10 NOVEMBER 2014

 

 

Rwanda: Our Current Priority Is Economic Integration, Ethiopian Envoy Says

 

By Collins Mwai

Amb. Wakjira during the interview in Kigali last week. (Doreen Umutesi)

 

Rwanda and Ethiopia have enjoyed close bilateral ties for decades. Ethiopia was among the first countries to respond and urged the international community to intervene during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The two nations have signed several agreements over the years to work jointly. The Ethiopian ambassador to Rwanda, Degefe Bula Wakjira, spoke to The New Times' Collins Mwai about the impacts of the cooperation and the way forward.

 

How close are diplomatic and bilateral ties in the two countries?

Ethiopia and Rwanda have had very good bilateral and diplomatic ties for decades. We have worked closely on several issues, including ensuring peace and security in the region. We share a common urge to see peace and security in the region. We have jointly sent our forces [for peacekeeping] as well as shared experiences on these areas.

Both nations are also currently experiencing rapid economic growth and development most notably the increase in the gross domestic products. In pursuit to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, the two countries are also employing sound polices and strategies and have leadership commitments where we can share experiences and learn from each other.

It is, however, remarkable the progress that Rwanda has been able to achieve in ICT development in the past years, it is an area we can learn from Rwanda.

In 2012, we signed a joint ministerial commission which has provided a platform for cooperation between the two governments in a range of areas. In the last few years, we have had agreements in trade cooperation, agricultural cooperation, police force cooperation, education, among others.

We also have other agreements that are soon to be ratified which will further bring the two nations closer.

Rwanda and Ethiopia have signed several agreements on cooperation in the last decade or so, have there been any impacts from these signings?

The implementation of the agreements has had numerous impacts in several fields. There has been bench marking and exchange of experiences between the police forces and defense forces of the two nations over the years. There has been experience sharing and bench marking practices between the managements of the capital cities of the two countries which will be formalized soon.

Rwandan students have also had training in Ethiopian Universities, among other areas of cooperation.

What is more important, however, is economic integration, connecting our business people for them to develop their potential in their areas of business. In future it will be our biggest priorities.

Ethiopia seems to have interest in the affairs of the East African Community; your country has been an observer in several of the bloc meetings. Is it likely that you are soon to join EAC?

EAC is increasingly becoming a strong region in terms of development projects; our priority is economic integration with the region which will open up other ways of integration like infrastructure and political federation.

It is possible for nations to be members of both EAC and IGAD. We would be ready to be members of The EAC community, but currently we are focused on building ties on various aspects (like infrastructure, economically) with countries in the region. Not being a member of the EAC has not impacted negatively on our relations with member countries.

Although Ethiopia is not a member of EAC, we have been attending meetings as observers as well as taking part in some projects. In the future we are likely to join the EAC community.

Your country has made a name for itself as one of the biggest hydro-electric power producers in the continent. It has been often said that you are looking for ways to export it to neighboring countries, including Rwanda. How far are the export plans?

Ethiopia has placed production of hydroelectric power among its top objectives, currently we have about 2,300 megawatts, we have ongoing projects under construction that are soon to be completed which will significantly boost our capacity. In the next three years we plan to have about 10,000 megawatts.

We are already supplying neighboring countries such as South Sudan, Djibouti and already have demand with countries that are members of EAC region including Rwanda.

All these will further contribute to integration since nations will have to realign themselves to do business together through ways such as harmonization of infrastructure and closer business ties.

We will soon be able to supply power to these countries. As we work on producing power, there are other projects that will also be undertaken such as harmonization of distribution grids to make it possible to transmit it. All these will further bring countries together.

One area that Rwanda could learn from Ethiopia is becoming a hub for multinational and international bodies. How should Rwanda pick some leafs in this respect?

The capital cities of the two countries are in the process of signing a joint framework of cooperation between the two cities that will establish a platform for partnership and cooperation in several areas. It will provide an opportunity to exchange best practices.

It is possible to have the same in Rwanda going by the country's development plans and ambition. The country has managed to have a proper atmosphere for investments from all over the world. Rwanda is on the right track to achieve these objectives. Signing a sister city agreement will further provide chances for Rwanda to gain tips from the region.

A similarity of the two countries is the security threats posed by terrorists groups operating from neighboring countries. Al Shaabab in the case of Ethiopia and FDLR in Rwanda's case, as a way forward, how is it best to deal with such challenges?

Ethiopia is no stranger to insecurity challenges posed by terrorists. We have faced the Al Shaabab insecurity threat for quite a while now. We are cooperating with neighboring countries by providing troops to the Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). There has been a lot of progress made and the terrorism forces are getting weaker.

The way forward for the countries in the region is to jointly work together in building a defense against terrorists, sharing information and pursuing them. The existence of terrorism does not threaten one country alone; it makes the entire region unstable and threatens development. It is why we should keep jointly sending our defense forces to share experience and contribution to the course.

We have to also jointly support the government and the people of Somalia and other nations that have such security problems in restoring peace and stability in their country.

Any other remarks?

Currently, all countries have their individual objectives, and plans on how to achieve them, it is however very important to come together in pursuing these objectives.

The bottom line is that all the nations in the region want the best for their citizens; we all want prosperity and improved lives. All these are possible when we integrate our efforts in pursuit of these objectives.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw