Kagame expressed the delight yesterday on the first day of his visit to Gabon.
President Bongo was hospitalized in Riyadh Saoudi Arabia suffering from stroke in December last year.
He returned to his country in January 2019 where he kept getting medical assistance.
As he addressed the press yesterday, President Kagame expressed delight to find time to be in Gabon and continue on the path of strengthening bilateral relations between Gabon and Rwanda and visiting his counterpart who is recovering.
“It gives me an opportunity to visit with my colleague who has not been feeling well. I am glad that there is significant improvement to his health that has led to the resumption of his responsibilities,” he said.
“In the African way, we visit friends when it is good times and when it is not so good times,” added Kagame.
He explained that Gabon has been committed towards supporting Africa’s development.
“Gabon has been central to African interests, vision and the strategy to achieve that vision. President Bongo has been very active working with other leaders on our continent to make sure we raise our level of development,” stressed Kagame.
Africa Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)is expected to be implemented next month.
Gabon is among 44 countries that signed AfCFTA.
President Kagame said all African countries are aware of AfCFTA benefits expressing optimism that remaining ones will ratify the agreements.
“We have seen significant progress since inception, we have reached the number of countries required to ratify for the agreement to take effect. Even the others who have not ratified, it’s not because they are not interested or don’t see the necessity. It is just because they have difficulties, whether legal or technical, they need to overcome before they participate,” he said.
President Kagame also talked on solution to conflicts on the continent where he highlighted that ‘there is no other way to deal with these problems until we work together’.
Rwanda and Gabon enjoy existing vibrant relations. They are all members of Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS).
Rwanda and Gabon signed cooperation agreement since 1976 that were revised in 2010.
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