Author: IGIHE

The meeting brought together different Heads of States including the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad al Thani.

About how he feels after 19 years of leading Rwanda: “I still have the will and determination it takes to lead a country. I am proud of working hand in hand with Rwandans to develop our country as we rise from the ashes after the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.”
He maintained that he is determined to promote the country in every field during his term in office as he was elected for a third term in 2017.

He was asked if he plans on running for president for a fourth term to which he replied: “I have not yet taken a final decision but there is a high probability I will not run again.”

He explained his decision saying that the country has reached so many milestones compared to 2017 when citizens asked for a constitutional amendment allowing his re-election. The amendment was approved by 98% of voters and allows him to compete for the top office until 2034.

About the current economic situation in Rwanda where the GDP grows by 7-8% every year, he was asked if that is not enough proof that what he was re-elected for has been achieved.

“We still have a long way to go and there are still some issues that need to be tackled. There cannot be a time where people say they have absolutely gotten what they needed.”

He added that Rwanda faced so many problems in a large part due to its dark history.

“The Genocide against Tutsi claimed more than a million lives and even though some foreign countries played a big part in that tragedy, I do not lie pointing fingers. I prefer focusing on what we, as Rwandans, can do to mend our country into what we want it to be.”

He said the genocide was mostly due to ethnic discrimination and hate ideologies that led to some people in the country feeling different from others and end up committing genocide.

President Kagame was asked what he thinks about presidents who overstay their term limits basing on cases like Zimbabwe, Angola, and Sudan among others.

He said that one cannot judge presidents who overstay their welcome without first analyzing what led to it and the procedures that were taken. He added that he was not in a place to find flaws in the leadership styles of other African presidents but that also isn’t the major problem Africa faces.

“Staying in power long after your term ends can be explained for some countries but not for others. It all depends on the country or if it is the will of citizens. Sometimes, presidents masquerade it into the will of the citizens but if it is really the case, it has to be respected.”

President Kagame said that democracy is not a one-size-fits-all government system.

Even though he did not point fingers or mention names, he stated countries where presidents overstayed their welcome and were met with outrage mostly due to the government system of those countries.

President Kagame said that he is willing to partner with other countries in different development activities but stated that interfering with African or Rwandan politics or dictating to heads of states on what to do is completely unacceptable.

“Dictating to us what we have to do cannot be tolerated.”

{{Relationships with DRC and Uganda}}

President Kagame talked about the current leadership in the Democratic Republic of Congo and said it is exemplary and puts forth good diplomatic relationships.

“There are so many efforts leaders of the Democratic Republic Congo have showed to maintain good relations with neighboring countries. There still are a few issues to be dealt with but we are confident, it will not take long to be resolved.”

About Uganda, he said that the ongoing conflict is unjustified. “In my opinion, the conflict is unfounded. It is not a fight about territories or borders or invasion. The problem can be solved and there are ongoing talks to brainstorm what can be done about the situation.”

President Kagame also talked about the problem of corruption that costs the African continent at least $50 billion a year and says that the vice can be eradicated through sensitization and complete intolerance against corruption.

“It is a problem of mentalities. If Africans join hands in combating corruption, it certainly won’t be a problem in the next years to come.”

President Kagame concluded the talk with highlights about the soon-to-be-launched African Continental Free Trade Area and the determination of African countries in ensuring the market will be put into force by 2020.

The AfCFTA will bring together all 55 member states of the African Union covering a market of more than 1.2 billion people, including a growing middle class, and a combined gross domestic product (GDP) of more than US$3.4 trillion.

Children who attended the event came from 30 districts representing others in their regions. They were given time to play different games and have fun with their friends.

The event included talent shows where children showcased songs, poetry and pastoral poetry which showed that the Rwandan culture is ingrained even in the youth.

The performances focused on demonstrating the strides the Government of Rwanda has taken to promote the youth and the role of good leadership in the development of the country.

The children representatives gave speeches, beseeching others to have patriotism and preserve what has already been achieved by the country.

