Commonwealth to support Vision 2020

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Kamalesh Sharma yesterday arrived in the country, and from the onset, said that the organization would like to partner with Rwanda in achieving its Vision 2020. “I see a very large area in the Vision 2020 where we can work together in the years to come,” he told reporters shortly after his arrival at Kigali International Airport. Sharma, who thereafter left for Kigali Genocide Memorial Site, said that the Vision 2020’s six pillars, among them, governance, the rule of law and democracy, correspond well with Commonwealth’s focus. “These are the strengths of the Commonwealths and these are very clear areas where we can be partners.

Thursday, January 21, 2010
Commonwealth Secretary General, Kamalesh Sharma, laying a wreath at Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre yesterday.(Photo J Mbanda)

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Kamalesh Sharma yesterday arrived in the country, and from the onset, said that the organization would like to partner with Rwanda in achieving its Vision 2020.

"I see a very large area in the Vision 2020 where we can work together in the years to come,” he told reporters shortly after his arrival at Kigali International Airport.

Sharma, who thereafter left for Kigali Genocide Memorial Site, said that the Vision 2020’s six pillars, among them, governance, the rule of law and democracy, correspond well with Commonwealth’s focus.

"These are the strengths of the Commonwealths and these are very clear areas where we can be partners. There are also other areas like resource and skills development, education, as well as institutional building,” he said.

Asked what the Commonwealth would do compel its member states to comply in apprehending several Genocide fugitives still at large, Sharma was non committal.

"I will have to discuss this with the leadership here and see what it is that they would wish the Commonwealth to be engaged in, depending upon the strength of the Commonwealth, we shall take it from there,” he said.

His two-day visit comes barely three months after Rwanda was welcomed into the 54-member organisation.

Sharma is scheduled to meet and consult with top government officials as well as address the press before his departure.

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