Rwanda given 20ha plot at strategic Djibouti port zone

A Rwandan envoy on Wednesday signed documents paving way for the country to officially own and use a 20 hectare plot of land previously offered to Rwanda by the Government of Djibouti in the strategic port zone of Djibouti.According to a related statement e-mailed to The New Times by the Rwandan embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, “the plot presents a big opportunity for Rwanda given its strategic location near the autonomous Port of Djibouti (PAID) and Dubai World International Port.”The development comes after Prof. Joseph Nsengimana, Rwanda’s Ambassador in Djibouti with residence in Addis Ababa, embarked on a three-day working visit to Djibouti starting Tuesday. The paper work was reportedly signed in the office of Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh, Djibouti’s Minister for the Economy, Finance, Industry and Planning.The main purpose of the visit was to sign the documents for the 20 hectares plot of land that was offered to Rwanda by the Government of Djibouti in the strategic port zone of Djibouti.“Thus the presence of Rwanda in Djibouti is very strategic. During their discussions, both dignitaries expressed the need for Rwanda to exploit this land as soon as possible. The plot of Rwanda will be included in the free zones of Djibouti. The Government of Djibouti committed to offer additional 20 ha if the initial one is developed as soon as possible,” reads part of the embassy statement.Djibouti ports are strategically located at the crossroads of one of the busiest shipping routes in the world, linking Europe, the Far East, the Horn of Africa and the Persian Gulf.Though the exact location is not yet known, it is noted that “within the spirit of reciprocity,” Rwanda has also, in return, given a plot of land to the Government of Djibouti.While in Djibouti, Prof. Nsengimana met with Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, the Djibouti Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the two “discussed issues of mutual bilateral relations” between Rwanda and Djibouti.The Rwandan envoy also met Mohamed Yacoub Mahamoud, Director General of Djibouti International Airport, Aboubaker Omar Hadi, Djibouti Ports and Free Zones Authority’s chairman and Ahmed Houssein Hassan, Director General of the National Council of Social Security (CNSS) among other top Djibouti officials.