12-year-old Musoni Rugwiro Brillant advised his peers to develop a reading and writing culture because it is the root of knowledge. Earlier this year, Rugwiro participated in the National English Competitions where he emerged winner in the South Province.

“I achieved all this because I love reading and I believe in myself that I can achieve great things. I also listen to my parents’ advice and pray a lot because God comes above all else.”

Rugwiro who attends New Vision Primary School in Huye won second place in English competitions that took place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

He thanked the Government of Rwanda for establishing libraries and urged government representatives at the ceremony to provide more facilities to promote the reading culture.

During the ceremony, 10-year-old Rukundo Yasri who repaired a faulty WASAC pipe in Kigarama Sector, Kicukiro District also gave testimony of what compelled him to act in the way he did.

In 2017, Rukundo was pictured mending a faulty water pipe as he was accompanying his little brother to school.

“When I saw the leaking pipe, I remembered my dad telling me that I needed to mend everything that I saw was broken. While I was repairing it, a passerby took pictures of me and shared them on social media. Even if I did not do what I did for recognition, I was rewarded Rwf 1 million and a bicycle.”

He advises other children to preserve the infrastructures already in place.

Among the children who showcased their talent was 11-year-old Ishimwe Pacifique with the stage name ‘Gaso G’. He was a street kid who was later adopted by a foster family. In his songs, ‘Shine’, ‘Humura’ and ‘Family Time’, he talked about the need to protect children as they are the future of the country.

Towards the end of each year, First Lady Jeannette Kagame hosts children from around the country to wish and celebrate with them the festive season. After cutting the cake, the First Lady offered gifts to the children including backpacks, school materials, books and balls for use during the new academic year.

The children who attend the ceremony are selected according to their performance in school as well as those who come from disadvantaged families and handicapped children. During the ceremony, they also met with Imbuto Foundation officials and Unity Club Intwararumuri, an organization made up of former and current cabinet members and their spouses.

The First Lady was addressing about 600 youth from across the country who gathered for the “Youth Forum Series,” at Intare Conference Arena in Rusororo.

The meeting was organized by Imbuto Foundation of which the First Lady is the founder and Chairperson.

She remarked that challenges that the youth face, including drug abuse and teen pregnancies, need to be discussed collectively.

“Excessive use of drugs and teen pregnancies are both a public health concern and family’ challenge,” she said.

The forum was held in partnership with UNFPA, Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Ministry of Youth and Culture.

Under the theme; “Raising a Healthy Generation,” the forum was among others attended by UN Rwanda Resident Coordinator, Fode Ndiaye, who challenged Rwandan youth to grab opportunities available to them.

“You are lucky to have a caring government. Do not take that for granted. Use and create opportunities,” he said.

The State Minister in the Ministry of Youth and Culture, Edouard Bamporiki, in his remarks, also reminded the youth that patience and focus could help them achieve their dreams.

“Trends are temporary. Be patient and focus on your goals, it will eventually pay,” he said.

The forum also saw KOICA Country Director Lee Byung Hwa who emphasized a commitment to strengthen their efforts to partner in tackling drug abuse and teen pregnancies.

Seven hundred projects applied for the awards, 40 were chosen and 10 won to be shortlisted to three best projects. Winners were rewarded with USD 10,000 as seed capital to expand their projects.

Launched in 2016, Innovation Accelerator (iAccelerator) is a mentorship-driven acceleration programme, supporting young entrepreneurs with financial assistance and skills to generate innovative solutions in response to sexual and reproductive health challenges.

According to the national police, 70 percent of crimes committed in Rwanda are related to drug abuse. Over 17, 000 teenage girls were impregnated in 2019.

On Friday, a delegation of high ranking officials from Uganda and Rwanda met at Speke Munyonyo Hotel, Kampala to find a solution to the diplomatic fallout between the two countries. The meeting is a follow-up to a recent one that was held in Kigali.

The meeting that lasted for 8 hours mainly discussed the implementation of Luanda Agreements that were signed in July 2019.

