President Paul Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame arrived in Cambodia for a state visit ahead of the Francophonie Summit, where Rwanda’s Louise Mushikiwabo is seeking another term as Secretary-General.
Rwanda’s presidency confirmed their arrival in Phnom Penh on Thursday, November 12. The visit, at the invitation of King Norodom Sihamoni, will include meetings with Cambodian leaders before the summit on November 15 and 16.
Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the two countries planned to sign agreements covering “trade, investment, aviation and tourism,” although it has not released details of the documents.
Photographs from the airport showed the President and First Lady being welcomed by Cambodian hosts, some holding signs celebrating the friendship between the two countries.
Kagame is scheduled to meet King Sihamoni at the Royal Palace, followed by separate discussions with Prime Minister Hun Manet, Senate President Hun Sen and National Assembly President Khuon Sudary.
The talks will focus on strengthening relations and finding further areas for cooperation. The proposed agreements could widen business links, but neither government has announced new flights between the countries or changes to visa rules for ordinary travellers.
Rwanda and Cambodia established diplomatic relations in 2005. Their cooperation has grown through official visits and agreements covering foreign policy consultations and financial services.
During a visit to Kigali by Cambodia’s Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn in November 2025, the two countries signed agreements on regular consultations between their foreign ministries and visa exemptions for holders of diplomatic and official passports.
Their central banks have also worked together. In 2023, they agreed to exchange expertise on financial-sector development, and in May this year they announced an initiative concerning cross-border digital payments.
Those arrangements provide background to the new agreements expected during Kagame’s visit. The details of the proposed agreements have not yet been made public.
Cambodia is hosting the Francophonie Summit for the first time. A ministerial conference will take place on November 14, followed by meetings of heads of state and government on November 15 and 16.
The last Francophonie summit held in Southeast Asia took place in Hanoi, Vietnam, in 1997.
The gathering is themed “Reinvest in Peace for Shared Prosperity and Lasting Stability.” Leaders are expected to discuss international cooperation, peace and economic development among members of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF).
The summit also carries particular importance for Rwanda because Mushikiwabo, who has led the OIF since 2019, is standing for a third four-year mandate.
She faces Juliana Amato Lumumba of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Coumba Bâ of Mauritania and former Romanian Prime Minister Dacian Cioloș.
The organisation comprises 90 states and governments, but only its 53 full members will choose the next Secretary-General. The election is scheduled for November 16, with the successful candidate serving from 2027 to 2030.
Kagame’s arrival marks the start of a visit combining Rwanda’s bilateral relations with Cambodia and its participation in a summit whose leadership decision will be closely followed at home.
Elie GATETE
RADIOTV10