Minister Nduhungirehe visited Chad on April 8, 2026, according to a statement shared by Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on social media.
The statement noted that he delivered a letter from President Kagame requesting Chad’s support for the candidacy of Louise Mushikiwabo for another term as Secretary-General of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie.
Relations between Rwanda and Chad have long been strong. When President Mahamat assumed power following the death of his father, Idriss Déby Itno, in 2021, he expressed commitment to further strengthening bilateral ties.
This cooperation was reinforced when his special envoy and Chief of Staff, Abdelkerim Déby Itno, visited Rwanda with a message for President Kagame.
In March 2022, President Mahamat also visited Kigali, thanking President Kagame for Rwanda’s support during difficult times, including attacks by the extremist group Boko Haram and the period following his father’s death.
President Mahamat stated that Chad is learning from Rwanda’s development model, noting how the country has rebuilt itself over the past three decades after a tragic history.
He praised President Kagame’s leadership both nationally and across Africa, particularly in advancing reforms within the African Union and promoting the African Continental Free Trade Area.
In response, President Kagame emphasized the need for both countries to combine efforts in addressing shared development challenges.
On January 12, 2026, President Kagame officially re-nominated Louise Mushikiwabo for another term as Secretary-General of the OIF.
Mushikiwabo has held the position since January 2019, with her second term having begun in November 2022. She is now seeking a third term.
If re-elected, she could surpass the record of Abdou Diouf of Senegal, who served three terms from 2003 to 2014.
Founded in 1970, the OIF currently has 90 member states. A 2026 report indicates that the number of French speakers worldwide has reached approximately 396 million, reflecting the organization’s continued growth.
On the sidelines of the visit, In N’Djamena, Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe signed with his counterpart, Dr. Abdoulaye Sabre Fadoul, an agreement establishing the Great Joint Cooperation Commission between Rwanda and Chad. This signing marks a new step in strengthening bilateral relations and reaffirms the commitment of the two countries to deepen their cooperation in areas of common interest.
Photos by @RwandaMFA
