Commonwealth team jets in today

KIGALI - A group of experts from the Commonwealth Secretariat are expected in the country today led by the organization’s deputy Secretary General to identify areas in which the 54-member state organization can work, assist and share good practices. During the visit, the officials from London will engage government officials and other stakeholders on how the two sides can benefit from each other. The team comprises of experts in the field of democracy, electoral assistance, human rights, the judiciary and media and will be in the country until April 21. “I am looking forward to the visit, and hopeful that by the end of the trip, we will have a very clear idea of the ways in which the Commonwealth and Rwanda can work together to promote both Rwanda’s national objectives and shared Commonwealth goals,” said Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba, Deputy Secretary-General, in a press release from the Organization on Friday. The Organization also seeks to identify areas of good practices that Kigali can offer to other Commonwealth countries. The visit follows that of the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Kamalesh Sharma in January. During his visit to officially deliver a message of admission into the body, Sharma noted that Rwanda’s entry will be beneficial on both sides. Commonwealth leaders meeting in Trinidad and Tobago on November 28, 2009 admitted Rwanda as the 54th member of the association. Rwanda became the second country to join the group without any colonial connections to the British, the other being Mozambique. Subsequently, a flag raising ceremony for the country took place at Marlborough House, the Secretariat headquarters in London, on March 8. Ends