Franco-Rwanda ties firm – Government

The Government, yesterday, moved to clarify media reports that Rwanda and France were involved in a diplomatic row, noting that bilateral relations are still firm and intact.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement in response to media speculation that France recalled its outgoing Ambassador to Kigali, Laurent Contini, after Rwanda refused to approve Hellen Le Gal as the new envoy.The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Government Spokesperson, Louise Mushikiwabo, said yesterday that the Government has reaffirmed its continued good relations with France, as underlined by President Paul Kagame’s official visit to Paris in September last year. “There should be no doubt about the continued commitment to building strong diplomatic, economic and cultural ties between the governments and people of Rwanda and France,” Mushikiwabo said.“As for speculations in the media, Rwanda does not conduct personalized diplomacy, as stated before. We consider our relations with France to be above individuals and in the mutual interest of our two countries”.Speculation was rife that Rwanda could not approve Le Gal, thought to be a close ally of French Foreign Affairs Minister Allain Juppe.Contini was appointed French envoy to Kigali following the renewal of diplomatic relations between Rwanda and France in 2009.

National

Franco-Rwanda ties firm – Government