Both countries have existing vibrant relationships in different areas. Last year in November, President Paul Kagame paid a two-day working visit in Qatar where he held talks with the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
They discussed expanding economic cooperation. They also witnessed the signing of three agreements between Rwanda and Qatar focusing on air transport services, promoting joint investment and trade among others.
In May 2017, Rwanda and Qatar signed diplomatic cooperation. Qatar Airways conducts flights connecting Doha and Kigali among other destinations.
Dr. Hamad, 71, was among other guests who joined Rwanda to commemorate and pay homage to over 1 million innocent victims killed during the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
Other guests at the launch of commemoration activities include Congo Brazzaville President Denis Sassou-Nguesso; Niger president Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger, Djibouti President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, Tchad president Idriss Déby Itno; Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed; Belgium Prime Minister Charles Michel, The Governor of Canada Julie Payette; Nigeria Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo; African Union Commission Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat among others.
The event which took place on this last Saturday, at Minimex’s HQ, saw the visit of the British Minister for African Affairs, Harriet Baldwin, with the Rwandan Minister of Agriculture, Géraldine Mukeshimana.
The two ministers were joined by Chris Isaac, Director of the British AgDevCo Fund, a fund, supported by the UK Aid Agency UK Aid, who in turn, invested $3 million in Minimex, for the company to restructure its business and reach new heights in production.
“We appreciate the funding given to Minimex. With this fund, the plant will be able to increase its production, which will contribute to more food security for Rwandans,” said Minister Géraldine Mukeshimana.
“We highly appreciate the quality of Minimex products, which show its commitment to meeting the required standards in the production chain,” added the Minister, inviting other corn flour producers to follow the example of Minimex.
British Minister for African Affairs, Harriet Baldwin, and Minimex’s guest of honor, also praised Minimex’s funding by AgDevCo.
“UK Aid (British Aid Department) has established a stronger partnership with AgDevCo. UK Aid is proud to see AgDevCo making its third investment in Rwanda with MINIMEX, “said Minister Harriet, referring to the fact that AgDevCo also provided $ 1 million in funding to Kigali Farms, which specializes in mushroom base and $ 1.5 million to UZIMA, another local chicken and egg company.
“We are committed to supporting the efforts of food companies. If they show sufficient financial health, they will attract other businessmen and investments in the sector, “said AgDevCo CEO Chris, pledging to invest more than $ 10 million in this business for next ten years.
“We are here for a long time and we will continue expanding to meet Rwandans’ food,” he said, proud of the economic health of this corn flour plant that began in 2002 with a capital of 500 million francs and which, as it acquired new shareholders including MMI (Military Medical Insurance) and the BRD (Rwanda Development Bank), grew to see his business and his stature reach a capital of 6 billion francs.
“The key to the success of all this is just having a patriotic spirit. We must know and want to meet the basic needs of citizens. Food is one. We offer fortified products. We are very meticulous about the process of manufacturing our products to meet international consumer standards, “said Félicien Mutalikanwa, the company’s main shareholder and CEO.
“Our products are scientifically verified. They can be a bit expensive on the market, which is understandable because the flour we produce is fortified to meet the health needs of our consumers. Said Mutalikanwa.
Minimex Ltd is a Maize processing plant located on the Kigali-Kabuga road. It produces over 144 tons of corn flour per day, i.e, 6 tons per hour, according to Moise Ndayisenga, the Quality Control Officer of the Factory. The current production of this plant is up to 40,000 tons of flour per year. It should be noted that the plant produces a livestock feed (BRAN).
Representatives of Ashesi University are in Rwanda since Friday to meet interested applicants and to assess the progress of alumnus in Rwanda.
Ashesi University was founded in 2002 by Patrick Awuah, an expert and entrepreneur from the USA with Ghanaian origin.
Araba Botchway, director of Admissions and Financial Aid at Ashesi University said the university is unique as it integrates courses with leadership skills.
He explained that individual intellectual capacity, self-determination established screening examination are among considerations to admit candidates.
“There are some students having no projections of what they can do. When you talk to them you discover hidden potential they didn’t know,” said Botchway.
