Rwanda foreign relations have caught global attention in the international world after the 1994 genocide.
Rwanda foreign relations have helped Rwanda to be an active member of the international community. During the genocide period of 1994, UNO removed most of its peace keepers. At that time all other foreign support from also shed off its hand from Rwanda. In this period of crisis UN placed most of its peace making and other humanitarian agencies in Rwanda. UN also provides six peace keeping operations from various countries in Rwanda. Apart from the UN, several other humanitarian agencies also sent peace missions in Rwanda. Several European and African nations like Russia, China, Egypt, Canada and Libya also developed their relations with Rwanda. As a result the 1994 genocide has helped Rwanda to built her foreign relations with many African and European countries. Apart from receiving assistance from various African nations, Rwanda have also sent many peace keeping missions to African countries. In 2004 Rwanda positioned 392 peace keepers with the support of UN peace keeping mission in Sudan.
Rwanda – France Relations
France also forward her hands of assistance to Rwanda to bring back peace in the midst of such mass killing. Hence Rwanda develop a friendly relation with France. But in 2005, Rwanda Defense Force distributed 1898 soldiers in support of the AU mission in Sudan. In 2006 Rwanda separated her relations with France as a French judge accuse prestigious Rwandan officials on the charge of taking part in the shooting down of presidential jet in 1994.
Rwanda - USA Relations
Rwanda received a lot of humanitarian help from USA. USA provides $11 million in order to remove the threat of land mines from Rwanda. But after the demise of the crisis period in Rwanda, USA diverted its attention from humanitarian activities to the prevention of regional conflict, rapid economic development and advancement of international security. The main instrument in promoting in such activities is the US Agency for International Development. They followed the method of “transition” program. USA hold three objectives under this particular plan to achieve the target. The objectives are:
- To provide a healthy living to the people living in rural Rwanda
- USA allows in maintaining law and order along with giving Rwanda a transparent government.
- USA also helps in providing health facilities and other services to make Rwanda free from sexually transmitted diseases, HIV AIDS and also aims at the promotion of child and female health.
The mission is also trying to implement public access to English language, increasing the incomes of women, increasing the capacity of local government, ensures food security and providing proper shelter for the children.
