On Sunday night, the Government of Rwanda announced that it has deployed force protection troops to the Central African Republic, under an existing bilateral agreement on defense. According to a statement released by the Ministry of Defense, the deployment is in response to the targeting of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) contingent under the UN Peacekeeping force by rebels supported by François Bozize who was president between 2003 and 2013.
During an interactive session with members of the press yesterday at the occasion of delivering ‘State of the Nation Address,’ Kagame said, the country already has forces in CAR for peace keeping mission but the situation is changing due to upcoming elections.
“We have forces serving under UN peacekeeping effort in CAR. The country is in the process of carrying out elections, scheduled on 27th December. This is a good thing since it legitimizes leaders. There have been many armed groups that recently came together and made pacts, some under the former president Bozize leadership, where they invaded the country from the outside. Their aim was to disrupt elections, but we also learned that some of those rebels wanted to attack our forces. All because we have been uncompromised and forceful in ensuring that citizens were well-protected,” he said.
On Saturday 19th December 2020, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra accused former president of the country, François Bozize of planning a coup-plot to dethrone the Government in collaboration with armed rebels. However, the ex-president of the Central African Republic has denied the allegation.
Tensions rose after Mr Bozizé’s candidacy for this week’s national elections was rejected by the country’s highest court. The UN said on Friday it had deployed peacekeeping forces to the country. President Faustin Archange Touadéra has insisted the poll will go ahead, saying the presence of the army and UN peacekeepers means people have nothing to fear.
But opposition parties, including that of Mr Bozizé, have called for the vote to be postponed “until the re-establishment of peace and security”.
President Kagame said, there had been no confrontations to Rwanda’s forces in CAR peacekeeping mission amidst their mandate to protect civilians.
As he explained, the rules of engagement for recently sent forces are forcibly different from other forces’ rules due to being sent under a different mandate.
“In this particular case, we’ve had an agreement with the CAR government, in which the rules of engagement are different. Our additional forces will be able to protect citizens and our existing force already there, without being limited by other rules of engagement [UN],” said Kagame.
The President also underscored that there are police troops protecting civilians camps in CAR that are attacked sometimes. He said that forces sent under different mandate will reinforce security to ensure smooth elections and protect Rwanda’s forces against any attacks.
Rwanda has been a main contributor to United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) since it first deployed in 2014. MINUSCA’s Rwandan contingent is notably in charge of the security of Central African Republic President Faustin-Archange Touadera and the presidential palace.
MTN Rwanda has two main shareholders, MTN Group Limited and Crystal Telecom Limited (Crystal). As part of the introductory listing, 20% of MTN Rwanda shares that are currently held by Crystal are expected to be held directly by the public. To this end, Crystal issued a public announcement to its shareholders today regarding the proposed transaction.
“It gives me great pleasure to announce our intention to list MN Rwanda’s shares on the RSE in early 2021. The listing reaffirms our commitment to Rwanda”, said MTN Rwanda CEO Mitwa Ng’ambi. “This is a transformative event in the MTN story, and one that we are certain we could not have reached without the support of our stakeholders, partners and customers”, she continued.
The listing is expected to broaden public ownership over time, supporting sustainable growth for national development.
“This is an important first step towards increasing local participation in the company, and building the capital markets in Rwanda,” said MTN Group President and Chief Executive Officer Ralph Mupita.
The listing is subject to applicable regulatory and governance approvals as well as conducive market conditions. This press release does not constitute a formal listing announcement of MTN Rwanda. MTN Rwanda will make further announcements at appropriate intervals on progress in this regard.
MTN Rwanda started operating in 1998. As of November 2020, it had 6,5 million subscribers, of which 3,2 million were active Mobile Money users in the previous 30 days and 1,6 million were active data users.
First, the Session unveils China’s new development stage.
China now stands at a historical juncture. 2020 is the last year for the implementation of the 13th Five Year Plan (FYP). In 2021, China will embark on a new journey of building a modern socialist country in all aspects.
