Rwanda’s embassy to Morocco has via twitter handle revealed that the ambassador-designate to the Kingdom of Morocco, Mrs. Nyiramatama presented copies of her letters of credence yesterday to Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates.
She was appointed by the cabinet meeting held on 14th December 2020.
During the ceremony, officials observed Coronavirus control measures by wearing face masks and respecting social distancing among others.
Zaina Nyiramatama replaces former mufti of the Republic of Rwanda Sheikh Saleh Habimana, who was appointed in July 2019 as Rwanda’s first ambassador to Rabat.
Nyiramatama, previously held different positions serving as the Head of the African Union Liaison Office in Chad and executive secretary of the National Commission for Children (NCC) of Rwanda.
Rwanda’s embassy in Morocco was inaugurated in January 2020 in Rabat, the capital of Morocco by former Rwandan Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Olivier Nduhungirehe, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Abroad Nasser Bourita.
Rwanda, Morocco enjoy existing relations that took formal shape after King Mohammed VI visited Rwanda in 2016 as part of his commitment to a new African diplomacy.
Since then, both countries have since signed dozens of cooperation and trade agreements, vowing to shoulder their continental responsibility in facing “shared challenges.”
As both countries position themselves as continental leaders and champions of pan-Africanism and African integration, they have placed their improving diplomatic ties under the banner of “responsibility sharing” and “pan-African vision” for the future.
When Rwanda opened its embassy in Morocco in January of last year, Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bouritia, described the development as a crowning achievement for Morocco’s decisively Africa-focused diplomacy.
Rwanda was among countries that supported Morocco’s return to the African Union.
News about his death circulated today morning. He has died at the age of 57.
Speaking to IGIHE; Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa, the Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Rwanda, has confirmed that Dr. Kigabo died in Kenya.
“It is true that he has passed on. We are still trying to reach out to his family for further information,” she said.
Pastor Irakiza Rweribamba Isaac, the elder brother of late Kigabo has told IGIHE that Dr. Kigabo succumbed to Coronavirus which he caught last week.
Dr. Kigabo was also a board member of Economic Policy Research Network Rwanda (EPRN).
Thomas Kigabo Rusuhuzwa holds a Ph.D in monetary, finance and international economics at University of LYON 2/France and Masters in Applied Mathematics. He joined the National Bank of Rwanda in 2007 as Chief economist, after serving many years as Director, academic affairs and Rector of Kigali Independent University.
Kigabo has been teaching following courses at the same university but also at University of Rwanda and Jomo Kenyata University at bachelor, masters and PHD levels: econometrics, monetary economics, applied mathematics and microeconomics.
He has an extensive experience in research in different areas including monetary policy, financial inclusion, issue related to financial sector development, development economics and regional integration among others.
Kigabo supervised or co-supervised PHD students in Rwanda and in different universities in Europe.
As chief economist of the National Bank of Rwanda, Dr. Kigabo played an important role in formulation and implementation of monetary policy in Rwanda and Government of Rwanda economic policies as well as the development of financial sector. He also played important role in negotiation of policies with different stakeholders including the International Monetary Funds and the World Bank.
These freezers which will be used to store Covid-19 vaccines upon arrival in the country are additional to existing ones and have the capacity to freeze vaccines at minus 40 and 86 degree Celsius.
The purchase of new vaccines is a great milestone to Rwanda’s efforts geared towards containing the spread of Covid-19 and preparations to receive store and supply the vaccines which stands at 95%.
The fridges and other equipment that will be used to transport vaccines are located in Masoro, Kigali city.
Rwanda has already expressed interest in acquiring Covid-19 vaccines expected to be distributed effective March 2021.
The fridges will not only be used to store Covid-19 vaccines but also storing existing 12 types of vaccines for children and adults.
{{Rwanda to administer all types of Covid-19 vaccines }}
The fact that some vaccines require special temperature and storage conditions raised worries that Rwanda might not receive some types of vaccines that could be easily distributed.
So far, four coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines have reached the final stages of testing, and one of the frontrunners is making progress toward the goal of proving to be safe and effective.
Most of vaccines in the final phase of testing before approval and distribution are believed to build strong immune defense systems after double administration.
They are all subject to special storage and transportation conditions. Some require storage conditions with temperature ranging between 2 and 8 degree Celsius, while others require storage at zero degree Celsius or below.
