President Kagame today received from four newly accredited Envoys, letters of credence to represent their countries in Rwanda.
The new Envoys are from Denmark – Ambassador Casper Stenger Jensen, Brazil – Ambassador Irene Vida Gala, French Republic – Ambassador Aurélie Royet-Gounin and Egypt – Ambassador Hanan AbdelAziz Elsaid Shahin.
Denmark-Rwanda
Denmark-Rwanda relations involve a bilateral partnership centered on development aid, human rights, climate change, and, most recently, a contentious asylum and migration cooperation agreement signed in April 2021. The agreement was a component of a broader Danish strategy to manage migration and refugees outside of Europe, though Denmark’s national project was eventually canceled by the UK after the 2024 UK election. Denmark recently established a full embassy in Kigali, signaling increased diplomatic engagement, which will also focus on fostering trade, investment, and good governance in Rwanda.
Brazil-Rwanda
Rwanda and Brazil have had a longstanding relationship since 1981. In 2019, both countries signed the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA). In 2011, they signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the promotion of South-South cooperation in agriculture strengthening and food security.
France-Rwanda
France and Rwanda maintain a dynamic cooperative relationship that has intensified since 2021, spanning the areas of education, health, and economic and environmental development, with notable French investments. France supports Rwanda in its development efforts through the French Development Agency (AFD) and is involved in health and training projects. Cultural and linguistic cooperation is also present, particularly through the Francophone Cultural Center of Rwanda.
Egypt-Rwanda
Egypt and Rwanda enjoy excellent and diversified relations in many political, economic, cultural, and developmental fields, sharing common interests in various regional and international issues, in addition to their membership in different regional organizations including COMESA, NEPAD INITIATIVE, the AFRICAN UNION, and the NILE BASIN INITIATIVE. Rwanda is represented by the Embassy in Cairo, while Egypt also has an embassy in Kigali. The two countries enjoy long-standing bilateral relations dating in the 1970s, with the first Joint Permanent Commission established in 1989.
The new Envoys pledged to work towards further improving the existing good relationship between their countries and Rwanda and exploring other areas of cooperation. They said they were honoured to represent their countries in a nation with an impressive global reputation of rapid growth and transformation and a preferred investment destination. (End)