New heads of mission from Africa pledge support for CHOGM 2013

Wednesday, 14 August 2013 00:02 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Several new heads of mission, who on Monday presented credentials to President Mahinda Rajapaksa, pledged their country’s support for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2013 taking place in November. “We currently look forward to the CHOGM meeting that is coming in November,” said the High Commissioner of Botswana Lesego Ethel Motsumi. “Definitely, Botswana will participate at this meeting as a support for Sri Lanka and the development of Sri Lanka to the state at which it is now – peaceful with a democratic government.”

Five new high commissioners and one ambassador from African nations accredited to Sri Lanka presented their credentials at the Presidential Secretariat on Monday. They were John W.H. Kijazi, High Commissioner of Tanzania, Lesego Ethel Motsumi, High Commissioner of Botswana, Zanele Angeline Mdluli, High Commissioner of Swaziland, Ernest Rwamucyo, High Commissioner of Rwanda Dr. Arye Kumar Jagessur, High Commissioner of Mauritius and Andre Sanra, Ambassador of Benin. “Being the newest member of the Commonwealth, this is a very important CHOGM for us because this is the second time we’re participating in CHOGM and Rwanda looks very much forward to participating in the next CHOGM in Colombo,” said the High Commissioner of Rwanda Ernest Rwamucyo. The Ambassador of Benin Andre Sanra, speaking about CHOGM 2013, said: “I wish great success to the Sri Lankan people, to the Sri Lankan Government and to the President who is a president of peace.” Mauritius will be hosting the next CHOGM in 2015, and its new high commissioner to Sri Lanka Dr. Arye Kumar Jagessur assured President Rajapaksa that his country will stand by Sri Lanka as it hosts this year’s summit. “Mauritius can assure Sri Lanka that we’ll give all possible support and collaboration during the chairmanship (of Sri Lanka) and expect to have all the support of Sri Lanka when Mauritius will host CHOGM,” Dr. Jagessur said. “Also, I can assure that Mauritius will be participating actively at the highest level in the forthcoming CHOGM in Sri Lanka and expect to have a good outcome at this CHOGM summit. I’ll also like to congratulate the Government of Sri Lanka for all the preparatory work being undertaken to have a successful CHOGM.”