The President of the Republic of the Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso Friday called on African countries to maintain peace on the continent in the face of conflicts in some parts of the continent, saying it’s the cornerstone of development.
Sassou Nguesso who began a two-day state visit to Rwanda on Friday was addressing a joint session of the Rwandan Parliament in Kigali, Rwanda’s capital city.
“Africa’s development is in our hands, but it requires us to foster peace daily, it is imperative to stop terrorism, war and maintain peace in Africa,” he said.
Sassou Nguesso said there can be no development without peace and that “is why there is a need for good neighborliness and peaceful coexistence.”
Noting that Africa is endowed with natural resources, the president said Africa should be defined by peace and security offering hope to its citizens.
Sassou Nguesso, whose government has waived visas for Rwandans travelling on diplomatic and service passports, said peaceful coexistence would spur cross-border movements.
Sassou Nguesso is expected to visit Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture in eastern Rwanda’s Bugesera district on Saturday.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame held a closed-door meeting Friday with Sassou Nguesso at the president’s office.
The two presidents are expected to witness the signing of an agreement of cooperation on accelerating the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement.
Earlier on Friday, Sassou Nguesso visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where he laid a wreath in honor of the over one million people who were killed between the April 7 and July 15 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, an ethnic minority. ■
The President of the Republic of the Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso (L) and Rwandan President Paul Kagame observe the national anthems of both countries at the Kigali International airport in Kigali, Rwanda, July 21, 2023.
Sassou Nguesso, who was on a two-day state visit to Rwanda, Friday called on African countries to maintain peace on the continent in the face of conflicts in some parts of the continent, saying it’s the cornerstone of development.
Source: Xinhua