PARLIAMENT - Members of the Lower Chamber of Deputies have unanimously passed a declaration welcoming the accession of Rwanda into the Commonwealth group of nations.

It was admitted to the Commonwealth as the 54th member on November 29 by the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Trinidad and Tobago.

During the plenary session, legislators hailed the Commonwealth Member states for admitting Rwanda into the 60-year old group that is mainly composed of former British colonies.

Following the debate and unanimous passing of the declaration, the MP’s sang the National Anthem in recognition of Rwanda’s entry into the group.

The declaration was sponsored by the head of the Committee of Foreign affairs and cooperation, MP Gideon Kayinamura.

"Considering the importance of joining the Commonwealth to the population of Rwanda, the Parliament, Chamber of Deputies in its Plenary Session of 16/09/2009, fully supported Rwanda’s application to join the Commonwealth,” the declaration reads in part.

The MP’s hailed the Commonwealth Secretariat for the positive assessment of the country and vowed to positively contribute to the grouping.

"The Plenary Assembly of the Chamber of Deputies congratulates His Excellency the President of the Republic due to the role he played and he continues to play in searching for what can develop Rwanda and Rwandans in general,” the declaration continues.

MP Kanzayire Bernadette noted that Rwanda should not only stop at being a member, but be an active member that will contribute and add dynamism to the group.

"We should also thank all people and groups that supported us, including the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association which used to invite the Rwandan Parliament even before we became members,” said MP Francis Kaboneka.

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