President Kagame in Jamaica for a 3-day State visit

Jamaica is member of the Commonwealth and Kagame’s visit comes ahead of the 54-member association’s next meeting to be held in Rwanda's capital Kigali in June.

President Kagame in Jamaica for a 3-day State visit
President Kagame was received by Jamaica Prime Minister Andrew Holness and his government senior officials (left) at the Norman Manley International Airport. PHOTO | Gleaner

President Kagame arrived in Jamaica Wednesday for a three-day State visit, Jamaica Information Service reports.

The state agency responsible for disseminating information about government programs, projects, and services broadcasts that the Rwandan leader will lay a floral tribute at the shrine of Jamaica’s first national hero Marcus Mosiah Garvey in the afternoon.

Later on he will be guest at Jamaica's 60th Independence anniversary. 
He is also expected to address a special joint sitting of the houses of Parliament before attending a State dinner in the evening Thursday.

On Friday, President Kagame will meet and hold bilateral talks with Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness, followed by government to government dialogues before departure.

Delayed visit

Jamaican media report that Prime Minister Andrew Holness had invited President Kagame to Jamaica a few years ago but the visit was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Jamaica is member of the Commonwealth and Kagame’s visit comes ahead of the 54-member association’s next meeting to be held in Rwanda's capital Kigali in June.

It is at the meeting that its incoming secretary general will be decided. Jamaican media report that the caountry's foreign affairs and foreign trade Minister Kamina Johnson Smith and incumbent Patricia Scotland are expected be the contenders for the post.

Ahead of President Kagame’s visit to Jamaica, Rwanda’s High Commissioner to the Caribbean, ambassador Claver Gatete virtually presented his Letters of Credence to Sir Patrick Allen, Governor-General of Jamaica.

Ambassador Gatete is Rwanda’s designate and Permanent Representative of Rwanda to the United Nations, and the designated High Commissioner of Rwanda to Jamaica.