Author: Nicole Kamanzi Muteteri

The tax waiver is detailed in RRA’s annual report for 2023/24, which highlights the authority’s successful year, achieving its goals and fulfilling its mandate.

The authority collected a total of Frw2.639 trillion in taxes, contributing 14% to the country’s GDP and 53.3% to the national budget.

In the financial year under review, RRA collected Frw570.4 billion Frw in income tax, slightly below the target of Frw582.1 billion. It also collected Frw585 billion from profit taxes, Frw792 billion from Value Added Tax (VAT), and Frw159.2 billion from import duties.

The report further reveals that, as part of efforts to alleviate the tax burden on businesses and individuals, the government waived Frw127.5 billion Frw in taxes.

Key measures included the removal of taxes on electric and hybrid vehicles, as well as their associated equipment, the exemption of construction materials under the “Manufacture and Build to Recover Program (MBRP),” and an increase in the funds set aside by RRA to settle VAT claims for traders. This fund allocation increased from 12% to 15%.

Additionally, the report outlines that the government waived Frw27.5 billion in VAT rebates for traders. Tax exemptions on rice and maize amounted to Frw38.2 billion in forgone revenue, while the waiver for construction materials totaled Frw19.8 billion.

The government also waived Frw38.3 billion in taxes on electric cars and motorcycles. In a bid to promote the use of electric vehicles and reduce emissions from traditional cars, the government extended tax relief for importers of electric vehicles and motorcycles, allowing them to benefit from zero tariffs on imports. This measure is reviewed annually.

The report also reveals that in 2023/24, the government waived Frw40.3 billion in taxes related to electric vehicles and their equipment.

During the year, 3,687 electric and hybrid vehicles were imported, leading to tax relief of Frw38.3 billion. Additionally, 8,665 electric motorcycles were imported, resulting in a tax waiver of Frw1.9 billion. The government also waived Frw0.1 billion in taxes on related products.

On the other hand, vehicles imported from abroad are subject to a 25% import duty on the customs value, including the cost of goods, insurance, and freight (CIF), for vehicles valued up to $60,000. Vehicles exceeding this value are excluded from the tax exemptions.

RRA’s tax revenues have steadily increased in recent years. In 2018/19, the authority collected Frw1.423 trillion; in 2019/20, it collected Frw1.516 trillion; in 2020/21, Frw1.654 trillion; in 2021/22, Frw1.91 trillion; and in 2022/23, the total reached Frw2.333 trillion.

Earlier in the day, state news agency SUNA reported that a drone attack by the RSF on a market in the Awlad Al-Reef neighborhood in El Fasher killed more than 15 people and injured many others.

“The death toll from the massacre in the Awlad Al-Reef neighborhood in El Fasher has risen to 38,” the Coordination of Resistance Committees in El Fasher, a local non-governmental group, said in a statement.

The RSF has not commented on the incident.

Fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF, which began in mid-April 2023, has killed more than 28,700 people and displaced over 14 million in the country, according to international organizations.

Diego Leyva, 16, was detained after he called 911 on Saturday morning and told the police that he had killed his family at their residence in Belen, New Mexico, according to the Valencia County Sheriff’s Office.

The suspect has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder for the quadruple homicide of his family, said the police.

When police officers arrived, Leyva walked out of the residence with his hands in the air and was extremely intoxicated, local media reported.

Police then entered the residence and found four victims who appeared to have been shot dead.

It was later identified that the victims, aged from 14 to 42, were all family members of the teen suspect.

An investigation is underway.

President Tshisekedi, on December 11, 2024, addressed both chambers of the Congolese Parliament, accusing Rwanda of repopulating North Kivu by replacing Congolese citizens with foreign nationals.

In an interview with DW, Minister Nduhungirehe expressed surprise at President Tshisekedi’s remarks, calling them dangerous and fueling xenophobia against Congolese Tutsi communities in Eastern DRC.

He questioned the logic behind the claim that Rwandans would leave their peaceful country to settle in North Kivu, a region where security is severely compromised by ongoing armed conflicts and violence from over 200 militia groups, including the FDLR and Wazalendo.