He unveiled that the university acquaints students with moral values and entrepreneurial skills.
“You know that our continent has a large number of unemployed people. 94% of graduates at our university within four years are employed; while 96% of graduates in the previous two years also have jobs. This gives us confidence and pride that our investment is meeting goals,” said Botchway.
{{Competence in the labor market
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Araba Botchway explained that graduates from this university have been getting employed worldwide in giant corporate firms like Microsoft, Google and American Bank among others.
“Giant corporates usually come to recruit employees at our university. This means our students are not solely meant to work on this continent but can compete at the international labor market,” he said.
On the support of MasterCard Foundation, Ashesi has been paying tuition fees for vulnerable brighter students on the African continent since 2012.
Talking to IGIHE; Patrick Ndabarasa Tumusime highlighted that he is among five Rwandans who graduated at the university in 2018 and have been already hired. The latter joined the university for a course in Finance and Administration after completing secondary education at Lycee de Kigali in 2014.
“After applying to study at Ashesi and passing the entrance exam, I was admitted at the university. From my experience, it is unique for its competent education sharpening skills needed in the labor market. Two Rwandans we went together with have been hired; One is in charge of human resource at Red Cross, and I work at RwandAir while the 5th one continued for a Masters at Carnegie Mellon University. ” he said.
Ashesi began with 30 students but currently has 1008 students from over 20 countries.
For more details on application and registration visit: [www.ashesi.edu.gh->www.ashesi.edu.gh]
Present at the event were, Rwandans and friends of Rwanda all over the world, heads of states and governments among other diplomats who observed a moment of silence to honor victims of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
The flame of remembrance will burn for 100 days marking three-month-long mourning of the victims of the 1994 genocide against Tutsi until July 4 when the genocide was stopped by the Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA) now Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF).
Delivering his remarks at the opening of the 100 days mourning; President Paul Kagame thanked guests for joining Rwanda to pay homage to genocide victims and their contribution to healing and rebuilding of the country. He also thanked Rwandans, who joined hands to recreate the country from the dark past observing that genocide won’t happen again.
“To you, the friends by our side on this heavy day, including the different leaders present, we say thank you. Many of you have been with us all along, and we cherish you for contributing to the healing and re-building of Rwanda. I also thank my fellow Rwandans, who joined hands to recreate this country. In 1994, there was no hope, only darkness. Today, light radiates from this place,” he said.
“In 1994, there was no hope, only darkness. Nothing has the power to turn Rwandans against each other, ever again. This history will not repeat. That is our firm commitment,” revealed Kagame.
{{Full speech: Remarks by President Kagame at the beginning of the 25th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi
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I begin by thanking you. On a day like this, when language fails, the first words that come, are words of gratitude.
To you, the friends by our side on this heavy day, including the different leaders present, we say thank you. Many of you have been with us all along, and we cherish you for contributing to the healing and re-building of Rwanda.
I also thank my fellow Rwandans, who joined hands to recreate this country. In 1994, there was no hope, only darkness. Today, light radiates from this place.
How did it happen?
Rwanda became a family, once again. The arms of our people, intertwined, constitute the pillars of our nation. We hold each other up. Our bodies and minds bear amputations and scars, but none of us is alone. Together, we have woven the tattered threads of our unity into a new tapestry.
Sisters became mothers. Neighbors became uncles. Strangers became friends. Our culture naturally creates new bonds of solidarity, which both console and renew.
Rwanda is a family. That is why we still exist, despite all we have gone through.
There is no way to fully comprehend the loneliness and anger of survivors. And yet, over and over again, we have asked them to make the sacrifices necessary to give our nation a new life. Emotions had to be put in a box.
Someone once asked me why we keep burdening survivors with the responsibility for our healing. It was a painful question, but I realized the answer was obvious. Survivors are the only ones with something left to give: their forgiveness.
Our people have carried an immense weight with little or no complaint. This has made us better and more united than ever before.
At a memorial event some years ago, a girl brought us to tears with a poem. She said, “There is a saying that God spends the day elsewhere, but returns to sleep in Rwanda.”