AstraZeneca’s vaccine candidate from Oxford University can be stored at normal refrigeration temperatures, not needing the supercool storage the Pfizer vaccine requires.
Moderna vaccine manufactured in America is expected to remain stable at standard refrigerated conditions of 2° to 8°C for up to 30 days within the 6-month shelf life.
Pfizer or BionTech vaccine already in use in the United Kingdom set conditions for storage in standard refrigerated conditions of 70 Celsius degree while Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine can be stored under same conditions as AstraZeneca.
Health experts show that poor countries or majority of African countries might choose AstraZeneca with moderate storage conditions.
Speaking to IGIHE recently; the Minister of Health, Dr Ngamije explained that Rwanda might opt for AstraZeneca vaccine which is easily maintained like other vaccines already available in the country.
However, newly received freezers capacitate Rwanda to receive all types of Covid-19 vaccines as confirmed by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Health, Julien Mahoro Niyingabira.
“It means that Rwanda has capacity to receive any type of vaccine. These freezers can store Pfizer vaccines which require special temperature conditions at minus 70 degree Celsius. We are now able to receive and administer all vaccines in Rwanda given that we already have capacity to store other vaccines including Moderna and AstraZeneca,” he has told IGIHE.
New refrigerators have capacity to store 300,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccine.
In December last year, the Minister of Health, Dr Ngamije Daniel told IGIHE that Rwanda respected the 7th December 2020 deadline during which countries were supposed to h Rwanda has been allotted vaccine capable of covering 20% of the total population in the first phase.
The vaccines will be distributed by COVAX, a global initiative aimed at working with vaccine producers to provide countries worldwide with equitable access to safe and effective vaccine once licensed and approved.
Health practitioners, patients with incurable diseases like blood pressure, diabetes and asthma among other respiratory diseases will be among the first group to be vaccinated in the first phase along with elders above 65 years and people whose line of duty puts them in a susceptible position.
Rwanda is currently in the process of identifying the targeted population.
At the time, Dr Ngamije explained that vaccine covering 20% of the 12.7 million people in Rwanda will be covered in the first phase.
“We are only allowed to access vaccine for 20% of 12.7 million people in Rwanda. But we are also mobilizing for funds so that we can raise the targeted quota from 20% to 60% at the least,” he said.
Dr Ngamije explained that the first batch of vaccine would at least be available towards the end of March this year and the access will improve gradually as manufacturers increase production.
Rwanda confirmed the first COVID-19 patient on 14th March 2020. Since then, 10 316 people have been tested positive out of 779 511 sample tests of whom 6974 have recovered, 3209 are active cases while 133 have succumbed to the virus.
Coronavirus symptoms include coughing, flu, and difficulty in breathing. The virus is said to be transmitted through the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract.
Rwandans are urged to adhere to COVID-19 health guidelines, washing hands frequently using soaps and safe water, wearing face masks and respecting social distancing.
The incident took place yesterday evening in Rulenge sector of Ngoma district.
The vice mayor for economic affairs in Ngoma district, Nyiridandi Mapambano Cyriaque has told IGIHE that the three people were at home when lightning struck them.
“Lightning struck dead the man in Rulenge sector as it rained heavily on Thursday evening, injured his wife and their guest. It also struck dead a cow and two pigs at the same home. Following the incident, health care workers rushed to provide first aid and took injured persons to a health facility for medical attention,” he said.
Mapambano appealed on residents to avoid actions that might endanger their lives such as finding shelter under trees and urged them to switch off electronics when it rains.
Over the past three days, heavy rains in Ngoma district destroyed rice store in a marshland between Rukira and Murama sectors.
On Wednesday, Rwanda Meteorology Agency forecasted heavy rains between 13th and 16th January 2021 and advised Rwandans to be
The arrest of Alice Mureshyankwano, 26, and her husband identified as Ndayisenga, 32, in Rwaza Cell of Rugerero Sector came a day after three other people were also intercepted with 3,450 rolls of cannabis and less than a week after other two people were arrested in the same district with over 1000 pellets of narcotics.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, the Police spokesperson for the Western region, said that the couple was at the time carrying the narcotics in a bucket.
They were handed over to Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) at Gisenyi station.
