Ugandaportal |
Uganda has formal diplomatic relations with many countries, some accredited. Since the colonial era and after independence Uganda has grown to be one of the most important African countries. Uganda has diplomatic relations with many countries throughout Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania. Uganda is a member of the United Nations and the Commonwealth of Nations since 1962.
List of countries which Uganda maintains diplomatic relations with:
# | Country | Date |
---|---|---|
1 | Somalia | 1 April 1960 [1] |
2 | Canada | 9 October 1962 [2] |
3 | Germany | 9 October 1962 [3] |
4 | India | 9 October 1962 [4] |
5 | Israel | 9 October 1962 [5] |
6 | United Kingdom | 9 October 1962 [6] |
7 | United States | 9 October 1962 [7] |
8 | Czech Republic | 11 October 1962 [8] |
9 | Russia | 13 October 1962 [9] |
10 | Sudan | 15 October 1962 [10] |
11 | China | 18 October 1962 [11] |
12 | France | 29 October 1962 [12] |
13 | Rwanda | 18 December 1962 [13] |
14 | Ghana | 1962 [14] [15] |
15 | Japan | 1962 [16] |
16 | Democratic Republic of the Congo | 4 March 1963 [17] |
17 | South Korea | 26 March 1963 [18] |
18 | Poland | 8 April 1963 [19] |
19 | Serbia | 31 July 1963 [20] |
20 | Nigeria | 6 September 1963 [21] |
21 | Switzerland | 1 March 1964 [22] |
22 | Chile | 10 March 1964 [23] |
23 | Sweden | 9 April 1964 [24] |
24 | Bulgaria | 17 May 1964 [25] |
25 | Egypt | 27 May 1964 [26] |
26 | Ethiopia | 4 June 1964 [27] |
27 | Italy | 5 July 1964 [28] |
28 | Norway | 21 July 1964 [29] |
29 | Mali | 4 November 1964 [30] |
30 | Belgium | 1964 [31] |
31 | Denmark | 26 January 1965 [32] |
32 | Finland | 14 June 1965 [33] |
33 | Pakistan | 1 August 1965 [34] |
34 | Hungary | 13 August 1965 [35] |
35 | Australia | 23 August 1965 [36] |
36 | Algeria | 1965 [37] |
37 | Morocco | 1965 [38] |
38 | Netherlands | 1965 [39] |
39 | Austria | 26 January 1966 [40] |
40 | Ivory Coast | 21 July 1966 [41] |
41 | Guinea | 22 July 1966 [42] |
— | Holy See | 1 September 1966 [43] |
42 | Zambia | 1966 [44] |
43 | Liberia | 5 April 1967 [41] |
44 | Burundi | 25 August 1967 [45] |
45 | Lesotho | 4 October 1968 [46] |
46 | Tunisia | 9 December 1968 [47] |
47 | Romania | 27 April 1969 [48] |
48 | Spain | 13 September 1969 [49] |
49 | Turkey | 18 September 1969 [50] |
50 | Brazil | 22 December 1969 [51] |
51 | Senegal | 8 April 1970 [52] |
52 | Venezuela | 27 April 1970 [53] |
53 | Guyana | 21 July 1970 [54] |
54 | Greece | 12 October 1971 [55] |
55 | Botswana | 1971 [56] |
56 | Libya | 13 February 1972 [57] |
57 | Saudi Arabia | 26 June 1972 [58] |
58 | Jordan | 27 June 1972 [59] |
59 | Kuwait | 28 June 1972 [60] |
60 | Syria | 28 June 1972 [61] |
61 | North Korea | 2 August 1972 [62] |
62 | Cameroon | August 1972 [63] |
63 | Sri Lanka | 30 November 1972 [64] |
64 | Vietnam | 9 February 1973 [65] |
65 | Iraq | 25 July 1973 [66] |
66 | Sierra Leone | 10 September 1973 [67] |
67 | Yemen | 17 December 1973 [68] |
68 | Eswatini | 23 January 1974 [69] |
69 | Cuba | 9 May 1974 [70] |
70 | Trinidad and Tobago | 5 June 1974 [69] |
71 | Argentina | 17 June 1974 [71] |
72 | Iran | 12 October 1974 [72] |
73 | Niger | 8 April 1975 [73] |
74 | Gabon | 4 July 1975 [74] |
75 | Mozambique | 21 August 1975 [75] |
76 | Qatar | 1975 [76] |
77 | Mauritania | 3 February 1976 [77] |
78 | Mexico | 20 February 1976 [78] |
79 | Burkina Faso | 26 May 1976 [79] |
80 | Mauritius | 18 June 1976 [80] |
81 | Chad | 8 September 1976 [81] |
82 | Central African Republic | 1977 [82] |
83 | Cyprus | 1 February 1977 [83] |
84 | Djibouti | June 1977 [84] |
85 | Luxembourg | 1977 [85] [86] |
86 | Bangladesh | 25 November 1977 [87] |
87 | Kenya | 8 February 1978 [88] |
88 | Benin | 1978 [89] |
89 | Guinea-Bissau | 1980 [90] |
90 | Malawi | 1981 [91] |
91 | Tanzania | 13 December 1983 [92] |
92 | Thailand | 15 February 1985 [93] |
93 | Oman | 1987 [94] |
94 | Indonesia | 12 January 1989 [95] |
— | State of Palestine | 15 February 1989 [96] |
