Stéphane Séjourné, the Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, met with Vincent Biruta, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Rwanda, for a bilateral meeting on Saturday in Kigali.
During the meeting, the two ministers signed two important agreements. The first was an “Air Services Agreement” which will facilitate and regulate air transport services between the two countries. The second was a “Declaration of Intent on the Bilateral Development Partnership (2024-2028)”, outlining a framework for deepening cooperation in areas such as development, security, and cultural exchange over the next five years.
The visit comes at a time when Rwanda and France are working to mend their historically strained relationship. The two countries have been working to improve their diplomatic ties in recent years, particularly since the election of President Emmanuel Macron in France.
“This visit demonstrates the commitment of both France and Rwanda to strengthening our partnership and working together to address regional and global challenges,” said Minister Séjourné. “We are excited to build on our shared values of democracy, human rights, and sustainable development.”
For his part, Minister Biruta expressed gratitude for France’s support and reaffirmed Rwanda’s desire to further strengthen bilateral cooperation. “These agreements will help us deepen our partnership in areas that are crucial for the development and stability of our region,” he said.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for the two ministers to discuss regional security challenges, particularly the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and explore ways to enhance coordination in addressing these issues.
As Rwanda continues its efforts to rebuild and reconcile after the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, the strengthening of ties with its longtime ally France is seen as a positive step towards achieving lasting peace and prosperity in the region.
