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{{President Paul Kagame has said words must be translated into actions for the sake of the peace of the populations of the Great Lakes Region. }}

President Kagame made the remarks during the High Level meeting on the Democratic Republic of Congo framework agreement that took place at the headquarters of the United Nations on Monday.

The meeting most of which was held in private was chaired by the secretary General of the UN and the chairperson of the African Union Commission Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma.

The meeting brought together signatories of the peace, security and cooperation framework of the Democratic Republic of Congo which was signed in February this year in Addis Ababa Ethiopia. Countries present adopted the benchmarks and indicators of progress in as far as the implementation for the framework is concerned.

Addressing the gathering, President Paul Kagame welcomed in particular the benchmarks and indicators related to the neutralization and disarmament of all armed groups that have wrecked havoc in the entire region for decades.

The UN secretary General Ban Ki Moon maintained that despite existing challenges such as an influx of refugees, peace and security is still possible.

The International Conference on the Great Lakes Region is at the helm of seeking viable means to peace and stability. Leaders of member states were commended for their commitment so far by Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, the chairperson of the African Union Commission.

Apart from Rwanda, the high level meeting was also attended by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, South Sudan, Angola, South Africa, Zambia, as well as the Democratic Republic of Congo. Kenya and Sudan were welcomed as new signatories to the Addis Ababa peace and security framework.

President Paul Kagame also took the opportunity to extend condolences to victims of the terrorist attack in Kenya where over 60 people died and more than 150 others injured. The president said the Government of Rwanda firmly stand with Kenya in resisting and combating the scourge of terrorism.

source: RBA

{{Toronto is set to host thousands of Rwandans and friends of Rwanda this coming Saturday in the fifth Rwanda Day since it began in Chicago. This is also the first time the event will be held in Canada.}}

Rwanda Day brings together Rwandans and friends of Rwanda living around the world to reaffirm their core national value of Agaciro celebrate the country’s progress and discuss ways of being part of Rwanda’s social-economic transformation.

It is also an opportunity for Rwandans to meet, interact and exchange views on their country and how they can contribute to the vision of a modern, unified and prosperous nation.

The day begins with a tour from various private sector and government exhibitors who answer questions ranging from: How can I buy and register land? Can I invest in real estate? How can I open a Rwandan bank account? As well, participants can buy Rwandan art and fashion, coffee or tea and many other Rwandan products.

President Paul Kagame, the guest of honour, always has a powerful message to deliver to participants, inspiring and challenging Rwandans living abroad to do their part to see Rwanda progress.

“Rwanda Day is not a day only, it is the spirit that brings us together, looking for the common good of the country and working together to achieve this,” said President Kagame at the recent Rwanda Day in London.

According to Parfait Gahamanyi, Director General of the Rwandan Community Abroad in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the event will be held under the theme “Agaciro: Investing in Our Future.”

He explained that Canada is especially important as there are many Rwandans living there. “We don’t have exact figures but there are between 13, 000 and 14, 000 Rwandans living in Canada. Holding the event in Toronto means the Agaciro message will reach many more Rwandans.”

Rwanda – Canada relations growing

The continuing relationship between Rwanda and Canada includes trade, judicial capacity building and cooperation within multilateral organisations such as the Commonwealth.

Trade between Canada and Rwanda hit $52.8 million in 2012. This was due to the sale of two Canadian planes to Rwanda – making Rwanda Canada’s largest trading partner in the Central Africa, that year.

In matters regarding the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, the Canadian Parliament in 2004, declared April 7 as a Day of Remembrance of the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. And on April 7, 2008, the Canadian Parliament unanimously adopted a resolution to designate April 7 as a Day of Reflection on the Prevention of Genocide.

Past Rwanda Day’s have been held in Chicago, Paris, Boston and London.

For more info: rwandaday.org or follow on Twitter: @RwandaDay

source: minaffet

{{The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor has said she is ready to work with Kenya to ensure the Westgate Mall attackers face justice.}}

In a statement, Ms Fatou Bensouda said the terrorist attack that has led to the deaths of 62 people was contrary to international law and may constitute a crime under the Rome Statute.

“In expressing her solidarity with the victims, their families and the people of Kenya, and with full respect for the primacy of jurisdiction of the Republic of Kenya, the Prosecutor stands ready to work with the international community and the Government of Kenya to ensure that those responsible for these crimes are brought to justice,” Ms Bensouda said yesterday.

She expressed her “deep sympathy to the victims of the appalling attack” and prayed that the “hostages held in the mall have been safely delivered and for a swift end to this dire situation”.

Islamist al-Shabaab fighters claim still to be holding hostages inside Nairobi’s Westgate mall, as they continued to battle special forces on the fourth day of a deadly siege.

At least 62 shoppers and staff have been killed and close to 200 wounded in the siege, but concerns are high that the toll may yet rise. William Ruto’s crimes against humanity trial has been adjourned for a week.

