Cambodia’s King Norodom Sihamoni received President Paul Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame at the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, formally welcoming them as they began their state visit to the Southeast Asian country.
Rwanda’s Presidency announced the reception on Friday, November 13, a day after the couple arrived in Cambodia. The state welcoming ceremony was followed by a royal audience at the palace in the Cambodian capital.
The President and First Lady were received “for a State Welcoming Ceremony, followed by a royal audience,” the Presidency wrote on X, sharing photographs of the occasion.
The visit was arranged at the invitation of the Cambodian monarch and is part of efforts to strengthen relations between Rwanda and Cambodia. It also precedes President Kagame’s participation in the 20th Francophonie Summit.
Following the royal audience, Kagame is expected to hold separate meetings with Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet, Senate President Hun Sen and National Assembly President Khuon Sudary.
Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the discussions would examine opportunities to expand cooperation in trade, investment, aviation and tourism.
The two governments have also announced plans to sign agreements and other cooperation documents in those areas.
The proposed agreements would add to existing arrangements between the countries. In November 2025, Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn visited Kigali for talks with Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olivier Nduhungirehe.
The two ministers signed agreements establishing regular consultations between their foreign ministries and exempting holders of diplomatic and official passports from visa requirements.
Economic links have also attracted attention this year. In March, the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce met Rwanda’s ambassador to discuss potential cooperation in trade and investment.
The ambassador, Bakuramutsa Nkubito Manzi, expressed interest in collaboration on digital technology and agriculture. He also outlined plans for a business delegation to visit Cambodia around the Francophonie Summit.
These engagements form part of a broader effort to create opportunities for businesses in both countries, although the commercial outcomes of the latest visit will depend on the agreements eventually concluded.
President Kagame and the First Lady arrived in Phnom Penh on Thursday, November 12, before the official state programme began the following day.
Cambodia is hosting the Francophonie Summit for the first time. Foreign ministers from member countries will meet on November 14, followed by heads of state and government on November 15 and 16.
The summit is being held under the theme “Reinvest in Peace for Shared Prosperity and Lasting Stability,” with political cooperation, economic development and international partnerships among the issues for discussion.
For Rwanda, attention will also turn to the election of the next Secretary-General of the International Organisation of La Francophonie. Incumbent Louise Mushikiwabo, who has led the organisation since 2019, is seeking another term.
The election is scheduled for November 16, while Kagame’s separate engagements with Cambodian leaders are expected to advance bilateral discussions alongside the summit programme.
Elie GATETE
RADIOTV10