IGIHE

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  • New Law to Elevate China’s Environment Over Development

    New Law to Elevate China’s Environment Over Development

    {{Smog-hit China is set to pass a new law that would give Beijing more powers to shut polluting factories and punish officials, and even place protected regions off-limits to industrial development, scholars with knowledge of the situation said.}}

    Long-awaited amendments to China’s 1989 Environmental Protection Law are expected to be finalised later this year, giving the Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) greater authority to take on polluters.

    While some details of the fourth draft are still under discussion, it has been agreed that the principle of prioritising the environment above the economy will be enshrined in law, according to scholars who have been involved in the process. The fourth draft is due to be completed within weeks.

    “(Upholding) environmental protection as the fundamental principle is a huge change, and emphasizes that the environment is a priority,” said Cao Mingde, a law professor at the China University of Political Science and Law, who was involved in the drafting process.

    The first change to the legislation in 25 years will give legal backing to Beijing’s newly declared war on pollution and formalize a pledge made last year to abandon a decades-old growth-at-all-costs economic model that has spoiled much of China’s water, skies and soil.

    Cao cautioned that some of the details of the measures could be removed as a result of bureaucratic horsetrading.

    The MEP has called for the law to spell out how new powers can be implemented in practice, but the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the country’s top economic planning agency, prefers broader, more flexible principles.

    reuters

  • France Refuses to Extradite Genocide Suspect Tegera

    France Refuses to Extradite Genocide Suspect Tegera

    {{France has rejected Rwanda’s Request to Extradite Pierre Tegera a Rwandan suspected of Genocide Crime arguing that at the time the suspect committed the crime, there was no law preventing such a crime.

    The decision was arrived at after a court ruling in France and also comes few weeks after France rejected to take part in the 20th commemoration of the Genocide against Tutsi.
    Rwanda has insisted France played a principle role in the planning and execution of the Genocide. }}

    {Pierre Tegera}

  • Kizito Mihigo Admits Collaborating with RNC and FDLR

    Kizito Mihigo Admits Collaborating with RNC and FDLR

    {{Rwanda National Police today revealed the arrest of three individuals suspected of offenses against state security. }}

    The three who the Police believe had been recruited by Rwanda National Congress and working for some time in collaboration with the FDLR are: Kizito Mihigo, a musician was arrested last Friday; Cassien Ntamuhanga, a journalist at Amazing Grace Radio who had earlier been reported missing was arrested this morning; and Jean Paul Dukuzumuremyi, a demobilised soldier arrested last Saturday.

    Mihigo, Ntamuhanga and Dukuzumuremyi are under investigation for involvement in planning terrorist attacks against Rwanda, planning violent overthrow of the government, planning to assassinate government officials and inciting violence among the population.

    The three are suspected to be working closely with senior members of Rwanda National Congress (RNC) and the FDLR, and participating actively in a network that has carried out several grenade attacks and continues to plan terrorist action against Rwanda.

    Police Spokesperson, ACP Damas Gatare said:

    “The Police is in possession of ample evidence including grenades and testimonies obtained from other accomplices arrested during the course of investigation.

    Kizito Mihigo, Cassien Ntamuhanga and Jean Paul Dukuzumuremyi have admitted to working closely with senior members of RNC and FDLR, an active network that has carried out several grenade attacks in Rwanda.

    The case file will now be submitted to the prosecution. However, investigations continue to arrest other members of the network still at large. We encourage the public to continue to share relevant information with the Police.”

  • Rwandans Assured of Security

    Rwandans Assured of Security

    {{The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Emmanuel K. Gasana has assured Rwandans that nothing can destabilise the security and safety the country is enjoying today or lure it into the dark past.}}

    The Police Chief said this on April 12 in Kacyiru sector, Gasabo district where he joined areas residents at a vigil night to pay tribute to hundreds of people who were killed in the area during the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, which claimed over one million lives in just a period of one hundred days.

    “There is security in Rwanda and no one can destabilise it,” the IGP told mourners.

    He said that the genocide will never happen again in Rwanda and urged them to have hope in their country’s future.

    The vigil to mark the 20th commemoration started with a walk to remember from the US Embassy to Kacyiru primary school, where mourners gathered to pay respect to relatives, friends and fellow Rwandans who were massacred during the genocide.

    It was also attended by clerics, representatives from security organs and artists, among others.

    The IGP challenged area residents to continue to partner with Police by providing timely information about anything that might impede on safety in their communities.

    Stella Ford Mugabo, the Minister in charge of Cabinet Affairs observed that Rwanda has made outstanding growth, twenty years after the genocide and appealed to the population to keep-up the self-reliance spirit for their pride and that of the country.

    She also challenged them to own government policies like Ndi Umunyarwanda to further contribute to their success and the country in general.

    She also asked them to sustain and embrace what the country has so far achieved and continue the healing journey of unity and reconciliation, an inevitable factor towards sustainable peace and development.

    RNP

  • “Telling Our Own Stories: Poems by Rwandan Youth 20 Years After the Genocide”

    “Telling Our Own Stories: Poems by Rwandan Youth 20 Years After the Genocide”

    {{Youth Literacy Organisation (YouLI) has, this week, released a book containing a collection of 20 poems, on themes of genocide commemoration and remembrance.}}

    The 20 poems are written by young Rwandans aged between 14 and 28. They were
    compiled under The Poetry Project 19, a project launched by YouLI in March 2013, just ahead of the 19th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

    Through the project, YouLI aims to encourage Rwandan youth to (1) tell their own stories and the story of Rwanda, (2) contribute to the literature on Rwanda and the history of the genocide, and (3) foster their creative expression skills through writing.

    Each poem within the collection tells a unique story but they all embrace remembrance, forgiveness, and hope for a brighter future.

