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Farirai Machivenyika Senior Reporter
Zimbabwe and Rwanda will soon establish a joint permanent commission (JPC) to strengthen the blossoming relations between the two countries.

Ties between the two countries have been growing, especially in the Second Republic led by President Mnangagwa.

Zimbabwe has adopted several policies from Rwanda which has been on a growth trajectory since the end of the genocide in that country 25 years ago.

Speaking at the Rwanda Liberation Day celebrations on Thursday, Director for Africa, Asia and the Pacific in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Ambassador Alice Mageza said Zimbabwe was committed to working with Rwanda.

“Let me re-affirm Zimbabwe’s commitment to working closely with you to strengthen and deepen the bonds of friendship between our two countries, with main focus on economic endeavour for the mutual benefit of our peoples.

“We hope to expedite the procedures to establish and convene the first Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation between Zimbabwe and Rwanda,” she said.

A JPC is a formal guiding framework for relations between two countries and covers a wide range of issues for cooperation that may include, trade and investment, security among others.

Rwanda has one of the fastest growing economies in the world and ranks highly on a number of human development indices.

Ambassador Mageza also said Zimbabwe stood in solidarity with the people of Rwanda as they remembered the victims of those killed during the tragedy.

“What happened 25 years ago is the darkest chapter in the history of Rwanda and is by-gone,” she said.

“We are witnessing a new dawn in Rwanda through forgiveness, reconciliation, rebuilding a new nation by seeking to correct past mistakes emanating from the civil war and the genocide for the benefit of future generations.”

During his visit to Rwanda early this month, President Mnangagwa also said Zimbabwe and other African states had a lot to learn from Rwanda’s reconciliation process since the end of the genocide.

“It’s an exceptional experience of reconciliation.

“Twenty-five years ago Rwanda could have been torn to pieces. But then President (Paul) Kagame rescued the situation, and has built a proud, united and integrated Rwanda.

“This should be a lesson to the rest of African Union member states. “We still have member states of AU with such internal problems.

“So, the experience of Rwanda could be a classic lesson with regards to how you can integrate our nation to speak with one voice, to become sisters and brothers and move forward and put the experiences of the past which are divisive behind.

“Rwanda has totally succeeded in that regard,” said President Mnangagwa.