Rwandan President Paul Kagame arrives in Barbados

Rwandan President Paul Kagame arrived in Barbados Friday to a red carpet welcome on an official visit here that will seek to strengthen relations between the two countries.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Senator Dr the Most Honourable Jerome Walcott welcomed Mr Kagame at the Grantley Adams International Airport when he and his party arrived in two private jets shortly after 6:30 p.m.

Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs Kirk Humphrey, who will be the chaperone during the visit, was also at the welcoming ceremony along with Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office Alies Jordan and Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Kay Sealy.

President Paul Kagame arrives at the Grantley Adams International Airport (photo- Haroon Greenidge)

President Kagame was accorded a guard of honour by the Barbados Defence Force. (photo- Haroon Greenidge)

Mr Kagame’s arrival in Barbados for bi-lateral talks followed a similar visit to Jamaica.

In Kingston, the Rwandan leader and Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on cooperation in tourism and a Memorandum of Understanding on political consultation aimed at strengthening collaboration between the two countries.

During his visit, President Kagame is scheduled to pay a courtesy call on President Dame The Most Honourable Sandra Mason, and co-chair a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley.

Government officials including Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs Kirk Humphrey ( left) and Foreign Affairs Minister Senator the Most Honourable Dr Jerome Walcott welcomed President Kagame. ( Photo- Haroon Greenidge)

He will also participate in a joint press conference, plant a tree in the National Botanical Gardens and observe a road tennis match, before he leaves the island.

This is the East African leader’s first to Barbados.