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  • Ambassador Lt. Gen. Caezar Kayizari Presents Credentials to President of Turkey

    Ambassador Lt. Gen. Caezar Kayizari Presents Credentials to President of Turkey

    {{The Rwandan Ambassador to Turkey, Lt. Gen. Caezar Kayizari was Thursday 03 October 2013, received at the Presidential Palace in Ankara where he presented his letters of credence to His Excellency MrAbdullah Gül the President of the Republic of Turkey.}}

    Kayizari accompanied by his spouse Solange Kayizari, Counsellor Eric Rugamba and Mr Inanc Ciftci, Rwanda’s Honorary Consul with office in the Turkish economic City of Istanbul, was invited to inspect the Guard of Honour mounted by the Presidential Guard Regiment before proceeding to the entrance of the palace for his credential presentation.

    During the presentation of his letters of credence, Ambassador Kayizari conveyed President Paul Kagame’s warm greetings and best wishes to His Excellency President Abdullah Gül for his good health and prosperity of his country and people.

    He expressed importance for Rwanda of Rwanda-Turkey relationship, which has been growing from strength to strength in the last three years. A lot has happened that points to special ties.

    Ambassador Kayizari referred to two visits of President Kagame to Turkey for business meetings a visit of the Turkish Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey to Rwanda that was marked by the signing of a Cooperation Agreement, four visits of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Rwanda to Turkey for international – multilateral conferences and to officially open Rwanda Development Board Office and Honorary Consulate.

    The Meeting of President Gul and Ambassador Kayizari also recognised the importance of a growing number of Turkish business people/investors and traders that currently working in and with Rwanda. He also articulated the Rwandan president’s desire to further advance the bilateral relations between Rwanda and Turkey.

    Lt. Gen. Kayizari is the first Rwandan Ambassador to Turkey as Rwanda has never had an Embassy in Turkey before. Kayizari was appointed to this position in February this year.

    According to diplomatic practices, Kayizari started officially from October 3, his diplomatic duties as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Rwanda to the Republic of Turkey.

    Rwanda is one of the twenty six African countries with diplomatic representation with residence in Ankara. The two countries currently enjoy cordial bilateral relations demonstrated in continuous exchange of high level visits of officials from Rwandan and from Turkey both in public and private sector.

    As Rwanda continues to champion in sustainable economy through sound policies that are geared to develop and support a strong private sector, The Turkish business community keeps an eye on abundance of opportunities available in various sectors in Rwanda. A number of partnerships between Turkish and Rwandan businesses are constantly growing. Turkey is to open an Embassy in Kigali very soon.

    Ambassador Kayizari has already started to engage the Turkish business community upon his arrival in Turkey a few weeks ago. He has met all representatives of Turkish Businesses that currently operate in Rwandan in various sectors and told them that the newly opened Rwandan Embassy was opened not only to strengthen the good bilateral relation with Turkey but also to facilitate all who wish to enter the Rwandan market.

    Ambassador Kayizari reiterated to the Turkish business community that Rwanda is opened for business.

  • Kenya Adopts Performance Contracts

    Kenya Adopts Performance Contracts

    {{Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta has warned all public servants who are unable or unwilling to provide required services to Kenyans to quit before authorities catch up with them.}}

    Speaking during the signing of performance contracts for Cabinet Secretaries, the President said the government will not tolerate mediocrity in public institutions.

    “Should you find yourself either unable or unwilling, you owe it to Kenya, and to your conscience, to stand aside in good faith. Our people do not expect to hear excuses instead of service delivery,” he said.

    The Head of State said Kenyans do not expect to hear excuses but deserve proper service delivery.

    He has also given a stern warning to corrupt leaders whom he said have caused increased inefficiencies hence poor service delivery to Kenyans.

    “It is irritating to observe that part of our national challenges are caused, not by unavoidable or elemental phenomena, but sheer incompetence and corruption by people who ought to know better,” President Kenyatta said.

    “This mediocrity lays to waste the efforts of committed, diligent and professional public servants and inflicts misery on thousands of taxpaying Kenyans,” he added.

