Rwanda: Kagame in Antigua and Barbuda for CHOGM

What the report says

President Paul Kagame has arrived in St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda, to take part in the 28th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), according to The New Times, as republished by AllAfrica. The summit is scheduled for November 1-4 and is bringing together heads of state and government, along with ministers and representatives from business, civil society and youth groups.

The article says Kagame joined host Prime Minister Gaston Browne, King Charles III, Queen Camilla and Commonwealth Secretary General Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey at the meeting, which is being held under the theme “Accelerating Partnerships and Investment for a Prosperous Commonwealth.” The programme includes high-level sessions, forums, an informal retreat and working meetings with the private sector.

Leaders are expected to discuss ways to boost trade among Commonwealth members and attract investment. Kagame is also due to join a panel with Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Samoa’s Deputy Prime Minister Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molio’o on the Commonwealth’s future and how to deliver more benefits for its people. The agenda also includes a ceremonial parade marking Antigua and Barbuda’s 45th independence anniversary.

The report places the meeting in context by noting that Rwanda hosted CHOGM in Kigali in 2022 and that Rwanda joined the Commonwealth in 2009. The Commonwealth now has 56 member countries representing about 2.7 billion people, the article says.