The Djiboutian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, and his Rwandan counterpart, Dr Vincent Biruta, have vowed to strengthen pragmatic cooperation between their two nations. This commitment was made on the margins of the inaugural Joint Ministerial Commission between Rwanda and Djibouti.
The delegates from both nations pledged to boost trade, underscoring the robust bilateral relations that already exist between the two countries. The Rwandan Ambassador to Ethiopia, based in Addis Ababa, also represents Rwanda’s interests in Djibouti, while Djibouti’s Ambassador to Ethiopia reciprocates this representation. The existing cooperation spans several sectors, including education, trade, ICT, migration, and multilateral affairs.
Situated in the Horn of Africa, Djibouti commands a strategic location adjacent to the world’s busiest shipping lanes, controlling access to the Red Sea and Indian Ocean. This position enhances its significance in international trade and underscores the potential benefits for Rwanda in strengthening bilateral relations.
In 2016, Djibouti granted Rwanda the title deeds for a plot near the Kigali Special Economic Zone, further cementing their relationship. Prior to this, Rwanda was allocated a 20-hectare plot at the port of Djibouti in 2013. Rwanda plans to develop this area as a strategic base for managing its imports and exports, further demonstrating the commitment of both nations to enhance their trade relations.
Image Credit: Jannik Skorna on Unsplash