“Following information that the couple was engaged in distributing cannabis, ANU working with residents, trailed them until they were arrested red-handed on January 13, at about 9pm carrying 2,000 pellets of cannabis in a bucket. Ndayisenga tried to flee but he was intercepted by residents,” CIP Karekezi said.
During interrogation, CIP Karekezi added, the couple disclosed other two separate houses in Rwaza Village that were being used as stores for narcotics.
“ANU recovered 400 pellets in one house and 80 rolls in another. Law enforcement organs have received more information that the couple was working for a big dealer, who was renting different houses used as stores. The search for this big dealer, whose identities are now known, is still underway,” the spokesperson said.
He observed that such criminal activities also affect families especially in circumstances if the couple is convicted and have to spend many years in prison leaving their children without parental care.The couple has two children.
Under article 263 of the law determining offences and penalties in general in Rwanda, anyone convicted for dealing in very severe narcotics faces between 20 years and life in prison and a fine of up to Rwf30 million.
The Ministerial Order No. 001/MoH/2019 of 04/03/2019 establishing the list of narcotic drugs and their categorization classifies cannabis as a “very severe narcotic.”
The deceased include two women aged 68 and 93 from Kigali, three men aged 48, 68 from Kigali and 27 year old man from Rwamagana.
Among others, 194 cases have been found out of 6063 sample tests while no recovery recorded.
The statement released last night shows that new cases were found in Kigali: 98, Huye: 17, Rulindo: 17, Gicumbi: 14, Kirehe: 12, Gisagara: 12, Musanze 6, Rwamagana: 6, Nyagatare: 5, Gakenke: 2, Nyanza: 2, Rusizi: 1, Nyamagabe: 1 and Rubavu: 1.
Rwanda confirmed the first COVID-19 patient on 14th March 2020. Since then, 10 316 people have been tested positive out of 779 511 sample tests of whom 6974 have recovered, 3209 are active cases while 133 have succumbed to the virus.
Coronavirus symptoms include coughing, flu, and difficulty in breathing. The virus is said to be transmitted through the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract.
Rwandans are urged to adhere to COVID-19 health guidelines, washing hands frequently using soaps and safe water, wearing face masks and respecting social distancing.
Commenting on the launch of the Hackathon, MTN CEO Mitwa Ng’ambi said: “We followed through on our commitment to open up integration with the Mobile Money platform with the launch of the MoMo API last year. With the Hackathon, we are going a step further to encourage young innovators within the community to come forward with solutions and ideas that will further expand the digital ecosystem.”
In the Hackathon, young developers aged between 15 and 35 years of age are invited to apply for the challenge between 14th and 31st January 2021.
The registration requires a developer to submit an idea and details of how it would be implemented and integrated with Mobile Money. The solution must be beneficial and practical to Rwanda’s market and can cover use cases beyond payment to utilize MTN MoMo APIs. The registration is done on https://www.mtn.co.rw/mtn-yolo-hackathon/
Of the ideas submitted, 5 candidates will be shortlisted for the next round starting 1st February 2021. This next round will involve coaching and a boot camp to support the developers as they build their applications. In this round, the 5 shortlisted innovators, will be required to make a live demo of their application.
At the finale, 3 winning ideas will be selected; the second runner up walking away with Rwf800,000; the first runner up with Rwf 1,200,000 and the overall winner with Rwf 2,000,000.
“The MTN Yolo Hackathon further illustrates our desire to partner with the developer community to grow the digital and cashless ecosystem in Rwanda. Shared value creation that enables shared prosperity is at the heart of everything that MTN does. We celebrate the role that collaboration can play in ensuring that more people enjoy the benefits of a modern connected life.” said MTN CEO, Mitwa Ng’ambi.
To be eligible for participation in the MTN Yolo Hackathon, each entrant must be a citizen or a legal permanent resident of Rwanda and be between 15 to 35 years old.
For all participants below 21 years, parents or legal guardians’ permission is required.
Among others, entrants must possess a valid MTN Mobile Money Account or alternatively, eligible to acquire or open a valid MTN Mobile Money Account, be able to present the Idea submitted in the Idea Phase in person to the relevant MTN Committee/Panel.
It is reported that the fighting began early Wednesday at the entrance to Bangui, near its PK11 and PK12 areas and in the Bimbo neighborhood.
