Author: Nicole Kamanzi Muteteri

The appointed ambassadors are Maj Gen Joseph Nzabamwita, Parfait Busabizwa, Olivier Kayumba, Festus Bizimana, and Dushimimana Lambert.

The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Security in the Rwandan Senate, reviewed the qualifications and capabilities of these ambassadors to ensure they are equipped to effectively represent Rwanda in their respective countries.

Maj Gen Nzabamwita has been appointed Rwanda’s Ambassador to Russia. He holds a Master’s degree in International Law.

He held various roles where he served as Senior Security Advisor in the Office of the President, Secretary-General of the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS), and as a spokesperson for the Rwanda Defence Forces.

Parfait Busabizwa has been appointed Rwanda’s Ambassador to the Republic of the Congo.

He was the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth last year and has also served in various leadership positions, including as Vice Mayor of Kigali City in charge of Economic Affairs.

Olivier Kayumba has been appointed Rwanda’s Ambassador to the Central African Republic.
He had been serving as an official at the Rwandan Embassy in that country.

Before his appointment, he served as the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Emergency Management.

Festus Bizimana has been appointed Rwanda’s Ambassador to Senegal. He previously worked at the U.S. Embassy and also served as the Vice President of Rwanda Cycling Federation.

The other appointee, Dushimimana Lambert, is the former Governor of the Western Province.

He has been appointed Rwanda’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. He previously served as a senator before becoming a governor. He holds a Master’s degree in International Law.

Murangwa Hadija, the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Security in the Rwandan Senate, stated that the appointees have demonstrated the necessary qualifications and are capable of fulfilling their duties as ambassadors.

FDLR comprises mainly of remnants of the perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Reports have emerged that Burundi’s military cooperates with both the FDLR and the FLN.

A senior officer in the Congolese army recently told the Great Lakes Eye that the armed forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Burundi are constructing a secret military base in Uvira, South Kivu province.

This facility, located in Kitoga, is allegedly intended to coordinate armed groups planning attacks on Rwanda.

The DRC is reportedly providing materials for the construction, while Burundi has been accused of holding meetings with armed groups, including the FDLR and CNRD-FLN, since August 2024. These meetings are said to focus on uniting forces to launch attacks on Rwanda.

The FDLR has a history of attacks on Rwanda’s northern regions, while the CNRD-FLN launched offensives in 2018 and 2019 from Nyungwe National Park.

Speaking to the press on Friday, President Ndayishimiye rejected the accusations as baseless.

“It is like insulting us just to gain international sympathy. When we went to assist Congo, you know that it was a collective agreement among all the heads of state in East Africa, without exception, including Rwanda,” he said.

“We agreed to assist the Democratic Republic of Congo in restoring peace and security […] we agreed to fight all foreign armed groups committing crimes in Congo, without exception, while urging those based in Congo to participate in the Nairobi talks,” added Ndayishimiye.

He stated that he had discussed with Rwanda and informed them of the need to assist since it was responsible for intelligence operations and could provide information on the whereabouts of the FDLR.

“Tell us where the FDLR members are and see if we won’t attack them. If we don’t attack them, then you’ll know we are working together,” Ndayishimiye stated.

Ndayishimiye echoed Tshisekedi’s accusations, alleging that Rwanda collaborates with the M23 group. He claimed that after seeing Burundi’s cooperation with the DRC, Rwanda began to show dissatisfaction.

Despite Ndayishimiye’s claims, reports indicate that Burundian troops have held meetings following one attended by the Governor of North Kivu, Maj Gen Peter Cirimwami, and Brig Gen Hakizimana Antoine, also known as Jeva, who leads CNRD-FLN. They discussed joint efforts initiated in March 2024.

It is reported that the secret military base being built by the DRC and Burundi, once completed, will host armed groups opposed to the Rwandan government, where they will plan attacks. Once prepared, they are expected to use the Kibira forest in Burundi as a route to infiltrate Rwanda.

Since 2023, the armed forces of the DRC, Burundi, the FDLR, and other groups under the Wazalendo coalition have been cooperating in operations against the M23.

The governments of both countries accuse Rwanda of supporting M23 and the RED Tabara group, which opposes President Évariste Ndayishimiye’s regime.

They have long been attempting to unite the FDLR and CNRD-FLN to jointly launch attacks on Rwanda.

Known for her beauty and captivating performances, Hussey left an indelible mark on both cinema and television. According to reports, her passing is linked to cancer.

Hussey’s portrayal of Juliet earned her a Golden Globe for Most Promising Newcomer at just 17 years old.

Despite the film’s critical acclaim, her role sparked controversy due to a brief topless love scene with co-star Leonard Whiting.

In recent years, she and Whiting sued Paramount over the scene, though the lawsuit was ultimately dismissed.

Beyond Romeo and Juliet, Hussey became a beloved figure in the horror genre.

She starred in the cult classic Black Christmas alongside Margot Kidder and John Saxon and appeared in other fan favorites such as It and Psycho IV.

Her voice acting roles, including Talia al Ghul in Superman: The Animated Series and characters in Star Wars video games, showcased her versatility.

In her personal life, Hussey married musician and actor David Glen Eisley in 1991. Together, they shared a family life marked by love and mutual support.

Hussey’s legacy endures through her timeless performances and contributions to film and television, inspiring new generations to discover her iconic work.

She is survived by three children.

In December 2023, the Brussels Court of Assizes convicted Twahirwa of genocide, war crimes, intentional murder, and the rape of women, all of which he committed in Gatenga and Gikondo while he was a leader of the Interahamwe militia in 1994.

