President John Magufuli joined Rwandans, led by President Paul Kagame, in commemoration of the 22nd anniversary of the 1994 genocide against Tutsi population, in which over one million people died.
Dressed in a dark suit, President Magufuli joined his host, who donned a grey suit, in the company of their wives, Mama Janeth Magufuli and Mama Jeannette Kagame, laid a wreath and lit a memorial flame in remembrance of those who perished during the genocide.
Led by his host President Kagame, Dr Magufuli visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre, where he was given a brief history of the horrific event and saw some of the remains of those who perished.
Speaking shortly after the event, President Magufuli stressed that such atrocities should never happen again. “This will never happen again… we cannot change what happened in the past but we can change the present and future to make sure such killings do not happen again,” Dr Magufuli said.
The president, who arrived in Rwanda on Wednesday in his maiden trip outside the country since he was elected into office last October, departed Kigali yesterday evening for Dar es Salaam.
Meanwhile, President Magufuli’s leadership style elicited praise from his host. Speaking during an official dinner that he hosted for President Magufuli in Kigali on Wednesday evening, President Kagame told Dr Magufuli that he was at his brother’s place.
“You must know, first of all, that you are at your brother’s place. Since you were elected, your presence has been refreshing.
Your words and deeds reflect our vision. Your stance against corruption is very refreshing,” Mr Kagame pointed out. He added that Rwanda was committed to working with their partners who feel we have to raise our level of dignity because that is what we deserve.
Dr Magufuli’s motorcade was greeted by excited residents while driving through the country’s northern town of Rusumo towards the border.
During the inauguration of the newly constructed Rusumo International Bridge on Wednesday the two presidents pledged to strengthen the two countries’ relations to enable their citizens to work together for shared benefits and development.
The leaders made the commitment at the Rusumo border, where President Kagame welcomed his guest for a twoday working visit, which ended on Thursday.
At the border, the two leaders inaugurated the newly-constructed Rusumo International Bridge and a one-stop border post between Rwanda and Tanzania, which brings customs and immigration officers from both countries under one roof.
The leaders urged Rwandans and Tanzanians to actively use the border for their business and visits to each other, encouraging them to build stronger relationships that are crucial for mutual interests.
“We want trade to increase because that will be to the benefit of both the people of Rwanda and the people of Tanzania,” President Kagame said, adding that cooperation based on peace and trust foundations has the potential to transform the two nations.
Speaking to both Rwandan and Tanzanian citizens and dignitaries gathered on the Rwandan side, President Magufuli pledged stronger cooperation: “Tanzania will cooperate very well with Rwanda.
I would like to ask businesspeople in both countries of Rwanda and Tanzania and citizens from the entire EAC (East African Community) to work together and build our unity. I trust that we can build our countries’ economies by working together,” Dr Magufuli said in a short speech.
He thanked President Kagame for inviting him to visit Rwanda, describing him both as a friend and brother, while also emphasizing that Tanzania is and will remain a friend of Rwanda.
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