Prof. Shyaka made the remarks yesterday during the Diversity and Inclusion Forum organized by the World Bank and United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Rwanda.
The forum brought together delegates from 15 countries that came to learn from Rwanda’s resilience after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and how citizens managed to live again in harmony.
Prof. Shyaka said that Rwanda’s goal is to promote inclusive growth in politics, welfare, and economy among other areas after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi that all choices made were meant to set up policies integrating all citizens.
“Policies enabling equal sharing of opportunities were established along with and giving room to various areas of national welfare, in politics and development. Most of the time poor people are forgotten when talking about inclusive growth. Rwanda’s politics established supporting programs so that no one is left behind the development and improved wellbeing,” he said.
“Today, a winning political party doesn’t take everything. That is our inclusive vision and unique feature of Rwanda giving us pride. We chose it because we learned from our history and how divisive politics are destructive. We pulled lessons of promoting inclusive politics,” added Prof Shyaka.
UNDP representative in Rwanda, Stephen Rodriques said the forum was organized because part of the population is excluded in development over diversities like religion, ethnicity among others in different parts of the world.
“At UN it is our creed that all people must be equal in front of the law and treated equally. This is what we are promoting,” he said.
The worries were raised recently during the commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi held at Nyanza Genocide Memorial.
The president of IBUKA, Prof Jean Pierre Dusingizemungu thanked President Paul Kagame for exceptional leadership during the liberation struggle to stop genocide but expressed worries on reintegration measures.
“We can assure him that we don’t trust how genocide convicts are prepared before reintegration into the communities after completing their sentences. We find the process wanting,” he said.
Figures indicate that at least over 800 genocide convicts will be released this year, 920 will be released in 2020, 1496 in 2021, and 3620 in 2022 while 2012 will be released in 2023.
Some released convicts are not willing to apologize to offended people while others don’t reveal where remains of genocide victims are so they can be accorded decent burial.
The Executive Secretary of the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission (NURC), Fidèle Ndayisaba has told IGIHE that there is a need to strengthen measures of reintegrating released genocide convicts because it takes a long time to transform a person having harbored genocide ideology for long.
“There are activities that must be carried out during their jail term including how they are helped and taught because they are not jailed to face prison’s walls only. Such activities are not only meant to be done by the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission,” he said.
He explained that there are more psychiatric activities organized after their release because ‘someone who committed such a heavy offense is severely hurt that he/she requires psychiatric programs freeing them to be completely transformed.’
Ndayisaba stressed that such initiatives have to be reinforced especially during this period when many of genocide convicts who were handed 10 years and beyond are about finishing their sentences.
“Districts have adopted strategies of visiting inmates in prison to engage with convicts. Convicts meet leaders to hear their concerns and meet a representative of genocide survivors; it prepares them for transformation and getting them ready for integration to live in harmony with others when they are released into the society,” he said.
“Their families, neighbors should be informed that those convicts will be released. It is necessary for them to get such information earlier so they don’t be surprised to see the person returning to the society,” added Ndayisaba.
It was also highlighted by the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for the Fight Against Genocide (CNLG), Dr. Jean Damascène Bizimana that they hold talks on genocide every year especially during the commemoration period.
He stressed the need to draw constant policies to teach inmates because they are subject to be taken to court in case they commit another offense after release.
“It doesn’t mean there are unusual behaviors but they don’t often know that sentences handed to offenders are completed. This leads them to bring allegations that someone was released before completing the sentence. When we analyze the case, we find he/she finalized the sentence,”
The spokesperson of Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS), SSP Hillary Sengabo, said that there are a number of programs through which genocide convicts are pacified and are becoming fruitful.
“When we realize that some genocide convicts feel transformed, they send letters to offended people then we connect them to apologize. Such gestures demonstrate that the person we taught is willing to change,” he said.
“The number of those doing it is little compared to genocide convicts but we prepare them as we can before an inmate completes the sentence and released. We cannot keep someone in prison after finalizing sentence because he/she has not yet apologized but they appear to have been transformed in general,” added Sengabo.
He explained that fruitful results of offered programs is measured through the absence of released genocide convicts returning to prison for genocide ideology.
