For the foreign policy of any State to succeed in the international arena, it must be plausible enough to translate into realistic strategies. This calls for a shrewd foreign policy approach that is informed and identified by its sound domestic policy of that particular State. Therefore, if a state is not cognisant of this rationale, it is bound to fail at its attempt to engage in bilateral and multilateral diplomacy. A state that has a strong and responsible leadership, thrives to domesticate and institutionalize diplomacy as a gelling variable for its foreign policy approach. In our case, it is evident more than ever before, that foreign policy is no longer restricted to a single vocation nor implemented exclusively through interaction amongst official representatives or a preserve of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and East African Community. It requires other domestic players. In exploring Rwanda’s metamorphosis with regard to diplomacy, we must appreciate the tremendous international diplomatic exponential growth achieved by Rwanda. Rwanda ratified the treaty of Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (VCDR of 1961) on the 15th of April 1964. However, between 1964 and 1994, Rwanda as a signatory of the VCDR of 1961, was a mere ‘spectator’ if not a ‘ball boy’ at the international diplomatic stage. By this time, one would see its presence within the international diplomatic prism as just ostensible or sheer preposterous. The premise I am trying to posit here, is that, the then government just ratified a treaty without understanding its complexity, hence, its 30-year old domicile at the periphery of international diplomatic corridors and engagement. Therefore, it is crucial at this juncture to discern as a polity, that the development of diplomacy as a distinctive profession is imperative, including its importance for the consolidation of the power of modern nation-states. This is because, the landscape of professional diplomacy is being diversified and enriched by a series of non-state actors, with their corresponding professionals, transforming the phenomenology of contemporary diplomacy. Which calls for Rwanda as a valuable member state to engage and be an influential player at the world stage. Thus, from 1994 to 2020, we have seen Rwanda evolve from the ashes of international diplomatic engagement to becoming an extremely quintessential diplomatic player at the international stage. This has been realized through tacit, tact and skillful planning and clear prioritization of variables based on where the government of national unity and reconciliation projected Rwanda to be in 2020. One can confidently assert that, it was not by default but by sheer design that was engineered to near perfection. Permit me to jog your mind, diplomacy seeks to advance cooperation among states through bilateral or multi-lateral platforms. Thus, a State will seek to uplift and uphold its image, status and prestige by all means necessary. The driving force of a State at any given point is steered by its quest of national interests. Whereby, it pursues these national interests using its foreign policy blueprint that can fathom either by political, security or economic interests if not all intertwined. In the wake of the 21st century, Rwanda being a fast growing economy and the fact that it is landlocked, was quick to discern how it wanted to position itself at the world stage. However, a couple of challenges presented themselves; there were limited resources, very few seasoned career diplomats and Rwanda had to open strategic bilateral missions or embassies. It was during the time of Louise Mushikiwabo at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in 2012, that Rwanda saw its first foreign policy blueprint with six distinctive pillars. Hence, opening up few more missions or embassies abroad, and becoming more agile in diplomatic engagement. Therefore, Rwanda has nurtured its diplomatic niche by being very conscious, accurate, selective and effective in setting a new diplomatic tone at the regional and international world stage. Becoming a strong and a major diplomatic player at the table of Global Diplomacy. Case in point; within a decade Rwanda had signed and ratified major treaties, joined regional and international organizations (EAC, Commonwealth of nations and other diplomatic outfits), became a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in 2013, has been very instrumental and very influential in the AU reforms, played a major role in bringing into force the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), will be hosting the next 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) when we resume to a “New Normal’ after the COVID 19 pandemic. And the list of diplomatic milestones achieved by Rwanda, can go on. Where the government of Rwanda got it right diplomatically, was the codification of the statute of the Prime Minister’s Order Number 13 of 26/03/2018 in the Official Gazette. Whereby the organizational structure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and the East African Community was upgraded as per the international diplomatic standards. It was very much in tandem with the legal framework of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961. On the 11th of May, 2020; H.E. President Paul Kagame appointed government officials in relation to the aforementioned statute especially those accorded the capacity of Ambassadors. This was another diplomatic milestone as Rwanda thrives to empower more and more career diplomats. However, being a diplomat is one thing. Being a shrewd and “eagle-eyed” diplomat, is a completely different ball game. Thus, the Rwandan Career-Diplomat has to change his/her mindset and start to think strategically and operationalize like a corporate CEO in the complex world of diplomacy, so as to harness all potential investment opportunities abroad and bring them to Rwanda. The writer is the Managing Director of Starkey Hearing Technologies in Africa. He is a commentator on topical issues in the realm of Global Politics, Socio-Economic and International Security. zinjx74@gmail.com The views expressed in this article are of the author.