95 | Bolivia | 3 May 1989 [97] |
96 | Colombia | 5 May 1989 [98] |
97 | Namibia | 1990–1992 [99] |
98 | Portugal | 2 December 1991 [100] |
99 | Seychelles | 6 April 1992 [101] |
100 | Slovakia | 1 January 1993 [102] |
101 | Bahrain | 2 October 1993 [103] |
102 | Maldives | 30 November 1993 [104] |
103 | Eritrea | 28 January 1994 [105] |
104 | South Africa | 24 June 1994 [106] |
105 | Ukraine | 7 September 1994 [107] |
106 | Ireland | 1994 [108] |
107 | Azerbaijan | 19 August 1995 [109] |
108 | Malaysia | 1995 [110] |
109 | Singapore | 1 June 1998 [111] |
110 | Belarus | 2 October 1998 [112] |
111 | Croatia | 10 March 1999 [113] |
112 | Turkmenistan | 5 August 1999 [114] |
113 | North Macedonia | 26 July 2000 [115] |
114 | Iceland | 2000 [116] |
115 | Angola | 2002 [117] |
116 | Brunei | 21 October 2003 [118] |
117 | Philippines | 12 December 2003 [119] |
118 | Malta | 21 July 2004 [120] |
119 | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 27 July 2004 [121] |
120 | Tajikistan | 8 September 2005 [122] |
121 | Slovenia | 31 August 2006 [123] |
122 | Estonia | 19 September 2006 [124] |
123 | New Zealand | 1 November 2006 [125] |
124 | Costa Rica | 29 August 2007 [126] |
125 | Dominican Republic | 22 October 2007 [127] |
126 | United Arab Emirates | 2007 [128] |
127 | Andorra | 11 March 2008 [129] |
128 | Kazakhstan | 20 June 2008 [130] |
129 | Zimbabwe | 28 May 2009 [131] |
130 | Paraguay | 18 June 2010 [132] |
131 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 3 December 2010 [133] |
132 | Georgia | 9 December 2010 [134] |
133 | Montenegro | 14 July 2011 [135] |
134 | Jamaica | 21 September 2011 [136] |
135 | Lithuania | 15 March 2012 [137] |
136 | South Sudan | 3 September 2012 [138] |
137 | Armenia | 28 June 2013 [139] |
138 | Fiji | 16 September 2013 [140] |
139 | Latvia | 1 October 2013 [141] |
140 | Mongolia | 20 November 2013 [142] |
141 | Kyrgyzstan | 19 March 2014 [143] |
142 | Nepal | 12 June 2017 [144] |
143 | El Salvador | 22 September 2017 [145] |
144 | Equatorial Guinea | 19 February 2018 [146] |
145 | Comoros | 24 October 2018 [147] |
146 | Lebanon | 5 March 2019 [148] |
147 | Nicaragua | 7 June 2019 [149] |
148 | Cambodia | 23 January 2020 [150] |
149 | Moldova | 23 October 2020 [151] |
150 | San Marino | 3 May 2021 [152] |
151 | Dominica | 4 May 2021 [153] |
152 | Peru | 4 June 2021 [154] |
153 | Laos | 27 September 2021 [155] |
154 | Saint Kitts and Nevis | 1 April 2022 [156] |
155 | Panama | 22 September 2023 [157] |
156 | Solomon Islands | 27 November 2023 [158] |
157 | Uzbekistan | 18 January 2024 [159] |
158 | Bahamas | Unknown |
159 | Republic of the Congo | Unknown |
160 | Gambia | Unknown |
161 | Madagascar | Unknown |
162 | Togo | Unknown |
Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Algeria | 1965 | Diplomatic relations were established in 1965 when has been accredited Ambassador of Algeria to Uganda (resident in Dar-es-Salaam) Mr. Noureddine Djoudi. [37] |
Botswana | 1971 | Diplomatic relations were established in 1971 when has been accredited High Commissioner of Botswana to Uganda (resident in Lusaka) Mr. E. M. Ontumetse. [56] |
Burkina Faso | 26 May 1976 | Diplomatic relations were established on 26 May 1976 when Uganda's Ambassador to Upper Volta, Lieut.-Col. Mahamudu Omua Azia, presented his credentials to General Lamizana. [79] |
Burundi | 25 August 1967 | Diplomatic relations were established on 25 August 1967 when has been accredited Ambassador of Burundi to Uganda (Resident in Dar es Salaam) Mr. P. Mangona. [45]
|
Cameroon | 7 November 1973 | Diplomatic relations were established on 7 November 1973 when the first Ambassador of Cameroon to Uganda, Haji Mahmoudou Hamman Dick, presented his credentials to President Amin. [160] |
Central African Republic | 1977 | Diplomatic relations were established in 1977 when has been accredited Ambassador of Uganda to the Central African Empire Major - General Francis Nyangweso [82] |