“It doesn’t make any sense to claim that Rwandan citizens would leave a country in peace for a war zone, where civilians are facing daily violence and ethnic persecution by a hundred local militias, including the Wazalendo, and by the FDLR genocidaires, supported by Kinshasa,” he noted.

Minister Nduhungirehe also deemed Tshisekedi’s statements irresponsible, especially on the eve of the Luanda talks scheduled for December 15.

These talks, aimed at addressing the security crisis in eastern DRC and the region, will be led by Angola’s President, who is also serving as the African Union (AU)-appointed mediator.

Both Tshisekedi and Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame are expected to participate in the discussions, with Angola emphasizing the potential for a lasting peace agreement.

Amb. Nduhungirehe clarified that the primary focus of the talks will be to ensure the DRC government is committed to engaging in direct negotiations with the M23, which represents the marginalized Congolese Tutsi community.

According to United Nations reports, over 1.45 million internally displaced persons have returned to North Kivu.

Rwanda has consistently rejected accusations from the DRC that it supports the M23 rebel group, calling such claims unfounded.

Instead, Rwanda has accused the DRC government of collaborating with the FDLR in the ongoing conflict in North Kivu, a group which poses a threat to Rwanda’s security.

This landmark initiative brings together a diverse range of stakeholders, including public sector representatives, private businesses, civil society organizations, and development partners, all united in their efforts to address the country’s critical water security issues.

The launch of the MSP is a significant milestone in the implementation of the Prime Minister Order N°031/03 of November 30, 2022, which governs the National Water Consultative Committee (NWCC).

The NWCC is made up of two main bodies: a high-level Policy Consultative Committee and the MSP, which focuses on technical coordination, strategic planning, and fostering collaborative action to address Rwanda’s growing water resource challenges.

The MSP is designed to support Rwanda in achieving water security for economic growth and sustainable development. One of its key objectives is to facilitate dialogue among stakeholders from different sectors to co-design solutions for pressing water-related challenges.

Additionally, it aims to enhance coordination across public, private, and civil society sectors, ensuring a holistic and unified approach to managing the country’s water resources. The MSP also seeks to pilot innovative interventions, such as the Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) initiative, which will reward communities for conserving ecosystems that help manage water resources.

The operationalization of the MSP has been supported by the 2030 Water Resources Group (2030 WRG), a global initiative hosted by the World Bank Group. The launch event also marked the signing of a historic partnership framework between the Rwanda Water Resources Board, Rwanda Mountain Tea Ltd, ARCOS Network, and IUCN for a PES pilot project at the Giciye Catchment.

Speaking at the launch, Beatrice Cyiza, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, expressed her optimism about the MSP’s role in advancing Rwanda’s water security efforts.

“The launch of this platform marks a new chapter in Rwanda’s commitment to water security and sustainability. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, we are building a foundation for collaboration, innovation, and practical solutions to our water challenges. This is a collective victory for Rwanda’s development agenda,” she said.

Dr. Emmanuel Rukundo, Director General of the Rwanda Water Resources Board (RWB), highlighted the transformative potential of partnerships in addressing water challenges.

“Through initiatives like the Payment for Ecosystem Services pilot, we are not only addressing water security but also creating economic and environmental benefits for communities. This partnership framework is a testament to what we can achieve when we work together,” he said.

With increasing pressure on water resources from population growth, urbanization, and climate change, Rwanda’s approach to water security is critical for its sustainable development. The MSP offers a collaborative space for stakeholders to address the complex challenges surrounding water management through shared knowledge and joint action.

The platform will bring together a broad range of key institutions, with the Rwanda Water Resources Board (RWB) serving as the chair of the MSP.

Other participating entities include WASAC Group, the Rwanda Energy Group (REG), the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), and the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB).

Additional stakeholders include the Rwanda Transport Development Authority (RTDA), the Rwanda Housing Authority (RHA), the National Land Authority (NLA), and the Rwanda Meteorology Agency (RMA).

The platform also brings in critical private sector partners, such as the CEO of the Private Sector Federation (PSF), as well as civil society representatives, including the Executive Secretary of the Forum of Non-Governmental Organizations on Environment (RENGONF).

