Speaking in an exclusive interview with IGIHE, Ambassador Musa announced that the new route, operated by Sudan's Badr Airline weekly, not only enhances connectivity but also coincides with a flourishing trade relationship now valued at $200 million annually.
Amb. Musa emphasised that the private aviation company chose Rwanda as a hub for its expanding African operations, with plans to increase flight frequency based on demand.
'It will start with one weekly flight. If the market picks up, they can consider adding more,' he stated.
Currently, flights operate from Port Sudan, as Khartoum International Airport remains under repair due to war-related damage. The route includes a stopover in Juba, further connecting East African nations and facilitating the movement of people and goods.
The connectivity is poised to bolster the $200 million annual trade between the two nations, a figure largely driven by Rwanda's tea and coffee exports.
In a strategic shift, Sudan has redirected its tea imports, valued at $2 million in just 45 days, directly to Rwandan producers, bypassing Kenya's Mombasa auction due to political tensions.
'Sudanese companies are coming to Rwanda directly to buy,' Amb. Musa noted.
A thriving Sudanese community in Rwanda
Beyond trade, the ambassador highlighted the vibrant Sudanese community in Rwanda, now numbering over 5,000, up from 4,000 previously. This growth is fueled by academic and economic opportunities, with Sudanese residents contributing over $10 million in investments, including small factories and agricultural ventures.
'There are two or three factories right now being built and will be operating very soon,' Musa said, pointing to Sudanese companies engaging in infrastructure and export markets, particularly for Rwanda's tropical fruits and agricultural products, which are in high demand in Sudan.
Education is a cornerstone of this partnership, with Sudanese students comprising 20% of Rwanda's international student population.
'They feel at home,' Musa said, attributing this to Rwanda's safety, cultural similarities, and streamlined visa processes.
According to the ambassador, 50% of the students are female, living independently, a reflection of Rwanda's secure and supportive environment.
'There is no single Sudanese family that will allow their girl to travel to any destination unless they are confident that she is safe,' he added.
Rwanda's open-door policies and Pan-African spirit, championed by President Paul Kagame, have made it a preferred destination for Sudanese students, especially as Sudan's own educational infrastructure recovers from war-related damage.
Health and peacekeeping expanding cooperation
The interview revealed significant cooperation in health, with over 50 Sudanese doctors teaching and practising in Rwandan hospitals, including King Faisal and military facilities.
Additionally, more than 100 Sudanese medical graduates are training in Rwanda, with a 100% pass rate in recent medical exams, positioning Rwanda as a hub for medical internships.
'This is a good model because we have more medical graduates coming to Rwanda for internship,' Amb. Musa said, noting Sudan's annual output of 3,000 medical students before the war.
Looking ahead, Sudan aims to leverage Rwanda's renowned peacekeeping expertise.
'Immediately after we stop the war, one of the main areas of cooperation will be training some army units for peacekeeping in Rwanda,' the ambassador remarked, praising Rwanda's reputation as the second-largest contributor of troops and police to UN peacekeeping missions and its role in promoting regional stability.
This aligns with plans for a forthcoming memorandum of understanding (MoU) that will formalise cooperation in seven areas, including national reconciliation, social cohesion, and constitutional building, drawing on Rwanda's post-genocide recovery model.
Sudan's path to peace and reconstruction
Addressing the ongoing conflict in Sudan, Amb. Musa said that currently the Sudanese army controls over 75% of the country, with pockets of resistance remaining in Kordofan and Darfur.
He described the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) as a 'militia project' lacking public support, responsible for damages estimated at over $300 billion.
Despite the war, Musa emphasised resilience, stating, 'Life should not stop. Even during the war, life should not stop.'
The government, led by a new prime minister and a 'government of hope,' is focused on a transitional program prioritising stability, peace, and democratic elections.
To end the conflict, Sudan has offered amnesty to RSF fighters who lay down their arms, with Musa noting, 'Everybody at the RSF side will come peacefully to join the Sudanese effort for peace and reconciliation. He is welcome.'
However, justice for perpetrators will be pursued through a judicial system, inspired by Rwanda's post-1994 approach to avoiding revenge and ensuring legal accountability.
The envoy called for neighbouring countries like Kenya and regional actors, including the Emirates, to cease supporting the RSF, urging international and African Union intervention to secure sustainable peace.
Amb. Musa sees Rwanda as a beacon for Sudan's post-conflict recovery, citing four key lessons: accountable leadership, a clear vision, effective legal mechanisms, and citizen responsibility.
'We should not outsource our problem,' he said, quoting President Kagame's emphasis on homegrown solutions.
Sudan aims to emulate Rwanda's success in social cohesion and national reconciliation, with delegations, including the Sudanese Minister of Justice, already engaging with Rwandan counterparts to learn from their experience.
Watch the ambassador's previous interview below to learn more about the ongoing civil war in Sudan.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
