U.S. and Rwanda reaffirm commitment to regional security cooperation
The Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) Army Chief of Staff, Maj. Gen. Vincent Nyakarundi, held talks with the outgoing commander of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), Gen. Dagvin R. M. Anderson, on strengthening bilateral military cooperation between Rwanda and the United States.
The meeting followed a handover ceremony in which Gen. Michael E. Langley succeeded Gen. Anderson as the new AFRICOM commander. AFRICOM partners with 53 African countries, focusing on areas such as military training and counterterrorism.
Rwanda and the United States enjoy longstanding cooperation in security and defense, alongside broader collaboration in diplomacy, health, and development. The latest discussions came as the U.S. continues to support Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in efforts to resolve persistent insecurity in eastern Congo.
Rwanda has long accused the DRC of collaborating with the FDLR, a militia formed by perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, while the DRC accuses Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebel group, which claims to defend the rights of Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese communities.
Through U.S.-led mediation, Rwanda and the DRC have signed agreements aimed at fostering lasting peace and promoting regional cooperation rather than conflict.
On April 28, 2025, the governments of Rwanda and the United States launched high-level bilateral talks to further deepen collaboration across multiple sectors. Rwanda was represented by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Amb. Olivier Nduhungirehe, alongside Ambassador to the U.S. Mathilde Mukantabana, Brig. Gen. Patrick Karuretwa, and Government Spokesperson Yolande Makolo. The U.S. delegation was led by Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Troy Fitrell, supported by Senior Advisor for Africa Massad Boulos and U.S. Ambassador to Rwanda, Eric Kneedler.
Minister Nduhungirehe emphasized that such engagements will be regular, focusing on political, economic, security, and health cooperation between the two nations.