Chad | 8 September 1976 | Diplomatic relations were established on 8 September 1776 when Ambassador of Uganda Lt.-Col. Mohamadou Omoua Aziz has presented his credentials to President of Chad Malloum. [81] |
Comoros | 24 October 2018 | Diplomatic relations were established on 24 October 2018 when Ambassador of Uganda to Comoros with residence in Dar es Salaam Mr. Richard Tumusiime Kabonero presented his letters of credentials to President Azali Assoumani. [147] |
Democratic Republic of Congo | 4 March 1963 | Diplomatic relations were established on 4 March 1963 [17] |
Egypt | 27 May 1964 | Diplomatic relations were established on 27 May 1964 when Mr. Jamal Barakat, United Arab Republic's (Egypt) Ambassador to Uganda, presented his credentials. [26] |
Equatorial Guinea | 19 February 2018 | Diplomatic relations were established on 19 February 2018 when Ambassador of Uganda Mr. Nelson Ocheger has presented his credentials to President of Equatorial Guinea Obiang Nguema Mbasogo. [146] |
Eritrea | 28 January 1994 | Diplomatic relations were established on 28 January 1994. [105] 7 May 2008 Ambassador of Eritrea to Uganda (resident in Nairobi) presented his credentials to President Yoweri Museveni. [161] |
Eswatini | 23 January 1974 | Diplomatic relations were established on 23 January 1974 when has been accredited High Commissioner of Swaziland to Uganda Mr. S. M. Kunene. [69] |
Ethiopia | 4 June 1964 | Diplomatic relations were established on 4 June 1964 when accredited first Ambassador of Ethiopia to Uganda (resident in Nairobi) Mr. Ato Getachew Mekasha [27] |
Gabon | 4 July 1975 | Diplomatic relations were established on 4 July 1975 when the Gabonese Ambassador to Uganda, Mr. Pierre Nebale, has presented his credentials to President Amin. [74] |
Ghana | 1962 | Diplomatic relations were established in 1962 when has been accredited first High Commissioner of Ghana to Uganda David Busumtwi-Sam. [14] [15] |
Guinea | 22 July 1966 | Diplomatic relations were established on 22 July 1966 when the Guinean Ambassador to Uganda, M. B. Biro, presented his credentials to President Obote. [42] |
Ivory Coast | 21 July 1966 | Diplomatic relations were established on 21 July 1966 when was accredited first ambassador of Ivory Coast to Uganda (Resident in Addis Ababa) Mr. Honore Mambe Polneau [41] |
Kenya | 8 February 1978 | See Kenya–Uganda relations Diplomatic relations were established on 8 February 1978 [88] From 1961 to 1965 the two states, along with Tanzania, were united in the East African Common Services Organization, a common market with a loose federal structure. [162]
|
Lesotho | 4 October 1968 | Diplomatic relations were established on 4 October 1968 wnen first High Commissioner of Lesotho to Uganda Mr. C. D. Molapo has presented his credentials to President Obote [46] |
Liberia | 5 April 1967 | Diplomatic relations were established on 5 April 1967 when has been accredited Ambassador of Liberia to Uganda (Resident in Nairobi) Mr. H. B. Fahnbulleh. [41] |
Libya | 13 February 1972 | Diplomatic relations were established on 13 February 1972. [57] |
Mali | 4 November 1964 | Diplomatic relations were established on 4 November 1964 when appointed first Ambassador of Mali to Uganda (resident in Dar es Salaam) Mr. Boubacar Diallo [30] |
Mauritania | 3 February 1976 | Diplomatic relations were established on 3 February 1976 when the first Mauritanian Ambassador to Uganda presented his credentials to President Amin. [77] |
Mauritius | 18 June 1976 | Diplomatic relations were established on 18 June 1976 when accredited first High Commissioner of Uganda to Mauritius (resident in Addis Ababa) Mr. John Wycliff Kalisa [80] |
Mozambique | 21 August 1975 | Diplomatic relations were established on 21 August 1975 [75] |
Namibia | 1990-1992 | Diplomatic relations were established 1990–1992 [99]
|
Niger | 8 April 1975 | Diplomatic relations were established on 8 April 1975 when accredited first Ambassador of Niger to Uganda (resident in Addis Ababa) Mr. Oumarou Garba Youssaufou [73] |