“Today, only 30% of inmates are genocide convicts. It is a smaller number compared to inmates imprisoned for other crimes. This means others were released. They are integrated into the community while others completed the community service. When we don’t see them back for genocide ideology, we assume that they got transformed,” said Sengabo.
He made the call yesterday in Mukingo sector of Nyanza district, Southern Province saying the initiative aligns with the country’s vision to fast track Rwandans development.
The insurance product dubbed ‘Tekana Urishingiwe Muhinzi-Mworozi’ loosely translated as ‘Farmer, be secured as you are insured’ is implemented by MINAGRI in collaboration with partners including Radiant Insurance company, Access to Finance Rwanda, Prime Insurance Company and Sonarwa.
Under the subsidized agriculture insurance scheme, a farmer will provide 60% of insurance fees while the Government caters for 40% of farmers payments. The livestock value is determined by the farmer.
As she launched the insurance, Minister Mukeshimana said: “The insurance is specially designed to help farmers become climate change resilient. As you know we have been facing poor climate leading to the loss of agricultural yields. The purpose is to enable farmers to resist those problems.”
She explained that it will help to boost farming yields.
Minister Mukeshimana urged subscribers of the insurance to take advantage of it requesting loans from financial institutions.
“For instance, the bank cannot have worries of giving Rwf 100,000 or Rwf 150,000 for someone with a cow worth Rwf 300,000,” she said. The pilot phase of livestock insurance has started in Nyanza, Gicumbi, Musanze, Ruhangho, Nyagatare, and Burera districts while crop insurance will be implemented effective from Agriculture season 2020A st6arting with Gasabo, Nyagatare, Bugesera, Gisagara, Kirehe, Gicumbi, Huye, Rulindo Ngoma, and Rwamagana districts.
Livestock insurance went into effect soon as it was launched. An insurance company will compensate cows dying from accidents, diseases or outbreaks.
The cost of insurance equals 4.5% of the total value of the cow.
The insurance concerns jersey and half jersey cows from 90 days after birth until 8 years excluding bulls.
Each insured cow has to be digitally registered.
The mayor of Nyanza district, Erasme Ntazinda said that the district counts over 54000 cows of which more than 23,000 are expected to get the insurance.
Gaudance Kanamugire, the chairperson of Rwanda Association of Assurers (ASSAR) unveiled that they will keep closer collaboration with the Government to extend agriculture insurance to all districts.
The AU Troika is composed of Rwanda as the former AU Chair, Egypt as the current chair and South Africa as the next AU chair
The emergent summit was convened by Egypt President Abdel Fatah el-Sisi as the current chairperson of African Union.
Other participants include the Chairperson of African Union Commission, Moussa Mahamat Faki who is expected to give a report to the heads of states on how security issues can be addressed in those countries.
Faki has recently concluded a visit to Sudan following the crisis that followed the overthrowing of president Bashir.
The committee of AU studying on security matters in Libya led by President Sassou N’guesso will make reports on the progress of restoring peace in Libya.
President el-Sisi is also expected to lead discussions on Sudan matter to convene Tchad, Congo Brazzaville, Djibouti, Rwanda, Somalia and South Africa assessing how leadership can be passed on peacefully.
As he concluded his visit to Rwanda today morning, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani was accompanied by Premier Dr. Edouard Ngirente, RDF Chief of Defence Staff Gen Patrick Nyamvumba and the Inspector General of Police, IGP Dan Munyuza to Kanombe International Airport.
Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani is expected to resume his journey to Nigeria.
Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani arrived in Rwanda on Sunday afternoon where he President Paul Kagame at Kanombe International Airport and later shared dinner at Kigali Convention Centre after witnessing the signing of 4 cooperation agreements in sectors of culture, sports, tourism & business events, aviation travel, and logistics.
On the second day of the visit yesterday morning, President Kagame with Qatar Emir visited Akagera National Park which is home to the big five animals including rhinos, lion, buffalo, elephant, and leopard.
Akagera National Park stretches to 1200 square kilometers.
Photos released by the Office of the Presidency, Village Urugwiro yesterday showed President Kagame and Qatar Emir in Akagera National Park sheltered in umbrellas because it has been raining since the morning.
