President Kagame today received more credentials of five new envoys accredited to Rwanda. The new envoys will represent Somalia, Israel, Greece, Finland and Zambia.

Ambassador Judith Kasashi Kasanda Kangoma- Kapijimpanga of Zambia presents credentials to President Kagame- Kigali

Prior to his appointment, Ambassador Cabdullahi Sheikh Maxamed served as Senior Advisor to the Somali Minister of Africa and Arab Affairs. Prior to this, he was special Advisor to the Prime Minister of Somalia for Africa and Arab Affairs, after leaving his post in London, UK, where he had served as the head of Somali Youth Diaspora as well as an ICT teacher.

The new Israel Ambassador to Rwanda, Belaynesh Zevadia was born in 1969 in Ethiopia and migrated to Israel in 1983. She started her career as Counselor of a Jewish Agency for Israel in Jerusalem in 1985 and joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1993. She served in the Africa and Jewish Affairs Division; Consulate General of Israel, Chicago; Religious Affairs Division and Consulate General of Israel, Houston. Before being appointed as Ambassador, she served as Minister-Counselor, Public Affairs Division.

Ambassador Abdullah Sheikh Mohamed of Somalia presents credentials to President Kagame

Ambassador Eleftherios Kouvaritakis, representing Greece, is a career diplomat who has served in different capacities in Hellenic Republic’s missions. He joined the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1984, and was in charge of the Diplomatic office of the Minister as well as the Director in charge of NATO affairs and disarmament. Before being sent to represent his country to Rwanda, he headed the Directorate for Bilateral Economic Relations with EU Countries, USA, Japan, Australia and Canada.

Ambassador Belaynesh Zevadia of Israel presents credentials to President Kagame

Finish Ambassador Antilla Sinikka has held different diplomatic positions since 1998; he served as Counselor and Deputy Head of Mission, in Namibia; Charge d’Affaires in Namibia; Head of Mission, in Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi. At this time of her appointment to Rwanda, she has been the Head of Mission, Embassy of Finland in Tanzania, Burundi and DRC.

Ambassador Judith Kangoma Kapijimpanga served as a Minister in different portfolios, in the Government of the late President Levy MWANAWASA; as Minister of Community Development and Social Services, Minister of Lands, Minister of Science, Technology and Vocation Training until July 2006, respectively. She was also an elected Member of Parliament for Kanchibia, her home constituency. As High Commissioner, she represents her country to Rwanda, Tanzania, Burundi, and Uganda with residence in Dar-es Salaam.

The envoys expressed their strong commitment to further strengthen relationship and cooperation between their respective nations and Rwanda. Ambassador Judith Kangoma Kapijimpanga said she would promote the spirit of African brotherhood and cooperation. Ambassador Belaynesh Zevadia said Israel wished Rwanda well in her bid to join the Security Council because it would be in their favor to have a friendly nation like Rwanda on the council.