Nigeria | 1964 | Diplomatic relations were established in 1964 when has been accredited High Commissioner of Nigeria to Uganda (resident in Dar es Salaam) N. A. Martins. [163] |
Rwanda | 18 December 1962 | Diplomatic relations were established on 18 December 1962 [13]
|
Senegal | 8 April 1970 | Diplomatic relations were established on 8 April 1970 when accredited first Ambassador of Senegal to Uganda (resident in Addis Ababa) Mr. Youssouph Sylla [52] |
Seychelles | 6 April 1992 | Diplomatic relations were established on 6 April 1992 [101] |
Sierra Leone | 10 September 1973 | Diplomatic relations were established on 10 September 1973 when Brigadier Shaban Opolot, Uganda's first ambassador to Sierra Leone, has presented his credentials to President Stevens. [67] |
South Africa | 24 June 1994 |
|
South Sudan | 3 September 2012 | See South Sudan–Uganda relations Diplomatic relations were established on 3 September 2012 when South Sudan's first Ambassador to Uganda Mr. Laure Samuel Lominsuk presented his credentials to President Yoweri Museveni [138] Uganda and South Sudan are neighboring states with strong cultural economic and political ties. The South Sudan and the neighbouring state of Uganda enjoy relatively[ vague ] strong cultural, political, and economic ties. As South Sudan neared independence, both states begun to take advantage of increased opportunities for trade, development and educational exchanges. Political relationship between South Sudan and Uganda have been friendly for several decades, in contrast to Kampala's relationships with the Khartoum government, which have often been strained. |
Sudan | 15 October 1962 | Diplomatic relations were established on 15 October 1962. [10] |
Tanzania | 13 December 1983 | See Tanzania–Uganda relations Diplomatic relations were established on 13 December 1983 when Uganda and Tanzania agree to upgrade their liaison offices in each other's capitals to ambassadorial level [92]
|
Tunisia | 9 December 1968 | Diplomatic relations were established on 9 December 1968 [47] |
Zambia | 1966 | Diplomatic relations were established in 1966 when has been accredited Zambian non-resident High Commissioner to Uganda. [44] |
Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Brazil | 22 December 1969 | Diplomatic relations were established on 22 December 1969 [51]
|
Canada | 9 October 1962 | Diplomatic relations were established on 9 October 1962 [2]
|
Mexico | 20 February 1976 | See Mexico–Uganda relations Diplomatic relations were established on 20 February 1976 [78] |
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 27 July 2004 |
|
Trinidad and Tobago | 5 June 1974 | Diplomatic relations were established on 5 June 1974 when has been accredited High Commissioner of Trinidad and Tobago to Uganda Mr. J. R. P. Dumas. [69] |
United States | 9 October 1962 | See Uganda–United States relations Diplomatic relations were established on 9 October 1962 [7]
|
Venezuela | 27 April 1970 | Diplomatic relations were established on 27 April 1970 [53] |
Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Bangladesh | 25 November 1977 | see Bangladesh–Uganda relations Diplomatic relations were established on 25 November 1977 [87] |
China | 18 October 1962 | See China–Uganda relations Diplomatic relations were established on 18 October 1962 [11]
|
India | 9 October 1962 | See India–Uganda relations Diplomatic relations were established on 9 October 1962 when the Indian Mission in Kampala has been raised to the level of a High Commission [4] |
Indonesia | 12 January 1989 | Diplomatic relations were established on 12 January 1989 [95] |
Iran | 12 October 1974 | Diplomatic relations were established on 12 October 1974. [72] |
Iraq | 25 July 1973 | Diplomatic relations were established on 25 July 1973 when the Iraqi Ambassador to Uganda, Mr Karim Shantif, presented his credentials to President Amin. [66] |
