Uganda has disengaged from relations with North Korea in areas sanctioned by the United Nations Security Council, State Minister for International Relations Okello Oryem told local media over the weekend.

“Following UN sanctions, we have disengaged with North Korea in areas the UN sanctions apply,” the minister said according to local newspaper the Daily Monitor. “But our policy is that no one can choose [our] friends. We choose our friends and enemies.”

Notably, the minister said North Korea was no longer training Ugandan air force pilots, a statement which may answer questions about precisely when Kampala would end contracted military cooperation in that area.