URUGWIRO VILLAGE - President Paul Kagame yesterday received credentials of seven envoys, including those of the newly appointed Congolese Ambassador to Rwanda Norbert Nkulu Kilombo Mitumba.

The other six envoys that presented their credentials represent; Austria, Denmark, Slovakia Republic, Greece, Turkey and Vietnam.

Speaking to the press shortly after presenting his credentials, Mitumba said he would use his new appointment to build a strong relationship between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda.

"My mission is to ensure that the revived relations are strengthened,” Mitumba said.

He said that even after a long vacuum of diplomatic relations between the two countries, he would work tirelessly to ensure relations between the two nations continue to register positive results.

He also promised to work towards reviving regional trading blocs like Economic Community of the Great Lakes Countries (CEPGL), of which Rwanda and DRC are key members.

"There is need to continue with already ongoing efforts to have peace and economic prosperity in the region,” Mitumba said.  

The revived relations between the two countries resulted into an operation jointly mounted by both armies against insurgents of the rag-tag rebel outfit, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR).

Mitumba attributed the revival of relations to meetings held by the Heads of state of both countries and meetings by parliaments of both countries.  

He called for concerted efforts in the fight against negative forces like the FDLR, and expressed hope that countries in the region will one time commit themselves to ending the presence of the forces. 

The two countries restored diplomatic ties this year, and this saw Rwanda appointing former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amandin Rugira, as its Ambassador to the DRC.

The other envoys from different countries, told reporters that their countries will centre the relationship with Rwanda in fields that include; trade, enhancing cooperation in the tourism sector, and infrastructural development.

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