Zimbabwe and Rwanda sign five agreements in important areas
Five new agreements have been signed between Rwanda and Zimbabwe with the goal of enhancing collaboration in important areas such as energy, customs, youth affairs, health, and police cooperation.
During the Third Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation (JPCC) Ministerial Session between the two nations on Wednesday, August 6, the agreements were signed.
A growing friendship between the two nations is based on shared values, Pan-African solidarity, and a shared commitment to sustainable development, according to Foreign Affairs Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe. “Today, we signed five new agreements, in the fields of health, youth affairs, police cooperation, the exchange of customs information, and the renewed MOU on energy,” he said.
He also discussed Rwanda’s longstanding backing of Zimbabwe on both regional and global issues, especially when it comes to demanding the lifting of sanctions.
“Rwanda has repeatedly demanded that the restrictions that certain Western nations have placed on Zimbabwe be lifted. Rwanda is also in favor of Zimbabwe rejoining the Commonwealth, which we think is long overdue and morally right,” he stated.
Nduhungirehe praised Zimbabwe’s leadership, particularly its involvement in resolving the crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, during its most recent chairmanship of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
“Any and all efforts aimed at genuinely bringing peace in our region have our full support,” he stated. “We both think that processes led by Africans can make a significant contribution to a long-term solution.”
Amon Murwira, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, called the two countries’ relationship “strong and excellent,” pointing out that it has been progressively improving over time.
He valued Rwanda’s persistent demand that Zimbabwe’s sanctions be lifted.
He did point out that although there are close political relations between the two nations, there is still room for growth in trade.
“Zimbabwe is prepared to export additional goods to Rwanda, including strategic and fast-moving items as well as agricultural products like sugar and blueberries. We anticipate Rwanda would reciprocate Zimbabwe’s request,” he stated.
Because trade requires infrastructure, we are prepared to set up a network of warehouses, including Rwandan and Zimbabwean commodities warehouses in Rwanda and Zimbabwe, respectively, to facilitate trade. This is a useful method to make this possible,” he continued.
