GASABO - As the country aspires to get a seat in the 53-member Commonwealth organisation, the British Ambassador to Rwanda, Nicholas Cannon, has said the country is on track.

Speaking to journalists at Hotel Novotel Umubano after ending the Commonwealth Policy Studies Unit (CPSU) workshop, the Ambassador said the country has undergone a lot of restructuring which is in line with the criterion of becoming a member.

"As you heard from the guest-of-honour, Minister of Foreign Affairs Rosemary Museminali, Rwanda has had tremendous reforms that score highly towards its approval as a member,” he explained.

Apart from members of the CPSU, Commonwealth stakeholders and different participants especially from the private sector were also present at the first public debate in an applicant country.

Quoting from Museminali’s speech, some of the criteria fulfilled include respect for Commonwealth fundamental values and human rights and active contribution to the Commonwealth.

During the opening of the workshop, Museminali disclosed to the CPSU members among other invitees, that the Commonwealth criteria have been reviewed over time since the time of the first inquiry about membership in February 1996.

"However, a number of them were approved last year in Kampala, Uganda,” she said.

More comments came from Minister of Justice Tharcisse Karugarama, who in his presentation highlighted the judicial reforms that also easily fall within the required legal set up of members or contenders.

Karugarama continued that government was reforming the legal set up while focusing on joining the Commonwealth.

He stressed that owing to the reforms and achievements made since 1994, ”Rwanda was ready to join Commonwealth as the legal structure also permits.” 

Ends