Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Vincent Biruta, on March 5, 2026, formally received copies of credentials from newly appointed ambassadors representing the Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, Kazakhstan, and Lesotho.
The ceremony took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kigali.
The ambassadors included Jean Félix Mokiemo, representing the Republic of Congo with headquarters in Kigali; Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Peter Kakowou Lavahun, representing Sierra Leone and based in Nairobi, Kenya; Barlybay Sadykov, representing Kazakhstan with headquarters in Nairobi; and Ntsiuoa Castalia Sekete, representing Lesotho, headquartered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Following this formal handover, the ambassadors are expected to present their credentials to the President of Rwanda.
Rwanda continues to prioritize strengthening international relations, focusing on development, security, and economic cooperation. The country already maintains active partnerships with these nations. With the Republic of Congo, Rwanda has signed over 33 bilateral agreements covering agriculture, trade, and security, while Rwandan citizens can now travel there visa-free.
Rwanda and Sierra Leone cooperate on internal security and correctional services, with visa exemptions for holders of diplomatic and official passports. Kazakhstan maintains diplomatic and economic ties with Rwanda, highlighted by President Paul Kagame’s official visit to Astana in May 2025.
Rwanda and Lesotho collaborate in governance, security, and education, with agreements signed in 2024–2025 further reinforcing bilateral cooperation.
The reception of the new ambassadors underscores Rwanda’s commitment to expanding its diplomatic footprint and deepening strategic partnerships across Africa and beyond.
