Morocco’s King represented at investiture ceremony of President Paul Kagame of Rwanda

King Mohammed VI was represented at the investiture ceremony of Rwanda’s president, Paul Kagame, by President of the Higher Council for Education, Training and Scientific Research, Habib El Malki.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame was sworn in on Sunday August 11 for a fourth term, following the presidential election held last July, where he won in the 1st round with over 98% of the vote.

Following his re-election, King Mohammed VI had sent him a message congratulating him on the Rwandan people’s renewed trust in his competences and his ability to lead them towards further achievements, progress and prosperity. The Monarch also reaffirmed his firm determination to continue to work with President Kagame to strengthen the fraternal relations rooted in mutual esteem between the two countries, and to reinforce the fruitful Moroccan-Rwandan cooperation, serving both people’s shared interests and promoting integration and solidarity between African countries.

In his inaugural speech, President Kagame insisted that regional peace is his “priority”, referring to the ongoing conflict in neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo.

Paul Kagame, who was sworn in by Supreme Court President Faustin Ntezilyayo, pledged to “preserve peace and national sovereignty” and “consolidate national unity”.

While Rwanda is accused of fueling instability in the mineral-rich east of theDRC by supporting the M23 rebels fighting the Congolese army, President Kagame has assured that regional peace is his “priority”.

“Peace in our region is a priority for Rwanda, but it is lacking, particularly in eastern DRC… peace cannot be established (…) if the party most concerned does not do what is necessary,” he added in a dig at Kinshasa.

Angolan President João Lourenço, who attended Sunday’s ceremony, was due to hold talks with President Kagame on the DRC ceasefire agreement reached last month with Angolan mediation, Luanda reported.

The ceremony was attended by several heads of State and government, members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Rwanda and other high-level personalities.