Israel | 9 October 1962 | See Israel–Uganda relations Diplomatic relations were established on 9 October 1962. [5] Uganda severance relations with Israel on 30 March 1972. [169] Diplomatic relations re-established on 29 July 1994. [170] Ugandas relations with Israel remain uneasily strained due to Operation Entebbe, the 1976 capturing of a French airliner hijacked by the Palestinian Liberation Organization and flown to Entebbe airport. |
Malaysia | 1995 | See Malaysia–Uganda relations Diplomatic relations were established in 1995 when has been accredited High Commissioner-Designate of Uganda to Malaysia (resident in New Delhi) Dr. Oboth Okumu. [110] Malaysia does not yet have a high commission in Kampala, [171] while Uganda has an embassy in Kuala Lumpur and Uganda high commission in Kuala Lumpur were also accredited to Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Lao PDR, Cambodia and Myanmar. [172] [173] |
Maldives | 30 November 1993 |
|
Nepal | 12 June 2017 |
|
Pakistan | 1 August 1965 | Diplomatic relations were established on 1 August 1965 [34] |
Palestine | 15 February 1989 | Diplomatic relations were established on 15 February 1989 when the PLO bureau in Kampala was upgraded to the status of an embassy. [96] |
South Korea | 26 March 1963 | |
Turkey | 18 September 1969 | See Turkey–Uganda relations Diplomatic relations were established on 18 September 1969 [50] |
Vietnam | 9 February 1973 |
|
Yemen | 17 December 1973 | Diplomatic relations were established on 17 December 1973 and Yemen Arab Republic appointed Ahmad al Moalemi as the first ambassador to Uganda. [68] |
Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Austria | 26 January 1966 | Diplomatic relations were established on 26 January 1966 when the Austrian Ambassador to Uganda (resident in Nairobi), Dr. F. Kudernatsch presented his credentials to the President, Sir Edward Mutesa. [40] |
Belgium | 1964 | Diplomatic relations were established in 1964 when has been accredited Mr. E. Rittweger de Moor as Charge d'Affaires a.i. of Belgium to Uganda. [31] |
Cyprus | 1 February 1977 | Diplomatic relations were established on 1 February 1977 when accredited first High Commissioner of Cyprus to Uganda with residence in Nairobi Mr. F. A. Grammenopoulos [83]
|
Denmark | 26 January 1965 | See Denmark–Uganda relations Diplomatic relations were established on 26 January 1965 when was accredited first ambassador of Denmark to Uganda Birger Abrahamson [32]
|
France | 29 October 1962 | Diplomatic relations were established on 29 October 1962 [12]
|
Germany | 9 October 1962 | See Germany–Uganda relations Diplomatic relations were established on 9 October 1962 [3] |
Hungary | 13 August 1965 | Diplomatic relations were established on 13 August 1965 [35] |
Iceland | 2000 |
|
Malta | 21 July 2004 |
|
Netherlands | 1965 | |
Poland | 8 April 1963 | See Poland–Uganda relations |
Russia | 13 October 1962 | See Russia–Uganda relations Diplomatic relations were established on 13 October 1962 [9]
|
Sweden | 9 April 1964 | Diplomatic relations were established on 9 April 1964 when first Swedish ambassador (resident in Nairobi) Mr. Otto Rathsman presented his credentials to Sir Edward Mutesa, President of Uganda [24] |
Switzerland | 1 March 1964 | Diplomatic relations were established on 1 March 1964 when Mr. Roger Duerr, Swiss Ambassador to Uganda, presented his credentials to the President. [22] |
Ukraine | 7 September 1994 | Diplomatic relations were established on 7 September 1994 [107] |
United Kingdom | 9 October 1962 | See Uganda–United Kingdom relations Diplomatic relations were established on 9 October 1962 when accredited British first High Commissioner to Uganda Mr. David Wathen Strather Hunt [6]
|
Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Australia | 23 August 1965 | Diplomatic relations were established on 23 August 1965 [36]
|
New Zealand | 1 November 2006 | Diplomatic relations were established on 1 November 2006 [125]
|
