The Attorney-General of the United States, Loretta E. Lynch, yesterday held talks with her Rwandan counterpart, Johnston Busingye.
The Attorney-General of the United States, Loretta E. Lynch, yesterday held talks with her Rwandan counterpart, Johnston Busingye.
Briefing journalists after their closed-door meeting, Lynch said the discussions aimed at strengthening bilateral relations in areas of access to justice and how to make the system accessible for the population.
VIDEO: US Attorney General meets her Rwanda counterpart. Source: The New Times/YouTube
"I was delighted to meet with him [Busingye] and the team, and we heard about the work they are doing in important areas such as access to justice, and making the system accessible for all Rwandans,” she said.
"We had a very successful discussion on a number of areas of interest and I look forward to continuing our strong working relationship with the Government of Rwanda.”
Lynch is the first US attorney-general to visit Rwanda, a visit Busingye believes is significant to Rwanda’s justice sector.
Busingye, also the Justice minister outlined areas of discussion such as access to justice, international prosecutions, law-making, taking forward Rwanda’s judicial capacity, building frameworks and partnership.
Also discussed was the obligation of the international community on bringing fugitives of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi to book, according to the minister.
"It is important for the world to bring Genocide fugitives to account, it is important for the world to understand that it is an obligation of every state in the world to do what they must do in order to have these people have their day in court,” Busingye said.
"That’s basically what we said. And, we both agree on this. We look forward to having a team in the ministry and affiliated institutions putting together areas of cooperation and then we take it forward. That’s what she promised too.”