African and Arab leaders ended a two-day summit in Kuwait, yesterday, with a call to strengthen cooperation in the areas of economy, politics as well as in the fight against terrorism.

On the final day of the summit, a statement dubbed, "Kuwait Declaration,” was issued. It called for accelerating economic integration in the Arab world and African nations.

The declaration seeks to cement the bilateral cooperation between the African Union and the League of Arab States in the fields of political, economic and socio-cultural.

President Paul Kagame was among more than 70 African and Arab leaders who participated at the high-level meeting in the Middle East oil rich country.

The 3rd Africa-Arab Summit held under the theme "Partners in Development and Investment,” focused on improving well-being of peoples in the Africa and Arab regions. 

Louise Mushikiwabo, the minister for foreign affairs, said on Twitter: "The Third Africa-Arab Summit wrapping up, with pledge to connect more meaningfully, do business together, and hasten the pace. Thanking Kuwait! Today (yesterday) is productive; we discussed economic partnership and more interaction amongst our people.”

Mushikiwabo said the summit explored common interest in food security, energy and investment, Africa diversifying partners and multiplying opportunities.

She said the Kuwait meeting singled out energy and agriculture as areas of strong collaboration between Arab and Africa states.

Rwanda benefits

Rwanda has benefited from Kuwait support, especially in energy and health sectors.

Last week, the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development signed a loan agreement with Rwanda worth $12 million (about Rwf8 billion) to contribute to the construction of Munini Hospital in Nyaruguru District, Southern Province.

The loan is the ninth provided to Rwanda after concessional loans worth a total of $73 million (about Rwf48 billion), along with a technical assistance grant worth $340,000.

The conference also proposed measures to enhance institutional capabilities to implement the 2011/16 African-Arab work plan.

The participants expressed commitment to maintain the summit’s convocation every three years. 

They agreed to hold the Fourth Africa-Arab Summit in Africa in 2016, in keeping with the principle of rotation in hosting the summits.

The 2010 meeting in Libya adopted an Africa-Arab Partnership Strategy and a 2011-2016 Joint Action Plan to increase investment, trade and other economic projects.

The meeting stressed commitment to the protection of human rights and respect of international humanitarian law as well as mutual goals to positively contribute to global stability, development and cooperation.

The participants pledged to strengthen cooperation between Africa and the Arab region on the basis of a strategic partnership to maintain justice, international peace and security, voicing awareness of their multiple ties and interests.

They voiced a firm stance against terrorism in all its forms and transitional organised crime such as hostage taking, human and drug trafficking, piracy and illicit proliferation of arms, reiterating resolve and commitment to work together in this regard, according to summit resolutions.

The Kuwait Summit participants also committed to address the underlying causes of conflict and violence in Africa and the Arab regions, with a view to creating a conducive environment for the prosperity and well-being of the peoples of the two regions.