The first Senegalese ambassador with residence in Rwanda presented his credentials to President Paul Kagame on Friday December 18, along with two other envoys from Sweden and South Africa. Senegal and Rwanda have had diplomatic relations for a number of years, but previously, the Senegalese envoy to Rwanda has been residing in Nairobi. Addressing the media after presenting his credentials at Village Urugwiro, the new Senegalese envoy Doudou Sow, said he was “proud to be the first resident ambassador of Senegal to Rwanda” and he pledged to work on taking the relations of both countries to a better heights. Rwanda also maintains an embassy in Dakar, Senegal. “We already have excellent relations between Rwanda and Senegal, and we will work to take them to a higher level,” he said. Noting that Rwanda has built a reputation all over the world due to particular achievements made in the economy, environment, and politics; Sow said that he and his team have a challenge to ensure that relations between his country and Rwanda are maintained. “We have showcased the sectors we shall focus on. Among these, first we want to connect the citizens of both countries. They (Senegalese and Rwandans) are people that appreciate, respect and admire each other. Now, what we need is to connect them – and that is what we will give priority to,” he said. Pointing out that Rwanda’s national carrier RwandAir has been operating flights to Dakar since 2017, he said this is one of the first steps in cooperation and more is expected to come. “We think there will be more to come. We can work together in higher education, health, defence, environment and urban housing. These are some of the sectors in which Rwanda has performed well, and Senegal can benefit by learning from you. For Senegal we are also performing well in particular things for example arts and culture, and we will work hard to see that Senegalese come to Rwanda to share with you that expertise,” he said. On the same day, South African envoy Mandisi Bongani Mabuto Mpahlwa, also presented his letters of credence. “I am quite happy that we have got to this moment. South Africa has not had an ambassador (to Rwanda) for quite some time since my predecessor left, and of course there are various reasons for that. But I am very pleased that today I have presented my credentials to the president of the country,” he said. “This is something that I think must be a positive sign on the direction that the two countries are taking in terms of continuing to strengthen their relations. I had good discussions with the President (Kagame) about the need for us to continue working towards strengthening the relationship between the two countries,” he added. Sweden’s new envoy Johanna Teague expressed her country’s enthusiasm to continue their traditional cooperation with Rwanda in areas of development; inclusive economic growth; environment and research. “We also see there is a lot of interest both here and back home in Sweden to strengthen our trade relationship and investments. So, one of my priorities is to see how I can support that and take that forward,” she said. Teague replaces Jenny Ohlsson whose term ended last year.
