Rwanda and the Kingdom of Lesotho on October 4 signed a general cooperation agreement on the establishment of a Joint Bilateral Commission.

This agreement was inked by Emmanuel Hategeka, Rwanda’s High Commissioner accredited to the Kingdom of Lesotho and Lejone Mpotjoane, Lesotho’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Prime Minister Samuel Matekane of the Kingdom of Lesotho and Rwanda's Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente during the 58th independence anniversary celebrations in Maseru, Lesotho.

The agreement establishes a comprehensive cooperation framework covering economy and development, social development, and good governance.

The agreement also established a joint bilateral commission to oversee bilateral relations and implementation of agreements between the two countries while identifying new areas for cooperation in fields of mutual interest.

Rwanda and Lesotho established bilateral relations in 1983.

Both countries are represented by their non-resident missions in Pretoria and Addis Ababa.

Rwanda and the Kingdom of Lesotho enjoy good and fraternal relations supported by mutual exchanges of high-level visits and technical cooperation exchanges.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, the Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho reaffirmed the commitment of the Kingdom to strengthen ties with Rwanda noting that the agreement signing coincides with a historic moment in the history of the kingdom that will be etched in memory for generations.

The High Commissioner of Rwanda, representing the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, thanked the Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho for the long-standing cooperation that has evolved into the new agreement framework to elevate bilateral relations to mutually beneficial outcomes.

Both countries look forward to the inaugural joint bilateral commission established within the framework of the new agreement.