The government of Rwanda is seeking to strengthen the already existing bilateral ties with Côte d’Ivoire through the creation of a Joint Permanent Commission (JPC).

A delegation of several top government officials and members of the business community led by Defence Minister, James Kabarebe, over the weekend arrived in Abidjan, the Ivorian capital for a three-day visit to chart  the way forward in the formation of a special joint partnership between the two countries.

Upon arrival at Abidjan International Airport, the officials were received by senior government officials from the West African state.

Speaking to The New Times in Abidjan, the Rwandan High Commissioner to Nigeria, Joseph Habineza, said that the initial process started a while back.

"This meeting follows the visit of Ivorian Prime minister Guillaume Soro, who was in Rwanda a few weeks ago and requested for the establishment of a JPC,” said Habineza, whose jurisdiction also covers Ivory Coast.

"We are going to deliberate key issues concerning the development of both countries which will cement the existing friendly relations between us.”

Habineza stated that Côte d’Ivoire had sought Rwanda’s assistance in its reconstruction process through capacity building in the areas of unity and reconciliation and demobilisation of soldiers among other areas.

Côte d’Ivoire was marred by post-election violence at the end of last year. The country would like to learn from Rwanda’s reconstruction and transformation journey, following the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The focus will rotate around leadership and national ownership of the reconstruction processes.

"We shall discuss how to partner in the areas of air transport, ICT development, trade exchanges, among other key issues,” the Rwandan envoy noted.

frank.kanye@newtimes.co.rw