KIGALI, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- Rwanda has embarked on a campaign to strengthen the use of the French language in the country, Marie Solange Kayisire, Rwandan minister in charge of cabinet affairs, said here Thursday.

The use of French language in Rwanda has been declining due to the fact that many people preferred English language to French despite the fact that both are the country's official languages, said Kayisire at a news conference on the outcomes of Wednesday's cabinet meeting.

The purpose is not intended as a challenge to the English language but a push for a more multilingual Rwanda, she said.

The government is going to ensure that French language is widely used in education, training and official communication in the central African country.

The development comes barely two weeks after former Rwandan minister of foreign affairs Louise Mushikiwabo was elected as the Secretary-General of the International Organization of La Francophonie, an organization of French speaking countries.

Rwandan government decided to change the medium of education from French to English in 2008.