Canadian Governor General arrives today

KIGALI - The Canadian Governor General, Michaëlle Jean, is expected to arrive today for a 3-day State visit at the request of the Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper. The Haitian-born Canadian top official will be accompanied by a delegation of Canadians working in a variety of fields, including governance, women’s rights, media, arts and culture, civic engagement and youth. Addressing the press ahead of the scheduled visit, the High Commissioner of Canada to Rwanda, Ross Hynes, said that the Governor General who will arrive in Rwanda from the DRC, is delighted to undertake her third visit to Africa and to go, for the first time, to the heart of the continent, the Great Lakes region. “During her visit to the Republic of Rwanda, which coincides with the national month of mourning to commemorate the tragic events of 1994, the Governor General will tour monuments commemorating the genocide.” “Her Excellency will meet and hold discussions with the Head of State and also visit the National University of Rwanda and will give a speech on the civic responsibility of the media in a democracy.” The High Commissioner stated that prior to her visit to Rwanda; the Governor General will have visited Senegal, DRC and will head to Cape Verde, in what has been termed as a memorable visit to the continent. “Returning to this continent is a new opportunity to bear witness to an Africa that is full of excitement and promise, an Africa called to take its rightful place in the world,” Jean said in a statement. While in Rwanda, she is expected to hold a joint press conference with President Kagame. She will also participate in an interactive sessions with young Rwandans on the Genocide, human rights and reconciliations among other topics. According to Hynes, State visits by a Governor General play an important role in strengthening Canada’s relations with other countries. They are the highest form of diplomatic contact, and reinforce bilateral relations and exchanges among heads of State and local authorities. He added that Canada and Rwanda today enjoy a multifaceted relationship and that his country is committed to supporting the efforts by Rwandans and their leadership to pursue a more stable and prosperous country for the people of Rwanda and its neighbours. Ends