Rwanda and DRC officials hold 5th Joint Permanent Commission

Rwanda  and  DRC  officials  this Saturday  reaffirmed  their  commitment  to  economic  and  security  collaboration  during  the  5th  Joint  Permanent  Commission  (JPC)  held  in  Kigali  today.

A delegation  of  five  DRC  ministers  led  by  the  Minister of Foreign  Affairs,  senior  officials  and  their Rwandan  counterparts  discussed  the  joint  energy  projects;  air  travel  agreements;  as  well  as  current   security   and   humanitarian   situation   affecting   both   countries. Rwanda’s   Minister   of Foreign Affairs, Louise Mushikiwabo said; 

“We  have  had  productive  working  Joint  Permanent  Commission  following  the  last  one  held  in  Kinshasa  in  December  2009.  We  discussed  collaboration  in  methane  extraction  from  Lake  Kivu   and  hydropower  from  the  Rusizi  in  order  to  boost  generation  of  much-­‐needed  energy  in  our  region.  We  agreed  to  enhance  collaboration  in  air  travel,  particularly  with  our  national  carrier   Rwanda air  poised  to  begin  flights  to  the  DRC.  We  also  continue  to  engage  on  cooperation  to   eliminate  the  threat  of  any  armed  groups  that  might  be  operating  from  either  of  our  respective   territories,   particularly   the   FDLR   in   Eastern   DRC.   The   Ministers   commended   both   countries’   Defense  and  Security  organs  for  their  excellent  collaboration  and  determination  to  present  any   negative  development”

She  added  “ The  welfare  of  Congolese  refugees  who  have  sought  safety  in  Rwanda  is  also  a   priority  that  both  our  governments  take  seriously.”  

Today’s  JPC  is  the  second  since  the  forum  was  revived  following  a  21-­‐year  hiatus,  following  the   historic  meeting  of  President  Paul  Kagame  and  President  Joseph  Kabila  at  the  Goma  Summit   held   by   in   August 2009.   Present   at   the   meeting   were   Rwanda’s   Ministers   of   Defense,  Infrastructure,  Disaster  Management  and  Refugees.  The  Ministers  of  Foreign  Affairs,  Internal  Security,  Justice  and  Energy  represented  the  DRC.