    President Kenyatta also launched the vision 2030 Second Medium Term Plan for 2013-2017.

    source:CapitalFM

  • Telecom Masts to Connect to Optic Fibre Cable

    Telecom Masts to Connect to Optic Fibre Cable

    Rwanda government targets to extend the optic fibre cable to existing telecommunication masts all over the country to lay ground for Fourth Generation (4G) wireless broadband network.

    The 3,000km optic cable covers all 30 districts.

    To improve the state of Internet connectivity and speed, the government in June penned an agreement with South Korea’s largest telecom company, Korea Telecom to deploy 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) broadband network across the country.

    The 4G broadband infrastructure targets to cover 95 per cent of the population within three years, according to the joint venture deal that is based on an initial 25-year term.

    the Minister for Youth and ICT, Jean-Philbert Nsengimana, said the plans are underway to connect the cable to telecom masts instead of sectors, cells and villages.

    “Extension to sectors is part of the last mile project and, in this project, we are going to use 4G because it’s not easy to extend the fibre to every school, home, cell, village and health centre,” he said.

    The minister noted that, the move to connect the optic cable to existing masts will help to achieve a wider coverage of wireless broadband network.

    Korea’s Systems Integration and IT Services Joint Venture Company will carry out the rollout plan of the optic cable to masts which will largely depend on a sharing agreement between the company and the owners of the masts (telecom companies and internet service providers).

    According to the minister, there will also be a need to erect more masts if the existing ones are not enough.

    source:Newtimes

  • More South Africans Diagnosed with Depression

    More South Africans Diagnosed with Depression

    {{The number professionals diagnosed with depression has increased significantly, according to Profmed medical aid scheme.}}

    “Depression and bipolar disorders form part of the top 15 diagnosis codes used, and contribute to some of the highest psychiatric benefits used during the 2013 service period,” Profmed principal officer Graham Anderson said in a statement posted on the Profmed website.

    Profmed’s member profiles in 2013, compared with last year, showed a 50% increase in those diagnosed with severe depressive episodes without psychotic symptoms.

    There was also a 75% increase in Profmed members suffering from a severe depressive episode with psychotic symptoms for the same period.

    It was not immediately clear how large the sample size (Profmed’s membership) was. The medical scheme caters only for graduate professionals.

    {{Many go untreated}}

    Anderson said it was concerning that only 16% of the South African population had medical aid, as public health facilities were not always equipped with staff and appropriate medication to deal with such patients.

    “Like any illness, it is imperative that treatment for mental illness is provided in the public healthcare system to allow people the opportunity to lead normal and successful lives.”

    The importance of mental health issues, and potential consequences for productivity, was being more widely acknowledged in the workplace.

    “A better understanding of these disorders and the fact that they can be very effectively treated has led to the decrease in the stigma that existed for people who were diagnosed with these ailments in the past.”

    Anderson said people frequently overlooked the importance of mental health to overall well-being.

    “It’s therefore critical for South Africans to take the necessary precautions; ensure that they maintain a balanced lifestyle and know when to take some time off when needed; follow healthy eating patterns and exercise regularly to manage their stress factors better.”

    source:news24

  • Malawi VP Moves to Quell anti-Tanzania rage

    Malawi VP Moves to Quell anti-Tanzania rage

    {{Malawi’s Vice-President Khumbo Kachale travelled to the northern city of Mzuzu to quell rising discontent against Tanzanian nationals in response to the expulsion of Malawians from Tanzania.}}

    Mr Kachale urged Malawians not to target Tanzanians, adding that the expulsion of their compatriots had nothing to do with the border dispute.

    The Vice-President told angry Malawians that the deportations affected not only Malawians, but also people of other nationalities.

    “These people were not deported because of the wrangle [over Lake Malawi], Tanzania is carrying out the exercise affecting several countries that surround Tanzania,” he said.

    However, the idea that the deportations had something to do with the border dispute was gaining traction among ordinary Malawians.

