Former British Prime Minister and current patron of the Africa Governance Initiative (AGI), Tony Blair, yesterday sent a congratulatory message to President Paul Kagame on his inauguration.

In a press release from AGI, Blair is quoted as saying; "The popular mandate received by President Kagame in the recent presidential election is testament to the huge strides made under his formidable leadership.”

"I am confident that, over the next seven years, President Kagame will continue to drive forward the ambitious vision that Rwandans share with him and deliver real and tangible improvements for the country,” says Blair, who is also pro bono advisor to President Kagame. 

The former British premier also praised Rwanda on its exceptional development since the genocide.

"Rwanda has made incredible progress in the past decade – achieving outstanding levels of growth, improving its investment climate, and moving rapidly towards universal primary education and gender equality.  Above all, Rwandans have managed to rebuild their nation and achieve meaningful reconciliation and unity – with courage and dignity.”

The AGI has worked in Rwanda since 2008, helping to support the government as part of a long term partnership to improve the effectiveness of public administration, with a view to relieving poverty and contributing towards sustainable development.

Kagame was sworn-in yesterday during a colourful ceremony that was attended by over a dozen African Heads of State and government.

Following the announcement of Kagame’s landslide victory, he has received numerous congratulatory messages from Heads of State and organizations from across the world, urging him to maintain the steadfast and visionary leadership that he exhibited during the previous term.

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