“Where was God on those dark nights of genocide?”, she asked.
Looking at Rwanda today, it is clear that God has come back home to stay.
To survivors, I say thank you. Your resilience and bravery represent the triumph of the Rwandan character in its purest form.
Joining us today are families from other countries, whose husbands, fathers, sisters, and aunts were claimed by the same deadly ideology.
The Belgian peacekeepers, murdered twenty-five years ago this morning.
Captain Mbaye Diagne from Senegal, who saved so many lives.
Tonia Locatelli, killed in 1992 for telling the truth of what was to come.
The only comfort we can offer is the commonality of sorrow, and the respect owed to those who had the courage to do the right thing.
Other people around the world also stood up and made a difference.
Ambassador Karel Kovanda from the Czech Republic joined colleagues from New Zealand and Nigeria to call for action to stop the Genocide, despite the indifference of more powerful states.
And my brother, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, knows where Rwanda is coming from, having served in an Ethiopian peacekeeping contingent after the Genocide, together with troops from elsewhere in Africa and beyond.
Thank you all for your presence.
Those among us who perpetrated the Genocide, or stood by passively, are also part of our nation. The willingness, in a number of cases, to tell the truth, pay the price, and re-join the community, is an important contribution.
The witness of perpetrators is irrefutable proof if any was still needed, that genocide happened.
Genocide hibernates as denial.
Both before the killing and after, there is a long chain of events which are interconnected. Revisionism is not merely demeaning, but profoundly dangerous.
The genocide did not begin on one specific day. It has a history.
Why were refugees Rwanda’s biggest export, for decades? Why were the same people repeatedly targeted for persecution and massacre, from the late 1950s to the 1990s? Why were bodies dumped into rivers, to send them back up the Nile, where they supposedly came from? Why did some parents even kill their own children, who looked a certain way?
None of that started with a plane crash. So where did it come from?
Through it all, we had guardians of virtue, Abarinzi b’Igihango, and other righteous citizens. Our rebirth was seeded by their actions.
The young girl, portrayed in the play we just saw, who took it upon herself to care for a baby survivor despite the objections of her family. That is a true story and today both women are home and fine.
The Nyange students who refused to be separated into Hutu on one side, Tutsi on the other. They never betrayed each other. Six were killed. Forty were wounded. All are heroes.
These are examples of the Rwandans who kept us from losing everything.
But most of us are neither survivors nor perpetrators. Three-quarters of Rwandans are under age thirty. Almost 60 percent were born after the Genocide.
Our children enjoy the innocence of peace. They know trauma and violence only from stories. Our aspirations rest in this new generation.
Mature trees can no longer be molded, but seeds contain endless possibility. Rwanda’s young people have everything needed to transform our country. They have the responsibility to take charge more and more and participate fully in securing the Rwanda we want and deserve.
We are far better Rwandans than we were. But we can be even better still.
We are the last people in the world who should succumb to complacency. The suffering we have endured should be enough to keep our fighting spirit alive.
Our country cannot afford to live by twists of fate. We must be deliberate and decisive, guided by humility and the content of our hearts. Rwanda has to stay one step ahead. Otherwise, we are insignificant.
The facts are stubborn, but so are we. We really have to be.
Our nation has turned a corner. Fear and anger have been replaced by the energy and purpose that drives us forward, young and old.
Rwanda is a very good friend to its friends. We seek peace, we turn the page. But no adversary should underestimate what a formidable force Rwandans have become, as a result of our circumstances.
Nothing has the power to turn Rwandans against each other, ever again. This history will not repeat. That is our firm commitment.
Nothing is required from those who wronged us, except an open mind. Every day we learn to forgive. But we do not want to forget. After all, before asking others to repent, we first have to forgive ourselves.
As for the dishonorable who remain impervious to regret, it is not our problem. It does not stop Rwanda from making progress, even for one moment.
The decimation of Rwanda was more absolute than any known weapon of mass destruction. Not only bodies were destroyed, but the very idea of Rwanda itself. That shows the ferocious power of human sentiments and designs.
