Jenny Ohlsson is the first Swedish ambassador to Rwanda, residing in Kigali since 2016. The 43 year- old shared with Sunday Magazine’s Sharon Kantengwa on her work experience and experience in Rwanda. How did your diplomatic career start? I lived in Rwanda from 2007 to 2009, working at the Swedish embassy as the political officer. When I was pregnant I decided to go back to Sweden to be with my family and then I had one more child. In Stockholm I worked with disarmament affairs and with Somalia. After that I started to work at the Prime Minister’s office with issues connected to foreign policy and defence, but I really wanted to come back to Africa. The position as head of office in Kigali was available, I applied but during the process the government changed it to become an ambassador’s position. I got very discouraged and thought I would not get the job – but I did and I was so happy. When I handed over my credentials from the Swedish King to the Rwandan president I told President Kagame I was the happiest ambassador in Kigali – and I think I still am. What are some of your favourite places that you have visited in Rwanda and how do you find the culture? Rubavu is one of my favourite places. Listening to the fishermen singing and the birds and the water is just beautiful. I also think Nyungwe is beautiful, the air is so fresh and Akagera is a good place too. I camped there a few days ago in a camping area and it was a beautiful experience. In Kigali I like to hang out at Pili Pili because of its views. I appreciate the Rwandan culture. In some ways it reminds me of Sweden, there are more similarities than people would think. Rwandan people can be reserved like the Swedish, you don’t become best friends on the first day, but if you are friends it is for life. I also like the strength of the Rwandan people, to move on and not give up. I’m always amazed and inspired by it. Rwandans don’t complain about silly things. You also have a culture of helping each other which is not like Sweden that is very individualistic. Rwanda is also a very organised country, much like Sweden. One different thing – Rwandans are much more relaxed in dancing than many Swedes are. I always feel a bit stiff and embarrassed when people ask me to dance here in villages, so, I am now taking some classes in traditional dancing so I will get better at it. At least more comfortable! You are one of the few Ambassadors that attend social gatherings like the Kigali jazz junction, what other social events have interested you in Rwanda? Because I have kids I don’t go out as much as I want. I have many formal functions to attend so when I do, I try to be home early and be with the kids. But I have been to the Century cinema, I have been to Mamba Club and I have gone dancing at People’s Club and I hope to try out other places. I also love inviting friends home to just hang out and relax. What is your favourite local cuisine and drink? I like fish brochette, mizuzu (fried plantain) and tree tomato juice because you don’t find the tree tomato fruit in Sweden. What can you say of your experience working and living in Rwanda? It’s a very interesting job. Diplomacy used to be a matter of peace and war. Now it’s different. It is about finding equal partnerships and cooperation that is good for both countries. So, I strive to be a diplomat with big ears that listens to the people and the government of the country of where I am -because if you don’t listen enough, how can you find good cooperation? I hate that I don’t speak Kinyarwanda so much because I’m so curious to talk to people in the countryside, not only the more official representatives I meet often. I would like to know more about how average Rwandans live and think, but the language barrier makes that complicated. You are a strong advocate of gender equality. Do you think that there is more room for us to move beyond narrow categorisations of women? I definitely think so. Just look at all the progress that is already here in terms of gender quality, I don’t see why it should stop now. However, it’s one thing to create the laws, but you need to implement them and nurture culture which takes time in any society. Of course when things change in terms of restrictive gender roles, some men and women get nervous and uncomfortable. But eventually learn that everybody wins from gender equality, especially in families with kids. I see the active debates on twitter and media and there is definitely progress in how women are perceived and it’s very encouraging that so many young Rwandan men are involved in the discussion. What is your philosophy in life? Always try to be kind, the glass is always half full not half empty, don’t judge people and try to understand that things can be done differently. Personally I also try to promote “good enough attitude” with friends and colleagues because people have so much pressure to be perfect and it makes them unhappy. In my country, many people want to live perfect lives in all aspects and then they fail in one or two of them and they think life is a failure and they can be unhappy. So I like the good enough principle.
