Rwanda and Algeria signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defence cooperation on Wednesday, July 23, in Algiers. The Rwandan delegation, led by the Minister of Defence, Juvenal Marizamunda, was welcomed by the Army General Saïd Chanegriha, Minister Delegate to the Minister of National Defence and Chief of Staff of the People's National Army of Algeria. ALSO READ: Rwanda, Algeria sign 11 cooperation deals The lays a solid foundation for sustainable, practical, and mutually beneficial engagement between the two defence forces, anchored in mutual respect and African solidarity, Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) said in a statement on Wednesday. It paves the way for productive exchanges in strategic planning, training, capacity-building, defence technology, defence industries and military equipment acquisition, intelligence sharing, counter-terrorism, and planning and execution of joint exercises. ALSO READ: Rwanda, Algeria move to strengthen defence ties The two countries' militaries have been exploring areas of cooperation in recent years. In April, RDF Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Mubarakh Muganga, visited Algeria, where he met his counterpart, Gen Chanegriha. The Algerian military chief had visited Rwanda in April 2024, where he met Gen Muganga and Defence Minister Marizamunda. ALSO READ: Kagame, Algeria president discuss infrastructure, agric partnerships The RDF added that the development reflects the growing momentum in Africa-led security partnerships and deepens the bonds of friendship between Rwanda and Algeria, guided by African solidarity and self-reliance. The cooperation between Rwanda and Algeria got a boost this year when President Paul Kagame visited the North African country in early June and met with his counterpart Abdelmadjid Tebboune. Eleven cooperation agreements were signed during the visit, in various sectors such as air service, visa exemption, communication, police, pharmaceutical industries, and higher education.