IGIHE has learnt that rebel groups supported by François Bozizé tried to cross the bridge connecting Bimbo area and Bangui but were repelled back by Rwandan peacekeepers deployed to safeguard the city in collaboration with other security forces.
A Rwandan peacekeeper died while another one was wounded during the intense fighting reported around 10am on the outskirts of Bangui.
As rebels were chased out, armed forces including Rwandan troops killed 37, arrested five and seized several weapons.
The spokesperson of Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), Lt Col Ronald Rwivanga has told IGIHE that rebels were repelled back by troops serving under the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) in collaboration with CAR armed forces.
“Five were apprehended, 37 were killed while several arms were seized,” he said.
Following the attack, RDF has mourned its fallen peacekeeper serving under MINUSCA and expressed condolences to friends and family.
“The Rwanda Defence Force is deeply saddened by the death of a Rwandan peacekeeper serving under the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA, following an attack on 13 Jan 2021 by elements of an armed group opposed to the peace process,” reads in part RDF statement.
“RDF expresses its heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the fallen peacekeeper. RDF peacekeepers remain committed to the protection of civilians within the mandate of MINUSCA, and the other peacekeeping missions under which our troops serve,” adds the statement.
The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres has called for action to ensure accountability for “heinous attacks” in the Central African Republic (CAR) on Wednesday that left a Rwandan peacekeeper dead and another wounded.
“The Secretary-General recalls that attacks against United Nations peacekeepers may constitute a war crime,” his spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, said in a statement.
Vladimir Monteiro, the MINUSCA spokesperson, said in a statement that ‘MINUSCA strongly condemns the attacks by the anti-Balaka, UPC, 3R and MPC coalition armed groups and their political allies, including former President François Bozizé.’
“The Mission holds them responsible for the consequences of this violence on the civilian population and stresses that attacks against peacekeepers can be considered as war crimes and prosecuted,” he said.
The Secretary-General also expressed concern over continued destabilization efforts by armed groups in the CAR.
He called on all parties to stop violence and engage in meaningful dialogue, and underlined the UN’s commitment to ongoing peace efforts.
Towards the end of last month, three Burundian peacekeepers serving under MINUSCA were also killed by armed groups during fighting that took place in Dékoa of Kémo Province.
On 2nd January 2021, Rwanda’s Special Forces in CAR peacekeeping mission killed several rebels intending to destabilize security in Damara County, 76 km away from Bangui. It was reported that rebels attacked Damara town in the wee hours, confronted CAR forces which failed to repel them back until nearby RDF soldiers intervened and killed over 30 rebels on ground while 2 of CAR soldiers died during the attack.
Licensed in December 2017, the cooperative which grows maize and vegetables in Ruboroga and Kibyeyi marshlands comprises of 1442 members of whom 580 are women.
Erneste Tuyisenge, the President of ‘Indatwa za Kamonyi’ cooperative that practices agriculture on 130 hectares, has told IGIHE that consolidating land and respecting advises from agronomists was the enabler to attain increased productivity.
“We initially resisted land consolidation policy but changed mindsets overtime that we embraced it and multiplied produce. We started harvesting 1.5 ton per hectare but we have improved considerably that we currently register 5.3 tons per hectare. This reflects how far we have progressed,” he said.
Cooperative members have been equipped with advanced farming techniques and knowledge on the right application of fertilizers that they increased productivity and became financially stable farmers who attest transformed livelihoods.
“With income from the cooperative, I have bought a cow, plot of land and built a house and subscribe my family for Mutuelle de Santé on time,” said Véréna Uwimana from Mugina sector.
According to Tuyisenge, the cooperative is planning to increase produce to 8 tons per hectare and set up a plant manufacturing maize flour to generate more income.
It is said that the man was rushed to Nyakabungo Health Center after inhaling pesticides.
The executive secretary of Mwili sector, Bright Nsoro has told IGIHE that the man drank pesticides after disputes with wife.
“He has drunk pesticides known as ‘Dudu’. His wife immediately alerted neighbors who rushed her husband to Nyakabungo Health Center which also transferred him to Gahini Hospital where he died upon arrival. We have learnt that the family was mired in disputes related to wealth misuse,” he said.
Nsoro explained that the man had sold harvested beans and spent all the money on beers. Arriving home, the man wrangled with wife and decided to commit suicide.
He appealed on residents to report conflicting families early to get assistance.
