President Paul Kagame returned from a three-day State visit to Burundi on Saturday. While in the neighbouring country, Kagame held extensive talks with his counterpart, Pierre Nkurunziza. Rwandan Government officials told The New Times that apart from the visit reciprocating a previous one by the Burundi Head of State early this year, it was also aimed at strengthening the existing bilateral relations between the two nations. The President and his delegation also met members of Burundi’s private sector, the highlight of which was one with members of the Burundi Chamber of Commerce. As was the case when Nkurunziza paid a State visit to Rwanda, sporting events were also part of the agenda during Kagame’s tour. Both presidents are known to have a particular interest in sports, especially football. A Rwandan amateur football team, Vision 2020, met for the second time with Alleluia FC which was captained by the Burundi Head of State. The match ended in a two-goal draw. President Kagame also attended a tennis match that has been a permanent fixture between two clubs; Burundi’s Entente Sportif and Kigali’s Cercle Sportif. By the time we went to press, we had not been able to confirm the outcome of the game as well as one that pitted both sides in Volleyball. Kagame’s last day in Burundi was marked by a visit to the town of Muramvya where both Heads of State participated in communal work commonly known in Rwanda as Umuganda. They also laid a foundation stone for a new stadium in the town. On their way from Muramvya, both parties made a stopover in the town of Gitega where they held a press conference. A joint communiqué read in Gitega focused on the commitment of both countries to strengthen cooperation, especially in the areas of security, agriculture, tourism and infrastructure. Both presidents also discussed their roles in two regional organizations: The East African Community (EAC) and the Economic Community of the Great Lakes Countries (CEPGL). Ends
