Commonwealth News and Information Service (London)

Rwanda: Commonwealth Leaders Agree to Admit Rwanda

29 November 2009

press release

President Paul Kagame of Rwanda speaking at the 10th anniversary commemoration of the 1994 genocide. (Photo Courtesy Government of Rwanda)

Commonwealth leaders holding their biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting CHOGM) in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, on 28 November 2009 considered application for membership by the Republic Of Rwanda.

The leaders agreed to admit Rwanda as the 54th member.

Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma telephoned Rwanda's President, His Excellency Paul Kagame, late on 28th November 2009 to convey the leaders' decision.

Chairperson-in-Office, the Honourable Prime Minister Patrick Manning of Trinidad and Tobago, will discuss the subject at a news conference later on 29 November 2009.

Eduardo del Buey

Commonwealth Secretariat Spokesperson

Tagged: Central Africa, East Africa, External Relations, International Organisations, Rwanda

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