The deliberations were expected to be as smooth as the ones held in Kigali when Ministers of Foreign Affairs addressed the audience but this time, after the mediator countries’ representatives’ speeches, the discussions were declared a closed session.

The Rwandan delegation was led by the State Minister for East African Community, Amb. Olivier Nduhungirehe and included Minister of Justice, Johnston Busingye, the Minister of Local Government, Prof. Anastase Shyaka, Patrick Nyamvumba, the Minister of Internal Security and Secretary-General of the National Intelligence and Security Services, Joseph Nzabamwita.

Even though the meeting lasted for 8 hours, no final decisions were taken and throughout the debates, Rwanda kept providing evidence that the Government of Uganda had failed to respect the Luanda agreement provisions.

One of the observers at the meeting told IGIHE that the discussions began on good terms but that at some point, Uganda representatives could not provide plausible reasons as to why some of the clauses in the agreement were not respected and that Rwanda representatives did not take that lightly.

After the closed session, Amb Olivier Nduhungirehe and Ugandan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sam Kutesa informed the media about the meeting’s resolutions. Kutesa said that the meeting discussed about 9 clauses included in the Luanda agreement.

The said clauses spell out respecting the rights of citizens in both countries and establishing a commission linking the two countries to ease the implementation of Luanda agreements.

“There are some decisions we agreed upon but for sensitive topics, we will ask for the interventions of our Heads of States.”

He added that both countries reported problems they were facing relating to the conflict and proposed solutions to solve them. “We believe there still is a chance for addressing our differences but what is more important is establishing trust between the two countries.”

He said that what the delegates failed to agree upon will be solved next time by representatives in higher positions.

Amb Olivier Nduhungirehe said that Rwandans are still not safe to travel to Uganda and that their lives are at stake.

“We discussed the implementation of Luanda agreements signed on July 21st, 2019 and Kigali Agreements signed on September 16th, 2019 and realized some clauses have been respected and others not. We will keep discussing solutions.”

“We also talked about the problem of Rwandans who were illegally incarcerated in Uganda and tortured but no solution was given.”

He also mentioned the ongoing propaganda against Rwanda that is being done through Uganda media and that got much worse after Kigali agreements.

{{Rwandans demand safety}}

Nduhungirehe compares the conflict between Uganda and Rwanda as a poison that can be reversed by an antidote.

“We do not need additional meetings and we do not need to establish a commission. All we have to do is guarantee the safety of our citizens. We came here with so many expectations and Rwandans on social media are also eager to know what will happen now. They want to know if they are safe to go to Uganda without being imprisoned and tortured. Our citizens who live in regions bordering Uganda need to know they don’t have to worry about attacks from terrorist groups operating on the Ugandan territory. We hope an agreement will be reached at last.”

While Rwanda accuses Uganda of illegal incarceration of Rwandans, trade embargo and Uganda supporting terrorist groups; Uganda blames the whole conflict on allegations that Rwanda closed its borders.

About the temporary closing of borders, Nduhungirehe says all the Government of Rwanda had in mind was protecting citizens in the midst of recent attacks from terrorist groups.

“The second concern we have is wondering if Rwandans are safe to travel to Uganda or visit their relatives in peace without worrying about being imprisoned and tortured. All this is an answer to Ugandan media that blames the conflict on Rwanda closing borders.”

Since the Kigali convention, 99 Rwandans were chased back to Rwanda while since the beginning of the year, the number is 588.

When asked about the ongoing incarceration of Rwandans, Kutesa answered that Uganda also addressed the issue of Rwandan spies in Uganda. “The Rwandans were imprisoned because they are spying on Uganda but we expect that there will soon be a solution to that. Uganda has no business quarreling with Rwanda.”

So far, Uganda has not done anything to address the concern of Rwandans being tortured or terrorist groups it supports. In March 2019, the Government of Rwanda warned citizens to stop travels to Uganda for security purposes.

Since January 2019, 1438 Rwandans have been chased from Uganda after days of imprisonment and torture by Uganda’s Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) and The Internal Security Organization (ISO)

Nduhungirehe says about the concern of Rwandans who were abducted that there are ongoing negotiations for their release and that if all goes according to plan, travels to Uganda will soon resume. In the meantime, trade between the two countries cannot prosper.

