Among the envoys were Sylver Aboubakar Minko Mi Nseme of Gabon, Vu Thanh Huyen of Vietnam, Viacheslav Yatsiuk of Ukraine, and others representing Chad, South Sudan, Argentina, Somalia, Tanzania, Angola, Sudan, and Norway.
A particularly notable development is the appointment of Viacheslav Yatsiuk as Ukraine's new ambassador to Rwanda. He replaces Andrii Pravednyk, who had served in the role from 2021 until February 2025.
This follows the recent opening of Ukraine's first embassy in Kigali on April 18, 2024â€"an important milestone in the bilateral relationship.
The embassy is currently headed by a Chargé d'Affaires as preparations continue for Ambassador Yatsiuk to officially assume his duties.
Ambassador Yatsiuk spoke warmly of the commonalities between Ukraine and Rwanda, noting that although the two countries are separated by more than 6,000 kilometers, they share histories of resilience.
He emphasized Ukraine's deep respect for Rwanda's progress under President Kagame's leadership and expressed hope for Rwanda's support as Ukraine continues to defend its sovereignty amid ongoing conflict with Russia.
He also identified areas of potential collaboration, including agriculture, technology, fertilizer production, and broader economic development.
The new ambassador from Vietnam, Vu Thanh Huyen, will be based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, while overseeing Vietnam's diplomatic interests in Rwanda.
Vietnam and Rwanda established formal relations in 1975, and the partnership has been strengthened over the years.
A milestone in this relationship came in 2008 when President Kagame visited Vietnam, resulting in cooperation agreements in agriculture, health, and education. Today, the two countries continue to work toward shared goals such as sustainable development and economic transparency.
One of the most symbolic moments of the day was the appointment of Dr. Sylver Aboubakar Minko Mi Nseme as Gabon's first ambassador based in Kigali.
Although Gabon and Rwanda have had diplomatic relations since 1976, the position had remained vacant since 2016. Dr. Minko Mi Nseme's appointment marks a renewed commitment to deepen ties, especially in education, culture, and trade.
He emphasized the importance of collaboration, noting that over 2,000 Gabonese students are currently studying in Rwanda.
Ambassador Dr. Habib Gallus Kambanga of Tanzania pledged to focus on enhancing cooperation and trade between the two neighboring nations. Similarly, Ilyas Ali Hassan of Somalia affirmed his intent to strengthen bilateral relations.
From Sudan, Ambassador Khalid Musa Dafalla expressed admiration for Rwanda's achievements in peacebuilding and national reconciliation, highlighting opportunities for agricultural trade.
Paul Malong Akaro of South Sudan echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the appeal of Rwanda's education sector, which continues to attract students from his country.
Chad's Ambassador Abdelkerim Ahmadaye Bakhit, who last visited Rwanda five years ago, shared his appreciation for the development he witnessed upon his return.
He affirmed that Chad could draw valuable lessons from Rwanda's progress, particularly in the area of education.
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/president-kagame-receives-11-new-ambassadors
