IGIHE

Author: IGIHE

  • We are two nations who understand the horror of genocide-Israel President to Kagame

    {Israeli President Reuven Rivlin on Monday morning welcomed at his Jerusalem residence Rwandan President Paul Kagame, who was visiting Israel.}

    Both Rivlin and Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu welcomed President Kagame on the red carpet, and stood for the national anthems of both countries.

    Afterwards, the three men went on to make brief public statements.
    President Rivlin began by welcoming President Kagame who has been to Israel on several occasions before.

    “I know that this visit in particular, will serve to strengthen the friendship between our peoples,” Rivlin said. “Mr. President, I want to congratulate you on your recent speech at AIPAC, and I would like to use your words to say, ‘Israel is, without question, a friend of Rwanda.’”

    “We are two nations who understand the horror of genocide, and we must show what humanity can achieve with cooperation and understanding. Indeed, we are not just friends – through MASHAV and other cooperation and partnership, we are working together to solve some of the biggest issues facing humanity; water and food security.

    “We know that Rwanda is now going to be member of the UN Human Rights Council. This is a body which is always against Israel, so we welcome all those who are prepared to speak for us.

    “We appreciate your support very much. It is a pleasure to welcome you here in Jerusalem.”

    President Kagame thanked Rivlin and Netanyahu for their hospitality and warm words.

    “I am very pleased to be back in Israel and I want to thank the President, the Prime Minister, and the Government of Israel for this opportunity to reaffirm and deepen our very friendly relationship, between Israel and Rwanda.,” Kagame said.

    “Cooperation between our countries has blossomed in many areas among them technology, agriculture, and energy, as well as security. We appreciate what Israel has to offer in these and other fields, and we are very happy to be working with you.

    “Trade and investment links have also multiplied. Rwanda is open for business and we look forward to welcoming private sector delegations from Israel even more frequently in the future.

    Ever since the Prime Minister’s visit to East Africa last year, Israel has continued to follow through on its commitments and objective of scaling up engagement across Africa this is a very positive trend which can only be welcomed and merits our support.”

    “We are looking forward to reinforcing our cooperation with Israel on common challenges and issues of mutual interest.”

    Presidents Rivlin and Kagame then went on to hold an extended working meeting, during which President Rivlin noted, “The phrase ‘never again’ is not just a lesson for the Jewish People, it is a lesson for the whole world. We are a member of the family of nations, and we have mutual responsibility to one another.”

    Rivlin also emphasized that the presence of countries with whom Israel had friendly relations, in forums like UNESCO encouraged Israel and raised the hope that political and distorted decisions would encounter greater resistance and a stronger demand for the truth.

    His excellence Paul Kagame planting 'The grove of nations', in Jerusalem
    Paul Kagame acknowledging the fact that Israel and Rwanda shared history

  • President Kagame receives rare joint greeting from Netanyahu Rivlin in Jerusalem

    {He didn’t do it when US President Donald Trump met with President Reuven Rivlin last month; nor did he do it when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with President Rivlin last week. But when it came to Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu showed up at the President’s Residence on Monday to join in greeting his Rwandan friend and colleague.
    }

    It is not uncommon for the prime minister to attend a state dinner hosted by the president of Israel in honor of the president of the United States or the president of India, but as a rule there is a division of labor and Netanyahu stays out of Rivlin’s domain and Rivlin stays out of Netanyahu’s.

    The fact that the prime minister chose to deviate from this custom on Monday was the most telling sign of the value that Israel places on its relationship with Rwanda in general and with Kagame in particular.
    Rivlin and Netanyahu went out together to meet Kagame as his car pulled to a stop in the presidential compound.

    The three then stood at attention for the national anthems played by a military band and subsequently, escorted by Foreign Ministry Chief of Protocol Meron Reuben, they strode along the red carpet into the reception hall where Netanyahu credited Kagame with helping to pave the way for Israel’s return to Africa.
    It all began with his conversation with Kagame, said Netanyahu. Thanks in part to Kagame’s help, Netanyahu will make his third trip to Africa in a span of less than three years.

