President Paul Kagame on Friday, November 13, held talks with Cambodia's top leaders in the country's capital, Phnom Penh, as part of his state visit to the Southeast Asian country. The Head of State and First Lady Jeannette Kagame were received by King Sihamoni at the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, where they attended a state welcoming ceremony before being granted a royal audience. ALSO READ: Kagame, First Lady arrive in Cambodia ahead of La Francophonie Summit The President also met the country’s Senate President Hun Sen at the Senate's Solidarity Palace. Their discussions focused on strengthening relations and expanding cooperation between the two countries. After this, Kagame and Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet witnessed the signing of cooperation agreements between Rwanda and Cambodia in Phnom Penh. The agreements cover areas including tourism and air transport. The visit builds on diplomatic engagements between the two countries, which established diplomatic relations in 2005. ALSO READ: What to know about Cambodia as Kagame visits In November 2025, Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Prak Sokhonn, visited Kigali, where he met Prime Minister Justin Nsengiyumva and Olivier Nduhungirehe, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. During the visit, the two countries signed agreements establishing bilateral consultations between their foreign ministries and exempting holders of diplomatic and official passports from visa requirements. Kagame's visit also comes ahead of the 20th Summit of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), which Cambodia is hosting in Phnom Penh on November 15 and 16. ALSO READ: How Mushikiwabo transformed La Francophonie during her tenure The summit will be held under the theme, “Reinvest in Peace for Shared Prosperity and Lasting Stability”. One of the key items on the agenda is the election of the organisation's next Secretary-General for the 2027–2030 term, scheduled for November 16. Louise Mushikiwabo, the incumbent Secretary-General, is vying for a third four-year term. She has led the organisation since 2019 and was re-elected in 2022. The election will be decided by the OIF's 53 full members. Although the organisation comprises 90 member states and governments, only full members have voting rights in the selection of the Secretary-General. The remaining membership includes five associate members and 32 observers.
