Kigali, 26 January 2015
President Kagame today received credentials of four new Envoys nominated to represent their respective countries in Rwanda. The new Ambassadors included Zakaria Anshar representing Indonesia with residence in Dar es Salaam, Erica Jean Barks-Ruggles Ambassador of United States, Ambassador Mehmet Raif Karaca representing Turkey and Alex Ntukamazina, Ambassador of Burundi to Rwanda both with residence in Kigali.
Briefing the press at Hotel Umubano after presenting their credentials, the new envoys said they would work towards strengthening the existing cooperation between their countries and Rwanda, focusing on key areas.
Erica Jean Barks-Ruggles, the US Ambassador to Rwanda said:
“I look forward to continuing to strengthen our partnership with Rwanda. The United States is Rwanda’s largest bilateral assistance partner. This year we will contribute approximately $180 million in assistance to support initiatives to improve health, advance economic growth, expand education, and strengthen democratic institutions and promote good governance.”
Ambassador Zakaria Anshar who will represent Indonesia based in Dar es Salaam said he will improve and make the value of trade higher to show the real capacity of two countries in this field. Ambassador Anshar started his diplomatic career in 1985 as a Head of Section, Directorate of Africa and Middle East, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). Before being appointed as Ambassador of Indonesia to Rwanda, he was serving as Consul General, Consulate General of Indonesia to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia where he had been appointed since 2010.
Ambassador Alexis Ntukamazina, who will represent Burundi, said his country will continue working with Rwanda in the areas of security, air transport and education. Ambassador Ntukamazina started his diplomatic career in 2010 as First Secretary in Washington DC, and shifted to Dar es Salaam in the same post, then promoted to First Counsellor in 2012 and 2013 respectively.
Mehmet Raif Karaca who will be representing Turkey has served in different positions in the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the level of Director General for different Departments including Africa. Prior to his nomination as the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Rwanda, he was Director General for Consular Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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ENDS