    Turning to Kagame he said: “You were the indispensable bridge on which we marched step by step to return to Africa.”

    Part of the mutual understanding between Israel and Rwanda is a shared tragic legacy that was referred to by both Rivlin and Netanyahu. Israelis live with the memory of the Holocaust, and Rwandans with the memory of the carnage of genocide in their country in which more than a million people, including women and children, were butchered.

    The peoples of both countries have pledged “Never again!” said Netanyahu..
    Both he and Rivlin also expressed appreciation for the way in which Rwanda stands up for Israel at international forums.

    Rivlin said that he knew that this was not Kagame’s first visit to Israel, but he was also aware that this visit would serve to strengthen the existing deep relationship. He also noted how pleased Israel was that Kagame in an address to AIPAC had said that Israel is without question a friend of Rwanda.

    Rivlin also noted that Rwanda is now a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council “that has always been against Israel.” He implied that with Rwanda’s influence this may change.

    Kagame said that he was very pleased to be back in Israel to reaffirm the blossoming relationship.

    He also praised Israel for following through on commitment which it had made to Rwanda.

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

  • ‘The Birds Are Singing In Kigali’, a cinematographic portrayal of the tragic 1994 genocide.

    {Dealing with the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide in 1994 and inherent topics of trauma, racism and the treatment of women, {{Birds are singing in Kigali}}, is a a raw retelling but ultimately hopeful film about the extremes of human nature. }

    Directed by wife-and-husband duo Joanna Kos-Krauze and Krzystof Krauze – whose previous films together include 2013’s Papusza – the film will have its world premiere in Karlovy Vary’s Official Competition where Kryzstof Krauze won a Crystal Globe in 2004 for the film My Nikifor. It’s a bittersweet affair as Krauze passed away from cancer in 2014, leaving his wife to complete the film.

    The stand-out is Rwandan actress Elaine Umuhire whose combination of quiet dignity and fierce anger, mesmerize the audience.

    This powerful piece provides a fitting tribute to the late film-maker and should find many new admirers of his work with Joanna. Further festival showings seem assured, while there is every chance that arthouse distributors will circle a film which deals with issues that should resonate with international audiences.

    In 1994, Polish ornithologist Anna (Jowita Budnik) finds herself caught up in the Rwandan genocide. There she witnesses terrible atrocities – including the murder of a Rwandan colleague with whom she had been working for years. Smuggling his daughter Claudine (Eliane Umuhire) out of the country, Anna carries deep emotional scars from the trauma she has witnessed. But the presence of Claudine makes leaving these memories behind a difficult process. As time goes on, Claudine tries to assimilate in Poland but the desire to return to her home country and achieve closure on the deaths of family and friends remains strong. When the opportunity to return to Rwanda arises, both must be ready to face the terrible truths of the past.

    Utilising a flashback structure, the film flits between the naturalistic and the surreal as snatches of brutality surface like nightmares. Yet for all the rawness at the heart of the film, there are moments of transcendence – such as a flock of birds flying into dappled, sunset skies – reminding us that amongst the ugliness there is always a possibility of beauty.

    But while the film deals with many themes – racism and immigration are also touched upon – it never feels disjointed thanks to the way the screenplay filters everything through Anna and Claudine’s fractured relationship. While this was born from the best intentions of humanity – to save another person’s life – it is also typified by anger and recrimination, with their relationship reminding one another of the terrible things both have suffered.

    Jowita Budnik – a frequent collaborator of the Krauzes – gives a brittle and subtle performance as Anna, with emotions bubbling under the surface ready to explode at any moment. But the stand-out is Rwandan actress Umuhire whose combination of quiet dignity and fierce anger is mesmerising.

    With the whole team of 'Birds are singing in Kigali', at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival,
    Film Director, Joanna Kos-Krauze with Art director ; Jolie Murenzi, and the main actress, Eliane Umuhire

  • Kenyan Interior Minister dies in hospital

    {Kenya’s Interior Minister has died in hospital, the government said on Saturday.
    General Joseph Nkaissery’s death comes a month before the country is to hold national polls.
    }

    “It is with deep sorrow and shock that we announce the sudden passing on of Interior CS Retired General Joseph Nkaissery,” Joseph Kinyua, the Chief of Staff and head of the public service, said in a statement.