One of the pictures shows them glancing at an elephant in the forest.
The Executive Secretary of Nyagatare sector, Andrew Ndamage has told IGIHE that the incident took place yesterday around 4 pm when Ingabire threw the bay in toilet.
“Residents called us around 4 pm informing us that Ingabire had dumped a newborn baby in toilet immediately after delivery.
They intervened and rescued the baby alive and was taken to Nyagatare hospital where he is getting medical assistance,” he said.
Ndamage said Ingabire was taken to the hospital for treatment from where she will be taken to court.
Located in Kimihurura near the former Prime Minister’s office, the building was inaugurated yesterday. It has been under construction for 33 months at a cost of USD $ 27 million in funding by the Chinese Republic.
Premier Dr. Edouard Ngirente has said that the new building is evidence of improving Rwanda, China relations. He hailed China’s continued support to various development sectors including investment, health, education, and infrastructure among others.
Dr. Ngirente revealed that the new building given to the government will enable employees to improve service delivery.
“I thank the Chinese government for granting Rwanda such a decent office building. It will help employees from Prime Minister’s office and others from other government institutions who will run operations in it to move fast service delivery at a high tune,” he said.
Jianbang Zheng, the Vice Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Committee lauded Rwanda’s progress under the championship of President Paul Kagame’s leadership.
He reiterated that his country is ready to push forward partnerships with Rwanda to reach the desired vision.
Zheng stressed that the new building China has handed to Rwanda will keep strengthening bilateral cooperation.
” I believe the relationships shall keep standing firm like this building. This building will be the model of vibrant bilateral relationships with other African countries. It symbolizes that we implement our promises,” he noted.
” In Africa’s development partnership, China roots on to the pillar of striving for joint benefits of giving much to take few in return, and giving before receiving anything,” added Zheng.
The Minister of Infrastructure, Amb. Claver Gatete has told media that the building stretched on 16000 square meters will help the government to reduce a large number of government institutions renting offices.
” It will reduce renting expenses. This is a beautiful building matching with our vision. The more we progress, the faster we increase government buildings to eliminate renting because it takes a lot of money,” he revealed.
Over 300 Rwandans were employed during the construction of the inaugurated building.
Minister Gatete said that 30% of construction materials were sourced locally while 70% came from China.
The new building was fully funded.
Some of the government institutions will move to the building towards the end of June 2019.
Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani arrived in Rwanda yesterday where he was welcomed by president Kagame at Kanombe International Airport and later shared dinner at Kigali Convention Centre after witnessing the signing of 4 cooperation agreements in sectors of culture, sports, tourism & business events, aviation travel, and logistics.
Today morning on the second day of the visit President Kagame with Qatar Emir have visited Akagera National Park which is home to the big five.
The latter is graced with the presence of big five animals including rhinos, lion, buffalo, elephant, and leopard.
Akagera National Park stretches to 1200 square kilometers.
Photos released by the Office of the Presidency, Village Urugwiro, show President Kagame and Qatar Emir in Akagera National Park sheltered in umbrellas because it has been raining since the morning.
One of the pictures shows them glancing at an elephant in the forest.
The management of Akagera National Park has recently announced to have recorded 44,000 tourists in 2018, half of whom were Rwandans.
His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani the Emir of Qatar is in Rwanda for a three-day state visit which he started yesterday. He was welcomed by President
Kagame upon arrival at Kanombe International Airport.
After welcoming him, they both witnessed the signing of 4 agreements in sectors of culture, sports, tourism and business events and aviation travel and logistics which ended with a State Dinner at Kigali Convention Centre.
Signed agreements follow existing ones signed in Doha, Qatar when president Kagame visited the country previously.
These include air service transport services, promoting and protecting joint investment and cooperation in trade and technical areas among others.
In May 2017, Rwanda and Qatar signed agreements in diplomatic cooperation. Qatar Airways aircrafts conduct flights from Doha to Kigali among other destinations including Dubai.
On 26th May 2015, both countries signed cooperation agreements to fight against drug abuse on the sidelines of Qatar International Anti-Drug Forum held in Doha.
