This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/8384930.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Rwanda 'admitted to Commonwealth' Rwanda admitted to Commonwealth
(about 2 hours later)
Rwanda has announced that it has become the 54th member of the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth has admitted Rwanda as its 54th member.
The African country was admitted at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Trinidad and Tobago, a Rwandan government spokesman said. The African country was admitted at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Trinidad and Tobago, a statement from the group said.
The accession recognised Rwanda's "tremendous progress" over the last 15 years, according to a Rwandan paper. The move showed Rwanda's "tremendous progress" over the last 15 years, a Rwandan minister was quoted as saying.
The former colony of Germany and Belgium is the second country to be admitted without a British colonial past or constitutional link to Britain.The former colony of Germany and Belgium is the second country to be admitted without a British colonial past or constitutional link to Britain.
Mozambique is the only other Commonwealth member without historic UK ties.Mozambique is the only other Commonwealth member without historic UK ties.
It joined the organisation 14 years ago.It joined the organisation 14 years ago.
Information minister Louise Mushikiwabo is quoted by the online edition of the Rwandan daily New Times as saying Rwanda was pleased by its admission. Information Minister Louise Mushikiwabo is quoted by the online edition of the Rwandan daily New Times as saying Rwanda was pleased by its admission.
"Rwandans are ready to seize economic, political, cultural and other opportunities offered by the Commonwealth network," she said. "My government sees this accession as recognition of the tremendous progress this country has made in the last 15 years," she said
"Rwandans are ready to seize economic, political, cultural and other opportunities offered by the Commonwealth network."
ReservationsReservations
Country profile: Rwanda
A report in July by the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) urged Rwanda to tackle a lack of political freedom and harassment of journalists before it was admitted.A report in July by the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) urged Rwanda to tackle a lack of political freedom and harassment of journalists before it was admitted.
Country profile: Rwanda
It also articulated deep reservations over the country's human rights record.It also articulated deep reservations over the country's human rights record.
"CHRI acknowledges that Rwanda has what appears to be a well-deserved reputation for governmental efficiency and for being less corrupt than a number of other countries - but its claims about the lack of corruption appear hollow when considering its complicity in the illicit economy of the region," the report said."CHRI acknowledges that Rwanda has what appears to be a well-deserved reputation for governmental efficiency and for being less corrupt than a number of other countries - but its claims about the lack of corruption appear hollow when considering its complicity in the illicit economy of the region," the report said.
Rwanda expressed its desire to join the Commonwealth in 2008, despite its historic association with Francophone countries.Rwanda expressed its desire to join the Commonwealth in 2008, despite its historic association with Francophone countries.
Relations between France and Rwanda have been poor for years.Relations between France and Rwanda have been poor for years.
A French judge implicated Rwanda's President Paul Kagame in the Rwandan genocide of 1994, an accusation which he rejected.A French judge implicated Rwanda's President Paul Kagame in the Rwandan genocide of 1994, an accusation which he rejected.
The Rwandan government has accused France of having backed the forces that went on to instigate the genocide.The Rwandan government has accused France of having backed the forces that went on to instigate the genocide.
The Rwandan New Times said Rwanda's bid to join the group was supported by Britain, Australia, Canada and India.The Rwandan New Times said Rwanda's bid to join the group was supported by Britain, Australia, Canada and India.
It also had the backing of Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa and the host country Trinidad and Tobago, among others.It also had the backing of Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa and the host country Trinidad and Tobago, among others.