Author: IGIHE

On its twitter handle it is stated: “ Due to the rapid spread of the epidemic of coronavirus, the EAC has postponed the meeting that was to take place on 21 March until further notice. Other meetings and activities that attract crowds of people have also been put on hold.”

Kenya is the only country in EAC that has so far announced a person with the virus. Other countries in the community have taken strong measures of defence including stopping activities that attract crowds.

This meeting is postponed for the third time after one that was supposed to take place on 30th November 2019 following the decision of one member state not to attend. It was rescheduled for 29th February but was also postponed because of lack of quorum.

In the meeting it was expected the leaders would analyze the report on the vision of the membership of South Sudan and also confirm what transpired from observation aimed at confirming Somalia as a member of the EAC.

They were also to consider allowing The Democratic Republic Of the Congo to join the community following its request in June last year.

RDC requested to join the community on 8th June 2019, in a letter addressed to the current chairman of EAC, President Paul Kagame.

The meeting of heads of state and government of countries making EAC has been postponed due to Coronavirus

On March 12th, 2020, Cogebanque officials handed over to MTN Rwanda 1000 smartphones in a bid to accelerate digital penetration in Rwanda.

The challenge was initiated on December 20th, 2019 by Mitwa Kaemba Ng’ambi, MTN Rwanda Chief Executive Officer and has since then attracted pledges in cash or in kind from individuals, private and public institutions across Rwanda.

Apart from contributing to the ‘Connect Rwanda’ Challenge, Cogebanque is involved in various other initiatives aiming at promoting technology.

To ease financial transactions, the bank has established 27 outlets across Rwanda and availed Mobile Banking seevices to its customers which allows them to perform online banking tasks such as checking account balance, transferring funds and bill payments among others.

In addition, Cogebanque Savings Accounts allow customers to save in local or foreign currencies and customers can access money whether they are abroad or on the move through Cogebanque mobile banking platforms.

Currently, COVID-19 pandemic continues to hinder various activities around the globe.

In Rwanda, all public events and gatherings have been cancelled until further notice.

Recently the National Basketball Association (NBA) in the US suspended the 2019-20 season games after Utah Jazz players Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell tested positive of the virus.

La Liga, Spanish Football League also suspended all its games after one player tested positive.

In a meeting with representatives of private institutions in Rwanda, Kamanzi declared CHOGM will not be affected by the outbreak of COVID-19. Automatic word wrap
“We continuously assess our preparedness in countering the virus and we are confident by the time CHOGM happens, COVID-19 will have been contained on an international level.”

She urged business owners to be prepared to host visitors by availing all types of payment options to ensure a seamless experience during their stay in Rwanda.

“We recommend hygiene of the highest level especially in restaurants and hotels.

Let us avoid all reports of food poisoning. Provide all types of payment options for visitors who don’t like walking around with money.”

CHOGM will be held from June 21st to June 26th, at Kigali Convention Centre and Intare Conference Arena in Rusororo while smaller forums will be held at Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village commonly known as ’Camp Kigali’, Kigali Serena Hotel and Ubumwe Grande Hotel.

The meeting is expected to attract at least 1000 delegates from 54 member countries of the Commonwealth.

Business owners and other delegates will hold the ’Commonwealth Business Forum’ prior to the meeting from June 23rd to June 25th, 2020.

Robert Bapfakurera, Private Sector Federation (PSF) Chairman said CHOGM will attract more than 7000 delegates from private institutions and businesses and confirmed the attendance of 20 Heads of State during the ’Commonwealth Business Forum’

“Visitors will be consuming our products, sleeping and eating in our hotels and restaurants. We must be ready to offer them a seamless experience.”

Bapfakurera said that visitors should leave Rwanda with a brand new image as opposed to the dark history of genocide which is associated with Rwanda every time the country is mentioned.

It is expected that during CHOGM, investment agreements worth $700 million will be concluded.

COVID-19 was first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province in China towards the end of 2019 and has since spread to many other countries in the world. After the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic, countries around the world implemented preventive measures to combat its spread.

In Rwanda particularly, the Ministry of Health urged all public institutions and private business owners to avail hand sanitizers or soap and clean water at all times. The City of Kigali went the extra mile and banned all social gatherings and events. Event organizers expressed concerns given that even the event which was scheduled on the day the notice was issued were cancelled.

{{Mashariki Film Festival}}

The annual cultural event which brings African films to an African audience and offer a workshop and masterclasses to filmmakers was scheduled from March 21st to March 27th, 2020. Screening sessions had already been published but the organizing committee recently announced the film festival was cancelled until further notice.

{{Seka Live Festival}}

The two-day stand-up comedy festival brings together renowned comedians in the region. The latest edition which was held on February 29th, 2020attracted talents such as Nigerian Otolorin Kehinde Peter commonly known as Kenny Blaq and Ndumiso Lindi from South Africa.

