KIGALI - The Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Kamalesh Sharma, is expected in the country next week and will hold talks with President Paul Kagame, according to a statement from the Secretariat

Sharma will be in country for a three day visit that commences on January 20.

The statement says that the Secretary-General will also pay a courtesy call on Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Minister, Louise Mushikiwabo, and is also scheduled to address a joint parliamentary session.

"In visiting our newest member, I am reminded that over six decades this association has brought together countries new and old, large and small, rich and poor. Our highest goals are our values and principles,” Sharma said.

"Our aspirations, and many of our challenges, are the same. Our organization and its members will always be journeying together on the often rugged and winding paths of democracy, development and diversity.

"My discussions with President Kagame will revolve around those themes, and the ways in which the Commonwealth can serve the people of Rwanda and pursue our shared goals,” Sharma is quoted, in the statement.

While in Kigali, Secretary-General is also expected to meet leaders of the Human Rights Commission, National Council for Women, National Youth Association, Ombudsman’s Office, and the Electoral Commission.

The Commonwealth Heads of Government approved Rwanda’s application for membership at their biennial meeting in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago in November 2009.

The Head of the Commonwealth and Queen of England, Elizabeth II, recently congratulated Rwanda upon her  admission to the grouping and noted that the country had made significant progress in the last 15 years "since the terrible events of 1994.”

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