Social media has become an indispensable tool of communication world over.
Having a more diversified audience, a 24-hour information landscape and more flexible interactions make Twitter, the micro-blogging tool, one of the most popular social media platforms with over 330 million active users every month.
In Rwanda, it is not any different. During the past few months, institutions and government officials have used Twitter as one of the most direct mediums to communicate with their audiences.
And, with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic where movement and physical interactions have been confined, social media engagement has only grown.
Having political leaders and government take to Twitter to issue statements about policy issues and give reactions to the statements of others, has created a new era of Twiplomacy and it is increasingly becoming vital in Rwanda as well.
Twitter offers leaders increased and unhindered access to larger audiences across the world in an instant, something the traditional mainstream ways of communication do not offer.
To date, experts say, Twiplomacy has far more implications on diplomatic relations between countries, the more reasons for diplomats to actively use Twitter.
When The New Times did a mini-survey on the most engaging mayors in Rwanda recenly, it turned out that of the 27 district leaders, the top 5 were all men which was unusual for a country that is determined to have women play active roles in all areas of society and leadership.
On the contrary, looking at the field of Twiplomacy, amongst the most active Rwandan diplomats, more women featured on the list.
Olivier Nduhungirehe, Netherlands
Nduhungirehe was recently appointed Ambassador of Rwanda to the Kingdom of Netherlands. He has also served as the Ambassador of Rwanda to Belgium before he was appointed State Minister in charge of EAC affairs in 2017.
Before that, he was Rwanda’s deputy head of mission at the United Nations.
He is one of the most active diplomats on Twitter with diverse content from informal interactions with tweeps to sports, government policies, and current affairs.
In an interview with The New Times, Nduhungirehe said that he does not use Twitter as a hobby but as a communication tool. Asked if it is not time-consuming given his other responsibilities, he replied that "unless you are not careful with interactions and content on social media, it is manageable.”
Nduhungirehe added that just like other leaders, ambassadors should see social media as a tool of diplomacy and good communication.
Tweets: 51,315 Likes: 16,299 Recent tweets per week: 22 Retweet ratio: 63%
Mathilde Mukantabana, USA
Mukantabana’s twitter handle has a wide variety of content that includes nature, current affairs, and embassy activity. She often retweets news and things that are happening in Rwanda.
Prior to her appointment as an Ambassador, Mukantabana was a tenured Professor of History at Cosumnes River College in Sacramento, California for 19 years. She joined Twitter in 2013.
She told The New Times in an interview that the fact that Twitter has 330 million active users in a month, makes it such an effective communication tool.
"I would say that it is actually very effective and time-saving. I use Twitter to communicate and provide regular updates on what I deem to be vital information about Rwanda vis-à-vis the rest of the world,” she said.
Tweets: 8,698 Likes: 8,399 Recent tweets per week: 15 Retweet ratio: 81%
Christine Nkulikiyinka, Nordic Countries
Nkulikiyinka has been the Ambassador of the Republic of Rwanda to the Nordic countries since 2015. Her Twitter activity is majorly about current affairs in Rwanda and the embassy. Her account also has some content about motivational and religious quotes and articles about Rwanda.
Tweets: 60,658 Likes: 25,169 Recent tweets per week: 8.9 Retweet ratio: 89%
Vincent Karega, DR Congo
Karega was last year appointed Rwanda’s Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo. He has represented Rwanda in South Africa since 2011 and had previously served as the Minister of Infrastructure in 2009.
Although Karega sees it as a personal commitment by choice, he uses Twitter as one of the most effective communication tools and it’s part of his duties to be accountable and transparent as a public servant.
Using Twitter is not a waste of time, he says.
"It does not take me a lot of time to write a tweet as I relate what I do, hear, or see and like. It is not a cumbersome activity or a burden plus, naturally, I am extrovert and expressive as well,” he explains.
Tweets: 13,707 Likes: 1,573 Recent tweets per week: 23 Retweet ratio: 75%
Valentine Rugwabiza, United Nations
Rugwabiza has been serving as Rwanda’s Permanent Representative at The United Nations since 2016.
She joined Twitter in 2013 when she was serving as Deputy Director-General of the World Trade Organization, the first woman to hold the position. She also served as CEO of the Rwanda Development Board in the same year.
In 2015, Rugwabiza was named among Jeune Afrique’s "50 Powerful Women in Africa”. The bulk of her Twitter content is about current news and trends in Rwanda and the United Nations.
Tweets: 1,902 Likes: 4,376 Recent tweets per week: 9.5 Retweet ratio: 36%