French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday he would make his first visit to Rwanda at the end of this month.

This trip is the latest sign of a renewal of diplomatic ties between Rwanda and France, and could be a possible breakthrough in relations overshadowed by France's role during the 1994 Tutsi genocide.

"I can confirm that I will be travelling to Rwanda at the end of May, and that the focus will be on politics and remembrance, as well as economics, health and the future," Emmanuel Macron said during a press conference during the Paris summit on the financing of African economies.

"We are also keen with President Kagame to write a new page in the relationship, and to carry out highly structuring projects, in line with what we have just mentioned," the French President added.

This declaration comes just one day after Rwandan President Paul Kagame met with several former French army officers who served in Rwanda between 1990 and 1994.

A move seen to add to the growing criticism over France's role, who was found by a recent report to bear "heavy and overwhelming responsibilities" in the tragedy. - Tancrede Chambraud, AFP/Africanews

The message was received by HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani during his meeting with the Chief of Staff at the Burundian President's Office, General Ildephonse Habarurema.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani has received a written message from Burundi President Evariste Ndayishimiye, pertaining to bilateral relations and ways of enhancing them. The message was received by HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani during his meeting with the Chief of Staff at the Burundian President's Office, General Ildephonse Habarurema. - Gulf Times

Photo Courtesy, Ripples Nigeria

President Muhammadu Buhari has called on European countries and global financial institutions to consider granting debt relief for African countries.

Buhari who is currently in France where he is attending the Financing Africa Summit held at Grande Palais Ephemere, said on Tuesday that such a relief would assist African countries in reducing the devastating effect of the Coronavirus pandemic on the continent. 

In a statement by the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, titled ‘President Buhari seeks debt relief for African countries, says PPP will reduce corruption, speed growth,’ the President is quoted as saying that the fall in “commodity prices as COVID-19 took a toll on the global economy further slowed growth in some countries and strained health facilities.”

Read also: Buhari’s govt piling up ‘debt that leads to death’

“It is in this vein that we solicit the support of the French government with its influence in the European Union to lend its voice to the efforts being made to mobilise additional resources for developing economies most especially Africa in order to strengthen the quantum of investments to our economies. 

“This financial support should also be extended to the private sector,” the statement reads. 

According to Buhari, many African countries were already experiencing debt distress and the Debt Service Suspension by France and G-20 does not go far enough, adding that there was a need for more sustainable and affordable financing solutions, including debt relief and further debt restructuring. By Isaac Dachen, Ripples Nigeria…