https://en.sputniknews.africa/20240103/us-formally-removes-uganda-from-agoa-trade-program-effective-january-1064440992.html
US Formally Removes Uganda From AGOA Trade Program, Effective January
US Formally Removes Uganda From AGOA Trade Program, Effective January
Sputnik Africa
The African Development and Opportunity Act (AGOA), passed in 2000 under then-US President Bill Clinton and renewed for ten years by Barack Obama in 2015, is... 03.01.2024, Sputnik Africa
2024-01-03T12:41+0100
2024-01-03T12:41+0100
2024-01-03T12:41+0100
sub-saharan africa
united states (us)
uganda
east africa
joe biden
yoweri museveni
anti-lgbt
anti-homosexuality
trade
african growth and opportunity act (agoa)
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Effective January 1, Uganda, along with the Central African Republic, Gabon, and Niger, are suspended by the US from participation in the African Growth and Opportunity Act's preferential trade program, the US White House announced.Washington claimed that the suspended countries "do not meet the requirements" described in the trade law. The act requires that beneficiaries not "undermine the US national security or foreign policy interests or engage in gross violations of internationally recognized human rights." In announcing his intention to remove the four countries from the AGOA beneficiary list in October 2023, US President Joe Biden noted that Niger and Gabon have failed to establish or make progress in protecting political pluralism and upholding the rule of law since the military coups that overthrew their governments.In addition, Biden claimed that the Central African Republic and Uganda had "engaged in gross violations of internationally recognized human rights." The allegations were made in connection with an anti-homosexuality law passed in Uganda in May.In response, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said in early November that the US government had overestimated its importance to the East African country and urged citizens not to be "overly concerned" about the Washington's actions, noting that African countries can keep moving forward without Western help.The bill, which authorities say is meant to protect the country's cultural, religious and family values, prompted the World Bank to suspend loans to Uganda and Washington to impose sanctions on Ugandan officials linked to the law.In early December, the US imposed a new round of sanctions on Ugandan officials, which Ugandan Foreign Minister Henry Okello Oryem criticized, accusing Washington of pushing its LGBT* agenda in Africa.* The "LGBT movement" is classified as extremist by the Russian authorities and is banned in Russia.
https://en.sputniknews.africa/20231208/new-us-sanctions-aim-to-pressure-uganda-to-shift-stance-on-homosexuality-lawmaker-says-1064021689.html
united states (us)
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united states (us), uganda, east africa, joe biden, yoweri museveni, anti-lgbt, anti-homosexuality, trade, african growth and opportunity act (agoa), gabon, west africa, central african republic, central africa, niger
united states (us), uganda, east africa, joe biden, yoweri museveni, anti-lgbt, anti-homosexuality, trade, african growth and opportunity act (agoa), gabon, west africa, central african republic, central africa, niger
US Formally Removes Uganda From AGOA Trade Program, Effective January
The African Development and Opportunity Act (AGOA), passed in 2000 under then-US President Bill Clinton and renewed for ten years by Barack Obama in 2015, is designed to provide financial help for "eligible" sub-Saharan African countries that do not undermine US national security or foreign policy objectives.
Effective January 1, Uganda, along with the Central African Republic, Gabon, and Niger, are suspended by the US from participation in the African Growth and Opportunity Act's preferential trade program, the US White House announced.
Washington claimed that the suspended countries "do not meet the requirements" described in the trade law. The act requires that beneficiaries not "undermine the US national security or foreign policy interests or engage in gross violations of internationally recognized human rights."
In announcing his intention to remove the four countries from the
AGOA beneficiary list in October 2023, US President Joe Biden noted that Niger and Gabon have failed to establish or make progress in protecting political pluralism and upholding the rule of law since the military coups that overthrew their governments.
In addition, Biden claimed that the Central African Republic and Uganda had "engaged in gross violations of internationally recognized human rights." The allegations were made in connection with an anti-homosexuality law passed in Uganda in May.
In response, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni
said in early November that the US government had overestimated its importance to the East African country and urged citizens not to be "overly concerned" about the Washington's actions, noting that African countries can keep moving forward without Western help.
Uganda has been under criticism from Western countries and organizations after Museveni signed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2023 in late May, which criminalizes same-sex relationships and provides for the death penalty for some crimes, such as homosexual acts with a minor child.
The bill, which authorities say is meant to protect the country's cultural, religious and family values, prompted the World Bank to suspend loans to Uganda and Washington to impose sanctions on Ugandan officials linked to the law.
In early December, the US imposed a new round of sanctions on Ugandan officials, which Ugandan Foreign Minister Henry Okello Oryem criticized,
accusing Washington of pushing its LGBT* agenda in Africa.
* The "LGBT movement" is classified as extremist by the Russian authorities and is banned in Russia.
