First time out as Magufuli comes to Rwanda

President John Magufuli leaves today to start a two-day visit of Rwanda at the invitation of President Paul Kagame, his first maiden trip outside Tanzania since becoming head of state.

While in Rwanda, President Magufuli and his host, President Kagame, are expected to preside over the grand opening of the Rusumo International Bridge and One Stop Border Post (OSBP), which are significant facilities developed under the auspices of the East African Community (EAC).

According to a statement issued to the media yesterday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, East African, Regional and International Cooperation, the infrastructure, located on theTanzania-Rwanda border, is vital in not only accelerating cross-border interaction between the two countries but also enhance linkage between the landlocked countries of Eastern and Central Africa and the Indian Ocean.

After the inaugural ceremony, the two leaders will proceed to the Rwandan capital Kigali where they will hold bilateral talks and together lay a wreath at the Kigali Genocide Memorial in memory of the 1994 Rwanda Genocide.

The trip, his first foreign visit since assuming office in October 2015, signifies the importance Tanzania attaches to strengthening relations with its neighbours.

As the current EAC chairman, President Magufuli’s first foreign visit to the region also portrays his commitment to deepening the integration process and strengthening relations between member states of the regional economic grouping.

The two countries are major trading partners. According to reports from Kigali, Dar es Salaam Port handles 60 per cent of the central African country’s exports and imports, making it a key port in terms of handling Rwandan cargo.

Rwanda also regards Tanzania’s central corridor, which combines road and railway network, as an essential trade and transport route, linking it with neighbouring Burundi, Uganda and the eastern part of Democratic Republic of Congo.

Socially, many Rwandans, particularly those who have lived and those who were born in Tanzania, regard the country as their second home.

President Kagame has on several occasions expressed his admiration for Dr Magufuli’s stance on corruption and curbing government expenditure.