Rwanda’s Prime Minister Justin Nsengiyumva represented President Paul Kagame at the inauguration ceremony of Djibouti’s President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, who was sworn in for a sixth term during a ceremony held in Djibouti City on May 9, 2026.
The swearing-in followed Guelleh’s victory in the presidential election held on April 10, 2026. In his address, he pledged to continue advancing national development and strengthening cooperation with African states and international partners.
Prime Minister Nsengiyumva arrived in Djibouti on May 8, where he was received by Djibouti’s Prime Minister Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed, ahead of the high-level inauguration ceremony.
Rwanda and Djibouti maintain strong bilateral relations anchored in diplomacy, trade, security cooperation, and broader regional engagement.
In a recent diplomatic exchange, President Kagame held a telephone conversation with President Guelleh on April 12, 2026, congratulating him on his re-election and reaffirming continued cooperation between the two countries.
Earlier in March 2026, Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Olivier Nduhungirehe, visited Djibouti for high-level talks focused on strengthening bilateral relations and regional coordination.
During that engagement, Djibouti also reiterated its support for Louise Mushikiwabo in her bid for a third term as Secretary General of the Francophonie organization.
In November 2025, Rwanda and Djibouti signed nine cooperation agreements covering sectors including health, sports and culture, justice, internal security, diplomatic training, and social development, further cementing their expanding partnership.
