Kagame and Ndayishimiye Handshake: A Rare Moment of Diplomacy in Brazzaville
In a significant diplomatic development, President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and President Évariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi shared a public handshake today, April 16, 2026, in Brazzaville.
The two leaders were in the Republic of the Congo to attend the inauguration ceremony of President Denis Sassou Nguesso, who was sworn in for a new five-year term at the Stade de la Concorde in Kintélé, following his reelection.
This encounter, captured on the sidelines of the high-profile event, marks a rare and highly symbolic moment of direct interaction between the two heads of state amidst a period of strained bilateral relations. Regional observers are viewing the gesture as a potential "thaw" and a positive step toward de-escalating tensions in the Great Lakes region, signaling a possible opening for renewed dialogue on security and border cooperation.
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Gabriel IMANIRIHO
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