Nyaruguru, 20 February 2013

President Kagame ended his Southern Province tour in the district of Nyaruguru where he addressed tens of thousands of residents and encouraged them to continue on the path to progress.

“What you have accomplished in Nyaruguru is not a gift from anyone; it is as a result of your hard work and your determination. We must begin by fighting the poverty of the mind. You must believe in your ability to better your situation. No one else but ourselves can be held responsible for solving the issues we face.”

Nyamagabe, 19 February 2013

President Kagame began a two day tour in the Southern Province in the district of Nyamagabe. With a history of famine and poverty, Nyamagabe has distinguished itself by achieving food security and lifting a large number of its population from poverty.

“The progress in Nyamagabe shows how far we have come, it is proof that nothing is impossible and that the best is yet to come,” President Kagame told Nyamagabe residents.

“We must continue working hard to achieve even more and to live in dignity. You each have the ability and the responsibility to improve your own life and be part of transforming your nation,” President Kagame added.

Oyo, February 17, 2013

President Kagame visit to President Sassou Nguesso's hometown of Oyo marked his third visit to the Republic of Congo since 2004. This visit takes place only two months following President Sassou Nguesso visit to Rwanda during which the two heads of state discussed bilateral and regional issues including the crisis in DRC and the need to continue supporting the ongoing regional peace process.

Bilateral relations between Rwanda and the Republic of Congo have grown in recent years and now include economic and trade partnerships of Rwandan and Congolese businesses facilitated by twice weekly flights of the national carrier Rwandair between Kigali and Brazzaville:

Kigali, 11 February 2013

Amb. Kunio Hatanaka, Japanese first Ambassador to Rwanda today paid a courtesy call on President Kagame, to bid him farewell at the conclusion of his three-year tour of duty. The outgoing envoy also took the chance to extend the invitation from the Japanese Government to President Kagame to attend the upcoming TICAD meeting which will take place in Yokohama, Japan in June.

“I sincerely thank the Government and leaders of this country for the assistance provided when we were establishing our embassy here. Our cooperation has been excellent; there has been reciprocal assistance between our two countries. We also appreciate the transparency and efficiency in the way this country uses aid and we look forward to further cooperation.”