Author: Nicole Kamanzi Muteteri

The legislation establishes a 15% levy on gasoline and diesel, calculated based on the cost of the fuel, insurance, and transportation.

For vehicles, the tax varies by type, with annual fees ranging from 50,000 Rwandan Francs for sedans and jeeps to 150,000 Francs for large trailers.

Other vehicles, such as pick-up trucks, microbuses, minibuses, and buses, face a 100,000 Franc levy, while trucks and small trailers are charged 120,000 Francs annually.

These levies, both on fuel and vehicles, must be declared and paid to the tax authority by December 31 each year, with fuel levies collected at customs in accordance with existing customs laws.

Certain vehicles, including those owned by the government, embassies, and international organizations with agreements in Rwanda, are exempt from these levies.

This provision sparked debate, with Deputy Christine Mukabunani questioning the fairness of exemptions, arguing that all vehicles using public roads should contribute to their upkeep.

“What is the justification for exempting these vehicles?” she asked. “Anyone who uses the roads should pay this levy, whether it’s a government vehicle or any other. The roads are used by everyone.”

In response, Deputy Théogène Munyangeyo, the Chairperson of the parliamentary Committee on Economy and Trade, defended the exemptions, citing international laws and agreements.

He clarified that additional exemptions, such as for people with disabilities, could be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Godfrey Kabera, the Minister of State in Charge of National Treasury in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, added that non-profit organizations could also seek exemptions by submitting requests to the Minister of Finance, ensuring a structured process for special cases.

This ambitious initiative, approved by the Chamber of Deputies on April 28, 2025, includes a new bill introducing a fuel levy to finance the construction of advanced storage facilities, addressing the country’s infrastructure limitations.

The approved law increases the levy on gasoline and diesel from 32.73 Rwandan Francs to 50 Francs per liter, a measure expected to raise an additional 5.2 billion Francs annually.

These funds, collected at customs and managed through a sub-account linked to the government’s single treasury account, will support the development of new storage facilities. The levy replaces an outdated regulation deemed insufficient to meet Rwanda’s growing energy demands.

The levy is expected to raise fuel prices by approximately 18 Francs per liter but with anticipated minimal consumer impact, particularly if global oil prices continue to decline. The expanded storage capacity aims to ensure a three-month fuel reserve, safeguarding Rwanda against supply disruptions.

Rwanda’s limited petroleum storage has posed challenges, with the country relying heavily on imports, primarily from Arab nations, transported through Tanzania and, to a lesser extent, Kenya.

The government’s strategy includes incentivizing private investment by raising the return for storage facility builders from 8 Francs per liter to between 12 and 14 Francs per liter, encouraging further private-sector participation.

Rwanda’s fuel storage infrastructure comprises both government and privately owned facilities, including OilCom’s site in Jabana, SP’s storage in Rusororo, government facilities in Gatsata, Rwabuye, and Bigogwe, and ERP’s facility in Kabuye.

Aviation fuel is stored at Kanombe International Airport and Rusororo. The expansion plan is expected to bolster these assets, enhancing the country’s ability to manage fuel reserves efficiently.

The commemoration event was attended by Twagira Mutabazi Eugène, president of Ibuka-Mémoire et Justice-Belgique, Gakuba Ernest, president of the Rwandan Diaspora in Belgium, and Karugarama Lionel, head of the Rwandan Diaspora in the City of Namur.

Also present were other leaders of various Rwandan organizations and their friends from different Belgian cities, along with Benoît Malisoux, one of the city officials of Namur.

{{Difference from other cities}}

The commemoration event in Namur followed other ceremonies held across Belgium. However, in other places, no Belgian officials participated, mainly due to political tensions between Belgium and Rwanda — such as what happened in Liège on April 12, 2024.

At that time, Anne Marie Ikirizaboro, one of the organizers, criticized the behavior of Belgian authorities.

She said the leadership of Liège refused to participate, citing the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which has strained diplomatic relations between Rwanda and Belgium.

She questioned whether the phrase “Never Again,” often repeated, still held meaning, or whether it was being forgotten, warning that such neglect could have tragic consequences.

{{Namur took a different path}}

The commemoration ceremony in Namur began at the Genocide Memorial located at MusAfrica, a center for African historical memory.

Benoît Malisoux, representing the city, sincerely thanked those who organized the event. He emphasized that the Genocide against the Tutsi in 1994 is a concern for all humanity.

Malisoux explained that in Namur, they reject any attempts to politicize the remembrance of the Genocide against the Tutsi, insisting it should remain a tribute to the victims, free from political manipulation.

“What we are doing here is not merely a reaction to current events, nor a diplomatic statement: it is an act of historical remembrance, of documentation, of condemnation—a demand for respect for the victims,” he stated.

“I want to emphasize strongly: the duty of remembrance is unconditional. It is greater than the circumstances of the moment; it requires us to be steadfast and courageous,” Malisoux added.

Twagira Mutabazi Eugène, head of Ibuka-Mémoire et Justice-Belgique, said that the Genocide against the Tutsi was rooted in divisions introduced during colonialism.

“We are here to remember our loved ones who were killed during the Genocide against the Tutsi. Over one million people, including infants, children, and the elderly, were murdered.

“This was driven by the division introduced by colonialists and missionaries who introduced ethnic divisionism to make control easier,” he stated.

Mutabazi also called for the return of King Yuhi Musinga’s remains, which have been kept for 81 years in a Belgian museum, to his ancestral land.

Tessa Bwandinga appreciated the participation of Namur’s leadership and stressed that remembrance is important to teach younger generations about history so that it is never repeated.

