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Presidents Kagame, Ramaphosa arrive in France for 2019 G7 Summit

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President Paul Kagame arrived in France on Sunday, where he will attend the 2019 G7 Summit in Biarritz. [Photo courtesy: Rwandan presidency]
Rwandan President Paul Kagame and his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa arrived in France on Sunday for the 2019 G7 Summit which kicked off on Saturday in Biarritz.

Rwanda and South Africa are among five African countries that were invited to take part in the key forum that will run until Monday 26 August. The other invited African sides are Egypt, Senegal and Burkina Faso. The African Union Commission (AUC) was also invited.

Rwanda was invited in its capacity as the former chair of the African Union, Egypt as the current chair, while South Africa was invited as the incoming chair. Senegal was invited as the current leader of the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD), while Burkina Faso will be attending the G7 Summit as the chair of G5 Sahel.

Other than the five African states, other non-members that will take part in the 2019 Summit are Australia, Chile and India.

World leaders started descending into France earlier this week ahead of the summit.

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the leaders to Biarritz on Saturday as the three-day Summit kicked off.

The summit is expected to focus on among other things global trade and security.

The South African Presidency pledged to use the forum to attract foreign investment as it seeks to bolster the country’s economy.

Various sideline meetings between the various leaders in attendance are expected within the three-day period.

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