Commonwealth leaders meet in Rwanda amid criticism of host's rights record

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits Flame of Hope with (L) Freddy Mutanguha, Executive Director for the Aegis Trust at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, on June 23, 2022 in Kigali, Rwanda. Leaders of Commonwealth countries meet every two years for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), hosted by different member countries on a rotating basis. Since 1971, a total of 24 meetings have been held, with the most recent being in the UK in 2018. Dan Kitwood/Pool via REUTERS

Commonwealth leaders meet in Kigali on Friday to discuss cooperation on topics from trade to health to climate, against a backdrop of criticism of the host Rwanda's human rights record and of a British policy to deport asylum seekers there.

The Commonwealth, a club of 54 countries most of which are former British colonies, encompasses about a third of humanity and presents itself as a network of equal partners with shared goals such as democracy, peace and prosperity.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson seen with (L) Freddy Mutanguha, Executive Director for the Aegis Trust at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, on June 23, 2022 in Kigali, Rwanda. Leaders of Commonwealth countries meet every two years for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), hosted by different member countries on a rotating basis. Since 1971, a total of 24 meetings have been held, with the most recent being in the UK in 2018. Dan Kitwood/Pool via REUTERS

Britain's Prince Charles and Prime Minister Boris Johnson will attend an opening ceremony along with heads of state and government from most member countries, before the leaders hold two days of talks behind closed doors.

One item on the agenda will be applications by former French colonies Togo and Gabon to join the Commonwealth, a sign of disenchantment within France's sphere of influence in Africa and of the attractions of an English-speaking club.

The theme of the summit, "Delivering a Common Future: Connecting, Innovating, Transforming", offered few clues as to what outcomes were expected.

Flags representing Commonwealth countries fly at the Kigali Convention Centre, the venue hosting the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Kigali, Rwanda June 22, 2022. Picture taken June 22, 2022. REUTERS/Jean Bizimana

At previous summits, leaders have agreed on declarations and targets on specific challenges such as malaria, and some of the richer members have pledged funding for specific initiatives.

Some prominent countries, including South Africa, India, Pakistan, Australia and New Zealand sent more junior delegations led by ministers to Kigali.

Earlier this month, 24 civil society groups including Human Rights Watch said the Commonwealth's human rights mandate would be undermined if leaders failed to challenge Rwanda on its record.

Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau arrives at a welcome reception and state banquet hosted by the President of Rwanda on day four of the 2022 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) on June 23, 2022 in Kigali, Rwanda. Leaders of Commonwealth countries meet every two years for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), hosted by different member countries on a rotating basis. Since 1971, a total of 24 meetings have been held, with the most recent being in the UK in 2018. Dan Kitwood-Pool/Pool via REUTERS

They said the Rwandan government was responsible for abusive prosecutions, harassment and torture of dissidents, which Rwanda denies.

The hosting of the summit by Rwanda has also kept the spotlight on Britain's controversial policy to deport asylum seekers to the country.

Prince Charles was reported by British media to have described it as "appalling", an uneasy backdrop to his interactions with both Johnson and Rwandan President Paul Kagame at the summit. However, any tensions were unlikely to be aired in public.

Britain's Prince Charles gets briefed by an aide before attending the Heads of Government and CEOs roundtable during Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) at the Intare conference arena on the outskirts Kigali, Rwanda June 23, 2022. REUTERS/Ayenat Mersie

Johnson, asked by Reuters on Thursday if he would visit detention centres prepared by the Rwandan authorities to receive asylum seekers from Britain, said he was "flat out" and would not be able to.

(Additional reporting by Andrew MacAskill; Writing by Estelle Shirbon, Editing by William Maclean)