Rwanda also provided evidence about terrorist groups including FDLR, RNC, and RUD operating on the Ugandan territory.

Testimonies from former FDLR and RNC subsidiary, P5 confirmed that Uganda supports terrorist groups who have the agenda of causing political instability in Rwanda.

More than 7 hours of a deep, open, frank but cordial discussion between #Uganda & #Rwanda. No agreement on a solution to the most contentious issues (Uganda's support to armed groups & illegal detention of Rwandans in Uganda). We agreed to refer the matter to our Heads of State. pic.twitter.com/IvdEgpnO1F

— Amb. Olivier J.P. Nduhungirehe (@onduhungirehe) December 13, 2019

Rwanda’s delegation was led by the State Minister for Foreign Affairs in charge of East African Community (EAC), Amb. Olivier Nduhungirehe, while the Ugandan delegation was led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Sam Kutesa.

Also on the Rwandan delegation is the Minister of Justice and Attorney General Johnston Busingye, Minister of Internal Security, Gen. Patrick Nyamvumba, the Minister of Local Government Prof. Anastase Shyaka, the Secretary General of the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) Maj. Gen Joseph Nzabamwita and the High Commissioner to Uganda Maj. Gen Frank Mugambage.

While taking stock of the progress made since the signing of the Luanda agreement, Minister Nduhungirehe said the only positive development so far since the first meeting of the commission in Kigali, is that Rwanda received amendments from the Ugandan Government on the Extradition Treaty between the two countries –something he said appreciated.

He said Rwanda is also working on the amendments and believes that the two countries will soon agree on the final text. Besides that, Rwanda maintains there are no other positives to look forward to and here is why.

{{Continued support to armed groups}}

Rwanda maintains that Uganda continued to offer support to armed groups attempting to wreak terror on Rwanda. Operatives and leaders of these groups continue to receive facilitation and safe passage in Uganda including support by senior officials of the Government, Rwanda said.

To cite an example, Minister Nduhungirehe said that during the night of 3rd leading to 4th October 2019, a deadly terror attack was carried out by a militia group known as RUD-Urunana, in the Kinigi sector of Musanze District, Northern Province.

The attack was launched from eastern DRC, close to the Ugandan border and the Volcanoes National Park. Most of the attackers were killed. Some of the attackers were captured alive.

An assortment of material evidence, including phone handsets, and testimonies of captured attackers, was collected.

“One Ugandan telephone number appeared to have been in contact with the attackers both before and during the attack. And this number has been found to belong to the Hon Mateke Philemon, Uganda’s Minister of State for Regional Cooperation,” Nduhugirehe told the meeting
.
Revealing some details unknown before, Nduhungirehe said that following the attack, three of the attackers fled to Kisoro District in Uganda, where they stayed briefly, then were evacuated to Makenke Barracks in Mbarara District and later transferred to the CMI headquarters in Mbuya, Kampala.

Rwanda’s High Commission in Uganda sent a verbal note on the issue on 14th October 2019. It remains unanswered to date.

Rwanda said this represents extreme escalation and unprovoked aggression. Nduhungirehe said that as always, Rwanda did, and will continue to observe and exercise maximum restraint to give a chance to peaceful resolution of this crisis.

{{Continued arrest of Rwandans in Uganda}}

Another key issue raised by Rwanda is the continued arrest and illegal detention of Rwandans in Uganda which has not ceased despite the Kigali announcement which called for the immediate release of Rwandans detained in Uganda and to cease arrests.

The delegation head said that arbitrary arrest and illegal detention of Rwandan citizens in Uganda have continued, unabated, during the same period.

“Indeed, since the signing of our agreements over the past months, not only are hundreds of Rwandans still detained illegally in CMI jails and safe houses in Uganda, but others are still being rounded up and abducted,” Nduhungirehe said.

