President of Republic of Congo-Brazaville Denis Sassou Nguesso who has been in the country for a three days state visit, has left Rwanda heading to his country after promising farther relations between both countries.
Before leaving the country, Sassou Nguesso addressed the press in a joint press conference with his counterpart President Paul Kagame, organized by president’s office.
Sassou Nguesso said that his country will abide by the international law to respect cessation clause which puts an end on refugee status given to Rwandans in the world.
Cessation clause has been adopted by UNHCR due to no reasons in Rwanda that qualify one to seek for refugee status.
“We are going to sensitise Rwandan refugees in our country to return home voluntary and we work closely with UNHCR and we will follow the international law when the deadline for their refugee status comes,” Sassou Nguesso said in a joint press conference.
Both heads of state agreed to leave all options open to give opportunities to the population of both countries to benefit from the cooperation saying that there is no limit to what can be done jointly.
The heads of state also commented on African development saying that the continent no longer wait for solutions from international community, in spite of existing weaknesses as a result of low capacities.
President Sassou N’Guesso said that if you look at the recent past, African nations, through the African Union have been actively involved in finding solutions for problems that have been affecting the continent, citing peacekeeping in Darfur, Somalia and the AU involvement to find solutions for the Libyan crisis.
“It is an exaggeration to suggest that Africa is not united because it is evident that Africa is now moving forward as a continent and taking its position in global affairs. We now voice our global interests as a continent, like we did during the climate change Summit. Africa is getting organised.” Sassou Nguesso said.
Commenting on the recent developments in Libya where the late President Gaddafi’s son, Seif Al-Islam was arrested, President Kagame said that since the alleged crimes were committed in Libya and against Libyans, as a sovereign state Libya deserves to try him.
“Considering what Libya has gone through and may not have the capacity to try the case, the Libyan people should be able to look for other options, like combining local and international efforts to implement justice.” Kagame said.
President Kagame said that the continent did not wish to see more problems in the Democratic Republic of Congo beyond what is already there and wished that whoever the winner of the upcoming elections should be, should aim at ameliorating and not escalating the situation and ensure peace and stability for the people.
In a Joint Communiqué read by the Rwandan foreign Minister Louise Mushikiwabo and signed by both foreign affairs Ministers, the two Heads of State made a commitment to strengthen cooperation in areas of commerce, environment and natural resources, tourism, judiciary, air transport and public service reforms.
At a regional level, the two Heads of State made a commitment to follow closely the evolution of the DR Congo elections and noted that the International Heads of State Summit for the Great Lakes Sub-region scheduled for Kampala on December 25 would be good opportunity to revisit the security situation in the region.
The two Heads of State also committed to fight all negative forces operating in the region and condemned FDLR and LRA militias and other negative forces bent on destabilising the region.
Ends
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