officer identified as Asiimwe, carried out a preemptive operation early in the morning upon learning of the NUP’s plans. The forces allegedly stormed the premises, arrested workers, and deployed tear gas to disperse those present.
“The criminals under the command of one Asiimwe deployed early morning, arrested our workers, and threw tear gas into our premises. They’ve cordoned off the premises and blocked all people from accessing the place,” Kyagulanyi wrote.
Among those reportedly arrested were Saava Peter, Mudenya Samson, and Turyasingura Samson. Kyagulanyi claimed the detained workers were subjected to beatings and interrogated about their political affiliations, with security operatives labeling them as terrorists.
“These JATT operatives asked the workers who they support politically, branding them terrorists and criminals—their only crime being that they work with us. You can imagine the indignity!” Kyagulanyi lamented.
This incident adds to the growing tension in Uganda’s political climate, where opposition parties frequently accuse the government of stifling dissent. Despite the challenges, Kyagulanyi ended his statement with a message of defiance and optimism, proclaiming, “UGANDA WILL BE FREE.”
NUP Gathering Disrupted: Kyagulanyi Alleges Security Force Harassment and Arrests
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Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum
Sudan has demanded an official apology from Uganda over “offensive and dangerous” comments made by the chief of Uganda army staff, who threated to invade Khartoum, the Sudan Tribune has reported.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and CDF of the Ugandan army, posted two comments on the X platform on Tuesday in which he threatened “to capture Khartoum” with the support of the US President elect Donald Trump after he takes office. The posts were deleted later.
“The government of Sudan demands and official apology from the Ugandan government for the offensive and dangerous comments of the army commander,” Sudan’s foreign ministry said in a statement that the Sudan Tribune said it has seen.
Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum