The Rwandan Cabinet has passed down a decision that all schools in the country will soon be taught in English rather than French.

The decision, which was announced Thursday, came after Rwanda joined the English-speaking East African Community, the BBC reported Friday.

The change also comes after relations between France and Rwanda cooled following allegations made in 1994 that France supported Hutu militants during the genocide that year.

The BBC said the move also accompanies Rwanda's application to join the Commonwealth, a loose organization of former British colonies and territories.