Guinea Conakry names highway interchange after Kagame
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
President Kagame and his host Col. Mamadi Doumbouya cutting a ribbon during the inauguration of the highway interchange.Photos: VIllage Urugwiro

Guinea-Conakry on Tuesday named a major road junction after President Paul Kagame, who arrived in the west African country on Monday as part of a three-nation regional tour.

The renaming of the Kagbélen Highway interchange was announced by Guinean transitional leader Colonel Mamadi Doumbouya in the presence of the visiting Rwandan president.

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The interchange, inaugurated by the two leaders, connects the capital Conakry to the countryside.

According to media reports, the construction of the interchange was part of Guinea Conakry’s ambitious project for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of urban roads and the interchange itself.

Works on the Kagbélen interchange started on April 12, 2021. They were carried out by the China Bengbu International Technology and Economic Cooperation (CBITEC).

"The completed infrastructure will ease movement between major industrial cities and Conakry as well as with neighbouring countries,” Kagame’s office later tweeted.

Prytanée Militaire of Guinea

On the same day, Kagame joined Col Doumbouya at the Prytanée Militaire of Guinea where they met with students from across the country’s 33 districts and 5 provinces training to be the next generation of leaders that will transform key sectors in Guinea.

Kagame has since Saturday been visiting countries in West Africa, first Benin, then Guinea Bissau, before arriving in Guinea-Conakry, with of the hosting president hailing the visit as a demonstration of strong ties between Rwanda and their countries. The tour and discussions held have also been praised as a reaffirmation of the potential of intra-African and South-south cooperation.

ALSO READ: Kagame to be honoured in Guinea-Bissau

On his arrival in Conakry on Monday, Kagame was welcomed by Doumbouya, who later said that he draws inspiration from the Rwandan model.

"From the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi to the reunification of the country, Rwanda has been able to recover, assume and rebuild itself before asserting itself as an African reference. This is why the Rwandan model fascinates Colonel President Mamadi Doumbouya", the Guinean presidency said in a statement issued on April 18.

During his latest tour of West Africa, Kagame has taken part in a number of engagements, including witnessing the signing of nine bilateral deals between Rwanda and Benin on Sunday, as well as holding bilateral talks with his counterparts.

President Kagame and Col. Mamadi Doumbouy during a visit to Prytanée Militaire of Guinea
Kagame and Doumbouy pose for a photo with students from Prytanée Militaire of Guinea.
The Prytanée Militaire de Guinea, which attracts students from across the country's 33 districts, seeks to train the next generation of leaders.

Jubilant residents during the the inauguration of the interchange.
The Kagbélen Highway interchange that has been named after President Kagame.