Kagame: Rwanda committed to EAC, African solidarity

President Paul Kagame has reiterated Rwanda’s commitment to regional integration and African solidarity. Speaking during Kenya’s 51st Independence anniversary celebrations in Nairobi yesterday, Kagame pledged that his country and compatriots will always join citizens of the other East African Community (EAC) partner states in furthering integration gains and other Africans in pursuit of common interests. Before attending the Independence event, which doubled as the golden jubilee of the Jamhuri Day (the day when Kenya became a Republic), President Kagame on Thursday participated in the 8th Northern Corridor Integration Projects Summit alongside his counterparts Uhuru Kenyatta, the host, and Yoweri Museveni of Uganda – during which they signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the management of the Northern Corridor Air Space bloc. Yesterday’s celebrations were also attended by Presidents Museveni and John Dramani Mahama of Ghana, among other high-ranking dignitaries from around Africa. Kenya, a former British colony attained independence on December 12 1963, after years of struggle against the colonialism, and a year later it became a Republic (Jamhuri). Kenyans celebrate Jumhuri Day and Independence anniversaries at Nyayo stadium, Nairobi yesterday. (Courtesy) The 50th Jamhuri anniversary came at a time East Africa’s largest economy is battling insecurity challenges posed by Islamic extremists Al-Shabaab. Al-Shabaab has carried out numerous attacks on Kenya in recent years, claiming hundreds of lives and driving away western tourists, thus hurting the country’s economy. The terrorist group, linked to Al-Qaeda, has claimed responsibility for several attacks arguing that it was punishing Kenya for sending troops to Somalia in 2012. Speaking at the event, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said that his government was well aware of the challenge saying that the global war on terror had forced Al-Qaeda and affiliate organizations to seek alternative grounds for their illegal activities. “Unfortunately, they found refuge in Somalia, a vulnerable host with which Kenya and the East African region border. Extremism and radicalisation further brought the global threat of terrorism closer home. We now have an international war at Kenya’s doorstep,” Kenyatta said. He called for support and solidarity from international partners in dealing with the threat. “I remind all our international partners that Kenya is fighting a proxy war on behalf of all nations and people who embrace freedom and democracy. For this reason, we deserve and expect support, solidarity and a more robust engagement in connection with terrorism,” Kenyatta said. The Jamhuri Day celebrations also came just days after the International Criminal Court (ICC) dropped charges of crimes against humanity against President Kenyatta in relation to the violence that rocked the nation shortly after the December 2007 presidential elections. Prosecution said it had failed to gather enough evidence to put up a successful case against the Kenyan leader, while Kenyatta and his backers insist there was never credible evidence against him and other accused, including his vice president William Ruto, since they were innocent. Speaking in Nairobi yesterday, President Museveni once again tore into the ICC accusing it of selective justice by targeting African leaders. He said he intended to urge his African counterparts next month to ensure that African countries that subscribe to ICC withdrew their membership at once.

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Kagame: Rwanda committed to EAC, African solidarity