KIGALI - After carrying out all required formalities, Rwanda is now ready for the decision later this month by the Commonwealth, on its earlier application to join the grouping.

The Secretary-General of the Commonwealth – Kamalesh Sharma, announced in London on  Monday that Rwanda’s application had reached a final stage, a fact also underscored yesterday by Rwanda’s ambassador in London, Claver Gatete.

In the run-up to the next biennial summit – the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) slated to take place in Trinidad and Tobago,  Gatete explained that ‘reaching a final stage’ means that Rwanda has filled all application requirements.

"The whole report is ready and it is now up to the Commonwealth Heads of Government to make their decision – everything that was supposed to be done has been done,” Gatete told The New Times by telephone from London.

"The report was sent to all other Heads of Government within the commonwealth.”

Rwanda applied to join the Commonwealth in 2003 and is now most likely to become the 54th member of the club that is predominantly made of former British colonies.

The next will take place between 27 and 29 November.
During the 2007 CHOGM in Kampala, Uganda, Rwanda’s application had been delayed pending a review of new rules for membership.

Apart from the country’s bid, the leaders of the 53-member club will discuss global, political and economic development issues.

The current Commonwealth chairman – Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni is expected to hand over to Trinidad and Tobago, Premier Patrick Manning on November 29.

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