Although no announcement has been issued by the organizers, the monthly comedy festival is highly likely not to happen.

{{Kigali Jazz Junction}}

The monthly music gathering where Jazz meets other music genres might also be affected. In February 2020, Kigali Jazz Junction had on stage, Nigerian singer, Joeboy and Rwandan Davis D attracting crowds of revelers.

This month’s edition is expected to host Nigerian Singer, Inetimi Alfred Odon, known as Timaya on March 27th, 2020. RG Consult, the organizing team has not yet spoken about the social gatherings ban.

{{Africa in Colors Festival}}

The event which puts forth the promotion of Africa’s creative industry is expected to be held at Radisson Blu and Convention Centre in Kigali between March 26th and 28th, 2020. The festival brings together African creatives to share, trade and market opportunities for African entrepreneurs in the creative industry. Due to the social gatherings ban, it might also be cancelled.

Some social events which were cancelled since the ban are ‘Ikirenga mu Bahanzi’ which had on the lineup, famous Rwandan Singer, Cecile Kayirebwa. Fans who had already bought tickets were requested to keep them for future use although no other dates were communicated.

On March 8th, 2020, the day the ban notice from City of Kigali was issued, Adrien Misigaro, a Rwandan gospel singer had planned a concert but resorted to making a live session of his concert on his YouTube channel.

On March 10th, 2020, Igor Mabano, a Rwandan singer was expected to launch his first album titled ‘Urakunzwe’ but announced the concert had been suspended due to Coronavirus.

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Mumbai is the third destination RwandAir suspends flights to after Guangzhou in China and Tel Aviv in Israël.

Flights to Guangzhou were suspended on January 31st, 2020 while flights to Tel Aviv were suspended on March 10th, 2020.

RwandAir administration announced that the airline will waive change of reservation costs, re-issues and refunds for all affected customers.

RwandAir decision to cancel flights to Guangzhou, Tel Aviv and Mumbai follows an announcement from the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11th, declaring Coronavirus (COVID-19) a pandemic.

Since December 2019, the number of new infections has increased by 13 times outside of China where the virus was first identified.

Currently, 4749 people died from the virus while the total number of COVID-19 patients reached 129,590. Among those 68,670 were treated and recovered from the virus.

Airlines across the world have implemented drastic measures to counter the spread of the virus through cancellation policies.

Israel Airlines suspended all flights from Israel while other airlines such as Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Wizz Air, American Airways, British Airways and Australia Airlines suspended flights to China and other COVID-19 endemic countries.

Today, the United States will start implementing travel restrictions on 26 European countries after President Trump issued a ban to combat the spread of the virus.

The UK, Ireland and other non-Schengen countries will not be affected.

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the COVID-19 crisis is expected to bring a $113 billion loss to international airlines in the US if the virus continues to spread.

To counter the spread of the virus, many countries around the world including Rwanda, have implemented preventive measures.

Although no case of COVID-19 was identified in Rwanda, the government has set a multidisciplinary team to assess and strengthen preparedness and response to the epidemic.

At Kigali International Airport, all travellers are screened using thermal imaging cameras and tested before entering the country.

The UN medals were awarded to RNP officers along Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Barthelemy Rugwizangoga, the commander of Rwanda police peacekeepers, during a ceremony held at Rwanda Formed Police Unit-Two (RWAPFU-2) in Juba, South Sudan. The first ceremony was chaired by Unaisi Lutu Vuniwaqa, UNMISS Police Commissioner.

RNP peacekeepers in South Sudan are in charge of protecting government officials and civilians, actively prevent conflict, reduce violence and strengthen security through patrols.

The award ceremony was graced by the presence of high-ranking commissioners of police in South Sudan and Brig. Gen Eugène Nkubito, Rwanda Sector Commander in Juba.

Vuniwaqa commended the bravery, courage, and professionalism of Rwandan peacekeepers and expressed how proud the UN and citizens in South Sudan feel for being under the protection of Rwandan peacekeepers. ” You are a great addition to the UN taskforce and together we can support South Sudan transition from conflict to peace.”

As the first-ever female police commissioner in the UN, Vuniwaqa particularly thanked female peacekeepers and emphasized the role of women in UNPOL in making a difference in the lives of the people they protect. “To the 14 Rwandan female peacekeepers, you are appreciated for your efforts. It is your time to especially help fight gender-based violence as one of the striking vices in war-ridden regions.”

ACP Claude Tembo, FPU 3 commander said that the UN Mission in South Sudan taught them a lot of valuable lessons they will apply once they get home. He thanked Rwandan peacekeepers for their bravery and relentlessness and the people of South Sudan for their collaboration without which the mission they came for wouldn’t have been possible.

Decorated Rwandan peacekeepers started their mission in South Sudan in April 2019. Currently, Rwanda has 3 cohorts in peacekeeping missions in South Sudan made of 560 police officers. Two of the three cohorts were decorated yesterday, one led by ACP Claude Tembo and other by Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Jackline Urujeni.

