President John P. Magufuli to visit Rwanda 6-7 April

Tanzania President Dr. John Pombe Joseph Magufuli will tomorrow, April 6, visit Rwanda-his maiden regional visit.

KT Press has established that President Magufuli, who has made global headlines for his rapid leadership changes in the East African nation, will be in Rwanda for a two-day working visit.

The visit will begin with his official opening of Rusumo one stop border post connecting the two countries, before holding a joint press conference with President Paul Kagame.

On his 2^nd day, Magufuli will join Rwandans for the 22^nd commemoration of the genocide against Tutsi on Thursday, April 7.

On the day when Rwandans mourn over 1 million Tutsi who perished during the genocide, Presidents Magufuli and Kagame along with the First Ladies, will lay a wreath and lighting the memorial flame.

Later on, they will join Rwandans in a ‘Walk To Remember’, before attending a night vigil at Amahoro National Stadium in the capital Kigali.

What does Magufuli’s presence mean to Rwanda?

Tanzania is one of Rwanda major trade partners and a close ally too. The port of Dar-es-Salaam is crucial for Rwanda’s trade routes, accounting for roughly 70% of all Rwandan international maritime trade. A healthy relationship must exist to maintain this economic partnership.

For example, the port handles 60% of Rwanda’s exports and imports, making it a key port in terms of handling Rwandan cargo.

Again, Rwanda regards Tanzania’s central corridor, which combines road and railway network, as an essential trade and transport route linking it with neighbouring Burundi, Uganda and the eastern part of Democratic Republic of Congo. This is a great assets for the two countries.

Socially, many Rwandans, particularly those where were boar there and others lived there, have for so many years regarded Tanzania as their second home.

President Kagame has expressed his admiration for the new Tanzania President, especially his immediate stance on corruption.

On Novemer 5 last year, Kagame flew to Tanzania’s capital Dar-Es-Saram to attend the swearing in ceremony of President Magufuli.

In just six months, 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.

His courtesy visit to Kigali sets a strong and positive precedence and also rings a resounding tone of cultivating a stronger bilateral relationship.