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (February 2018) |
Uganda has been a member of the United Nations and the Commonwealth of Nations since independence in 1962.
Burkina Faso has good relations with the European Union, African and certain Asian countries. France, the former colonial power, in particular, continues to provide significant aid and supports Compaoré's developing role as a regional powerbroker.
Burundi's relations with its neighbours have often been affected by security concerns. Hundreds of thousands of Burundian refugees have at various times crossed to neighboring Rwanda, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Hundreds of thousands of Burundians are in neighboring countries as a result of the ongoing civil war. Most of them, more than 340,000 since 1993, are in Tanzania. Some Burundian rebel groups have used neighboring countries as bases for insurgent activities. The 1993 embargo placed on Burundi by regional states hurt diplomatic relations with its neighbors; relations have improved since the 1999 suspension of these sanctions.
The government's official policy is one of nonalignment. In its search for assistance to meet the goal of national reconstruction, the government of Equatorial Guinea has established diplomatic relations with numerous European and Third World countries. Having achieved independence under UN sponsorship, Equatorial Guinea feels a special kinship with that organization. It became the 126th UN member on November 12, 1968. Equatorial Guinea served as a non-permanent member on the United Nations Security Council from 2017 to 2019.
The foreign relations of Ghana are controlled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ghana. Ghana is active in the United Nations and many of its specialised agencies, the World Trade Organization, the Non-Aligned Movement, the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States. Ghana generally follows the consensus of the Non-aligned Movement and the OAU on economic and political issues not directly affecting its own interests. Ghana has been extremely active in international peacekeeping activities under UN auspices in Lebanon, Afghanistan, Rwanda, and the Balkans, in addition to an eight-year sub-regional initiative with its ECOWAS partners to develop and then enforce a cease-fire in Liberia. Ghana is also a member of the International Criminal Court.
The foreign relations of Guinea, including those with its West African neighbors, have improved steadily since 1985.
Kenya maintains relations with various countries around the world. Its closest ties are with its fellow Swahili-speaking neighbors in the African Great Lakes region. Swahili speaking neighbours mainly include countries in the East African Community such as Burundi, the DRC, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.
The foreign policy of Lebanon reflects its geographic location, the composition of its population, and its reliance on commerce and trade. Until 2005, Lebanon's foreign policy had been heavily influenced by Syria, however beginning with the formation of Hezbollah in 1982, Iran had gradually grown to heavily influence Lebanon.
Liberian foreign relations were traditionally stable and cordial throughout much of the 19th and 20th centuries. During the 1990s, Charles Taylor's presidency and the First and Second Liberian Civil Wars underscored Liberian relations with the Western world, the People's Republic of China, and its neighboring countries in Western Africa.
Malawi's former President Bakili Muluzi continued the pro-Western foreign policy established by his predecessor, Hastings Banda. It maintains excellent diplomatic relations with principal Western countries. Malawi's close relations with South Africa throughout the apartheid era strained its relations with other African nations. Following the collapse of apartheid in 1994, Malawi developed, and currently maintains, strong diplomatic relations with all African countries.
