Author: John Mbaraga

In a newly opened website entirely designed to support her campaign for La Francophonie, the Foreign Minister offered the public an inside view on the ideals she aimed to prioritize when elected as Secretary General of La Francophonie.

“While continuing to defend and promote the values of the International Organization of La Francophonie, which are universal, I intend to dedicate my mandate to finding concrete solutions to the problems that are common to all member states and governments.”

“My project for the OIF revolves around four axes: The influence of the French language; the relevance of the Francophonie; the employment of good people and the exchange of good practices.” reads Ms Mushikiwabo’s statement on the website.

From a recent interview she had with Rwanda Broadcast Agency (RBA), Min. Mushikiwabo announced that she went to campaign for the position, having first asked for advices.

“Submitting my candidature to the position of Secretary General of Organisation of French speaking countries, La Francophonie was a decision that I and the GoR took after we discussed it out with other French Speaking countries that are friends of Rwanda, and came to find it as a great initiative.”

In support of her candidature, President Paul Kagame officially wrote to all African states who are members of the organization requesting them to back the Rwandan candidate. She also has been shown support by French President Emmanuel Macron who wields great influence in la Francophonie and pays the largest portion of its bills.

La Francophonie was founded in 1970. The movement that Rwanda is currently subscribing to, is an international language movement led by government and nongovernment elites in over thirty countries where French is official or used by a significant population.

ALF is a non-profit organization which mission is to help improving the quality of current leadership in Africa.

Kagame will address the forum running under the theme ‘Financing Africa’s Transformation for Sustainable Development’

In attendance are different former Heads of States including former Tanzanian President, Benjamin Mkapa, former Somalia President Hassan Mohamed and Dr Mukhisa Kituyi, the Secretary General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

Also the forum features former Mozambique Presidents, Armando Guebuza and Joaquim Chissano, Former Tunisian President Mohamed Moncef Marzouki and former Nigeria President Olusegun Obasanjo.

As for its 7th edition, the forum was organized by the office of former Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa and the institute that supports African leaders to attain sustainable development for their nation and for Africa known as UONGOZI Institute.

A statement released early this week by the Office of the United States Trade Representative says that US suspended AGOA benefits for a class of imports that totaled $1.5 million in 2017, which accounts for approximately only 3% of Rwanda’s total exports to the United States.

However, a statement notes that Rwanda remains eligible to receive non-apparel benefits available under AGOA, and the President’s action does not affect the vast majority of Rwanda’s exports to the United States.

{{Rwanda to enter new markets}}

Speaking to IGIHE, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Vincent Munyeshyaka said that the companies which used to export apparel and footwear products through AGOA, started connecting to new international markets.

“For example C&H Garments has market in the United Kingdom and German. But, we discussed with them on exploring opportunities on local market because it needs clothes, they have started and currently are participating in the exhibition so that they showcase themselves to Rwandans,” he explained.

Munyeshyaka ensured the government’s support in case the AGOA decision affects production and jobs.

“In case industries stop production and people lose jobs or, as the government, we will decide on how to support them,” he ensured.

According to the Minister, last year, Rwanda’s exports under AGOA from apparel and footwear products amounted to US$1.5 million.

“In case we do not get new markets to export those products, that is the only loss can be caused by the decision, but, entering new markets will help us secure the amount or earn beyond that,” he added.

According to Munyeshyaka, only eight industries have been exporting apparel and footwear products to the US market, with C&H Garments dominating, covering 90%.

Munyeshyaka reminded that Rwandan products are not totally banned on the US market as both countries have other agreements like Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) where taxes are exempted to some other Rwandan products exported there.

He reminded that Rwanda was not banned from exporting apparel and footwear products, “we were only denied duty-free exportation” he clarified.

The Chief Executive Officer of Rwanda Development Board (RDB), Clare Akamanzi said that Rwanda understands the decision on who stays as the beneficiary of AGOA as the decision of the United States.

Akamanzi was commenting on the decision in a press conference on Tuesday.

She said that in line with transiting to new markets, some companies have already sent samples of their products to European markets.

“We have a plan to maintain people who have been employed in those companies; I think the impact is not something we can’t manage” she said.

