Rwandan ambassador named Diplomat of the year

Sunday Mail Reporter

RWANDAN Ambassador to Zimbabwe, James Musoni, has been named Diplomat of the Year (Africa), for his contribution to the development of the country.

The accolade is courtesy of the Diplomat Magazine.

Ambassador Musoni said he cherished the award as it was a symbol of the good friendship between Rwanda and Zimbabwe.

He said Rwanda’s foreign policy promotes a peaceful, prosperous, sovereign and self-defined country that is politically and economically integrated.

“In this regard, our relations with Zimbabwe have been growing from strength to strength since we opened our embassy here in January 2019 and we envisage scaling our co-operation to higher levels,” said Amb Musoni.

“The award could not have been possible without the unrelenting support we receive from the Government of Zimbabwe and its friendly people.”

Amb Musoni said Covid-19 derailed plans to host the Rwanda-Zimbabwe Trade and Investment Conference in March this year in Kigali where several business deals were expected to be concluded as well as the signing of Government-to-Government co-operation agreements.

He said efforts were now being revived to host the trade and investment conference in Kigali early next year.

Amb Musoni also paid tribute to Rwandan President Paul Kagame, saying the award symbolises his visionary leadership.

“This award has been made possible because of the visionary leadership of His Excellency Paul Kagame, the President of the Republic of Rwanda,” he said.

“His leadership provides an operating environment that encourages everyone to constantly improve and even do better.”

Since Rwanda opened an embassy in Zimbabwe, Amb Musoni has actively participated at business forums to unpack his country’s investment potential.

He has led the Rwandan community in supporting Zimbabwe’s national clean-up exercise in which President Mnangagwa is an active participant.

The Diplomat of the Year Awards event is funded by the corporate world in Zimbabwe. Winners are selected through a nomination committee made up of journalists, civic society and business representatives.