Masire-Mwamba, in Rwanda, meets President Kagame

Deputy Secretary-General Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba, leading a multi-disciplinary Commonwealth Secretariat delegation to Rwanda, on Tuesday held discussions with President Paul Kagame on areas of cooperation with and assistance to the eastern African country, the Commonwealth's newest member state.

Mrs Masire-Mwamba’s team consists of experts in democracy and electoral assistance, human rights, legal and constitutional issues, the media and institutional development – broadly the Democracy pillar of the Secretariat's Strategic Plan. It includes Political Affairs Director Amitav Banerji.

President Kagame said Rwanda is committed to the Commonwealth, its values and principles, and is keen to be an active member of the organisation, after Mrs Masire-Mwamba had briefed him on the mission at the presidency in the capital, Kigali.

President Kagame and the Deputy Secretary-General discussed the political environment in Rwanda ahead of presidential elections in August. The President said peaceful and credible elections were important for his country, as was the maintenance of communal harmony.

Mrs Masire-Mwamba underscored the centrality of democratic institutions and processes in the Commonwealth, also briefing the President on the Commonwealth Network of Election Management Bodies launched last week in Accra.

Mrs Masire-Mwamba also held discussions with Rwanda’s Foreign Minister Louise Mushikiwabo on a range of issues of bilateral interest.

During her three-day visit to explore with the government and other stakeholders, including the United Nations Development Programme, potential areas of cooperation between the Commonwealth and Rwanda, Mrs Masire-Mwamba’s delegation has met key players in government ministries, statutory institutions and civil society.

Commonwealth leaders meeting in Trinidad and Tobago in November 2009 admitted Rwanda as the 54th member of the association. Subsequently, a flag raising ceremony for the country took place at Marlborough House, the Secretariat headquarters in London, on 8 March 2010, in the presence of President Kagame.

Key Links:

• Country Profile: Rwanda
• Deputy Secretary-General Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba