Ali Idi Siwa, Tanzanian Ambassador to Rwanda presents credentials to President Kagame- Kigali, 1 April 2015
President Paul Kagame, yesterday, received credentials of a new envoy from the United Republic of Tanzania.
Ali Idi Siwa presented his letters of credence as the new envoy of the United Republic of Tanzania during a ceremony at Village Urugwiro in Kigali.
Speaking to the media after presenting his credentials, Siwa said that the relationship between the two countries was entering a new phase, with special focus on implementing regional integration projects.
“In respect to the relations between Rwanda and Tanzania, which had fallen into an unfortunate situation, we would like to say that let the bygones be bygones, we are starting a new chapter now,” said Siwa.
Describing past tensions as “unfortunate events”, the new envoy said that the two countries, which share a common border, have always enjoyed warm relations, which he said would continue in the interest of their citizens and the region.
He said during last month’s Central Corridor Summit in Tanzania, it was agreed that construction of a standard gauge railway would commence in June, linking Tanzania to Kigali and Burundi.
President Kagame was last week in Tanzania for an investors’ forum, which aimed at presenting to global investors, the investment opportunities along the Central Corridor, mainly in infrastructure.
The Central Corridor links Rwanda to the port of Dar es Salaam.
At the forum, the President had called for the frequent consultations and translation of political will into tangible actions to drive the region to prosperity.