The Plenary Session highlighted China’s achievements in economic, scientific and composite national strength under the leadership of the CPC. The value-added output of China’s manufacturing industry has topped the world for many years and the investment in R&D ranked No. 2 in the world. China’s high-speed railway network accounts for more than two thirds of the world total. By the end of this year, China’s GDP is set to exceed 100 trillion RMB ($15.27 trillion). The development targets set in the country’s 13th FYP will be attained on schedule.
The Plenary Session pointed out that from next year, China will strive for a modern socialist country by 2049 when China celebrates its 100th centennial. During this period, we will uphold and improve the socialist system with Chinese characteristics and continue to modernize the system and capacity for governance.
Second, the Session unveils China’s new development philosophy.
The most important outcome of the Fifth Plenary Session is the adoption of The Proposals of the CPC Central Committee Regarding the Formulation of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) for National Economic and Social Development and the 2035 Long-Range Objectives. The documents set out the guiding principles, major objectives, key tasks, and major measures for China’s development during the 14th FYP period and envisage the long-range objectives of basically realizing socialist modernization by 2035.
The new development philosophy embodied in the Proposals answers the question of what kind of development China should pursue in the new era and how to achieve. It articulates that efforts must be made to promote transformation in quality, efficiency and growth drivers for high-quality development, greater efficiency and more sustainability. The new development vision should be upheld throughout the whole process of development and in all sectors.
Third, the Session unveils China’s new development pattern.
The Proposals approved by the Session suggest that China should accelerate the building of the “dual circulation” growth pattern in which the domestic market will play a leading role, with international and domestic markets reinforcing each other. This new development pattern aims to meet the demand of China’s new development stage and shape the new edge in international cooperation and competition.
It should be reiterated that this new development paradigm emphasizes both domestic and international circulations, not China’s domestic circulation alone. China will participate in the international circulation in a more in-depth manner, boost higher-quality opening-up, further expand market access to foreign countries and improve outbound investment.
Fourth，the Session unveils China’s new development requirement.
“Common prosperity” is an essential requirement of socialism and a shared aspiration of all Chinese people. Just like the RPF’s “People First” ideology, the CPC believes that development is of the people, by the people and for the people. Development outcomes shall be shared by all — no one left.
By the end of 2019, the average life expectancy of Chinese people reached 77.3 years and the rate for nine-year compulsory education was 94.8%. The issue of absolute poverty, which has beset China for millennia, will be resolved once and for all. All the goals concerning people’s livelihood in the 13th FYP will be achieved.
In the Session’s Proposals, notable and substantial progress in common prosperity is clearly marked as a long-term goal. It’s a brand new expression included in the documents of the CPC Central Committee plenary sessions for the first time. The principal contradiction in China now is the gap between unbalanced and inadequate development and people’s ever-growing aspiration for a better life. Therefore, tangible progress must be made to ensure common prosperity. Major requirements are raised in employment, income, education, culture, sports, health, elderly care, and social security. China’s modernization should be the one with Chinese characteristics for 1.4 billion people.
Fifth, the Session unveils China’s commitment to building a new type of international relations.
As we have noticed, the world is facing profound changes unseen in a century as well as the raging pandemic. Against this background, instead of solidarity and cooperation, some countries push for unilateralism, protectionism and hegemony, causing instability and insecurity to the international community. The Session’s Proposals emphasize that China will hold high the banner of peace, development and win-win cooperation with all the partners, adhere to an independent foreign policy of peace, advance external exchanges in all areas and at all levels, and promote a community with a shared future for mankind.
China is firmly committed to the path of peaceful development. It never seeks expansion or sphere of influence, let alone start so-called “new cold war” or “neocolonialism”. In this regard, our Rwandan and African friends have the say.
During the past decades, China and Africa have enjoyed profound, long-standing friendship, no matter in the struggles for national liberation and independence, or in the endeavors of pursuing social and economic development. China and African countries have demonstrated a partnership of mutual respect and support, as well as an example of promoting global peace, stability and development. China calls for the respect for other countries’ choices of development paths and models.
