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Sub Saharan Africa
Rwanda |
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Country information
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Since the genocide of 1994, Rwanda's international relations have been dominated by its involvement in the DRC (formerly Zaire). Remnants of the forces that carried out the genocide, (known as 'exFAR/I'), who fled there in 1994 soon began to conduct raids back into Rwanda. Frustrated at international and Zairean inaction to resolve this problem, in 1996 the new Rwandan government sent its army into Zaire. The resulting chaos led to the removal of long-standing Zairean dictator Mobutu Sese Seko from power, and his replacement by Laurent Kabila.
Although the majority of refugees returned to Rwanda, significant numbers of exFAR/I took refuge deep in Zaire’s forests where they again began to plan further operations against Rwanda. Tensions between Rwanda and Laurent Kabila, combined with the latent threat from the exFAR/I, led to a second Rwandan intervention in the Congo in 1998, supported by Uganda and Burundi. This triggered a bloody and complex conflict in the DRC that continued until 2003. The last Rwandan troops withdrew in late 2002 but allegations of Rwandan involvement in the DRC continued and relations between Rwanda and the DRC remain difficult.
The relationship between Presidents Museveni of Uganda and President Kagame has improved. The Rwandan and Ugandan armies fought each other in Kisangani, DRC, in 1999 and 2000, and cross-border tensions were bolstered by mutual accusations of support for dissidents. But UK-led diplomatic involvement and co-operation at international organisations – notably Ugandan sponsorship of Rwanda’s application to join the Commonwealth – have led to a considerable improvement in relations in recent years.
Rwanda has taken an active role in the African Union (AU). Rwanda deployed troops to protect the AU's monitoring mission in Darfur, Sudan on 15 August 2004, and has subsequently increased its deployment. It also joined the East African Community in June 2007, along with neighbouring Burundi. Rwanda is also a strong supporter of the New Partnership for African Development, NEPAD, the AU’s flagship development plan, and was the first country to complete NEPAD’s African Peer Review Mechanism.
African Union
The New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD)
Rwanda's Relations with the UK
Before 1994, the UK’s relationship with Rwanda was formal but thin. There was no resident diplomatic representation. An Embassy was opened for the first time in 1995. Relations are now close. There is also a large DFID office.
Diplomatic Representation
Visits
Outward: Jack Straw, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (January 2002), Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for International Development (April 2004 and April 2007), Chris Mullin, Minister for Africa (June 2004) and Baroness Vadera, International Development Minister (November 2007).
Inward: President Paul Kagame (March 2003, May 2003, January 2004, December 2006), Dr Charles Murigande, Foreign Minister (May 2003), Prime Minister Bernard Makuza (November 2003), Finance Minister James Musoni (March 2006), Protais Musoni, Minister for Local Administration (March 2005).
