Farirai Machivenyika-Senior Reporter
THE third session of the Zimbabwe and Rwanda Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation ended in Kigali yesterday with the two countries signing five Memoranda of Understanding in various fields.
The five MoUs are on Police Cooperation, Energy, Youth Affairs, Health and Mutual Assistance and Exchange of Customs Information.
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Professor Amon Murwira commended the strong bilateral ties between Zimbabwe and Rwanda.
“We characterise them as strong and excellent and these have continued to grow from strength to strength over the years,” he said.
“Since the convening of the first session of our JPCC in 2021, we have witnessed an upward trajectory in several fields of bilateral cooperation. These ties have been further cemented by the frequent high-level interactions between Zimbabwe and Rwanda, which demonstrate strong affinities between us and mutual trust as well as deep respect for each other.
“We note with much appreciation that significant progress has been registered in our cooperation and on the economic front, which is driven by government-to-government engagements in collaboration with the private sector through activities such as business forums.”
Prof Murwira said such platforms provide business communities in the two countries avenues to meet and explore opportunities in both countries.
“These forums can also be used to mobilise interest and partnerships in the sectors that hold promise that include the field of agriculture and agro-processing, tourism, mining and mining development, manufacturing, among others, for the mutual benefit of the peoples of Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
“We can propel and guide this trajectory on a very sustainable path if we maintain the good practice of regularly meeting and convening business forums,” Prof Murwira said.
He added that Zimbabwe has immense opportunities in mining and is endowed with 63 listed minerals, including critical minerals such as lithium and platinum.
The country has the largest reserves of platinum in the world.
“There are opportunities for joint cooperation in this area in their exploration, in their exploitation, in their validation, as well as manufacturing of advanced materials,” he said. Prof Murwira also hailed cooperation in the educational sector, adding that it was pleasing to note that the recruitment of the second group of educational personnel from Zimbabwe to Rwanda is at an advanced stage.
“There is also a scope for expansion in this cooperation framework, which includes collaboration in scientific and technical and innovation spheres leveraging on the available skills in Zimbabwe and the Republic of Rwanda,” he said.
Prof Murwira added that Zimbabwe is ready to offer scholarships for Rwandese students to undertake studies in various fields at the country’s higher education institutions.
The revolutionary approach focuses on producing graduates who can drive industrial growth and contribute to national development. Prof Murwira also commended progress in the implementation of an MoU on energy co-operation, where the Harare Pilot Street Lighting Project was completed in December 2022 and transformers are being imported by Rwanda from Zimbabwe.
There is room to expand trade between the two countries, Prof Murwira said, with Zimbabwe ready to export agricultural products including sugar, blueberries, and other fast-moving goods to Rwanda.
“The two countries are members of COMESA with about 600 million people and the African Continental Free Trade Area with 1,4 billion people, and we are ready to establish a network of warehouses, Zimbabwean goods warehoused in Rwanda and Rwandan goods warehoused in Zimbabwe,” said Prof Murwira.
He also spoke positively on the work done between the East African Community and SADC in finding a lasting solution to the conflict in eastern DRC and in the region by addressing the long-term root causes.
“Regarding cooperation on the multilateral fora, our two sisterly Republics continue to consult closely and support each other’s candidates on the continent and beyond.
“In this regard, Zimbabwe, as we said, seeks Rwanda’s support in CITES as well as our Security Council seat that we are bidding for in 2027 to 2028.
“We will also support Rwanda’s candidature for the Inter Parliamentary Union. We acknowledge and deeply appreciate Rwanda’s consistent call for the unconditional removal of illegal and unilateral sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by some countries,” he added.
Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe, commended the growing friendship between the two countries.
“Your presence speaks to the growing friendship between our two countries, a bond rooted in shared values, Pan-African solidarity and our mutual ambition to advance sustainable development for our peoples.
“This JPCC would not have been possible without the visionary leadership and commitment of His Excellency President Paul Kagame and his brother, His Excellency President Mnangagwa.”
“We express our gratitude to both our Heads of State for their guidance and support, which continues to inspire and shape the strong bilateral ties between our countries,” he said.
Ambassador Nduhungirehe welcomed the strides the two countries have made since the last session of the JPCC held in Harare in 2023.
“From finalising key MoUs in youth, police cooperation, health, the exchange of customs information, and the renewal of the MoU on energy that will have the honour to sign today (yesterday), we further welcome progress on strengthening trade and investment, notably through our annual business forum, which provides a strategic platform for private sector engagement.
“Other fields like agriculture, correctional services, and tourism are also progressing very well. These positive trajectories should be maintained,” he said.
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