Embaló had previously visited Kigali in July 2024 for President Kagame’s inauguration ceremony.

In 2023, Kagame traveled to Guinea-Bissau, where he was honored with the Amílcar Cabral Medal, the highest distinction awarded to heads of state from nations friendly to Guinea-Bissau.

Named after the African hero who fought against colonialism, the medal symbolized the deepening ties between the two countries.

During that visit, Kagame toured the national museum dedicated to Amílcar Cabral, and Guinea-Bissau’s soldiers performed a song celebrating the strength of Rwandan forces, with lyrics proclaiming, “The Rwandan army is strong; we defeated the enemy and chased him away.” Rwanda’s diplomatic relations with Guinea-Bissau are overseen by its ambassador to Senegal.

Located in West Africa, Guinea-Bissau has a population of about 2.1 million people, most of whom rely on peanut farming and fishing, and its growing partnership with Rwanda reflects a shared commitment to African solidarity.

Both leaders discussed global and continental issues, as well as ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation across mutually beneficial sectors.

President Paul Kagame received Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Sissoco Embaló in Kigali on the evening of April 28, 2025.