Rwanda and Somalia have signed a landmark cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and expanding collaboration across five key sectors: justice, education, agriculture, information and communication technology (ICT), and legal affairs.
The agreement was signed in Kigali by Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Amb. Olivier Jean Patrick Nduhungirehe, and his Somali counterpart, H.E. Abdisalam Abdi Ali, who is in Rwanda for a two-day official visit.
During the signing ceremony, both ministers emphasized the long-standing friendship between the two countries, noting that their relationship is founded on mutual respect, shared objectives, and the spirit of Pan-African unity.
“This agreement marks an important step in fostering sustainable cooperation and advancing our shared vision for peace, security, and development,” said Minister Nduhungirehe.
The Somali Minister added that the visit represents a renewed commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and creating sustainable frameworks for cooperation in areas of mutual benefit.
The ministers reviewed ongoing collaborations between Rwanda and Somalia, highlighting achievements in political dialogue, investment promotion, security, criminal justice, and defense. To ensure effective implementation, the two countries agreed to establish a Joint Permanent Commission (JPC), which will monitor existing agreements and identify new areas for partnership.
Discussions also addressed regional peace efforts, including ongoing negotiations in Doha, Qatar, and Washington, D.C., aimed at resolving conflicts in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Rwanda commended Somalia’s active role at the United Nations Security Council, where it represents African interests as part of the A3+ Group, a coalition advocating for the continent’s priorities in global peace and security.
Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to continued close collaboration on the international stage and within global organizations, with the shared goal of promoting sustainable development and delivering tangible benefits to their citizens.