Niger pursues a moderate foreign policy and maintains friendly relations with both East and West. It is a member state of the United Nations. Niger maintains a special relationship with France and enjoys close relations with its West African neighbours.
Since independence, with Jaja Wachuku as the first Minister for Foreign Affairs and Commonwealth Relations, later called External Affairs, Nigerian foreign policy has been characterised by a focus on Africa as a regional power and by attachment to several fundamental principles: African unity and independence; capability to exercise hegemonic influence in the region: peaceful settlement of disputes; non-alignment and non-intentional interference in the internal affairs of other nations; and regional economic cooperation and development. In carrying out these principles, Nigeria participates in the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Non-Aligned Movement, the Commonwealth of Nations, and the United Nations.
Peru is an important first-tier state in South America, Peru has been a member of the United Nations since 1945, and Peruvian Javier Pérez de Cuéllar served as UN Secretary General from 1981 to 1991. Former President Alberto Fujimori's tainted re-election to a third term in June 2000 strained Peru's relations with the United States and with many Latin American and European countries, mainly small countries like Yemen but relations improved with the installation of an interim government in November 2000 and the inauguration of Alejandro Toledo in July 2001.
Tanzania's first president, Julius Nyerere also was one of the founding members of the Non-Aligned Movement, and, during the Cold War era, Tanzania played an important role in regional and international organisations, such as the Non-Aligned Movement, the front-line states, the G-77, and the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). One of Africa's best-known elder statesmen, Nyerere was personally active in many of these organisations, and served chairman of the OAU (1984–85) and chairman of six front-line states concerned with eliminating apartheid in Southern Africa. Nyerere was also involved with peace negotiations in Burundi until his death. Nyerere's death, on 14 October 1999, is still commemorated annually.
Modern Trinidad and Tobago maintains close relations with its Caribbean neighbours and major North American and European trading partners. As the most industrialized and second-largest country in the English-speaking Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago has taken a leading role in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and strongly supports CARICOM economic integration efforts. It also is active in the Summit of the Americas process and supports the establishment of the Free Trade Area of the Americas, lobbying other nations for seating the Secretariat in Port of Spain.
After seizing power in the 1972 coup d'état, Major Mathieu Kérékou declared the People's Republic of Benin a Marxist-Leninist state and sought financial support from communist governments in Eastern Europe and Asia. To distance the modern state from its colonial past, the country became the People's Republic of Benin in 1975. However, Benin dropped the socialist ideology in 1989 following pressure from creditors and domestic unrest related to economic hardship.
Bolivia traditionally has maintained normal diplomatic relations with all hemispheric states except Chile. Foreign relations are handled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, headed by the Chancellor of Bolivia, Rogelio Mayta.
The Gambia followed a formal policy of non-alignment throughout most of former President Dawda Jawara's tenure. It maintained close relations with the United Kingdom, Senegal, and other African countries. The July 1994 coup strained The Gambia's relationship with Western powers, particularly the United States. Starting in 1995, President Yahya Jammeh established diplomatic relations with several additional countries, including Libya, the Republic of China, and Cuba. As scholars on Gambia's foreign policy have argued, throughout Jammeh's period, the country's foreign policy was a shifting sand, with little of direction.
Sierra Leone maintains formal relations with many Western nations. It also maintains diplomatic relations with the former Soviet Bloc countries as well as with the People's Republic of China.
Throughout the Cold War, Ivory Coast's foreign policy was generally favorable toward the West. In particular, Félix Houphouët-Boigny kept relations with France that was among the closest between any African country and a former colonial power. The country became a member of the United Nations at independence in 1960 and participates in most of its specialized agencies. It is also an associate member of the European Union. In general, President Bédié initiated and maintained relations with many countries of the European Union and Asia. Ivory Coast maintains a wide variety of diplomatic contacts.
Its location in the center of Africa has made the Democratic Republic of the Congo a key player in the region since independence. Because of its size, mineral wealth, and strategic location, Zaire was able to capitalize on Cold War tensions to garner support from the West. In the early 1990s, however, with the end of the Cold War and in the face of growing evidence of human rights abuses, Western support waned as pressure for internal reform increased.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)