{{Liberia’s ex-president Charles Taylor is to hear his fate before a UN-backed court tomorrow when it hands down an appeals judgement against his 50-year sentence for arming Sierra Leone rebels.}}

Taylor, 65, was found guilty last year of lending support to rebels from neighbouring Sierra Leone who waged a terror campaign during a civil war that claimed 120,000 lives between 1991 and 2001, in exchange for “blood diamonds” mined by slave labour.

Presiding Judge George King is to hand down a verdict at 11am at the Special Court for Sierra Leone in Leidschendam, a suburb just outside The Hague where Taylor’s case was moved for security reasons.

His sentencing in May 2012 for ‘some of the most heinous crimes in human history’ was the first handed down by an international court against a former head of state since the Nazi trials at Nuremberg in 1946.

As Liberia’s president from 1997 to 2003, Taylor gave rebels guns and ammunition during the conflict, known for its mutilations, drugged child soldiers and sex slaves, trial judges found.

Throughout the trial, Taylor maintained his innocence. His lawyers in July last year appealed his conviction on 11 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, saying the judges during his marathon nearly four-year-long trial “made systematic errors” in evaluating evidence.

They argued at his appeal hearing in January that there was no evidence linking him to crimes committed by Sierra Leone’s brutal rebel forces, nor did he provide logistics, guns and ammunition.

{wirestory}

President Paul Kagame on September 22 chaired the 13th meeting of the Presidential Advisory council in New York.

The state of Agriculture dominated Sunday’s discussions with a presentation of the East African Commodities Exchange which is a commodities market that will bring together multiple wholesale buyers and sellers where raw or primary products are traded on regulated exchanges. Click to watch video Report: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkCcKKDPFmI

The presidential advisors also exchanged on the state of Rwanda’s economy.

President Kagame chaired this second Presidential Advisory Council meeting of the year where PAC members discussed policy responses to the impact of US Debt Crisis, and international oil and food prices on the Rwandan Economy.

PAC members also looked into how Rwanda can harness social media to enhance development. Three new members were appointed to the council; renowned journalist Andrew Mwenda, senior bank executive Rod Reynolds and the Governor of Rwanda’s Central Bank, Claver Gatete.

Speaking at the opening, the head of state noted that agriculture is the backbone of Rwanda’s economy and requires new and creative innovations to deepen its development.

The minister of finance and economic planning Ambassador Claver Gatete who addressed media soon after the meeting said the council was briefed on the establishment of the East African Commodities exchange.

With this, Rwandan farmers can hope for better prices for their produce unlike in the past when they were cheated by middlemen connecting them to buyers.

The finance minister Ambassador Claver Gatete noted that the presidential advisory council also reviewed the state of Rwanda’s economy while focusing on priority areas such as infrastructure development which will propel economic growth from the current 8% to 11.5% as well as generating domestic revenues.

Ambassador Gatete, said that policy measures take have been successful in minimizing the effects of the debt crisis in the US and Europe, on the Rwandan economy.

Professor Michael Porter from Harvard University pointed out that current policies that ensure economic stability have long been established and Rwanda continues to be on the right track to sustainable development and strategic economic advantage.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Government Spokesperson, Louise Mushikiwabo said that the power of social media presented opportunities and challenges for development and that Rwandans were in a position to use social media tools to tell their own stories and remain in touch with their leaders.

During the meeting, Dale Dawson of Bridge to Rwanda announced the launch of Isoko institute, a think tank based in Kigali aimed at nurturing African entrepreneurship.

The Presidential Advisory Council is made up of Rwandan and international experts in all factors affecting human life.

source: RBA

{{Rwandan peacekeepers serving under Rwanbatt36 (67 Infantry Battalion) in the African Union – United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) received recognition medals in a function that took place on 21 September 2013 in Kabkabiya, North Darfur. }}

The decoration medal ceremony is aimed at recognising the good job well-done by the peacekeepers in UNAMID. Rwandans were decorated together with a contingent of Mongolian Level Two Hospital.

Lt Gen Ignace Paul Mella, UNAMID Force Commander accompanied by Col Ludoviko Mugisha, Rwanda’s Contingent Commander in Darfur was the Guest of honor to the colourful ceremony. The UNAMID Force Commander thanked the Government of Rwanda for sending troops in peacekeeping mission in Sudan.

He commended Rwandan peacekeepers for a job well done, discipline, commitment and good relationship with Darfurians. He also thanked Rwandan peacekeepers for good cooperation with forces from other countries, Police advisors, Military observers and other UN Staff present in Darfur.

The ceremony was also marked by a volley ball match between Jordan Formed Police Unit and Rwanbatt 36 that ended on a score of 3 sets to nil in favour of Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) team.

The function was eclipsed with a cultural show at night by the contingents.

MOD