BY SHEENA FORDE-CRAIGG | APR 17, 2022
This morning under overcast skies, the President of the Republic of Rwanda, His Excellency, Paul Kagame, bid Barbados farewell, after arriving on Good Friday for an official visit to Barbados.
A team of government officials led by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and Senior Minister coordinating Social and Environmental Policy, Senator Dr. Jerome Walcott and Chaperone Minister for the official visit, Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, Kirk Humphrey was on hand to say goodbye to the President and his delegation.
While on the island, President Kagame, met with Her Excellency, Dame The Most Honorable Sandra Mason, President of Barbados; held private talks with Prime Minister, Mia Amor Mottley; met some of Barbados’ cricket legends including National Hero, Sir Garfield Sobers and participated in bilateral discussions.
He also planted a yellow Acacia tree, as well as unveiled a plaque to mark the occasion at the National Botanical Gardens and engaged in the indigenous sport, road tennis at the Bush Hall Community Centre.
During the visit, a Cooperation Agreement between the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and Senior Minister coordinating Social and Environmental Policy, Senator Dr. Jerome Walcott and Rwanda’s Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Uzziel Ndagijimana was also signed.
On departure, President Kagame was accorded a Guard-of-Honour led by the Barbados Coast Guard and the playing of the national anthems of both countries by the Barbados Police Service Band.
Bidding the Rwandan President farewell were Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office, Alies Jordan; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kay Sealy; Cabinet Secretary Hughland Allman and acting Chief of Protocol in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Resa Layne.
Prime Minister Mottley will visit the Republic of Rwanda when she attends the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2022, which is scheduled for the week of June 20, in Kigali, Rwanda.