This is the 4th consular representation inaugurated in Dakhla, in 2020, after the Consulate General of Djibouti, which opened on February 28, the Consulate General of the Gambia, which opened on January 7, and the Consulate General of Guinea, which started offering its services on the 17th of the same month.

This consular representation opened in the Southern Provinces of the Kingdom of Morocco is the tenth in less than three months.

‘’Liberia supports Morocco’s territorial integrity and rights’’, said the Liberian Minister during a joint press briefing with his Moroccan counterpart Mr. Nasser Bourita, adding that ‘’the inauguration of this diplomatic representation will strengthen relations with Morocco, it will serve the Liberian community in the region and will contribute to the consolidation of cooperation between the two countries’’.

This inauguration reflects the constant positions expressed by Liberia vis-a-vis the Moroccan Sahara issue, said Mr. Bourita, recalling that “Liberia has always supported the positions of Morocco in regional and international forums, and was alongside with the Kingdom in all its diplomatic battles within the United Nations and the African Union “.
In this regard, Mr. Bourita emphasized the solidity of the ties that unite the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Liberia, ties based on the principle of absolute solidarity, recalling that Liberia has always expressed its gratitude to H.M King Mohammed VI for His positions at the time when Liberia was suffering as a result of the Ebola epidemic “, alongside with a number of countries in the region.

He also highlighted the firm position of the Sovereign to support these countries in the health field instead of isolating them, through the continuation of air services provided by ” Royal Air Maroc ”, the only airline to have maintained its flights in the region, adding that this initiative had a very positive impact on the spirit of the Liberians.

Mr. Bourita indicated also that, during the Joint Commission, held last March in Marrakech, Morocco and Liberia agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in various fields, stressing that, under the Royal High instructions, the Kingdom has expressed its readiness to support the efforts made by Liberia to revive its economy.

The Minister also expressed confidence that the opening of this Consulate General will play a role in strengthening technical cooperation and humanitarian ties between Morocco and Liberia, adding that “a road map will be established, by mutual agreement, to strengthen cooperation, in general, and consolidate the role of the Consulate General in Dakhla, in particular .”

Following the predictions, Rwanda National Police (RNP) has via Twitter urged the public to be vigilant and avoid any action that might endanger their lives such as finding shelter under trees, bridges or electric transmission lines.

Vehicle owners were recommended to avoid driving through puddles, reducing speed and if necessary, park their cars and wait for when the rain is over to resume their activities.

Any incident can be reported to the police by dialing 112, RNP toll-free number
Meteo Rwanda predicted torrential rains in March, April, and May. The heavy rainfalls are attributed to the change in the distribution of heat and wind across the Pacific which alter rainfall patterns.

In Kigali, parts of the Western Province, Nyamagabe and Nyaruguru, the rain will be heavier than other parts of the country.

On Monday, March 9th, 2020, Prof Shyaka Anastase, Minister of Local Government urged citizens who still live in high-risk zones to move for the remainder of the rainy season to avoid endangering their lives.

The City of Kigali recently announced it will relocate 1100 families who live in high-risk zones. Relocation activities started last year with wetland settlers who were relocated to safer places.

Since the beginning of the rainy season this year, 60 people died due to heavy rains while 90 were injured. 900 houses were destroyed and many hectares of land was eroded.

Each year, WEF identifies young promising leaders across the globe who are under 40 years of age. Young leaders are selected from various sectors including civil society, arts, culture, government, and business. WEF allows them to join, connect with each other and invests further in their leadership abilities.

On WEF ‘Young Global Leaders for 2020’ are 115 influential leaders under 40 years of age, dedicated to changing the world for the better. Some young global leaders named this year are Megan Rapinoe, co-captain of the US women’s soccer team who has gained popularity for being an advocate for gender equality, equal pay and speaking out on inclusion and diversity.

There is also Sanna Marin, Finland Prime Minister who started her political career at 27. At 34 years, she is among the most influential young leaders in the world. Since her appointment as Prime Minister, she made impressive reforms including increasing maternity and paternity leave to 14 months.

Larry Madowo, BBC Africa Business Editor was also named for launching 6 business TV shows for English, Swahili and French speakers and being an on-air correspondent for BBC Radio and Television in more than 40 countries.

There is also, Alicia Garza, co-founder of Black Lives Matter, a US-based movement fighting against police brutality, racism, violence on black people. Other influential young leaders on the list are Yetnebersh Nigussie, an Ethiopian human rights lawyer and Jesus Cepeda, CEO of OneSmart City, an artificial intelligence and blockchain company.

Ingabire was appointed as Minister of ICT and Innovation in October 2018. She holds a high school diploma in Maths and Physics and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Rwanda, former KIST. She also graduated in 2018 with a Master’s degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Prior to her appointment as Minister of ICT and innovation, Ingabire served as head of the ICT department at the Rwanda Development Board (RDB).