Our prayer is for no other people to ever endure the same tribulations, especially our brothers and sisters in Africa.
Never accept it. Confront the apostles of division and hatred who masquerade as saviors and Democrats. Our commonalities are always infinitely greater than our differences. No society is above any other, much less immune to fragility.
In the end, the only conclusion to draw from Rwanda’s story is a profound hope for our world. No community is beyond repair, and the dignity of a people is never fully extinguished.
Twenty-five years later, here we are. All of us. Wounded and heartbroken, yes. But unvanquished.
We Rwandans have granted ourselves a new beginning. We exist in a state of permanent commemoration, every day, in all that we do, in order to remain faithful to that choice.
President Macron disclosed it yesterday as he hosted representatives of Ibuka-France at his office.
Macron takes the decision a few days after receiving the invitation to participate in the 25th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi where he will be represented by France parliamentarian of Rwandan origin Hervé Berville.
During talks with representatives of Ibuka-France; Macron expressed consolidation with them in remembrance period contemplating on heinous killings that characterized the 20 century.
Following the discussions, France presidency announced three resolutions by Macro aligning with ‘the implementation of what he promised President Paul Kagame during his previous visit to Paris on 24th May 2018.’
These include establishing a special commission of researchers and experts in history to investigate and analyze documents on Rwanda’s history between 1990-1994 kept in France.
President Macron said that the committee of eight experts led by Prof. Vincent Duclert will assume the task of ‘Assessing writings kept in France related to genocides between 1990 and 1994 to analyze the role of France activities during that period and contributing to better understanding of Genocide against Tutsi.’
The delegation will make the report within two years and facilitate the preparation of curriculum for the education of genocide history in France.
President Macron also unveiled that a platform to explain the history of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi and mobilizing people to engage in research projects on genocide with an emphasis on Tutsi genocide is set to be established.
During their visit, Airtel Rwanda cleared children’s bills to a total of RWF 3,000,000 and promised to continue supporting Rwandans who are in need. The visit was highlighted by Airtel staff interacting with children and sharing stories.
Speaking during the visit, Airtel Rwanda Managing Director, Mr. Amit Chawla commended the great work that the hospital is doing to provide health services to all Rwandans.
“We would like to commend the work that is being done by all the medical personnel and other staff members at CHUK to ensure that patients are given the utmost treatment on their journey to recovery. As Airtel we believe that supporting people in our communities is very important and we hope this token we have offered will contribute to this support” Amit said.
In a similar light, Mr. Amit highlighted to patients and parents to embrace insurance policies such as Mitweri and Ingoboka Cash.
“These services have been proven to relieve the pressure associated with the costs of medical treatment across the country” he stated.
Speaking on behalf of CHUK, Dr. Annette Uwizera, the Director of Allied Services applauded Airtel Rwanda’s support and said; “We are grateful for the assistance that Airtel Rwanda has extended to our patients who were in need. We always appreciate any form of assistance that is given to our patients.”
The completion of the memorial will cost Rwf 550 million in two phases. The first in which the remains will be buried has been completed.
The second phase will be made of the genocide museum, detailing killings of Tutsi in Rukumberi.
Ngoma district vice mayor for economic affairs, Jean Marie Vianney Rwiririza has told IGIHE that they are fast-tracking construction activities so that remains from the area will be collected to be accorded decent burial at the memorial by 26th May 2019.
“We are finishing the first phase to be completed at Rwf 240 million in which we want to decently bury remains of victims of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi laid in different places,” he revealed.
He explained that the remaining part will cost Rwf 310 million. The completion will see Ngoma having two standard memorials at the district level.
The trio is; Marie Jeanne Mukampunga from Burera district, Evariste Gatorano from Ngororero and Hakizimana Jean Damascene from Musanze district. Talking to IGIHE, they narrated their ordeal and faced persecution as they crossed to Uganda.
Gatorano explained they were arrested with 12 men but only two were released and could not trace where their colleagues are.
