KIGALI - The President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Horst Köhler, who is currently in Rwanda, has asked the Rwandan youth to work unreservedly for the brighter future of their nation.

Speaking to youths at Maison des Jeunes de Kimisagara (Kimisagara Youth House) in Kigali yesterday, Köhler said that his government is willing to help the Rwandan youths in this endeavour.

In a message he wrote in the centre’s visitors’ book, Köhler wished the best to Rwandan youth and said he hoped the future is brighter for the country’s young generation.
He was treated to a colourful ceremony including traditional dances. He also was given a copy of a newsletter written by the youth at the centre.

The newsletter called Ineza, according to the youths, is a platform through which they preach peace and reconciliation.

They said they circulate copies of the newsletter to secondary schools around the country. Ineza is run under the support of the German Government and Voice of America (VOA). Köhler said he visited Rwanda because no sitting German President had ever visited the country yet both nations enjoy cordial relations which have existed for years.

He said he would use his visit to identify areas where the European nation can continue to support Rwanda.

The centre trains scores of young people in various areas including peace building programmes.

At the youth centre, President Köhler and his wife were among others accompanied by the Minister of Local Government, Protais Musoni and the Minister of Youth, Culture and Sports, Joseph Habineza.

A number of Germans working in Rwanda were also in attendance.

Habineza said the German President’s visit to the youth centre manifested true love.
"This centre is built around reconciliation and healing. It is a beacon of hope for the future,” Habineza said.

Köhler was scheduled to meet with President Paul Kagame later in the day at Village Urugwiro, after which both leaders were due to address a joint news conference.
The German President is traveling with a host of German journalists.

Some Rwandan districts have longstanding mutual cooperation with several German provinces.
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