Rwanda has appointed Ambassador Martin Ngoga as its new Permanent Representative to the United Nations, following the formal presentation of his credentials to UN Secretary-General António Guterres on May 22.
Ngoga, who previously served as Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Kenya, succeeds Ernest Rwamucyo in representing Kigali at the UN. In his inaugural remarks, Ngoga expressed a strong commitment to fostering collaborative relations and advancing shared goals within the international community.
“I take this responsibility with dedication and look forward to engaging constructively with partners to promote our common interests,” Ngoga said as he commenced his tenure.
The ambassador’s extensive career spans prominent roles in both regional and national institutions. He was the Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) from 2017 to 2022, having served as a member from 2015. His leadership at EALA was instrumental in shaping regional integration policies among East African Community member states.
Domestically, Ngoga’s legal expertise is well-established. He served as Rwanda’s Prosecutor General from 2006 to 2013, overseeing the National Public Prosecution Authority and contributing significantly to Rwanda’s post-genocide justice system.
On the international stage, Ngoga represented Rwanda at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) in Arusha, Tanzania, as the country’s Special Representative from 1999 to 2003. His work there involved engaging with legal proceedings related to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Earlier positions in his career include Deputy Head of Public Prosecutions in Butare Province and Head of the Legal Department at the Ministry of Labour and Public Services.
Ngoga’s appointment is expected to reinforce Rwanda’s active engagement in the United Nations, especially in areas of peace, security, and sustainable development, aligning with the country’s broader diplomatic ambitions on the global stage.