“We are here to show the youth a better path, different from the painful history Rwanda experienced. We also remember the ten Belgian peacekeepers killed in Kigali on April 7, 1994. To remember is to refuse silence and denounce those who try to distort the truth,” she stated.

Kevin Rubayiza, who shared a testimony, spoke about the challenges faced by children born to Genocide survivors — growing up without extended family but finding strength from their parents.

Additionally, the event included mental health talks delivered by Umutoni Rwampungu Annick and Rwayitare Jacqueline, discussing life after the Genocide and the psychological journey of survivors.

Belgium had initially attempted to block remembrance ceremonies in Liège and Bruges as Rwanda prepared for the 31st commemoration. However, the events ultimately went forward.

This came after Jean-Damascène Bizimana, Rwanda’s Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement, warned that Belgium would be violating international obligations if it officially prevented the remembrance of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Photos: Jessica Rutayisire and Emmy Uwimana

karirima@igihe.com

Signed by Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe, and the DRC’s Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, the agreement witnessed by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, is a pivotal step toward addressing decades of insecurity in the Great Lakes Region of Africa.

In an official statement, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the accord as “a positive and important step toward fostering stability and peace in the region.” The Ministry emphasized that the agreement “emphasizes mutual respect for the sovereignty of both nations and a firm commitment to resolving disputes through peaceful and negotiated means.”

Qatar further commended “the constructive engagement and the commitment to dialogue and diplomacy, which reflect a genuine desire to de-escalate tensions and advance the interests of the peoples of both countries and the wider region.”

The Declaration of Principles comes against the backdrop of over 30 years of conflict in eastern DRC, fueled by hundreds of armed groups.

Previous peace efforts, such as a near-agreement in December 2024 mediated by Angola, collapsed when DRC representatives refused to engage with the AFC/M23.

Qatar’s diplomatic intervention proved critical in breaking this impasse. On March 18, 2025, the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, hosted a trilateral meeting in Doha with Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame and DRC’s President Félix Tshisekedi.

The leaders agreed to prioritize political dialogue, aligning with guidelines set by the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) at their joint summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on February 8, 2025.

Qatar’s mediation extended to facilitating dialogue between the DRC and the AFC/M23, culminating in a ceasefire agreement on April 23, 2025.

This ceasefire created a conducive environment for the signing of the Declaration, which establishes a framework for regional governance, security, and economic development.

Qatar expressed appreciation for “the diplomatic efforts undertaken by the United States, which are part of the broader international community’s initiatives aimed at resolving the conflict and promoting security and stability in the Great Lakes region.”

These efforts build on regional progress, including the EAC-SADC summit and the Doha trilateral meeting, which Qatar highlighted as key milestones.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed Qatar’s unwavering support for “all joint efforts and initiatives aimed at promoting peace.”

It reiterated “the State’s consistent position advocating for the resolution of conflicts through dialogue and peaceful means, and its commitment to upholding the principles of international law—foundations that are essential to strengthening stability and reinforcing international peace and security.”

The agreement, endorsed by DRC Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner and Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe, aims to address the region’s decades-long conflict.

In his remarks, Secretary Rubio hailed the declaration as a critical step toward ending violence and unlocking the region’s potential.

“This declaration establishes a fundamental framework for regional governance, security, and economic cooperation, aiming to end decades of conflict and unlock the region’s full potential,” Rubio stated, commending the commitment of both nations to engage in vital dialogue.

Rubio also acknowledged the challenges of achieving lasting peace in eastern DRC, a region plagued by 30 years of instability.

“For 30 years, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has endured persistent conflict. Achieving durable peace and long-lasting economic development will not be easy, but it is critical,” he said.

Rubio credited President Donald Trump’s administration for prioritizing global peace, emphasizing that the signing reflects Trump’s vision for a peaceful resolution in the region.

He highlighted the broader benefits of stability, stating, “A durable peace in the Great Lakes region will pave the way for greater U.S. and Western investment, fostering economic opportunities and prosperity.”

He noted that American firms, as responsible corporate citizens, would promote good governance and reliable supply chains for critical minerals, benefiting regional governments and international partners.

Rubio stressed that peace is essential for economic progress, which would allow millions of displaced people to return to safer communities.

“This stability will enable millions of displaced people to return to safer communities, access new economic opportunities, and rebuild lives that have been disrupted for generations,” he affirmed.

The Secretary also praised the African Union and regional economic communities for their foundational role in facilitating dialogue.

“We must recognize the incredible work of the African Union and regional economic communities in Africa, which have laid the groundwork for these talks,” Rubio said.

He committed to ongoing U.S. collaboration with these partners to ensure the initiative’s success.

In closing, Rubio thanked Senior Adviser Massad Boulos and his counterparts in the DRC and Rwanda for their dedication.

“Today marks a significant step toward a peaceful and prosperous Great Lakes region,” he concluded, reaffirming the U.S. commitment to supporting the region’s path to stability and growth.

Speaking on behalf of President Paul Kagame and the Rwandan government, Rwanda’s Foreign Minister, Amb. Olivier Nduhungirehe emphasized the importance of tackling root causes and fostering regional cooperation for lasting peace.

“Today, we are talking about the real issues, the root causes that must be addressed, to achieve a lasting peace in our region,” Amb. Nduhungirehe said, underscoring the focus on security, refugee return, and economic integration through new regional value chains with American investment.

He expressed gratitude to U.S. President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Senior Adviser Massad Boulos for their roles in advancing the dialogue.

Amb. Nduhungirehe also noted that the Declaration of Principles supports African-led peace efforts, including those under the East African Community, Southern African Development Community, and Qatar’s Doha track, with the ultimate goal of a comprehensive peace agreement.