Kigali, 05 March 2019 – The Government Spokesperson and Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Richard Sezibera held his quarterly press conference to brief media on current issues at home and abroad.

Minister Sezibera started his presser by recalling major important events that happened at the beginning of the year and other meetings to be hosted in Rwanda. ‘’The beginning of the year 2019 was busy. Rwanda participated at major events including African Union and EAC summits, World Government summit, Munich Security conference and FESPACO 2019. Rwanda will also host key events including Africa CEO Forum and Transform Africa’’, said Minister Sezibera.

Addressing Rwanda – Uganda relations, Minister Sezibera emphasized that it is important to separate border issues from other issues. As far as the border is concerned, there is a challenge with Katuna because there is an ongoing construction. We hope that construction will be concluded by May this year. Katuna is quite a complicated terrain as it is a very narrow road. We have requested all heavy trucks to use alternative entry points to Rwanda from Uganda: Kagitumba or Cyanika.

Minister Sezibera further explained that there are only three problem when it comes to the issues between the two countries. ‘’There is an issue of Rwandans who continue to be arrested, tortured, harassed and incarcerated in Ugandan jails for reasons we do not understand and in breach of international obligations. There is also an issue of dissidents groups that are hostile to the government of Rwanda’’, said Minister Sezibera.  To that, he added another issue related to trade and business and concluded by saying: ‘’those are the three issues we have been handling with our colleagues in Uganda for some time now, and we will continue to do so because the relationship between Rwanda and Uganda is important.’’

During his presser, Minister Sezibera touched on Rwanda – China relations saying that China is an important partner for Rwanda at all levels from infrastructure development to party-to-party and people-to-people relations. In the aftermath of FOCAC, we are planning a review meeting with colleagues from China and we intend to intensify this dialogue. The Belt and Road Initiative is a partnership that is mutually beneficial for Rwanda and addresses Rwanda's development challenges, added Foreign Minister Sezibera.

Minister Dr. Sezibera also recalled that this year marks the 25th Commemoration of the Genocide Against the Tutsi (Kwibuka25). The commemoration period will be an opportunity to pay homage to victims as well as reflect on unity and transformational journey that Rwanda has been on for the last quarter of a century. He added that Rwandans living abroad will also have their Kwibuka25 activities and events in collaboration with Embassies and friends of Rwanda. Minister Sezibera called the international community to support the process of bringing to court Genocide perpetrators.

This year’s commemoration, under the theme of Remember-Unite-Renew, will focus on the legacy of strength, resilience, honour and unity that the new generation is called upon to sustain and carry forward to adapt to today’s global challenges and future aspirations.

End.