NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 28 — Rwanda and Mexico on Wednesday marked 50 years of diplomatic relations, celebrating a partnership that has steadily expanded across diplomacy, finance, tourism, and multilateral cooperation.
The milestone event was held in Nairobi and hosted by the Ambassador of Mexico to Rwanda, with residence in Kenya, Gisele Fernández Ludlow.
It brought together diplomats, government officials, and invited guests to reflect on five decades of friendship and collaboration between the two countries.
In her remarks, Amb. Ludlow said that despite the geographical distance between Mexico and Rwanda, the two nations have built strong and meaningful ties grounded in shared interests and values.
“Mexico and Rwanda have cultivated a relationship in tax transparency, financial integrity, and broader diplomatic engagement through Africa-focused initiatives, reflecting a shared commitment to global governance and cooperation,” she said.
She added that the anniversary provided an opportunity not only to honour the past and acknowledge present achievements, but also to renew a joint commitment to future cooperation.
Highlighting emerging areas of collaboration, Amb. Ludlow pointed to Rwanda’s growth in Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism, noting that Mexico’s long-standing experience in the sector offers new opportunities for exchange, investment, and tourism cooperation.
Principled relations
Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Kenya, Amb. Ernest Rwamucyo, reaffirmed the importance Rwanda places on its cordial and principled relationship with Mexico, both bilaterally and in international forums.
“Over the past five decades, Rwanda and Mexico have maintained sustained and meaningful interactions, particularly within multilateral forums, where our countries have consistently upheld shared principles of multilateralism, dialogue, international solidarity, and respect for international law,” he said.
He noted that such engagements have strengthened mutual understanding and contributed positively to global peace and sustainable development.
Amb. Rwamucyo also reaffirmed Rwanda’s commitment to deepening cooperation with Mexico in areas including political consultations, trade and investment, education, innovation, tourism, agriculture, climate action, and South–South cooperation.
Diplomatic relations between the two countries are maintained through non-resident accreditation.
Mexico is accredited to Rwanda through its Embassy in Nairobi and maintains an Honorary Consulate in Kigali, while Rwanda is accredited to Mexico through its Embassy in Washington, D.C.
According to Aimable Rumongi, Honorary Consul of Mexico in Rwanda, people-to-people relations have grown steadily since the inauguration of the Honorary Consulate in Kigali in 2019, further strengthening ties between the two nations.
Representing the Government of Kenya, Amb. Stella Munyi, Deputy Director-General for the Americas and Caribbean Directorate at the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, congratulated Rwanda and Mexico on the milestone.
She said Kenya enjoys warm and cordial bilateral and multilateral relations with both countries, founded on shared interests and cooperation.
The celebration also featured an exhibition of photographs and historical documents chronicling five decades of Rwanda–Mexico relations.
Among the highlights were the original telegram announcing the establishment of diplomatic relations and the official press communiqué issued on January 21, 1976.