“We carried out two military operations, the first of which targeted a military target in the occupied Ashkelon city, while the second targeted a target in the occupied Jaffa city,” Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said in the statement, referring to Israeli cities.

“The two operations were carried out with two drones that were able to bypass Israeli air defenses,” he said.

“We also carried out a joint military operation with the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, targeting vital targets in the south of occupied Palestine with a number of drones,” he said.

The Houthi spokesperson didn’t specify the date of those attacks nor identify the targets. There were no comments yet from the Israeli side on the Houthi claim.

The Houthi militant group, which controls much of northern Yemen, has been launching rockets and bomb-laden drones toward Israeli cities and disrupted “Israeli-linked” shipping in the Red Sea since November 2023 to show solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza amid the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The motion was approved with 204 votes in favor, 85 against, and three abstentions during a historic plenary session.

The first impeachment motion over martial law declaration had been invalidated after a majority of lawmakers from the ruling People Power Party walked out and did not participate in the vote.

With parliamentary approval, the matter will now be reviewed by the Constitutional Court, which has up to 180 days to decide.

During this period, Yoon’s powers will be suspended, and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will serve as acting president. If the court upholds the impeachment, a snap election will be held within 60 days.

The ceremony marked the conclusion of the FIA General Assembly, which took place in Rwanda from December 10 to 13, 2024, coinciding with the 120th anniversary of the founding of the organization.

The FIA Awards ceremony was attended by various dignitaries, including President Paul Kagame and FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

The Head of State, accompanied by Ben Sulayem, presented two major awards, one of which was for the best driver in Formula One. Max Verstappen received the award for the fourth consecutive year, defeating Lando Norris, who came second, and Charles Leclerc, who finished third.

President Kagame also presented an award to Zak Brown, the CEO of McLaren, for the best team of 2024. McLaren, which includes drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, was recognized for its performance this year.

In total, awards were given across 16 categories, including the World Karting Championship, Rally-Raid, Formula 2, Rally, Formula E, Endurance, and Rallycross.

Among the honorees was French driver Michèle Mouton, who received the “Lifetime Award” from FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem after 50 years of involvement in motorsport.

The 73-year-old Mouton competed in motorsport until 1986 and now focuses on organizing races.

In his welcoming remarks, Brig Gen Patrick Karuretwa, the Director-General of International Military Cooperation at the Ministry of Defence, appreciated the strong collaboration between the Defence attachés and the Mnistry of Defence (MINADEF), which benefits both Rwanda and their respective countries.

Col Didier Calmant the President of the Rwanda Military Attachés Association from Belgium, expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Defence for the informative security updates and the valuable opportunity to engage in discussions on Defence and security matters.

The briefing, hosted by the Ministry of Defence, was attended by 27 Defence attachés and associates from countries including Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Egypt, Sudan, Ghana, France, Turkey, the USA, China, Belgium, Namibia, Angola, Italy, Qatar, Germany, South Korea, Poland, Sweden, Ethiopia, Russia, Senegal, Denmark, Israel, The Netherlands, the UK, and the European Union (EU).

The Ministry of Defence and Rwanda Defence Force regularly organize briefings to provide Defence attachés, both resident and non-resident, with the opportunity to discuss current Defence and security dynamics at national, regional, and international levels, promoting mutual understanding and cooperation between their countries and Rwanda.

On the same day, RDF held an end-of-year dinner to honor Defence attachés accredited to Rwanda. The event took place at the Senior Officers Mess in Kimihurura, Kigali.

Brig Gen Celestin Kanyamahanga, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence (MOD), represented the Minister of Defence as the guest of honor. In his address, he welcomed the Defence attachés and praised their presence as a demonstration of the importance of cooperation.

He emphasized that partnerships with other allies are a crucial aspect of the Rwanda Defence Forces’ professionalization journey.

“We believe that no single country can confront contemporary security challenges. It is therefore paramount for all of us to embrace trust, confidence, and interoperability through defence cooperation as we jointly contribute to global security,” Brig Gen Kanyamahanga noted.

The event, organized by the Department of International Military Cooperation, was attended by Defence attachés, RDF generals, senior officers, and invited guests.