China insists on a multilateral approach in global affairs. We will uphold the international system with the United Nations at its core, the international order based on international law and the multilateral trade system with the WTO at its center. China also advocates the building of a global community of health for all.
During the past three years and ten months as the Chinese ambassador to Rwanda, I’m honored to be a witness，a participant and a promoter of China-Rwanda friendly cooperation and exchanges. In the 14th Five-Year Plan period and beyond, China will bring more opportunities for China-Rwanda cooperation. To this end, I would like to make three proposals.
First, we should strengthen mutual learning and exchanges for a better bilateral relationship.
Both China and Rwanda agree that making national development plans is the major way to translate version into reality. Only by upholding a strong leadership throughout formulation and implementation, can national development plans be on the right track. We should further step up exchanges and cooperation in pursuit of a new type of bilateral relations which seeks to expand common ground while reserving differences and enhances mutual respect, trust and understanding.
Second, we should dovetail China’s 14th FYP, Rwanda’s 2050 Version and development strategies for win-win results.
The Session not only provides strong driving forces for China’s growth, but also can boost the confidence of Rwanda’s economic recovery. China will be a major powerhouse for global growth in the post-pandemic era. With a population of 1.4 billion and a middle-income group of 400 million, the Chinese market is considered the most promising and probably will become No.1 in the world very soon. Besides, China’s “dual circulation” development pattern will guarantee a more efficient connection and sharing of production factors and resources among cooperative partners. Rwanda’s success story on e-WTP has been a good example. Last May, at an online promotion event organized by Alibaba Group and the Rwandan embassy in China, 3,000 bags of Rwandan coffee beans, totaling 1.5 metric tons, were sold out in less than a minute. Rwandan farmers now can earn an additional $4 per kilo by selling directly to Chinese consumers through this platform.
On Sept 28, the eighth session of the Rwanda-China Joint Committee on Economic, Technical and Trade was successfully held. This session was the first such meeting held under a trade and economic mechanism between China and an African country since the Covid-19 outbreak began. Last month, Rwanda actively participated in the Third China International Import Expo (CIIE) and the City of Kigali inked a MoU with Yiwu City of Zhejiang province to enhance cooperation in areas of tourism, trade, science and technology among others. I’m sure these platforms will contribute to Rwanda’s sustainable development and broad prosperity.
As China enhances the high-quality development and innovation during the 14th FYP period, new technologies, new industries, new models and new forms of business can lend more impetus to Rwanda’s sustained growth and economic transformation. More cooperative projects are expected in infrastructure, manufacture, agriculture and ICT sectors.
Third, we should become defenders of independent development, contributors to the global peace development, and upholders of international order.
It’s proved that sound guiding principles must be combined with true understanding of a country’s history, cultural traditions, national conditions and the call of the times. Only in this way can a government translate its blueprint into reality. After all, no others can understand our nations better than ourselves. No others can offer better solutions to our issues than our own people. The successful practices of Rwanda and China can serve as the reference to all developing countries in their pursuit of independent progress.
In the wake of the outbreak of Covid-19, China and Rwanda, together with other African countries, held a Special China-Africa Summit on Joint Fight against Covid-19 by video, which has played an important role in garnering people’s support and pooling people’s strength to fight the pandemic. With the same version and spirit, we should work together for the improvement and update of global governance system, mitigating inequalities in rights, opportunities and rules. We should adhere to the principle of extensive consultation and contribution for shared results. We should promote multilateralism and jointly respond to global challenges. We should build a better world with lasting peace and common prosperity.
{{RAO Hongwei Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of Rwanda}}
The President revealed this today during an interactive session with members of the press and citizens, responding to a journalist who sought his comments on voices calling on him to release terror suspect, Paul Rusesabagina being tried in Rwanda.
