He voiced the appreciation on August 6, 2025, in Kigali, following the signing of bilateral cooperation agreements.
'His words carry significant weight. His support for the cause of justice is highly important in this regard. The call by President Kagame to lift sanctions on Zimbabwe is a significant one, resonating across the African continent. Through the African Union, this resolution is being adopted, bolstered by the support of leaders like President Kagame,' Prof. Murwira noted.
In 2000, under former President Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe launched a land reform program that reclaimed large tracts of land previously controlled by white settlers and redistributed them to Black farmers. This move created diplomatic tensions with several Western nations, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and the European Union.
By 2001, the U.S. had imposed economic sanctions on Zimbabwe, with the EU and other nations following suit in 2002. These sanctions severely weakened Zimbabwe's economy and remain in place to this day.
Since 2017â€"when he chaired the African Unionâ€"President Kagame has consistently advocated for the removal of these sanctions.
Prof. Murwira hailed his efforts, disclosing that a United Nations resolution to remove the sanctions could also be passed by December 2025.
'This momentum stems from calls like the one made by President Kagame, emphasising the need to stand for and execute justice globally. Rwanda serves as an example of a country that stands resilient against adversity, advocating for peaceful resolutions and justice in many spheres, including the issue of sanctions,' he noted.
The Minister also stressed that both President Kagame and his Zimbabwean counterpart, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, share a common belief in prioritising their citizens and the principle that African countries must find homegrown solutions for their development.
On his part, Rwanda's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Amb. Olivier Nduhungirehe, emphasised the importance of African solidarity in addressing the continent's challenges.
He thanked Zimbabwe and highlighted the country's strong contributions to regional peace and security, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo, within the framework of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and across the continent.
Amb. Olivier Nduhungirehe further noted that Rwanda values Zimbabwe's support for the principle that African problems must be solved with African solutions.
Currently, Rwanda and Zimbabwe have signed over 25 cooperation agreements. These cover sectors such as health, youth development, policing, energy, and customs information exchange. The most recent of these agreements was signed on August 6, 2025.
IGIHE
