Author: IGIHE

The long-running probe has been a major source of tension between the two countries following accusations that a Tutsi militia headed by current Rwandan President Paul Kagame was responsible for the attack on the plane in April 1994.

The missile strike near Kigali’s airport sparked 100 days of slaughter of the Tutsi ethnic minority by members of Habyarimana’s Hutu ethnic group, leaving an estimated million of dead people.

Kigali has long accused France of complicity in the genocide by supporting the Hutu regime, training the soldiers and militiamen who carried out the killings.

Ties had been on the mend until 2014 when Kagame repeated accusations that French soldiers had been involved in the bloodbath.

The relationship took an even worse turn when the French judiciary decided in October 2016 to reopen an investigation into the attack on the plane, as the French crew were among the victims.

In October, sources close to the probe told AFP that the judges had heard from a new witness who claimed to have seen the surface-to-air missiles used to launch the attack at the headquarters of Kagame’s militia.

The testimony corroborates other versions of events that point the finger at Kagame’s regime.

French authorities have been investigating the strike as French citizens were among those killed aboard Habyarimana’s plane.

A total of seven people have been charged in France over the deaths, including Rwanda’s current defence minister, James Kabarebe, and Franck Nziza who allegedly fired the missile.

Tigo Rwanda Chief Executive Officer, Philip Amoateng told media on Wednesday that the move will help solving connectivity problems including roaming from inside and outside the country. He promised continued good services.

Amoateng was speaking following a definitive agreement between Bharti Airtel and Millicom International Cellular, the mother company of Tigo Rwanda, under which Airtel Rwanda Limited will acquire 100% equity interest of Tigo Rwanda Limited.

He said that clients will retain their lines and access to other services like Tigo Cash.

“We have good share on telecommunication market, we are present all around the country with 3G and 4G internet services with over 530 telecom towers. When they get added to Airtel’s 490 towers, they will make the telecommunication more effective,” he explained.

Tigo Rwanda will handover services to Airtel after the approval by Rwanda Utility and Regulatory Authority (RURA). The process will take between one and three months.

Amoateng said that after merging both companies, Tigo lines and other services will electronically be connected Airtel and clients will continue to access them as usual but from a different company.

Speaking about Tigo Staff who are likely to lose jobs, Amoateng said that Airtel will decide the next step but assured of a due processes abiding by Rwanda’s Labour Law.

Airtel is a global network which currently serves over 370 million customers across 17 countries. In the region, Airtel operates from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda.

Tigo Rwanda currently occupies 38.9% after MTN with 41% of the market share.

Mugambage said that they asked for the explanations about the armed group operating in Uganda with ambition to oust the government of Rwanda.

The call for clarifications followed different abduction acts against Rwandans doing businesses in Uganda.

Among them include, René Rutagungira who was kidnapped in Kampala in August.

A fortnight ago, another Rwandan Fidèle Gatsinzi was reported arrested by people clad in military fatigues suspected to be working for Chieftaincy Military Intelligence (CMI) and Rwanda knows nothing of his whereabouts until now.

Speaking to IGIHE this week, Amb. Mugambage confirmed the crisis in diplomatic relations between both countries adding that they are seeking the solution. He said that Rwanda has started acting on the problem.

“Our desire in Rwandan politics is for tighten relations with other countries, be our neighbors, the region and Africa. Rwanda does all the best to tie good relations. Sure, crisis is there resulting from arrests and other activities against the development of our country but we are working on it,” he explained.

In September, different media houses from the region wrote that three Rwandans identified as James Bayingana, Lando Ali Nsekanabo, Vianney Byaruhanga Nduwamungu were arrested by CMI from Bukasa region and were held incommunicado at Mbuya prison during the period of three months.

Mugambage said, following different acts of provocation, the government of Rwanda has written to the Government of Uganda asking them clarification about arrests of Rwandans and the armed group operating from there.

“We always look for good relations but people continue to hamper its development. We have to ask them the reason behind as there is no clear reason we know till now. We want this problem to be clarified. We have written asking clarifications, we are waiting to hear from them,” he said.

Rwandans working from Uganda continue to raise anxiety about their security over the rising relations crisis between both countries.

The suspension follows the outbreak of Kaba (Listriosis) disease in South Africa.

According to medicalnewstoday.com, Listeriosis is a food-borne infection caused by Listeria bacteria. The majority of people who become infected might barely notice the illness. However, those at risk can be severely affected and mortality rates are relatively high.

In a statement released on Tuesday, MINAGRI referred to the decision by the South African health ministry’s notice issued on December 12 confirming that they have the disease in the country. The statement also followed one of their neighboring country, Botswana, which was cautioning South Africa on the disease.

Studies have revealed that 36 out of 557 infected people died in South Africa. The disease is most appearing in Gauteng at 62% and Western Cape at 17%.

Listeriosis, also called Listeria, can be a serious infection; it strikes pregnant women, newborns, the elderly, and anyone with a weakened immune system.

The initial symptoms of listeriosis might not become apparent for some time; the incubation period is variable and can be anything from 11-70 days after consuming Listeria contaminated food.

These symptoms include muscle aches, fever, flu-like symptoms, nausea, diarrhea and for many people the infection spreads to the nervous system and the symptom will be headache, confusion, stiff neck, tremors and convulsions, and loss of balance among others.

For animals with listeriosis, they lose foetus and lead to abortion or give birth to a stillborn. They also suffer from paralysis of one side of the face like eyes, nostrils, mouth and ear dropping.

“Based on these reasons, Minister of agriculture and animal resources informs the general public, government institutions, security agencies in the country, from borders, at the airport and people going outside the country that meat, milk and related products, vegetables and fruits dealership from South Africa are suspended till further notice,” reads MINAGRI statement in part.

MINAGRI calls herders and veterinaries to take animals with such symptoms to the Rwanda Agricultural Board (RAB) to put them under their care.

The Ministry assures that they will continue to monitor the developments on the disease from South Africa, Africa and around the world.

According to the local media in Uganda Dr Ruvuma who teaches at Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) and studied from Rwanda’s Butare University (Medicine Faculty) was asked by the church warden that some people outside wanted to have a chart with him.

Media reports further revealed that when he went out the men who were waiting for him swiftly forced him into a vehicle which drove off to an unknown destination.

The move left the crowd in shock as the doctor left his personal belongings in the church.

According to highly placed sources, Dr Ruvuma is likely to be charged with “human trafficking” following the arrest over 40 Rwandan refugees as they travelled from Uganda to Burundi via Tanzania.

It’s alleged some members of the church participated in the trip which was blocked by Police.

The Rwandan refugees, who said they were heading for a Christian Crusade in Burundi, had crossed into Tanzania before being pursued by Ugandan police and returned to Isingiro, Uganda.

Officials say the arrest has shocked many in security as Dr Ruvuma is a brother of Lt Col Gideon Katinda, the Judge Advocate of the Army Court Martial which is currently prosecuting police officers and Rwandan nationals accused of kidnap and harassment of Rwandan refugees in Uganda.

However other sources said the refugees where headed to RNC training camps via Burundi