The newly-appointed US Ambassador to Rwanda, Erica Barks-Ruggles, after she presented her credentials to President Paul Kagame at Village Urugwiro in Kigali yesterday.
Amb. Ruggles presented her credentials alongside three other envoys; Turkish first resident envoy Mehmet Raif Karaca, Burundi’s Alexis Ntukamazina and Indonesian ambassador Zakaria Anshar.
Noting that her nation has a long-term history of working together with Rwanda, Ruggles promised to further strengthen partnerships between the two countries.
“We maintain a strong commitment to the health sector, with over 65 per cent of our assistance working to prevent and treat HIV/Aids and malaria, improve nutrition, maternal and child health as well as Rwanda’s health system overall,” Barks-Ruggles said.
The US envoy reiterated her government’s support for the forceful disarmament of FDLR militia by UN forces, saying having followed the issue closely, military action was the only remaining course of action to address the threat.
“The US has been clear that we support the United Nations and international community’s efforts to address the regional threat to peace and stability posed by FDLR and other groups in Eastern DR Congo,” said Barks-Ruggles, who replaced Donald Koran.
She added that the US special envoy to the Great Lakes Region Russ Feingold will be arriving in the country soon to discuss further the group’s disarmament.
Turkish ambassador Karaca will be the first envoy of the European country to be based in Kigali.
Previously, Turkish ambassadors to Rwanda have been operating from Kampala, the capital of Uganda.
The New Times
UM– USEKE.RW
