Cabinet approves DRC Envoy

Jack Nziza appointed Minadef PS URUGWIRO VILLAGE - A Cabinet Meeting held yesterday at Urugwiro Village approved the appointment of Norbert Nkulu Kilombo Mitumba as the Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to Rwanda.

Thursday, July 23, 2009
Brig Gen Jack Nziza

Jack Nziza appointed Minadef PS

URUGWIRO VILLAGE  - A Cabinet Meeting held yesterday at Urugwiro Village approved the appointment of Norbert Nkulu Kilombo Mitumba as the Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to Rwanda.

The confirmation comes shortly after the DRC approved the appointment of Amandin Rugira as Rwanda’s envoy to Kinshasa as the two countries move to fully restore diplomatic relations that had been strained for many years.

Kilombo Mitumba was appointed at the beginning of this month.

The confirmation of the DRC envoy marks a turning point as the two countries, for the last one year, have been working towards restoring the tumultuous diplomatic relations for over 10 years.

Other milestones marking the revived relations between the two countries include a joint operation mounted by both armies against insurgents of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR).

The operation earlier this year code-named Umoja Wetu saw thousands of FDLR rebels and their dependants who were crammed in the jungles of Eastern DRC for over 15 years repatriated and resettled, though recent reports indicate that remnants have since started regrouping.

The Cabinet meeting Chaired by President Paul Kagame also appointed Brigadier General Jack Nziza as the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence.

Nziza who has been serving as the Joint Staff Officer in charge of Political Education (J5) replaces Dr. Zac Nsenga at the Defence ministry.

The Cabinet also approved Christian Hasenbichler as Austria’s envoy to Rwanda and Milan Zachar as Slovakia envoy to Rwanda.

Soyan Mohamed was named Honorary Consul of Somalia in Rwanda.

Ends