His lawyer, Me Vincent Lurquin, told the BBC that Twahirwa had recently been moved from prison to receive medical care at Saint-Luc Hospital in Brussels. Lurquin said he had visited him before his death and found him in critical condition.

He explained that Twahirwa had been suffering from cancer in his leg, a condition he developed after an accident in the 1980s. He also had diabetes, and his health deteriorated significantly during his time in prison.

During his trial, several witnesses testified about the atrocities Twahirwa committed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, including killing Tutsis and encouraging other militia members to rape Tutsi women.

Twahirwa was a cousin of Agathe Kanziga, the wife of former President Habyarimana.

Illinois and Hawaii led the surge, with Illinois experiencing a 116.2% increase, driven by an influx of migrants in Chicago.

Migrants and asylum seekers made up over 13,600 people in emergency shelters across the region. Hawaii saw an 87% rise, with the aftermath of the Maui wildfires displacing thousands.

Massachusetts and New York reported increases exceeding 50%, with New York City noting that asylum seekers accounted for nearly 88% of its rise in sheltered homelessness.

Meanwhile, California remained home to nearly a quarter of the nation’s homeless population, with 66.3% of its homeless living in unsheltered conditions.

Family homelessness rose 39% nationwide, disproportionately affecting children and people identifying as Black or African American.

Experts point to the ongoing affordable housing crisis, the end of eviction moratoriums, and a lack of investment in housing solutions as key contributors to this alarming trend.

HUD Secretary Adrianne Todman emphasized the importance of evidence-based efforts to address homelessness, highlighting the urgency of tackling a crisis that continues to deepen across the country.

Held in Dakar, Senegal, the games saw Rwanda achieve remarkable success, winning a total of six medals: four gold and two silver.

The Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration secured two gold medals in men’s football and volleyball. The Rwanda Energy Group (REG) triumphed in women’s basketball, while the Rwanda Revenue Authority claimed victory in women’s volleyball.

Additionally, the University Teaching Hospital of Butare (CHUB) earned a silver medal in women’s basketball, and the Water and Sanitation Corporation (WASAC) won silver in men’s volleyball.

Minister Mukazayire has via X account celebrated these accomplishments and reiterated Rwanda’s commitment to excelling in sports.

“Sports among public servants, private sector entities, and civil society organizations is vital. It provides opportunities for competition and winning for Rwanda. Our goal is for Rwanda to become a model in sports while leveraging its potential for development,” she posted.

The next edition of the African Workers’ Games is set to take place in Algeria next year.

The collaboration focuses on providing loan guarantees through BDF, particularly for clients who lack sufficient collateral. The partnership agreement was signed on December 24, 2024.

The Managing Director of Atlantique Microfinance Plc, Mohamed Aarouch, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, highlighting that it would enable the institution to expand its customer base and foster mutual growth.

Mary Lambasha, the Deputy Managing Director of Atlantique Microfinance, emphasized that the agreement is a significant milestone in making financial services more accessible.

She pointed out that the partnership would benefit a wide range of clients, especially those with no collateral or insufficient assets, opening up opportunities for individuals who previously struggled to secure loans due to collateral limitations.

Munyeshyaka Vincent, the CEO of BDF, noted that the collaboration addresses a key challenge of lacking collateral faced by many customers.

He explained that the partnership would allow both institutions to serve a larger group of clients while also strengthening Atlantique Microfinance’s ability to provide loans to more individuals.

Additionally, the partnership is expected to help Atlantique Microfinance increase its client base, leading to a rise in available loan funds, which in turn supports the institution’s financial growth.

BDF will also offer financial management training to Atlantique Microfinance’s clients to help them fully capitalize on the benefits of the partnership.

Since its arrival in Rwanda in 2019, Atlantique Microfinance has built a strong reputation for promoting inclusive financial services. The institution is part of AMIFA Holdings, based in Morocco, which is affiliated with Banque Centrale Populaire du Maroc (Groupe BCP).

AMIFA Holdings operates in several other African countries, including Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Gabon, Guinea, Madagascar, and Rwanda.

Atlantique Microfinance currently operates six branches in Rwanda and plans to open additional branches to further expand its presence.

The company’s headquarters are located in Nyarugenge District, at Yyussa City Center, also known as Makuza Peace Plaza.

The partnership focuses on capacity-building, innovation, and knowledge exchange, aligning with Rwanda’s ambition to become Africa’s leading technology hub.

The MoU was signed by Yves Iradukunda, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of ICT and Innovation, and Jin Jinqing, the Managing Director of Huawei Technologies Rwanda.

The agreement aims to nurture digital talent through initiatives in sectors like agriculture, healthcare, education, and public services, with a special focus on empowering youth.

Iradukunda highlighted the Rwandan government’s dedication to fostering a technology-friendly environment for global companies such as Huawei, while simultaneously creating opportunities for young people.

He also mentioned that Kigali is positioning itself as a regional hub for proof-of-concept projects, promoting innovation to tackle Africa’s challenges.

Jinqing affirmed Huawei’s goal of nurturing thousands of ICT talents in the coming years by expanding collaborations with local partners, launching new training programs, and enhancing internship and recruitment initiatives.

The company also plans to tap into Rwanda’s university talent pool to develop solutions in areas like artificial intelligence, smart cities, and clean energy. Huawei will provide top-tier ICT training through the Huawei ICT Academy, competitions, and the LEAP Digital Talent program.

Huawei Technologies, founded in 1987 and headquartered in Shenzhen, China, has over 200,000 employees across more than 170 countries.

In 2023, it earned over $100 billion, with a 34.3% growth in the first half of 2024, reaching $60 billion.