Rwanda's Ambassador to Zimbabwe, James Musoni, has said that the people of Zimbabwe are grateful for President Paul Kagame's role in helping the country raise its voice in the fight to have economic sanctions lifted.
In 2000, under the leadership of Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe made the decision to repossess land that had been allocated to white settlers during colonial times, returning it to Black farmers.
The move sparked diplomatic tensions between Zimbabwe and countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and the European Union (EU).
These nations swiftly imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe, with the United States implementing economic sanctions in 2001, followed by the EU and other countries in 2002. These sanctions severely crippled Zimbabwe's economy and remain in place to this day.
However, in 2017, during and after his tenure as Chairperson of the African Union, President Kagame actively advocated for the lifting of those sanctions, amplifying Zimbabwe's voice on the global stage.
In a recent interview, Ambassador Musoni told RBA that President Kagame's efforts had a significant impact, resulting in the removal of some sanctions, and that the remaining ones could also be lifted in the near future.
'They thank President Kagame for his efforts in advocating for the removal of the sanctions imposed on them. His voice has consistently stood out, calling for an end to these sanctions on Zimbabwe. Progress has already been made â€" some sanctions have been lifted and others are in the process," he said.
'His role is deeply appreciated. You hear this in government circles, among private sector players, and from ordinary citizens," he added.
Relations between Rwanda and Zimbabwe took a major step forward in 2019 when both countries opened embassies and began signing various cooperation agreements.
Since 2022, the two nations have signed trade agreements, with entrepreneurs from both sides commending the benefits that have emerged from their collaboration.
Zimbabwe has also sent over 150 teachers to Rwanda through bilateral agreements on workforce exchange, and Ambassador Musoni confirmed that more teachers are expected to arrive from Zimbabwe this September to contribute further to Rwanda's education sector.
IGIHE