{{Expert commends Rwanda’s decision}}

The Chief Executive Officer of a world leading high-level international meeting of African CEOs, Africa CEO Forum, Amir Ben Yahmed hailed Rwanda’s decision adding that the decision would not be regarded as business issue, but it is politically motivated.

“Africans should be proud of the decision Rwanda took on this stage. No country in the World would accept second-hand clothing; it doesn’t exist for intellectual reasons and at the expense of its own industries. So, I have seen this debate shifted as the decision of Trump as business issue, but it’s political,” he noted.

This was revealed in a joint statement released yesterday signed by the President of Episcopal Conference of Rwanda, Bishop Philippe Rukamba; Anglican Church of Rwanda Archbishop, Laurent Mbanda ; Mufti of Rwanda, Sheikh Salim Hitimana; the President of Protestant Conference of Rwanda, Bishop Samuel Kayinamura and Bishop Alexis Birindabagabo, the Head of Peace Plan.

The established body has mission of; developing religious groups’ self-regulation status, supporting the government developing guidelines for religious groups functioning and advocacy.

Speaking in an interview with IGIHE, Bishop Rukamba said that the body will not interfere in any religious’ leadership but prioritize sharing ideas and conducting advocacy on different matters so that they create harmony among religions and the government.

Referring to the recent closure of places of worship across the country, Rukamba said that if the body had been there, they would have had meaningful discussions with government.

“I think the government would have consulted us collectively instead of individual religious units and avoid spontaneous decisions visited upon us,” he explained.

The body has appointed an interim committee that will develop the working framework, laws, the name and legal registration of the body.

Kagame was speaking Wednesday in Kigali while presiding over the swearing-in ceremony of Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, High Court, and Commercial High Court judges.

The judges were appointed by the cabinet recently.

The Head of State reminded that justice delayed is justice denied, a reason why all Rwandans should be served on time.

“The Court of Appeal was established to help fast-track hearing process and enable Rwandans access quick justice as it is basically known that justice delayed is justice denied,” he said.

“Our justice system should be free of corruption, work in transparency and judges take decisions without any influence,” he said.

He said that for justice sector to achieve this there is a need for all essential requirements to be in place so that they get empowered.

“We cannot await results from them without providing what they need from us, we need complementarity,” he noted.

“All that package creates trust among Rwandans and investors to work without obstructions because they are assured of their rights and free from any violence as there are institutions and justice system that protect their rights,” he added.

Kagame said that the rule of law makes people work responsibly as they trust laws which serve to protect them.

He said that much has been done in past two years to develop justice sector like reform in institutions, establishment of infrastructure, increasing the number of judges, capacity building and use of technology among others.

Kagame requested justice system on contribution to national security and liberty, and promised government support towards achieving their mission.

Sworn-in are Aloysie Cyanzayire, a Judge in Supreme Court; Richard Muhumuza, a Judge in Court of Appeal; Aimé Muyoboke, the Court of Appeal President and Vice-President, Marie Thérèse Mukamulisa.

Also in the Court of Appeal eleven judges sworn-in. those are, Charles Kaliwabo, Patricie Mukanyundo, Marie Josée Mukandamage, Reuben Rugabirwa, Alphonse Hitiyaremye, Justin Gakwaya, Prof. Alphonse Ngagi Munyamfura, Agnès Nyirandabaruta, Innocent Munyangeli, Muhumuza Richard and Fidelité. Kanyange

Xavier Ndahayo, the President of High Court and Vice-President Bernadette Kanzayire and Angeline Rutazana, the vice-president of Commercial High Court also sworn-in.

Speaking in a press conference yesterday, the Chief Executive Officer of Africa CEO Forum, Amir Ben Yahmed said that they are excited to host the forum in Kigali.

He said that it is one of the most important business event in Africa and the most important event for private sector.

The event brings together CEOs from all over Africa, the investment community coming from international countries including, France, German, Japan, China and US as well as different partner institutions.

“We are thrilled to host this event in Kigali because one of the triggering reasons was the signing of the Continental Free Trade Area agreement that clearly indicates that the regional integration ID that has been debated for a long time is now taking shape. We are very happy that it was done in Kigali and for us, it is very good opportunity to bring Eastern Africa into the global conversation that we have managed to create over the last six years,” he explained.

Yahmed said that one of the main objectives of the forum is to finalize what they have achieved in the past years.