“People think differently, act differently, but the difference is going to be ourselves. The rule of law and how this is applied to settle this problem in favor of justice. So, it is not unexpected. All kinds of letters will be written and more appeals will be made, but for us we are steadfast on pursuing justice whichever way justice leads us into. Then, we will see what comes out,” he said.
“We will simply pursue justice. And I hope that those raising voices wrongly will listen to what we are saying,” added Kagame.
Recently, in her letter dated 14th December 2020, Carolyn B. Maloney, a Member of the US Congress wrote to President Paul Kagame requesting him to release and return a terror suspect, Rusesabagina Paul to the United States.
He said that on August 27, 2020, Mr. Rusesabagina boarded a plane in Dubai believing he was headed to Burundi. In her letter, Carolyn, also said that ‘Rwanda utilized clandestine methods to lure and arrest Mr. Rusesabagina, that the Government ignored the legal avenues available via US deportation laws’.
The Minister of Justice and State’s Attorney General, Johnston Busingye has replied the letter the letter of Carolyn B. Maloney, a Member of the US Congress informing her that Rwanda’s justice system is independent that Paul Rusesabagina’s arrest and ongoing trial are based on key facts.
Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) and National public Prosecution Authority (NPPA) have clarified in court and to the media that Paul Rusesabagina was neither kidnapped nor extradited.
He explained that Rusesabagina departed Dubai voluntarily by private jet and when his plane landed in Rwanda and he voluntarily alighted, ‘he was placed under arrest pursuant to a 2018 NPPA arrest warrant’.
NPPA has charged Rusesabagina alongside 18 other suspects with over nine serious charges including formation of an irregular amred group, membership of a terrorist group, financing terrorism, murder as an act of terrorism, attempted murder as an act of terrorism, arson as an act of terrorism, attempted murder as an act of terrorism and assault and battery as an act of terrorism.
The court has scheduled their trial to begin on the 26th of January 2021 where they will be tried by Rwanda’s High Court Chamber for International and Cross-Border crimes located in Nyanza district, Southern Province.
As Busingye Busingye explained recently in a reply letter to the US Congresswoman ‘the NPPA further asserts that Mr. Rusesabagina has been neither secretive nor silent about his criminal intent, and that the fact, for example, that in December 2018 as President of MRCD-Ubumwe and its armed wing, the FLN /NLF Force de Liberation Nationale/ National Liberation Forces), he posted a video new year message on YouTube pledging his full support to the youth of the National liberation Forces, and openly called for war on Rwanda.
Among others, the NPPA asserts that this same group (MRCD/FLN), thereafter, led and claimed responsibility for several terror attacks in Nyamagabe, Nyaruguru and Nyungwe Forest, Southern Rwanda in 2018, killing 9 people and leaving many others wounded.
It has set fire and destroyed local population’s property and infrastructure including a local cooperative building, cars, motorbikes among others.
According to Busingye, Rusesabagina has been subject of an NPPA International Arrest Warrant since 2010 following evidence of funding he provided to the FDLR in activities to destabilize Rwanda’s security.
As he commented on the issue, Kagame explained that the matter should be understood well because facts around the case are clear. He said that complaints will always be there but Rwanda will consider the rule of law to render justice and do what is right.
“It is not only going to be done in favor of Rusesabagina, justice will also be done in favor of those who are grieving; those who lost their loved ones at the hands of an organization Rusesabagina belonged to and was a leader of. These are facts. These people who defend Rusesabagina either don’t have facts, know them and ignore them, or think that, it doesn’t matter the facts, this person is more important than the persons whose lives were lost or the families of those who lost lives,” he noted.
The measures came after an extra ordinary cabinet meeting last week that issued new strict preventive measures to prevent the fast- increasing COVID-19 cases.
“All guests staying at various hotels countrywide are required to present a negative SARS-CoV2 Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) or Antigen Rapid COVID-19 test,” reads the statement in part.
RDB also announced that international tourists entering the country will be required to take another Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test upon arrival which will be valid for 120 hours. They will be required to take a rapid test after this period elapses.
