Annan arrives for official visit

The UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Monday arrived in Kigali for a two-day visit and held talks with Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame and top government officials, Rwandan radio reported. They discussed matters pertaining to the implementation of the Lusaka peace agreement, the AIDs scourge and poverty alleviation. President Kagame thanked Annan for his “timely visit which is an embrace for the Rwandan government in its tireless efforts in seeing there is peace and stability in the region”. He highlighted the need for countries of the Great Lakes region to see that there is sustainable development which will lead to economic welfare for all the countries in the region.

Annan, for his part, thanked the cooperation between Rwandan and the neighbouring countries in fostering regional peace and thanked Kagame, in particular, for his supportive role to see that the Lusaka peace accord is fully implemented. He expressed appreciation of the government’s efforts in its advocacy programme of unity and reconciliation among Rwandans and drafting of the constitution and amendments of other laws, especially after the 1994 genocide. He said the UN “will continue supporting Rwanda in its programme of combating the AIDS scourge and help in poverty alleviation programme.