Bahir Dar, 20 April 2013

Today in Bahir Dar, the Tana High Level forum on Security in Africa began by paying tribute to the late Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. Held in honor of the late Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and chaired by former Nigeria President Olesegun Obasanjo, this first session began with keynote remarks from President Kagame.

Praising Meles Zenawi's ability to defy convention and prioritize results, President Kagame described Meles Zenawi as a colleague, a panafrican, a friend and a source of inspiration for many:

“Meles Zenawi was a modernizer who dedicated his life to advance socio economic transformation of his country and the continent. He challenged and rejected conventional development models where they were not suitable. For doing what was right and being to true to his vision, values and principles, he earned the wrath of some but more significantly the admiration of many. Only a man of unusual courage, strong conviction, uncompromising integrity and selflessness could put the widespread criticism in its proper place and focus on meeting the needs of his people.”

Kigali, 16 April, 2013

President Kagame has today said that Continental unity and integration are the best insurance for Africans against denial of ability to play rightful role in the world. President Kagame stated this while addressing a special session of the first sitting of the fifth meeting of the first session of the third EALA Assembly in Kigali. President Kagame said the Process East African integration is advanced, and told the people of East Africa that at this juncture, they can only move forward because they is no option of turning back:

“It is crucial that decision making and oversight mechanisms become more responsive to aspirations of East African citizens. We must move fast on the creation of a single customs territory to facilitate trade across the region as well as we ensure commitments on the free movement of people, labour and services are urgently addressed. We must increase the level of intra-African trade and investment and extend integration across the continent.”

Nairobi, 10 April 2013

President Kagame today met with President Uhuru Kenyatta at the State House in Nairobi on his first day in office. The Kenyan President was accompanied by his deputy, William Ruto. The two Heads of State discussed issues of mutual interest including advancing bilateral relations as well as strengthening cooperation on regional and international matters of common interest.

Nairobi, 9 April 2013

President Kagame today morning attended the swearing-in of Kenya’s fourth and youngest President, Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy, William Ruto at Kasarani Sports Complex in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi.

The son of Kenya's founding father, Jomo Kenyatta, President Kenyatta served as deputy Prime Minister, Minister for trade, and Finance Minister under outgoing President Mwai Kibaki. 51 year old Kenyatta won the March election with 50.07% of the vote.

In his inaugural address, President Kenyatta said he would govern for all Kenyans.

"We will leave no community behind... Where there's disillusionment, we'll restore hope, I assure you again that under my leadership, Kenya will strive to uphold our international obligations, so long as these are founded on the well-established principles of mutual respect and reciprocity."

He promised that the new government would abolish maternity fees in its first 100 days and children starting school next year would receive laptops.

Among the other African leaders present for the inauguration were South Africa's Jacob Zuma, Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe, Nigeria's Goodluck Jonathan and Uganda's Yoweri Museveni. American civil rights activist Jesse Jackson was also in attendance.