Kagame hosts diplomats to New Year’s luncheon

President Paul Kagame yesterday hosted diplomats accredited to Kigali to a luncheon at which he reiterated Rwanda’s continued frankness in all engagements with partners to foster the country’s diplomatic ties. During the luncheon, the President offered Rwanda’s condolences to the French people following a terror attack on staff of a newspaper in the capital Paris, in which a dozen people, including journalists were killed. “The first lady and I would like to express our own and our country’s condolences to the nation and families of those who lost their lives in Paris on Wednesday,” said President Kagame. Gunmen on Wednesday besieged Charlie Hebdo, a French satirical newspaper killing journalists and a Police officer. President Kagame highlighted two lessons terror attacks have brought to light: “First is that terrorists represent only themselves; to defeat them, we must shatter the Illusion that they speak for a larger group and for us, we say this basing on our own experiences and our own history,” he said. Secondly, he said diplomacy and national cooperation are essential tools to forge a common understanding of global threats and to develop trust and consensus necessary to tackle them collectively. “Our efforts must stem from a recognition of our common humanity and values, which are shared equally across the world,” President Kagame added. “That is why we attached so much importance on last year’s commemoration (Kwibuka) and why we remain thankful for your partnership in the events and remarkable worldwide participation,” he said, in reference to last year’s 20th commemoration for the Genocide against the Tutsi. Security Council Following Rwanda’s conclusion of her two-years on the UN Security Council, Kagame took the opportunity to thank the diplomats for their collaboration on behalf of their countries. Rwanda was in 2012 voted as a non-permanent member of the Security Council for the years 2013 and 2014. “The frankness that marks Rwanda’s relations with friends helps explain the strength of our partnerships,” he said. Speaking on behalf of the envoys, Richard Kabonero, Uganda’s High Commissioner to Rwanda said Rwanda’s economic transformation in the past 20 years was evident. “ We applaud your commitment to your people; you have inspired them and marshaled the country’s resources and made this nation a beacon of hope,” Kabonero said. On behalf of his colleagues, he applauded Rwanda’s efforts at the UN Security Council and the Broadband Commission among other global initiatives in the region and beyond.

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Kagame hosts diplomats to New Year’s luncheon