Among others, the statement reads that tourists visiting National Parks will be required to present a negative SARS-CoV2 Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction test with the exception of Akagera National Park where a negative Antigen Rapid Test results for COVID-19 will be accepted.
“The cost of the Rapid Antigen Test for COVID-19 is Rwf 10,000 and results are available within 15 minutes after a test is taken. The cost of the Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test is Rwf 50, 000,” reads the statement.
A list of accredited private clinics that provide Covid-19 Antigen Rapid Tests can be accessed via RBC website.
All hotel properties have been urged to check for test results before checking in guests.
Rwanda confirmed the first COVID-19 patient on 14th March 2020. As of today, 7293 people have been tested positive out of 690,221 sample tests of whom 6091 have recovered, 1139 are active cases while 63 have succumbed to the virus.
Amb. Emmanuel Hategeka presented to H.E Mashare Ali Bennaheet Ag. Under Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs a copy of credentials designating him as Rwanda’s Non-resident Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
After presenting credentials yesterday, Amb. Hategeka reiterated commitment to strengthen bilateral relations. He also held bilateral talks with Mashare.
“Honored to have presented today a copy of my credentials as non-resident Ambassador designate of Rwanda to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Looking forward to strengthening the existing good relations between our two countries,” he said in a tweet.
Hategeka is Rwanda’s ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) since 15th July 2019. He will be representing Rwanda in Saudi Arabia with residence in UAE.
Amb. Hategeka served as Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Rwanda Development Board (RDB) prior to his ambassadorial post.
Rwanda, Saudi Arabia relations got boost since 2006 when officials from the country started visiting Rwanda at different times.
In 2018, both countries signed agreement to promote diplomatic relations witnessed by Rwanda’s ambassador to the UN, Valentine Rugwabiza while Saudi Arabia was represented by its representative to UN, Abdallah Yahya Al-Mouallimi.
The believers were holding prayers in the house of one Pelagie Nyiranduhura, 36, in Rwimpongo II Village, Rwintashya Cell of Rukumberi Sector.
The gathering is prohibited under the national directives meant to fight further spread of the COVID-19.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Hamdun Twizeyimana, the Police spokesperson for the Eastern region, said the violators were in an overnight prayer.
“The illegal overnight prayers caused noise pollution in the neighbourhood, which prompted the residents to call authorities for intervention at about 5 am,” said CIP Twizeyimana.
“Police and local leaders first found 26 people from different religious denominations, in the same house and took them to the sector offices, but residents called again later after more people came in that morning for prayers, which were supposed to last for three days. They caught other ten people in the same house. All the violators were educated on the pandemic of the COVID-19 and prevention measures, but were also fined for the violation,” he added.
At least 10 of the violators are members of ADEPR church, six methodists, five from the Catholic Church and others from the Anglican Church.
They came from Rukumbeli, Zaza and Mugesera sectors in Ngoma District.
Other came from Rwamagara and Bugesera districts.
“They came from different districts, congested in a small room praying, no one was wearing a facemask and no hand washing. One person infected with COVID-19 could have easily infected everyone there,” said CIP Twizeyimana.
“As we have seen in daily reports on COVID-19 infections by the Ministry of Health, positive cases have been reported in most parts of the country and such unnecessary movements and prohibited gatherings could easily spread the pandemic and affect national response efforts.”
The spokesperson thanked the residents for the neighbourbood watch and called for continued partnership and information sharing on any unlawful acts.
The speech is usually delivered at ‘Umushyikirano’ (National Dialogue Council) which has been cancelled due to COVID-19 preventive measures.
As the council was canceled last week, the cabinet meeting announced that the President of the Republic will hold an interactive session with citizens and members of the press during which he will deliver ‘State of the Nation’ address on 21st December 2020.
The speech is expected to comfort Rwandans especially during these difficult times of COVID-19 pandemic which has destabilized the economy and well-being at large.
