Statement to Rwanda flag-raising ceremony

Mr President, Mr Prime Minister and Chairperson-in-Office, distinguished Ministers, Ladies and Gentlemen ...

... on this happy day ... this Commonwealth Day ... indeed, this International Women’s Day ... we celebrate the newest member of the Commonwealth: the Republic of Rwanda.

At the birth of the modern Commonwealth, in 1949, we numbered 8.

In 1979, on our 30th anniversary, we numbered 40.

And then – in November 2009, when Commonwealth Heads of Government met at the close of our 60th anniversary year – we became 54 with the admission of Rwanda.

An increase in size is not, of course, the only indicator of good health, but what better sign than that an association grows in number, and indeed that others still show interest in joining.

I hope that this is testimony to the strength of that four-fold Commonwealth of which I so often talk:

the Commonwealth of values;

the Commonwealth of its times, responding to the challenges of today and tomorrow, and to the needs of its members;

the Commonwealth of the vulnerable, tending to its poorest, its weakest, its smallest, its most marginalised;

and the Commonwealth of partnership, sharing its wisdom, and looking out on the world.

Just as the modern Commonwealth has come so far in its 60 years, Rwanda has come so far, too.

As I said to the Rwandan Parliament in Kigali just six weeks ago, this so-called ‘Land of a Thousand Hills’ has climbed, and climbed – hill after hill.

The vista has become ever finer and wider, even if there is further to go.

The Commonwealth’s decision to welcome Rwanda was a collective act of goodwill, and of affirmation, and a willingness to engage on the values the Commonwealth embraces.

It was a recognition of the hills, Mr President, which your country has climbed, and a commitment to climb further with you.

We have witnessed the adoption of a Constitution based on power-sharing and consensus; we have seen belief in inclusiveness; we have seen the economic growth that comes with stability and openness.

And we have seen, too, the areas in which we can work with you...

...in deepening a culture of pluralism...

... in strengthening the institutions on which democracy and the trust of the people rest ...

... and in supporting development and growth..

It is central to the Commonwealth that we recognise that all are journeying.

That is why the Commonwealth pledges itself towards journeying with its members, on the rugged, winding, uphill paths towards the goals of democracy, development and diversity for which we aim.

The Commonwealth, as I said in Kigali, cannot offer Rwanda the world.

But it can offer it the best of its own and of the world’s thinking, together with its expertise and its networks.

Rwanda can have many friends and partners.

Yes, the Commonwealth can benefit Rwanda – but so, too, of course, can Rwanda benefit the Commonwealth.

In particular we look to you to share with us the ways in which you have so painstakingly – so successfully – acknowledged and responded to some of the divisions in your own society.

Because in Rwanda, in Africa, across the Commonwealth and across the world, we are called to live together.

Our fortunes are deeply intertwined – our collective humanity demands nothing less than that we be enlightened globalists in a globalising world.

To President Kagame and to all the citizens of Rwanda – men and women, boys and girls – we warmly welcome you into our Commonwealth.

Welcome! Murakaaze!

Thank you.