Tanzania’s Magufuli to Venerate Genocide victims with Rwandans
Presidents, Dr. John Pombe Magufuli of Tanzania and Rwanda’s Paul Kagame shake hand at the swearing in ceremony Dar es Salaam last year
President of Tanzania, Dr. John Pombe Joseph Magufuli is scheduled to visit Rwanda-his maiden regional visit on Wednesday 6th April to join Rwandans across the World to commemorate the 1994 genocide against Tutsis.
President Magufuli, who has made global headlines for his rapid leadership changes in the East African nation will be travelling outside Tanzania for the first time since he became President of Tanzania in November last year 2015.
The two-day working visit of the President of Tanzania visit will begin with an official opening of Rusumo one stop border post connecting the two countries, before holding a joint press conference with his host President Paul Kagame.
On his 2nd day’ of state visit, President Magufuli will join Rwandans at the 22nd commemoration of the genocide against Tutsi on Thursday, April 7.
On the fateful day when Rwandans mourn over 1 million Tutsis who perished during the genocide, Presidents Magufuli and Kagame along with First ladies will lay a wreath and lighting the memorial flame, and later on join Rwandans in a ‘Walk to remember’, before attending a night vigil at Amahoro National Stadium in the capital Kigali.
What Magufuli’s presence means to Rwanda
The port of Dar-es-Salaam is crucial for Rwanda’s trade routes, accounting for roughly 70% of all Rwandan international maritime trade.
The port handles 60% of Rwanda’s exports and imports, making it a key port in terms of handling Rwandan cargo, according to Ministry of Trade.
Indeed, Rwanda regards Tanzania’s central corridor, which combines road and railway network, as an essential trade and transport route linking it with neighboring Burundi, Uganda and the eastern part of Democratic Republic of Congo.
Socially, Rwandans have for so many years regarded Tanzania as their second home, due to their socio-political background.
President Kagame has expressed his admiration for the new Tanzania President, especially his immediate stance on corruption. On November 5 last year, Kagame flew to Tanzania’s capital Dar-es-Salaam to attend the swearing in ceremony of President John Pombe Joseph Magufuli.
In just 6 months as President, Magufuli has been reluctant to travel both abroad and inside Tanzania, since he was sworn in as the President.
He has so far been in Dar-es-Salaam Statehouse and only traveled to Arusha, Mwanza, Morogoro and Geita regions. He has been assigning his Prime Minister Majaliwa Kasim to travel to other parts of the country in a move to solve various political and socio-economic problems.
