Diplomats begin countrywide tour

Diplomats accredited to Rwanda Monday embarked on a countrywide tour that took them to Western province, the tour that is aimed at enabling them learn more about the country, also included are representatives of regional and international organizations in Rwanda. The diplomats who were accompanied by their spouses made the first stop at a rural farmhouse in Muhororo village (Ngororero district) and interacted with a family one of the beneficiaries of “Gira Inka,” the one-cow-per-family project. The diplomats then headed to Gatumba mining area where most seemed awed by the country’s mineral potential, especially in tin and coltan. Belgian envoy Ivo Goemans said the trip was important since, as he observed, diplomats have a tendency of staying in Kigali and miss out on the real picture of the countryside. “I think this was an excellent initiative. This allows us to see more of the aspects of Rwandan real life,” said Goemans. The methane gas extraction project, in Nyamishaba, further south west, in Karongi district was their last excursion before meeting Provincial authorities. Speaking on behalf of the party, Burundian Ambassador to Rwanda Serge Karonkano thanked government for organizing the trip. Karonkano, who is also the dean of the diplomatic corps noted that transformations, especially in education, health and other sectors are ‘beyond expectations’ considering what the country went through. Mineral potentialMinister Stanislas Kamanzi, told reporters that diplomats need to know the real image of a country to which they are accredited so that they can showcase it in their respective countries. “This also does away with the misconception that Rwanda doesn’t have any minerals of its own. Some people, for awkward reasons, definitely, believe that we don’t have minerals of our own. At Gatumba mines, hours earlier, envoys including US’s Stuart Symington and the Dutch Ambassador Frans Makken seemed amazed by their discovery. Makken particularly linked his observations to realities about regional stability and earlier false reports linking Rwanda with illegal mineral exploitation in neighboring DRC. “The most important part is that we got to see the mines. I hadn’t got an opportunity to go to any mine especially with the talk about legal and illegal trade. It is important to see that Rwanda has Coltan and has many quantities in the ground to be exploited,” Makken said. “Also important to see was methane gas exploitation because the Netherlands is contributing to the monitoring of the lake.” The Dutch have contributed Euros 30m to the country’s electrification programme and also plan to invest in Rusizi power plant. Ends

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Diplomats begin countrywide tour