“As an example, just two weeks ago, on Monday 25th November 2019, more than 150 Rwandan citizens, who were living and working in Uganda, were rounded up in Kisoro District, and a few of them – 33 – were dumped at the border. The reason, as always, again, for this is because these people are Rwandan,” he added.

{{Hostile Propaganda}}

Beyond the continued support to armed groups and continued arrest, detention and torture of Rwandan citizens, Rwanda said that there is also an escalation of hostile propaganda in the Ugandan media targeting Rwanda.

“I must tell the press, here present, that by signing the Kigali Communiqué on 16th September 2019, Uganda and Rwanda didn’t intend to prevent media from critically covering this crisis, by using facts and their own analyses, whether we like them or not,”

“However, we were disappointed to note once again that over the past months, the Ugandan media, including State-owned media, continued to spread demonstrably fake news about our country, our President and our Ministers, while praising our enemies. This is against the letter of the Kigali Communiqué and against the spirit of the Luanda MoU,” Nduhungirehe reminded the meeting.

{{Border closure scapegoat}}

Another issue raised by Rwanda is that Uganda has made the misunderstandings about the border closure instead of addressing concerns raised by Rwanda. As the two countries work on the implementation of the Luanda MoU, Rwanda says Uganda should avoid reducing this crisis to a “border closure”, which Nduhungirehe said it is not.

{{Impediment of trade}}

Rwanda further said that the “unfortunate situation” has become a serious impediment to trade between the two countries.

“How can we trade when Rwandan businesspeople who legally cross the border are systematically arrested, tortured, with confiscation of their goods, shops and belongings?”

“How can we claim that free movement of goods and services is guaranteed, while free movement of people is impeded? The real border closure is exactly that! It’s the illegal arrest and detention of the very people who carry out trade,” Nduhungirehe said.

The annual meeting since 2000 dubbed ‘Doha Forum’ will is convening in Doha from December 14th to December 15th, 2019. It is a forum that brings together government officials, experts, and policy leaders in a bid to find solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges.

This year’s theme “Reimagining Governance in a Multipolar World” focuses on solving issues on the topics of migration, refugees, climate change, changing world leaderships and the rise of new global powers.

The meeting will discuss the development of technology, trade, and investment and solving societal inequalities. On the agenda, there will also be discussions about security, governance, developing international organizations, civil society, culture, and diversity.

President Kagame is expected to open the meeting in a debate moderated by broadcast journalist, Ghida Fakhry who is a program presenter with TRT World and has worked for famous media houses including Al Jazeera and HuffPost. During the debate, President Kagame will be discussing Rwanda’s development plans for the future.

Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad al Thani has recently met with President Paul Kagame during the ‘Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad al Thani International Anti-Corruption Award’ that was held in Kigali last week.

Rwanda and Qatar are currently enjoying very good diplomatic and business relations. In October this year, President Paul Kagame attended the fifth edition of Qatar Information Technology and Communication Conference and Exhibition (QITCOM 2019) in Doha and Sheikh Tamim attended the International Anti-corruption Excellence Awards in Kigali last week.

Apart from conferences and award ceremonies, the two leaders are frequently in state visits where they discuss different topics about reinforcing the relations between the two countries and signing various partnership agreements.

On April 21st, 2019, when Sheikh Tamim was in Kigali for a three-day state visit, he signed partnership agreements in the fields of sports, tourism, trade and air travel.

Earlier this month, the Government of Rwanda and Qatar Airways signed a partnership for the construction of Bugesera International Airport where Qatar will supervise and conduct the construction activities and ensure maintenance after completion. The agreements state that Qatar Airways will acquire 60% of the project which is valued at $1.3 billion.

Last year, President Paul Kagame was in a state visit in Qatar where he signed agreements in the fields of aviation, investment, and trade as well as technology.

In May 2017, Rwanda and Qatar signed diplomatic agreements. Qatar Airways planes link Doha to Kigali and other destinations including Dubai.

Habumugisha recently posted a picture of himself on Twitter showing that he was in Paris.

