Minister Nduhungirehe, Portugal’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Discuss Regional Security

Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Olivier Nduhungirehe, held talks with Nuno Sampaio, Portugal's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, on February 25. Their discussions focused on strengthening bilateral ties and addressing the security situation in eastern DR Congo. The meeting took place in Geneva, Switzerland, on the sideline of the 58th session of the Human Rights Council. In a post on X, Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the discussion as “productive,” stating, “Minister Nduhungirehe met with Portugal’s Secretary of State

Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Olivier Nduhungirehe, held talks with Nuno Sampaio, Portugal's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, on February 25. Their discussions focused on strengthening bilateral ties and addressing the security situation in eastern DR Congo. The meeting took place in Geneva, Switzerland, on the sideline of the 58th session of the Human Rights Council. In a post on X, Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the discussion as “productive,” stating, “Minister Nduhungirehe met with Portugal’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs & Cooperation, Nuno Sampaio, for a productive discussion on strong Rwanda-Portugal bilateral ties. They also exchanged views on the security and humanitarian situation in eastern DRC.” Portugal has shown support for peace initiatives in the Great Lakes region. In August 2024, the Portuguese government welcomed a ceasefire agreement aimed at ending the conflict in eastern DRC. Diplomatic relations between Rwanda and Portugal were officially established on February 12, 1976. Over the years, both nations have engaged in high-level visits and dialogues to strengthen their partnership. In February 2024, the foreign ministers of Portugal and Rwanda met in Kigali to discuss deepening cooperation in areas such as energy, investment, trade, security, and defense.

Also in Geneva, Minister Nduhungirehe met with Volker Türk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. They discussed the humanitarian situation in eastern DRC, including the ongoing persecution of Congolese Tutsi in North and South Kivu and the targeting of Hema communities in Ituri—both of which constitute serious human rights violations.