Egypt Reaffirms Strategic Partnership with Rwanda at 32nd Liberation Day Celebration

Egypt reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening strategic relations with Rwanda and supporting African development and regional integration during celebrations marking the 32nd Anniversary of Rwanda’s Liberation Day in Cairo.

Speaking at the event, Ambassador Karim Sherif, Assistant Foreign Minister for African Affairs, conveyed Egypt’s congratulations to the Government and people of Rwanda, praising the country’s remarkable transformation over the past three decades in national reconciliation, economic development, and state-building.

He described Liberation Day as a symbol of the resilience, unity, and determination of the Rwandan people to build a more prosperous future after overcoming one of the darkest chapters in their history.

Sherif highlighted the steady growth of Egypt-Rwanda relations under the leadership of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and President Paul Kagame, noting the expansion of cooperation in trade, investment, healthcare, education, agriculture, water resources management, infrastructure, and coordination on regional and continental issues.

He said President Kagame’s official visit to Cairo in September 2025 gave fresh momentum to bilateral relations, leading to agreements covering investment, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, infrastructure, water management, and capacity building, in addition to the signing of several memoranda of understanding.

The Assistant Foreign Minister revealed that bilateral trade reached approximately USD 25.3 million during the first half of 2025, with Egyptian exports accounting for nearly USD 25 million, reflecting the increasing presence of Egyptian products in the Rwandan market.

Sherif also underscored Egypt’s continued support for Rwanda’s human capacity development through the Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development (EAPD), which has provided training programs in diplomacy, healthcare, agriculture, irrigation, energy, and other sectors, alongside technical cooperation and medical assistance.

He highlighted the Rwanda–Egypt Magdi Yacoub Heart Centre in Kigali as one of the flagship examples of humanitarian cooperation between the two countries. The center is expected to serve as a regional hub for advanced cardiac care, medical training, and scientific research while offering free life-saving treatment and helping develop a new generation of African healthcare professionals.

Reaffirming Egypt’s commitment to working closely with Rwanda, Sherif stressed the importance of maximizing bilateral cooperation, promoting intra-African trade through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and contributing to peace, stability, sustainable development, and prosperity across Africa. He emphasized that both countries share a common belief in African solutions to African challenges and in strengthening regional integration for future generations.

Addressing the gathering, Rwanda’s Ambassador to Egypt, Dan Munyuza, reflected on Rwanda’s journey since the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, describing Liberation Day as a historic moment when the Rwanda Patriotic Front ended the genocide and began rebuilding a nation devastated by conflict.

He paid tribute to the men and women who sacrificed their lives to liberate Rwanda, describing them as the country’s heroes and heroines, and noted that Rwanda has transformed into a stable, secure, and developing nation under the leadership of President Paul Kagame, driven by national unity, accountable governance, and the resilience of its people.

Ambassador Munyuza also addressed the security situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, stating that Rwanda continues to face threats from the FDLR, which he described as a genocidal terrorist group responsible for spreading anti-Tutsi ideology and destabilizing the region. He reiterated Rwanda’s position that lasting peace in eastern DRC requires a political solution addressing the root causes of the conflict, including dismantling armed groups and combating genocide ideology.

Highlighting bilateral ties, the ambassador praised the growing partnership between Rwanda and Egypt, saying cooperation has expanded across numerous sectors through sustained high-level engagement. He noted that President Kagame’s 2025 visit to Cairo resulted in agreements covering investment promotion, water resource management, reciprocal land allocation, housing, and urban development, while recent ministerial exchanges have further strengthened cooperation.

Munyuza also invited attendees to visit Rwanda to explore its investment opportunities, tourism attractions, and natural heritage, including Volcanoes National Park, home to the endangered mountain gorillas, and Akagera National Park, which hosts Africa’s Big Five wildlife.

He concluded by thanking the Rwandan community in Egypt for serving as a bridge of friendship between the two countries and welcomed guests to enjoy cultural performances showcasing Rwanda’s heritage, while also congratulating Egypt on its recent football victory.