Rwanda and Namibia, on February 16, signed a general cooperation agreement in efforts to foster trade, economic, and knowledge-sharing cooperation between both countries. ALSO READ: Rwanda, Namibian officials discuss strengthening parliamentary diplomacy The agreement was signed by Vincent Biruta, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Jenelly Matundu, Namibia’s Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation. This was on the sidelines of the 44th Ordinary Session of the African Union Executive Council which convened to discuss advancing the continent on matters of peace, security, regional integration, and development, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Rwanda and Namibia have for long cemented bilateral relations in different areas including mainly knowledge-sharing of best practices. For instance, in March 2023, Namibian officials visited Rwanda to learn how the country’s parliament operates, and how senators and deputies represent their constituents. They also discussed the National Dialogue Council, commonly known as Umushyikirano, decentralization, and other related topics. ALSO READ: FEATURED: Namibian envoy outlines his key priorities Namibia has a diplomatic presence in Rwanda with the first posting of an Honorary Consul, Mohammed Reza, in November 2021. The Southern African country recently lost its head of state, late President Hage Geingob who died of cancer. President Paul Kagame eulogised him as a champion of Pan-Africanism whose work would be remembered for generations to come.
