Manila, 19 March 2025 Ambassador Marie Claire Mukasine has officially assumed her role as Rwanda’s Ambassador to the Philippines, with residence in Tokyo, Japan, following the presentation of her Letters of Credence to His Excellency Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., President of the Republic of the Philippines.

During the ceremony, held on Wednesday, 19 March 2025, Ambassador Mukasine conveyed warm greetings and best wishes from President Kagame, reaffirming the strong diplomatic ties and cooperation between Rwanda and the Philippines. President Marcos warmly welcomed the Ambassador, wished her success in her mission, and expressed his support for strengthening bilateral relations. He also extended his greetings to President Kagame and the people of Rwanda.

Rwanda and the Philippines maintain a growing diplomatic partnership, underpinned by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the general bilateral cooperation and a Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) in place. These agreements facilitate collaboration in key sectors, promote trade, education, health and people to people exchanges.

While in the Philippines, Ambassador Mukasine met with members of the Rwandan community to discuss their well-being and provide updates on developments in Rwanda. She expressed appreciation for their contributions to Rwanda’s progress and encouraged them to continue playing an active role in the country’s development.

The Rwandan community in the Philippines, is composed of students, has steadily grown over the years. The first Rwandan students to arrive were members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, who enrolled at the Adventist University of the Philippines (AUP). Over time, the number of Rwandan students expanded, with many pursuing degrees in critical fields such as medicine, engineering, and information technology at various universities across the country.

The community remains highly engaged, with an effective leadership structure that collaborates closely with the Rwandan Embassy to organize national events and address challenges faced by its members.

In addition to her responsibilities in Japan, Ambassador Mukasine is also accredited to represent Rwanda in the Philippines, Malaysia, and Thailand, further strengthening Rwanda’s diplomatic presence in the region.

https://x.com/RwandainJapan/status/1902940951179653240/video/2

End