Rwanda engages in UN diplomacy amid regional security pressure

During the 81st UN General Assembly, Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe engaged in several high-level diplomatic meetings.

In a bilateral meeting with Djibouti’s Foreign Minister Abdoulkader Houssein Omar, both nations expressed intentions to elevate their strategic partnership. Djibouti officially confirmed its support for Rwanda’s candidate, Louise Mushikiwabo, to be re-elected as Secretary-General of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF).

Nduhungirehe also met with Jamaica’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kamina Johnson Smith. The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral and South-South cooperation, specifically regarding education, technical cooperation, and the Commonwealth.

Separately, international pressure is mounting on Kigali regarding regional stability. U.S. Ambassador nominee Nicholas Checker stated that the success of the Washington Accords depends on “full and verifiable compliance,” specifically calling for an end to actions destabilizing eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. This sentiment was echoed by African Union President Évariste Ndayishimiye, who noted that the presence of Rwandan troops on the front lines hinders a lasting ceasefire.