Dr. Habumugisha who is an investor and proprietor of Goodrich TV was wanted by Nyarugenge High Court to implement the court’s verdict that he should be placed under provisional detention while his case is investigated. He was accused of publicly assaulting a girl named Kamali Diane.

On September 23rd, Dr. Francis was provisionally released after posting bail. He was released after Nyarugenge High Court decided he was in no position to impede ongoing investigations and that the crime he was accused of could not earn him more than five years in jail.

After he was acquitted, the prosecution filed the same charges for a second time because they were not satisfied with the final verdict. They demanded that he should be placed under detention again. However, this decision could not be applied since Habumugisha fled the country.

On Thursday, December 5th, 2019, through his twitter account, Dr. Francis Habumugisha posted a picture of himself showing he was at an airport in France.

Twitter users in Rwanda started questioning the justice system that allowed a criminal to walk in all impunity and travel to other countries.

Minister Busingye explained that Habumugisha was on the list of people not allowed to leave the country and that he fled the country through clandestine means.

“The Court ordered that Habumugisha be in provisional detention and he was on immigration’s stop list. He fled the country clandestinely but anytime; he will be brought to justice.”

On Thursday, December 12th, Minister Busingye posted on his Twitter account that Habumugisha turned himself into RIB.

Habumugisha Francis returned last night turned himself into RIB. Justice will now take it's course. pic.twitter.com/QUyYz3ycUF

— Busingye Johnston (@BusingyeJohns) December 12, 2019

This is according to Jean-Claude Mutajogire, Country Manager at Business Partners International, who says that

“It is also important to note that contributing to a community and garnering loyalty is something that a business can, and should, do all year round, as opposed to sticking only to specific times of the year when it seems most appropriate and socially expected.”

Mutajogire shares three steps that business owners can take to become recognized as valued contributors in their communities.

{{1. Run a profitable, efficient business}}
In a certain sense, it sounds like the polar opposite of being community-minded or charitable, but being profitable is the single biggest contribution that a business can make to the community in which it is based. It means that the service it provides is sustainable, and that community members will be able to rely on it being there next year and the year after.

Being profitable means that the jobs provided by the business to members of the community are stable, dependable and long-term. In contrast, the respect earned by the big-tipping type of business owner who prioritises buying flashy cars over business sustainability is as superficial and short-lived as the business itself.

{{2. Be visible to the community}}
A business owner’s presence in the community provides another crucial contribution to the development of the country, which urgently needs role models to show the youth that self-employment or entrepreneurship is a valid and worthy alternative to working for someone else.

Business owners do not have to be flashy or glamorous in order to make an impression. A solid presence as a role model can be established by low-key involvement such as giving talks at schools or serving on the board of a local community project. And here, charitable giving can play its most important role. When business owners sponsor the kit of a local soccer team, for example, the value they provide as role models is worth much more than the price of the donation.

{{3. Be vocal about issues that hurt your business}}
Workers have well-established structures and methods to make a noise and exert pressure when they feel their rights are being threatened. The voice of the business owner, however, is largely silent, even in the face of serious damage inflicted by unnecessary red tape and a generally unconducive economic environment. Big business, when they do speak up, often do not face the same challenges as small businesses.

A significant part of the problem is that business owners are often too busy to spend time genuinely participating in and setting up local business associations – something that also has to do with a low culture of activism. Join your local chamber or business association, even if it is dominated by big business, and even if you contribute just an hour or two per month. In their numbers, the voice of small businesses can become powerful.

In closing, Mutajogire says that community support is powerful; and should make business owners more confident about conducting business. “As the community sees you as a role model for defying the odds, the loyalty and support you have earned, will serve as an important source of encouragement during tough times.”

{{About Business Partners Rwanda}}
Business Partners International is a specialist risk finance company for formal small and medium owner-managed businesses in Rwanda, and selected African countries.
The company actively supports entrepreneurial growth by providing financing from US$50, 000 to US$1 million paid out in local currency, specialist sectoral knowledge, and added-value services for viable small and medium businesses. Since establishment, Business Partners International has provided business finance worth over US$110 million and facilitated over 10 500 jobs. Visit www.businesspartners.africa for more information.

