William Ruto, Kenya’s Deputy President on Tuesday expressed his discontent to Kigali for sealing off its border with Uganda.
Ruto who was among the key speakers at Africa Now Conference hosted at Munyonyo said Kigali’s actions threaten the future of the regional integration.
“I don’t know what the problem because we all speak the right language. We know what we must do but we don’t do what is right,” Ruto said.
The Conference focused on a secure, integrated and growing Africa.
Ruto added: “We still have incidents of cattle from one country being auctioned in another country because they crossed the border from another country. We also still have a border in one country being blocked by another country in East Africa.”
Ruto however, didn’t openly mention the countries.
“Really, that makes us really concerned. We should be thinking of how to eliminate work permits and how to integrate the region better,” he articulated.
His remarks follow a simmering fallout between Rwanda and Uganda with the former accusing its neighbor of habouring hostile elements planning to overthrow President Paul Kagame.
This accusation, Uganda has consistently denied.
Last month, Rwanda closed its border at Gatuna resulting into a paralysis in the business community.
The action was perceived as a justification of the accusations Rwanda has severally levelled against Uganda.
Ruto in his speech asked Uganda’s leader Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni whom he termed to as a father to continue the spirit of uniting Africans and steering the integration.
“You are a father figure in our region and we are looking up to you for leadership. You can’t escape from responsibility. You have to provide leadership for East Africa to march forward,” said Ruto.