“What we have achieved so far, is to create this global conversation between CEOs from all Africa and increase the impact of Eastern African CEOs into this conversation,” he added.

The 7th edition according to Yahmed, wanted to be hosted in a country which could embody what the forum focuses on.

“The Africa CEO Forum has always been about modernizing African economies and showing the rest of business community on how Africa could compete on the global competition for business growth. With all the CEOs we have always been eying good governance, leadership, strategic business thinking, ease of doing business and I think Rwanda has incredible records in those areas,” he added.

The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) Chief Executive Officer, Clare Akamanzi said that through the forum, Rwanda expects to expose investment opportunities to business people who will attend the forum.

“We want to attract more investments in Rwanda, both from within and outside the country, and lot of the time we go outside where investors are and describe Rwanda to them,…. A lot of time we describe Rwanda to them and we want them to believe what we tell them. It becomes easier when they come in the country and see all those things for themselves,” she explained.

She said that as Rwanda will participate in the programmes of the event with private sector leaders participating on the panels, Rwanda will showcase investment opportunities to targeted investors.

“As we look at the list of participants who will come, we will do our homework as RDB, we will target those who will be strategic to transformation of our country, we will look at those personalities who will come in our country and who will respond to the needs we have for investment and we will engage them one on one,” she added.

The 7th edition of Africa CEO Forum is expected to attract over 1500 participants. The last edition was held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast and was attended by President Alassane Ouattara, Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo and Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The agreement was signed yesterday in Kigali between the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana and One UN Rwanda country coordinator, Fodé Ndiaye who is also the country coordinator of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The funding is part of United Nations Development Assistance Plan (UNDAP II).

Minister Ndagijimana reiterated that the government of Rwanda and One UN have collaborated in planning of funding expenditures in line with seven-year government programme (2017-2024) and Rwanda’s vision 2050.

“The United Nations has many programmes in economic development, social welfare and governance; the signed funding will be allocated there,” he said.

According to Ndagijimana, 60% of the funding will be allocated to social welfare programmes, 23% to economic development activities, 9% to good governance promotion programmes.

One UN Rwanda’s Ndiaye said that of the whole funding, $252 million (30%) are available while the rest $378 million (70%) will be mobilized through various initiatives including a consolidated resource mobilization strategy.

Ndiaye explained that UN programmes focus on people, governance, democracy and gender balance among others.

According to the Ministry of Health, of the Rwf205 billion allocated to health sector this fiscal year, they target to renovate two hospitals which are Byumba Hospital in Gicumbi District at a cost of Rwf4.1 billion and renovation of Munini Hospital in Nyaruguru District at Rwf7.9 billion.

New hospitals will also be constructed under the budget.

A Rwf5.9 billion hospital will be constructed in Nyarugenge District , Nyabitekeri Hospital in Muhanga District will also be constructed at a cost of Rwf6.9 billion.

Also to be constructed also is Gatunda Hospital in Nyagatare District at Rwf3.6 billion and Gatonde Hospital in Gakenke District with Rwf2.49 billion.

Speaking in an interview with IGIHE, the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Health, Malick Kayumba said that new hospitals are meant to raise healthcare standards based on different services which they will be offering.

“We are doing our best to take services closer to the people, instead of going for certain services to Kigali; they will be having hospitals with high standards closest to them,,” he explained.

“The more services get closer to people, the more the less costly it becomes for patients,” he added.

Deogratias Nzamwita, the mayor of Gakenke District, as one of districts that will benefit told IGIHE that construction works for Gatonde Hospital have reached 70%. He added that they will start operating in February next year.

“For people from the Sectors of Janja, Muzo, Mugunga, Busengo and Rusasa, it was difficult for them to bring a patient from there to Nemba Hospital, it is so far. It was not easy for them to get ambulance or provide with them quick services,” he said.

Currently, Gakenke District has 23 Health Centers and two Hospitals which are Ruli and Nemba.

Last year, new Shyira Hospital in Nyabihu District was inaugurated and different hospitals across the country were expanded by constructing new maternal wards.

In line with reducing child-maternal deaths, maternal wards were constructed to hospitals of Rutongo, Gisenyi in Rubavu District, Rwamagana, Gahini in Kayonza District, Nyanza, Kabutare in Huye and Gihundwe in Rusizi.