Dr. Biruta delivers Kagame message to Congo’s Sassou Nguesso

26, Mar-2026 Administrator

Rwanda’s interior minister, Dr. Vincent Biruta, met with Republic of Congo President Denis Sassou Nguesso to deliver a message from President Paul Kagame congratulating him on his re-election for a fifth term, Rwanda’s foreign ministry said.

The meeting took place Wednesday, March 25, 2026, according to the ministry.

Kagame’s message also sought Congo’s support for the reappointment of Louise Mushikiwabo as secretary-general of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF).

Kagame in January nominated Mushikiwabo for another term. She has led the Francophonie since January 2019, with her second term beginning in November 2022. If re-elected, she would be seeking a third term.

Mushikiwabo could match or surpass the record of former OIF Secretary-General Abdou Diouf of Senegal, who served three terms from 2003 to 2014.

Rwanda and the Republic of Congo maintain cooperation in trade, economic development and diplomacy, with ties strengthening in recent years through bilateral agreements and collaboration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Relations between the two countries date back to 1976, when they signed a general cooperation agreement. After a period of disruption following the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, ties were restored in 2010 through high-level visits. Both countries established embassies in 2016.

In July 2022, Rwanda and the Republic of Congo signed agreements to boost trade and economic cooperation under AfCFTA. The signing ceremony was led by Kagame and Sassou Nguesso.