Over 800 participants are expected to convene in Kigali this weekend for the second National Congress of Pan African Movement (PAM) Rwanda Chapter, according to its leaders.

The participants will include Rwandans and invited guests from the region and beyond.

Protais Musoni, the Chairperson of PAM Rwanda, told the media that this congress seeks to deliberate on a number of issues as well as set the movement’s strategic plan for the next three years.

"It is time to discuss strategic ways through which we can advance the values of Pan African movement and how to make them relevant to the people of Rwanda and Africa,” he said.

The values that Pan African Movement Rwanda and other movements in Africa promote are self-reliance, integration, unity and dignity as well as sustainable development, he said.

The congress will also review the achievements and how to better advance the unfinished business.

For the past three years, Musoni said, PAM Rwanda has been building institutions, and today, the chapter has leadership at the national and district levels, and over 45 branches in universities and other higher learning institutions.

The Rwandan PAM chapter has also established commissions at several levels, including faith based organisations, civil society organisations, trade unions and political organisations, among others.

According to Gabriel Semasaka, the commissioner for Trade and Economy at PAM Rwanda, of the guests expected, the youth representatives will take centre stage.

"We are expecting more than 300 youths and youth representatives. These are students from different universities and young people from various corners of the country,” he noted, adding that they believe young people need these values more than any other group of people.

The congress will take place on Sunday at the Parliamentary Buildings in Kimihurura.

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