Rwanda has donated 1 000 tonnes of maize to Zimbabwe to help its fight against the El Nino-induced drought, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Ambassador Frederick Shava has said.

The gesture comes as President Mnangagwa declared the 2023/2024 agricultural season a state of disaster due to poor yields as a result of below normal rains, leaving over 7 million rural and urban people food insecure.

Declaration of a state of disaster triggers resource mobilisation efforts on a huge scale, targeting all stakeholders including those in the diaspora, the United Nations family, the international community and the private sector.

In response to the call for food support, Rwandan President Paul Kagame has donated 1 000 tonnes of maize to Zimbabwe. El Nino events tend to bring drought to Southern Africa, but better than average rains to East Africa, with the La Nina events doing it the other way round.

Speaking at the 30th anniversary of the National Liberation Day of Rwanda in Harare yesterday, Ambassador Shava said the maize is expected in the country soon.

“As we celebrate Rwanda’s National Day today (yesterday), a consignment of 1 000 tonnes of maize is on its way to Zimbabwe from Kigali,” he said.

“We are grateful for the generosity of the President of Rwanda, His Excellency President Paul Kagame, the government and people of Rwanda, for this gesture of solidarity.

“This is the spirit of ubuntu that Rwanda has demonstrated by responding to the international appeal by His Excellency, President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, in the wake of the El Nino-induced drought experienced during the 2023-2024 season.”

Ambassador Shava said Zimbabwe will forever remember the generous donation that came “from our dear brothers and sisters from Rwanda”.

Rwanda’s National Day is commemorated on July 4 every year, the day in 1994 when the 100 days of genocide against the Tutsi ended, and just three days after July 1 commemorating the 1962 independence of Rwanda from Belgium.

A number of countries, through their embassies, attended yesterday’s commemorations.

Over the years, relations between Zimbabwe and Rwanda have been characterised by increased cooperation in various fields including politics, health, economics and education.

Ambassador Shava said Rwanda has stood with Zimbabwe through difficult times and equally, Harare will continue to stand with Kigali in its fight to correct the externally driven distortions of history and in restoring the dignity of its people.

Rwanda Ambassador to Zimbabwe James Musoni expressed Kigali’s solidarity with Harare in light of the El Nino-induced drought.

He said under the leadership of President Kagame and President Mnangagwa, the two nations have strengthened their relations as evidenced not only by high level visits, but also the signing of over 26 Memoranda of Understanding and agreements on co-operation in different sectors of the economy such as education, energy and justice.