The British High Commissioner in Kigali will today host the 88th birthday celebrations of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom (UK). The belated (Her real birth date being April 21), birthday dinner, will be celebrated at the British High Commissioner’s residence in Kacyiru, Kigali. Speaking to journalists yesterday, William Gelling, British High Commissioner to Rwanda, said it’s an opportunity to celebrate the link between UK and Rwanda. “Celebrating the birthday of her Majesty, the Queen in Rwanda, is also another moment to remember the people who have made the link between British and Rwanda people possible and successful,” said Amb. Gelling. He said several people who have worked to improve the relations between UK and Rwanda, would attend the function, including government officials, diplomats, business people, charity workers, among others. About 48 countries have been welcomed to the Commonwealth group of nations, since Queen Elizabeth’s accession in 1952. Rwanda and Mozambique, which are initially non-British colonial countries joined the Commonwealth, which Gelling, termed as “a remarkable achievement” during her 62 years on the throne. “For us it is a very important day. Important in its own right, but also important to celebrate the life of someone who has dedicated her life to the UK and its partners,” reiterated the envoy. The British High commission in Kigali meanwhile will host a follow event on the Global summit to end sexual violence in conflicts (ESVC). The event which is scheduled for July 17, will aim at communicating and discussing the outcomes of the global summits that will take place this month in the UK. Speaking to The New Times, Amb. Gelling said: “We hope the outcomes of this meeting will be consensus on the steps that the range of Rwandan actors can take to implement in the outcomes of the global summit.” The follow up meeting in Kigali is expected to be the platform for participants to share experiences of how to address the effects of sexual violence. According to UN reports, sexual violence is one of the greatest and most persistent injustices in the world today. A statement from the British High commission says participants will be expected to agree on a set of recommendations as to how civil society and government can work together to end sexual violence. In attendance at the the Global ESVC meeting in the UK will be all governments that have endorsed the UN Declaration to end sexual violence in conflicts. Among other participants will include; Military and Judicial practitioners, members of Multilateral organisations and civil society. Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative was launched in May 2012, by the UK Foreign Secretary, William Hague, together with Angelina Jolie, the special envoy for the UN High Commissioner for refugees. One of the initiative’s main goals was to end the use of rape as a weapon of war, in the entire world.