    “Gen. Nkaissery passed on at Karen Hospital in Nairobi a few hours after being admitted for a check-up,” he said. The Interior Minister was 67.

    Kenyans will choose their next President, legislators and local representatives on August 8. President Uhuru Kenyatta is running against his long-time rival, opposition leader RailaOdinga.

    Reuters has reported that, some citizens are worried there might be a repeat of violence that followed a disputed 2007 poll, when more than 1,200 people were killed in ethnic clashes and political demonstrations.

    But 2013 polls passed relatively peacefully after Mr. Odinga challenged the results in court.

  • Police FC releases players

    {Police Football Club has released five players according to the club spokesperson CIP Jean de Dieu Mayira.}

    Those whose contracts have not been renewed include Robert Ndatimana who has joined Bugesera FC, Hegman Ngomirakiza, Japhet Imurora and Jean Paul Uwihoreye on top of Danny Usengimana who released to join Singida United FC in Tanzania.

    CIP Mayira has confirmed news the saying that the club has separated with the players but then has made six new signings and the search is underway to sign others during the transfer window.

    “Our team performed well, we finished 2nd still overall objective was to win one of the Rwanda football competitions. This is a reason why our goal is to build a new team that will compete so that we can win the trophy.”

    Bertrand Iradukunda, David Nzabanita both from Bugesera FC, Mustapha Nsengiyumva, FistonMunezero from Rayon Sports as well as Issa Zappy Ishimwe are the new signings while Oliver Usabimana who was on loan with Marine FC has been recalled back to join the club.

    The contract between the law enforcers and head coach Innocent Seninga expired and CIP Mayira has pointed out that players issue was the urgent concern but further explained that the committee is going sit and discuss the matter.
    The 2015 Peace Cup winners are said to be eyeing APR FC defender Faustin Usengimana.

  • ICC rules SA had a duty to arrest Bashir

    {The International Criminal Court has ruled that South Africa should have arrested Sudan’s President, Omar al-Bashir, who is wanted in connection with war crimes when he entered the country in 2015. }

    President Bashir was the first President to be accused of organizing war crimes and crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in 2015.

    He has attended an African Union summit in Johannesburg and despite earlier consultations between ICC and South African officials then flew out of the country again unhindered.

    The court handed down a judgment on Thursday; it said that South Africa’s defense, that Bashir has immunity from arrest as head of state, is without basis and against the intention and wording of the Rome Statute.

    The War crimes judges handed down their judgment on Thursday if South Africa flouted international law by failing to arrest Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir, wanted for trial on charges of genocide in Darfur.

    It ruled that South Africa was not entitled to decide unilaterally not to cooperate with the International Court.

    Legal experts widely expected that judges at the International Criminal Court would find that Pretoria, one of the founding members of the tribunal, failed to co-operate with the ICC based in The Hague.

    The landmark decision is aimed at sending a message to signatories of the court’s founding Rome Statute that they must cooperate, many believe little concrete action will follow.

    Despite two international arrest warrants issued in 2009 and 2010, Bashir remains at large and in office as the conflict continues to rage in the western Sudanese region of Darfur.

    In 2015, he attended an African Union summit in Johannesburg and despite earlier consultations between ICC and South African officials then flew out of the country again unhindered.

    Pretoria’s lawyers argued at an April hearing at the ICC there “was no duty under international law on South Africa to arrest” Bashir.

    Pretoria had sought legal clarification from ICC judges shortly before the visit and argued there was “nothing at all” in the UN resolution to waive his diplomatic immunity.
    But ICC prosecutor Julian Nicholls is reported to have shot back that South Africa “had the ability to arrest and surrender him and it chose not to do so.”

    Bashir, who has been president of Sudan since 1993, has denied all 10 charges against him, including three of genocide and two of war crimes.

    And he continues to travel, with Khartoum announcing on Monday he will visit Moscow for the first time in August.