“I went to Uganda in July 2017 with one-week travel document. I was in a group of 13 Rwandans. We were arrested along the way. Our travel documents were taken and torn into pieces. They abused us and took us to the prison,” he said.
“They mistreated us and insulted us that we are stupid Hutus leaving our country led by Tutsis,” added Gatorano.
Marie Jeanne Mukampunga said she was illegally jailed on an accusation of motorcycle theft.
“I was working at a hotel and saw a client who came on a motorcycle with another person who didn’t enter the facilities. I served him. When he returned his motorbike had gone missing. He accused me to be behind the theft alleging that we, Rwandans are thieves. They took me to the police station, asked me whether I am Rwandan which I accepted,” she said.
“I was seriously beaten, took me to the prison when I was in critical condition. I have been released because of the ailments I developed from these beatings. I left someone in prison jailed for being Rwandan. In fact, we are a taboo on their land,” added Mukampunga.
Hakizimana narrated that he was arrested by officials who handed them travel documents to Uganda. They solicited money and took them to prison failing to provide requested money.
“They requested me Rwf 45,000. Failure to pay leads me to prison. They release someone having money; otherwise, they inform that you are subject to what Rwandans deserve. Hence, facing imprisonment and forced labor,” he said.
Rwanda has advised Rwandans not to cross to Uganda following torture, unfair imprisonment and deportation of Rwandans from Uganda until things are back to normal.
Using a short nocturnal video featuring Kigali Convention Centre sparkling in colors making Rwanda national flag, the carrier released a statement indicating Kigali as the next destination.
The flight will begin on 27th April 2019 where EgyptAir will regularly take off on Thursday and Saturday from Cairo and leave Kigali on Friday and Sunday.
Passengers to Egypt from Kigali would use Kenya Airways and Ethiopian Airlines through Kenya and Ethiopia.
Kangura newspaper was founded by Hassan Ngeze in 1990 who was later to be convicted of fanning genocide and given a 35 years sentence by The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) for genocide crimes.
As he featured on the panel discussing on “Choosing Humanity” yesterday on the second day of the international conference preparing the 25th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi held in Kigali, Dupaquier said that the media played a critical role in the preparation and execution of genocide on the support of leadership.
On 23rd April 1991, President Habyarimana held a working visit in France where he agreed to open a political platform giving room for more political parties.
He went to France, six months after RPF Inkotanyi started the liberation war. Before concluding his visit to France, Habyarimana attended a press conference.
Considering issue No 6 of Kangura journal published in 1990, Dupaquier asked Habyarimana whether publications from the medium are not intended for divisionism and spreading hatred among citizens. Some of the main headlines of the issue included: Hutus in the diaspora request fellows to be united, The ten commandments of Hutus, Hutus should be vigilant, The doom of Hutus will be on the brink if not united among others.
Addressing over 400 participants attending the conference, Dupaquier said he informed Habyarimana that publications of Kangura are part of the crime.
“When President Habyarimana came to Paris in April 1991, he held a press conference. I asked him: His Excellency President; I have the issue No 6 of Kangura. I am going to read samples of its publications. I read 15 lines from the article mobilizing Hutus to be watchful,” he said.
“I remember to have told him: ‘Excellency President if a journalist from France releases similar writings targeting a group of France citizens; he must definitely go to prison’,” recalled Dupaquier.
He said the reply of President Habyarimana was: “At home; it is called freedom of expression.”
Dupaquier recalled how he was surprised but made analysis latter and established that the government was behind the creation of Kangura.
He said the newspaper was a hidden plan of military intelligence department chaired by Anatole Nsengiyumva.
“We stress on media; because it is one of the potential tools in which hatred is manifested. Hatred is a fruit grown from intoxicating human’s thoughts. It is a toll forged by weak politicians to restore the confidence of citizens,” he observed.
Dupaquier urged the world to prevent the spread of hatred speeches because hiding it could lead to mayhem like genocide. Apart from being a journalist; Dupaquier is also an author of books like ‘Rwanda, les médias du génocide’ written in collaboration with Jean-Pierre Chrétien, Marcel Kabanda, and Joseph Ngarambe.