    Recently, 70 deported Malawians arrived in buses from Tanzania, alleging that they were targets of xenophobic attacks. It later emerged that the deportees were residing in the country illegally.

    source:NMG

  • Police Inaugurates Kicukiro Gender Desk

    Police Inaugurates Kicukiro Gender Desk

    {{ Police on Wednesday, inaugurated its gender desk, Kicukiro branch, as the force continues the road to protecting the women and children rights.}}

    It’s also part of the force’s campaign to decentralise anti-gender-based activities.

    The facility worth over Rwf30 million, situated in Kicukiro sector, was constructed in conjunction with Kicukiro District.

    The centre will offer psycho-socio and legal services to GBV victims, among others.

    The Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, Oda Gasinzigwa, who presided over the exercise, thanked RNP and Kicukiro District for reaching out to the victims of GBV and to fight for the women and girls rights.

    “We cannot eradicate gender violence unless we prevent whatever act that may lead to it” the Minister said.

    She appealed to leaders to mobilise and sensitise the public to report on time all sorts of domestic violence, as an effective way of combating the vice.

    Gender based violence, though is on the decrease, is still high compared to other crimes.

    Paul Jules Ndamage, the mayor of Kicukiro said the centre will assist GBV victims, who previously were travelling to other places for assistance.

    The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Emmanuel K. Gasana said the force has “moved from commitment to action.”

    “This desk will serve as a model centre in addressing Gender affiliated violence,” the IGP explained.

    The Police Chief said plans are underway to scale up the centre to all Police Stations in the country to complement the activities of Isange One-Stop centre.

    He urged the public to abstain from drug consumption, which is said to be the cause of GBV and other crimes.

    source:RNP

  • Fastjet Posts Mega Loss Over 6 Months

    Fastjet Posts Mega Loss Over 6 Months

    {{Low-cost airline Fastjet recorded a whopping $13.3 million (Sh21.9 billion) loss from its Tanzania operations in the first half of 2013, casting a bleak future to an airline, which many thought would be their new saviour.}}

    Though some aviation experts including the company’s Chief Executive Ed Winter say the loss won’t affect Fastjet operations in Tanzania, the figures released show a contrasting reality.

    To put things into perspective, the airline, made an average loss of $2.21 million(Sh3.6 billion) a month between January and June, this year as it sought to build its empire in a country where both private and state owned airlines have been in a shambles.

    The loss Fastjet posted in Tanzania is 53 per cent of $24.9 million, which the low-cost airline recorded at group level during the same period, an interim report released by the company says.

    “Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT) loss $24.9million including $13.3million trading losses in the Tanzanian operation…Tanzanian operation reported quarterly EBIT loss of $9.1 million in Q1 and $4.2m in Q2 – a 54% reduction quarter on quarter,” says the report seen by The Citizen.

    According to the interim report, the company’s net cash by the end of June, this year was $4.4million. Subsequent to this $9.3million (gross) raised via equity issuance, whereby in Tanzania Fastjet achieved $81 revenue per passenger in June – almost two times $46 it recorded in January, this year..

    However, the company downplayed the poor performance it recorded in the first half, saying the future was still bright in Tanzania’s aviation sector.

    “Tanzanian operation is now profitable on an underlying route level basis; and based on current performance once scale increases with additional routes and fully utilised resources the business is expected to become profitable at the EBIT level… Growing endorsement of the Fastjet brand and low cost airline model by Tanzanian consumers”

    The company’s interim report further states, “Though it did post operational losses of $9.1million and $4.2million in first quota and second quota of this year respectively, and based on current performance once scale increases with additional routes and fully utilised resources the business is expected to become profitable at the EBIT level.”

    The whopping losses, according to the company, were also caused mainly by start-up losses associated with launching Fastjet Tanzania in 2012.

    “The company remains optimistic about the future, expecting its financial situation to considerably improve in the second half of 2013 with further network expansion planned in Malawi and Zambia.”

    Though some aviation experts including the company’s Chief Executive Ed Winter, say the loss won’t affect Fastjet operations in Tanzania, the figures released show a contracting reality.

