Museminali optimistic on Rwanda’s Commonwealth bid

Foreign Affairs Minister, Rosemary Museminali, has reiterated that there are very strong signs Rwanda will be admitted into the Commonwealth club. She made the remarks on Saturday while addressing residents of Kanombe sector, Kicukiro district, who had gathered to participate in the community cleaning exercise – Umuganda. She said that Rwanda had fulfilled all the requirements needed for a country to join the elite group of 53 countries, adding that there are several benefits that come with joining the grouping. “Signs are that we shall be admitted to the Commonwealth. An assessment conducted by experts endorsed Rwanda’s governance credentials,” said Museminali who also over-sees Kicukiro district on behalf of government. To stress her point, the Minister said that President Paul Kagame, had already lodged a formal application expressing Rwanda’s interest in joining the group and that there has been no opposition from any member state of the Commonwealth. She explained to the residents that the group which formerly constituted of countries colonized by Britain, had now expanded to include other countries some with Francophone ties. While adding that there has been a resolution by both chambers of parliament on Rwanda’s bid, Museminali assured the residents that the country would gain much from trading with a group of one billion people. The Commonwealth accounts for over 40 percent of the world trade making it influential in global trade. Member states handle trade worth $2.8 trillion annually and with foreign direct investment outflows of $100 billion, which account for more than 20 per cent of international trade and investment. Prominent among the countries that have come out publicly to back Rwanda’s bid are the United Kingdom, Australia, India, South-Africa and neighbours Uganda. Rwanda’s bid is expected to be on the agenda at the forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) to be held later this month in Trinidad & Tobago. Ends

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Museminali optimistic on Rwanda’s Commonwealth bid