The ‘State of the Nation’ address is stipulated by the constitution under the article 98 which determines duties of President of the Republic.
The third paragraph reads that President of the Republic delivers ‘State of the Nation’ address once every year.
According to a statement released by the Ministry of Defense, the deployment is in response to the targeting of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) contingent under the UN Peacekeeping force by rebels supported by François Bozize.
“Rwandan troops will also contribute to ensuring a peaceful and secure general elections scheduled on Sunday 27th December 2020, twenty-two months after the peace agreement which was reached between the government and fourteen armed groups,” reads the statement in part.
The Rwanda Defence Force is one of the largest troop contributors to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) since 2014.
CAR has been hit by insecurity as rebels and opposition groups seek suspension of elections fearing results.
On Saturday, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra accused former president of the country, François Bozize of planning a coup-plot to dethrone the Government in collaboration with armed rebels.
However, the ex-president of the Central African Republic has denied the allegation.
Tensions rose after Mr Bozizé’s candidacy for this week’s national elections was rejected by the country’s highest court.
The UN said on Friday it had deployed peacekeeping forces to the country.
President Faustin Archange Touadéra has insisted the poll will go ahead, saying the presence of the army and UN peacekeepers means people have nothing to fear.
But opposition parties, including that of Mr Bozizé, have called for the vote to be postponed “until the re-establishment of peace and security”.
The CAR is one of Africa’s poorest and most unstable countries, even though it is rich in resources like diamonds and uranium. The UN estimates that half of the population are dependent on humanitarian assistance and up to a fifth have been displaced.
The young Rwandan is an engineer and entrepreneur who developed a sustainable way to provide struggling communities in Africa with clean water.
She is among three of the remarkable finalists for the award that have dedicated their skills, resources, and time to making the world a better place by working towards achieving the United Nations’ Global Goals and standing up for those who are vulnerable.
Kwizera becomes the first Rwandan winning the prize beating her contestants Suhani Jalota from India and Ryan Gersava from Philippines.
Kwizera was revealed as the winner of the award at the Global Citizen Prize ceremony broadcast and streamed globally on 19th December 2020. Although this year’s ceremony was hosted virtually, it was an incredible affair that celebrated world leaders, business leaders, activists, musicians and artists, young people, and philanthropists from around the globe.
During the broadcast Kwizera was surprised with a call from singer-songwriter, Nick Jonas, who shared the news with the young entrepreneur that she had won this year’s Cisco Youth Leadership Award.
Kwizera was evidently jubilant and shared with Jonas that she was “super super surprised”. She then called in her “work family” to meet Jonas and be part of the exciting moment.
“The work we do, keeping water running for hundreds of thousands, we’re going to scale to millions because we’re tackling a challenge that affects 400 million id. people across Africa and over 2 billion worldwide,” she said.
“In 10 years, this prize being a huge catalyst for this in 10 years we’re going to be servicing 30 million and more; we’re going to create over 13,000 jobs because when we give water, we also create jobs,” added Kwizera.
As the winner of this year’s award, Kwizera will receive $250,000 to put forward her social enterprise, Water Access Rwanda.
When she was just 20, Kwizera founded Water Access Rwanda in response to the dangerous conditions that Rwandans would face when collecting water from rivers and dams, including crocodile attacks and disease-ridden water.
The social enterprise aims to eliminate water scarcity and provide communities with safe and easily accessible water. Today they successfully supply over 70,000 people in and around Rwanda with clean water daily.
She told Global Citizen that the work Water Access Rwanda does now is just the beginning.
“Our ambition is much bigger because, as I like to say, the crisis is way bigger than what we’re doing,” she said.
The Global Citizen Prize: Cisco Youth Leadership Award was established in 2018 to honor and uplift extraordinary young activists who have dedicated themselves to working towards achieving the UN’s Global Goals.
This year’s winner, Christelle Kwizera, works towards providing African communities with clean water, which contributes to the United Nations’ Global Goal 6, to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all; and Goal 11 for building sustainable communities.
