UK’s Minister of State for the Commonwealth Tariq Mahmood Ahmad is scheduled to commence a two day visit in Rwanda starting Wednesday April 28. With Rwanda set to host the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in June this year, he is expected to witness ongoing preparatory activities ahead of the summit. At CHOGM, the UK will hand over to Rwanda the role of Commonwealth Chair-in-Office. Ahead of his visit, Ahmad said that the UK commends Rwanda’s work on its planning for a safe and secure meeting of the Commonwealth family at CHOGM 2021. During his two day visit, Ahmad will lay a wreath at the Kigali Genocide Memorial. The Minister will meet with figures from the government to discuss bilateral and Commonwealth issues, including climate change. He will also meet with human rights activists and journalists. Among aspects that many expect will be addressed during the visit is details of CHOGM as well as the United Kingdom (UK) decision of a travel ban red list for travelers from Rwanda with effect from January 29. The decision also meant that direct flights between Rwanda and the UK were banned. With Rwanda having put up multiple measures to curb the spread of the pandemic and even recognised globally for the efforts, the move came as a surprise to many considering that CHOGM is approaching.