The caution follows the recent arrest of one Alphonse Ntakirutimana, 32, after he was found felling trees in Nyungwe Forest and National Park.

Ntakirutimana had already cut 19 trees at the time he was located and arrested in the forest, Police said.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Sylvestre Twajamahoro, the Police spokesperson for the Southern region said that Ntakirutimana is one of the people, who have been arrested in Nyungwe Forest and National Park cutting trees for charcoal burning, timber, and construction.

“Ntakirutimana was reported by ‘Imboni za Nyungwe’ (local volunteers protecting Nyungwe) of Uwumusebeya Cell in Ruheru Sector after they saw him entering the forest,” CIP Twajamahoro said.

“Police and park rangers trailed and arrested him red-handed cutting trees. He had already cut 19 trees.”

According to information provided by Imboni za Nyungwe, Ntakirutimana has been engaged in these unlawful acts of environmental degradation for a while selling the trees to people who are building houses.

“Forests are protected for environmental reasons and anyone that encroaches on them will be arrested to face justice,” CIP Twajamahoro warned.

Environmental experts say that the world’s forests, swamps, plains, lakes, and other habitats continue to disappear due to human activities including charcoal burning, agriculture, housing, roads, timber, and more.

“Cutting of trees without authorization in Rwanda is illegal and punishable by law. It is considered as an act of environmental degradation, which has a negative impact on nature and humans in particular,” the spokesperson emphasized.

Article 44 of the law on environment, prohibits cutting trees in forests or protected areas like national parks or burning them.

Article 59 of the same legal instrument states that any person who causes death destroys protected plants, harvests or damages them, commits an offence.”

Upon conviction, the offender is liable to an imprisonment term of not less than three years and not more than five years and a fine of between Rwf1 million and Rwf3 million.

CIP Twajamahoro thanked Imboni za Nyungwe for their volunteerism to protect the forest and urged all families in the area to report those who encroach on the gazzetted natural forest.

Dr. Brammertz announced it on Wednesday, December 11th as he was addressing the United Nations Security Council about the activities of IRMCT.

During his address, he reported ICTR activities including the case of a warrant for the arrest of eight genocide fugitives currently being pursued by the ICTR.

The fugitives include Kabuga Felicien, Mpiranya Protais, Bizimana Augustin, Kayishema Fulgence, Munyarugarama Phineas, Ndimbati Aloys, Sikubwabo Charles and Ryandikayo Charles who are in exile in different countries around the world.

The United States of America will grant a $5 million reward to whoever will capture the aforementioned criminals.

Dr. Brammertz said that “It is really sad that some countries in the United Nations are not willing to support the cause and help bring to justice those fugitives.”

He continued saying that after learning that one of the fugitives was on South Africa territory, nothing was done to arrest him but that last week, South Africa finally issued a warrant for his arrest even though they hid his identity.

“At this point, what would be just is immediately arresting the fugitive.”

He also condemned the lack of support from member countries of the UN that refuse to provide information about fugitives on their territories in a way that impedes ICTR investigations.

In his address at the 71st anniversary of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, Dr. Bizimana Jean Damascene from CNLG said that some countries continue to hide genocide convicts.

He also said that Rwanda will keep rooting for human rights and fight against genocide ideology anywhere in the world as it was proved recently, when Rwanda welcomed 117 refugees from Libya.

He concluded his address by requesting countries that are sheltering genocide convicts to bring them to ICTR or send them to Rwanda to be tried in courts.

Currently, Rwanda has sent 1144 warrants for the arrest of genocide convicts in exile. He called upon States to recommit to prevent and fight against genocide and other serious crimes under international law as resolution 2150 in the United Nations charter states.

If arrested, Felicien Kabuga and Protais Mpiranya will be tried by IRMCT while the remaining six fugitives including Fulgence Kayishema, Charles Sikubwabo, Aloys Ndimbati, Ryandikayo, and Phénéas Munyarugarama will be tried in Rwandan courts.