Rwanda: Liz Truss responds to Prince Charles comments

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Charles will represent the Queen, head of the Commonwealth, when prime ministers and presidents gather in the Rwandan capital Kigali for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), which was previously postponed by the pandemic. But there are fears this could be overshadowed by the migrant crisis if the future King wades in on the Government’s controversial policy to send asylum seekers to Rwanda amid reports he privately described it as “appalling”.

A source said it was “quite awkward” for Prince Charles to be visiting Rwanda at the same time the row continues to rage.

Another told The Telegraph it was a challenge to get the Commonwealth message through “at the best of times”.

The Times reported Charles had expressed his opposition to the policy several times in private and that he was “more than disappointed” by it.

At the time a Clarence House spokesman said: “We would not comment on supposed anonymous private conversations with the Prince of Wales, except to restate that he remains politically neutral. Matters of policy are decisions for Government.”

Ahead of the visit, Charles said: “My wife and I much look forward to meeting Commonwealth leaders and, for the first time, being able to visit Rwanda.

“Over the years, I have learned a great deal from the ideas, concerns and aspirations which people across the Commonwealth have so generously shared.”

The prince also hailed the potential of the Commonwealth to make a difference on issues like climate change or providing opportunities for young people.

He added: “Taking shared responsibility to solve problems like these means the Commonwealth has the potential to make a profound difference in the lives of its citizens – and, in so doing, to be an unparalleled force for good in our world.”

The future king, who will be joined by the Duchess of Cornwall, will carry out a full day of engagements on Wednesday when he will meet survivors and perpetrators of the Rwandan genocide.

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In 1994 hundreds of thousands of members of the Tutsi community were slaughtered in Rwanda by ethnic Hutu extremists. The issue of genocide and reconciliation is said to be very close to the prince’s heart and he will visit a village that was targeted.

The trip will be the first royal visit to Rwanda and one of a minority of the world’s nations the Queen has not visited.

Charles has been encouraged by former Rwandan footballer Eric Murangwa to visit a church outside the Rwandan capital where the remains of tens of thousands of genocide victims are buried.

Mr Murangwa was sheltered from the killings by teammates, and Charles made him an MBE in recognition of his efforts raising awareness of the genocide against the Tutsi. He is the founder of the organisation Football for Hope, Peace and Unity.

In April, Mr Murangwa was invited to watch as the prince planted a tree at Dumfries House in commemoration of the genocide victims.CHOGM will take place in Rwandan capital Kigali following its postponement in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 crisis.

Charles last represented the Queen at the event in Sri Lanka in 2013 – a move that was interpreted as preparation for his future role as monarch – and in 2018 he was appointed the monarch’s designated successor as head of the Commonwealth.

The event, which is usually held in a different country every two years, brings together leaders from the 54 Commonwealth nations.

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