    {wirestory}

  • Senate Approves Judge Hitiyaremye

    Senate Approves Judge Hitiyaremye

    {{On Thursday, October 3, the Senate, chaired by Vice President, Hon. Makuza Bernard met in extraordinary session to examine the candidature of Judge in the Supreme Court Hitayaremye Alphonse. }}

    Subject to provisions of the Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda, article 88, the high officials that must be approved by the Senate include Justice Officials.

    The Senate has been delighted that the candidate proposed by the Government is competent and has a long experience in justice, and expressed confidence that he will perform his duties.

    The Senate approves Judge Hitiyaremye after the presentation of the report by Senator Mushnzimana Apollinaire, the Chairperson of the Committee on Political and Good Governance Affairs, which analyzed that candidate.

  • Passenger plane crashes near Nigeria airport

    Passenger plane crashes near Nigeria airport

    A passenger plane on Thursday crashed near an airport in Nigeria’s capital.

    Photos posted to Twitter showed rescue workers surrounding the aircraft’s fuselage and gray smoke rising.

    “There’s a lot of smoke coming from the runway, but we can’t get access to it,” witness Rasaki Rhakod told Reuters from Lagos. “There are firefighters rushing to the scene.”

    The crash occurred near a domestic terminal.

    There is no immediate details on casualties.

    Murtala Muhammed International Airport was the scene of a June 2012 crash that killed 163 people.

  • Juba in Talks with Yau Yau Group to Abandon Rebellion

    Juba in Talks with Yau Yau Group to Abandon Rebellion

    {{South Sudan said on Wednesday it had started direct talks with Jonglei-based militia leader David Yau Yau, in an apparent bid to end the almost two-year conflict which has claimed more than 100,000 lives and uprooted scores of people from their homes.}}

    “There is a positive beginning this time. The Murle elders – especially religious leaders – have taken big strides towards ending conflict in Jonglei state. They have been holding direct talks with knowledge of the government with David Yau Yau”, a senior official with the governing Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) told Sudan Tribune on Wednesday.

    A source who spoke on condition of anonymity said the talks were sanctioned by president Salva Kiir Mayardit during series of meetings with Murle community leaders and intellectuals from the area reportedly held in August in the country’s capital Juba.

    Senior military sources have also confirmed the talks, stressing that the government had decided t to give the peace initiative spearheaded by the Murle community and religious leaders a chance to resolve the conflict.

    “As far as I know the constitutional mandate, the SPLA (South Sudanese army) acts on orders to protect lives and properties but does not decide what the government should do to address conflict.

    It is the government to come up with the way forward to addressing the Jonglei which is what the president had decided to do. He has now given peace initiative by Murle elders and religious a chance”, a senior military officer told Sudan Tribune on Wednesday.

    Baguoot Amum Okiech, a national legislative assembly member on a special women’s ticket, told Sudan Tribune on Wednesday that the president remained committed to seeking peaceful dialogue as a means to end the conflict.

    Okiech is the wife of the late Nyancigak Nyachiluk, a highly respected former senior member of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) from the Murle ethnic group in Jonglei state.

    She said Kiir is now working to develop initiatives with various institutions and groups to end the conflict in Jonglei.

    “I want to say that the government is also ready to take any step to see if, once and for all, we can end the conflict, said Okiech.

    “We have the support from peace loving group. The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has made it very clear that it would be ready to assist [the] peace process in the country, she added.

    Jonglei has been the scene of ongoing violence between the rival Murle and Lou Nuer tribal groups, as well as fighting between Yau Yau’s fighters and the SPLA.

    Meanwhile, SPLA spokesperson Colonel Philip Aguer said on Wednesday that Gordon Koang, a militia leader whose forces have already decided to abandon a rebellion against the South Sudanese government in Upper Nile state, had yet to return to the country.

    Some 1,500 rebel fighters under Koang’s command handed themselves over to the SPLA on 28 September after accepting a presidential amnesty.

    “Still there is no official information about Gordon Koang. It is [General] Oyuok Ogot who has come. Arrangements are being made to verify the actual number of this group”, he said.

    Aguer said weapons and ammunitions, as well as vehicles in possession of the group loyal to Koang were most likely supplied by the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF).

    {Sudantribune}