APA – Kigali (Rwanda) The Rwandan, Burundian first ladies have announced forging a gender-based alliance open to other high profile women leaders on the continent, APA can report on Wednesday.
Jeannette Nyiramongi Kagame , wife of Rwanda President Paul Kagame, met Angeline Ndayishimiye, wife of Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye on the sidelines of the three-day Women Deliver Conference, in Kigali.
Mrs. Ndayishimiye was “invited to Kigali for a discussion on achieving gender equality, and the importance of inclusion for sustainable development,” the Office of the Rwanda First Lady tweeted on Wednesday.
“Any good cause requires the mobilisation of all committed hearts!”
Also in attendance were the First Lady of Namibia Monica Geingos and former South African First Lady, Graça Machel, as well as the president of Ethiopia, Sahle-Work Zewde and former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, among other women leaders.
This is being seen as part of a broad move by Rwanda and Burundi to fully restore bilateral ties.
Relations between the two neighbours have been strained since 2015, following the civil strife that was sparked by late Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza’s decision to seek a controversial third term.
There were widespread protests and an attempted coup against Mr. Nkurunziza.
Rwanda still denies backing opposition groups to unseat the Nkurunziza government.
Following the election of Maj. Gen Evariste Ndayishimiye in June 2020, President Paul Kagame extended an olive branch to the new authorities in Bujumbura, a gesture which Burundi did not warm to immediately.
CU/as/APA