Kigali, Rwanda – President Paul Kagame on Thursday officially received the newly appointed Ambassador of Somalia to Rwanda, Ilyas Ali Hassan, at the Presidential Palace in Kigali.
The ceremonial reception marks a renewed commitment to strengthening diplomatic and economic relations between Rwanda and Somalia.
Ambassador Hassan conveyed greetings from Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and expressed Somalia’s appreciation for Rwanda’s contributions to regional peace and development.
He emphasized his mission to foster deeper collaboration in trade, security, education, and mutual investment.
President Kagame welcomed the Ambassador and reiterated Rwanda’s readiness to work closely with Somalia in addressing shared challenges and expanding areas of cooperation.
“We look forward to a new era of meaningful partnership that benefits both our countries and contributes to regional stability,” Kagame said.
The meeting comes at a time of increasing diplomatic engagement between African nations, as both Rwanda and Somalia seek to enhance intra-African cooperation in line with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework.
Observers view this diplomatic milestone as a positive step toward greater unity and mutual support across the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes region.