  • Three approved for presidential candidature

    {The National Electoral Commission (NEC) has released the final list of three qualified candidates as incumbent President Paul Kagame, Frank Habineza and Philippe Mpayimana.
    }

    It shows the incumbent Paul Kagame of RPF Inkotanyi, Dr Frank Habineza representing Democratic Green Party of Rwanda and an independent candidate Philippe Mpayimana.

    These three are among 6 candidates in total who submitted their credentials to The National Electoral Commission.

    Diane Rwigara, BarafindaSegikubo Fred, and Gilbert Mwenedata are disqualified for not fulfilling the required conditions such as the acquisition of 600 signatures.
    Only one candidate who was not on the provisional list is an independent candidate Philippe Mpayimana.

    The confirmation was done basing on the 99th article regulating the elections.
    The President of the NEC Prof MbandaKalisa said that the inspection has shown that Rwigara Diane presented forged signatures of dead people. Diane Rwigara, BarafindaSegikubo Fred, and Gilbert Mwenedata are disqualified.

    Barafinda was unable to get the 600 signatures as he got 350 people while Diane got 572 valid signatures.

  • Model Uwase in World’s Next Top Model pageantry

    {Clementine Uwase a model has become the first Rwanda female model who will be part of the World Next Top Model scheduled in Beirut, Lebanon, from 14 July to August 5, 2017. }

    The event is a modeling competition between 44 beauty queens from all parts of the world.

    The 21-year vivacious model who has spent four years in this profession told IGIHE that she was happy and thrilled because it is a milestone in her profession and has requested Rwandans to support her.

    Uwase has participated in modeling that range from Red Carpet Fashion Awards in Kigali this year, Top Model Africa held in Zimbabwe and was lucky to meet World Net Top Model organizers who invited her for the competition this year.

  • Documentary ‘Inkotanyi’ to show in Kigali

    {For the first, the documentary film ‘Inkotanyi” by French director Christophe Cotteret will be showing in Kigali on Saturday, July 8 at Century Cinema.
    }

    The documentary sheds light on the life of this politico-military movement and on Rwandan power structures, through the voices of its principal actors.

    The heroes were called the Inkotanyi. They were led by the current president of Rwanda, Paul Kagame.

    Production of the documentary began in Rwanda, with the history of Paul Kagame and the politico-military movement FPR (Rwandan Patriotic Front).

    It was first shown at Festival International de Programmes Audiovisuels or FIPA festival that occurred in March in France.

    But it had previously been unveiled at the cultural festival, Festival Visions du Réel in Nyon, in May 2013. And from then it has become a showcase in different countries and to more than 25 festivals in the US and Europe.

    Christophe Cotteret is a Paris 1976-born director known for a good encounter with political reality documentaries namely: Democracy Year Zero and Ennahdha about the Tunisian revolution and its consequences.

  • Volkswagen to start electric car assembling plant in Rwanda

    {Volkswagen is to start an assembling plant of electric vehicles in Rwanda before the end of this year.}

    The German largest automaker which is developing electric vehicles signed a memorandum of understanding in Kigali.

    Claire Akamanzi the Rwanda Development Board (BDB) CEO made the announcement during the CEO forum on Wednesday.

    It is the first of its kind aimed at bringing both the local and foreign investor to discussing challenges and sharing experiences, knowledge in investment climate of Rwanda.

    Akamanzi declared that the European Union is the biggest investor accounting for over one-third of the investments in Rwanda.

    Volkswagen is an EU company which has already made a decision to invest in Rwanda.

    “The biggest issue is innovating the way you can have a battery that can stay for long distances that is something VW is doing research on and they’re hoping to make a break through.”

    She noted that if they get breakthrough one place they want to come and unleash that is Rwanda, we welcome that. We expect them to begin some of the activities in phases this year.”

    The minimum requirement for such companies which Volkswagen already meets is to invest an equivalent of at least USD 10 million in both tangible and intangible assets in Rwanda.

    According to World Bank’s Doing Business index 2016, Rwanda is ranked as 1st in East Africa in terms of ease of doing business and 3rd in the entire Sub-Saharan region.

    The Rwanda Development Board (RDB)'s CEO, Claire Akamanzi