Rwanda has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening relations with Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries, with Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe calling for deeper regional cooperation to advance peace, economic development and shared prosperity.
Nduhungirehe made the remarks during SADC Day celebrations held in Kigali, where he joined heads of diplomatic missions representing SADC member states in Rwanda.
This year’s SADC Day was marked under the theme, “Resilient, Sustainable and Inclusive Industrialisation through Infrastructure Development, Agricultural and Critical Minerals Transformation in Pursuit of a Just World,” highlighting infrastructure, agriculture and critical minerals as key drivers of regional economic transformation.
Nduhungirehe said Rwanda remains committed to strengthening bilateral relations with SADC countries and expanding cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
He stressed that stronger regional partnerships are essential for addressing shared challenges, promoting sustainable development and enabling African countries to derive greater value from their natural resources.
Although Rwanda is not a member of SADC, it maintains diplomatic, political and economic relations with several of the bloc’s 16 member states.
SADC comprises Angola, Botswana, Comoros, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The Kigali celebrations also highlighted the importance of regional dialogue and cooperation amid security challenges, infrastructure gaps and efforts to accelerate industrialisation across Africa.
SADC was established in its current form in 1992, building on the Southern African Development Coordination Conference founded in 1980. The regional bloc focuses on economic development, peace, security and regional integration.
Rwanda’s engagement with SADC has gained additional significance through its relations with member states and cooperation on regional issues, including the security situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
The latest celebrations come shortly after the 46th SADC Summit in Durban, South Africa, where leaders placed renewed emphasis on industrialisation, agricultural transformation, critical minerals, infrastructure and regional economic integration.
