RWANDA has shown great commitment to its Commonwealth membership since the country joined the 54 member association in 2009, the Secretary-General of the organisation, Kamalesh Sharma, has said. Sharma will today address students and faculty of the National University of Rwanda (NUR) in Butare, during the university’s graduation ceremony, where he will be awarded an honorary doctorate. In an acceptance speech, an advance copy of which has been availed to The New Times, Sharma says: “As the newest member of the Commonwealth, Rwanda has very quickly become a committed participant at the intergovernmental level, and the people of Rwanda are now weaving themselves into the networks and alliances that are amongst the many benefits and opportunities opened by membership”. The Secretary-General will also say that as a member of the Commonwealth, Rwanda is now able to benefit and contribute to programmes and projects aimed at deepening and strengthening “the three Ds that guide us: democracy, development and diversity.” He will make reference to findings of the Commonwealth Commission on Respect and Understanding—a group of eminent persons, convened to look into the causes of conflict, violence and extremism and to propose remedies. “No country could value that work, more than this country,” he says. Sharma will be awarded an Honorary Doctorate together with the Former Secretary General of the East African Community (EAC) Amb. Juma Mwapachu. Edmund.kagire@newtimes.co.rw