    They take the reader from experiences of anger, blame and regret over a despicable history, to the rising promise of a new generation that carries the responsibility of turning “never again” into reality.

    Speaking at the Kwibuka20 Café Littéraire on Sunday, 6 April 2014, YouLI’s Executive
    Director, Gilbert Rwabigwi, said, “This is more than just a collection of poems because it also represents what the youth today stands for.

    They stand for unity, and rebuilding, with dignity and strong commitments to renew the national, despite the very tragic history of our country.”

    “For us,” he said, “writing about our views and experiences related to the history of
    Rwanda is very important as we seek to heal the wounds that were left by the genocide andpreserve the memories.”

    Published by Bloo Books, Ltd., the first copies of the book were available at the Kwibuka20 Café Littéraire and at the Parliament before Walk to Remember. Copies of the book are now available at publisher’s office in town and Ikirezi Bookshop.

    An electronic version of the collection will also be made available in the next few weeks through major eBooks markets.

  • Police Intensifies Crackdown on Drug Dealers

    Police Intensifies Crackdown on Drug Dealers

    For the past years, the Rwanda National Police (RNP) in partnership with the public, have been fighting drug abuse, especially among the youth, the majority involved in drug-related crimes.

    Awareness activities have been held in communities in all parts of the country and in schools, which has yielded positive, including arrest of consumers and traders of narcotics and illicit brew.

    {{On April 12, four people were arrested separately in Bugesera and Gicumbi districts after they were found in possession of cannabis and an illegal gin locally known as kanyanga.}}

    Seven kilogrammes of cannabis, 32 litres of kanyanga and 80 litres of ibikwangari, an illegal locally made beer was also seized from the suspects.

    The Eastern region Police Spokesperson, Senior Sup. Bénoit Nsengiyumva lauded members of the public for a tip-off, which led to the arrest of the suspects.

    He said drug abuse lead to assault, domestic violence, theft.

    He appealed to them to continue the collaboration to further prevent crimes and arrest wrongdoers.

    RNP

  • Rwandans in UK Mark 20th Commemoration of Genocide

    Rwandans in UK Mark 20th Commemoration of Genocide

    {{Over 700 Rwandans and friends of Rwanda marked the 20th Anniversary of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi at a sombre ceremony in Birmingham, West Midland, on 12th April 2014.}}

    The gathering was joined by the Hon. Eric Pickles, Secretary for Communities, representing the UK government at the function. Also present were Hon. Andrew Mitchell and Hon. Jeremy Lefroy, members of the diplomatic community and local council representatives.

    Speaking at the event, both Hon. Pickles and Mitchell hailed Rwandans and their leadership for an extraordinary journey of recovery and reconstruction over the last two decades.

    Hon. Mitchell noted that the world have a lot of lessons to learn from Rwanda, not only its successful process of reconciliation, but also the country’s commitment to the concept of the Responsibility to Protect, noting that it is not lost to the world that Rwanda was the first country to commit and deploy troops in Darfur while the wider world was still dithering in indecision.

    The participants who came from over 12 cities in UK witnessed an exhibition on the 1994 genocide and participated in a work on the Kwibuka20 theme: Remember. Unite. Remember in the morning.

    They then joined in the sombre commemoration ceremony in the afternoon and closed the day with a night vigil which ended at around 22h00 on 12th April 2014.

    The participants heard moving testimonies from survivors, commemorative songs from Rwanda and British artists as well as reflections from different speakers.

    A SURF representative speaking at the event commended the Rwandan Government for the work it has done in promoting reconciliation and assisting survivors, but lashed at the international community, and its failure to own up to its responsibility in supporting genocide survivors.

    Going forward, the organization said it would focus its campaign efforts on getting the international community to pay reparations to survivors of the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

    In his remarks at the ceremony, the High Commissioner of Rwanda to UK, His Excellency Williams Nkurunziza thanked participants for their coming to share in this sombre moment and to honor those that perished in the genocide.

    He also observed that over the last two decades, the country has made a phenomenal recovery founded on the resilience of her people and support of genuine friends of Rwanda.

    “In our journey, our leaders have insisted we must always be primary in putting our shoulder on the wheel of hope and breaking the first sweat. And we have. But we have also benefited from the support of our friends, and none has been greater than Great Britain,” he said.

    The High Commissioner also noted that that the best way to honor those who perished is to ensure that those that committed genocide are held to account.

    “It is pointless to remember without taking responsibility. To do so would be to dance on the graves of those who perished on our watch,” he said, and added:

    “We dishonor their memory and compromise our children’s future when we forget to hold accountable those who committed genocide. We dishonor their memory and sell short the dreams of a new generation when our belief in freedom of expression allows them space to fabricate and articulate a narrative of genocide denial.

    We dishonor their memory and pervert the very meaning of democracy when our commitment to political pluralism legitimizes the illegitimate aspirations of genocidaires, or pretend that terrorists with blood on their hands, in one country are freedom fighters in another.”

    Ambassador Nkurunziza also challenged the international community to draws lessons from the Rwandan experience and work to ensure history does not repeat itself.

    “In the spirit of the Responsibility to Protect – R2P- the world must do more to prevent the extreme inhumanity of man to his fellow men. The fear to engage in the face of a known and unfolding catastrophy is a betrayal of our common humanity.

    Inaction is neither humane nor cheap. It costs lives, steals the dreams of our youths and astronomically escalates the burden of peace building,” he noted.

    He then called on all Rwandans to head the President’s call “to be together; to be accountable, and to think big” as this is what has enabled up as to rise again as a nation.
    “We heard the President’s call to all Rwandans to stay the course. And we must, for to do so is to honor those who perished, comfort survivors and secure our collective future,” he said.

  • Sudan Rebels Reject Government Call For Dialogue

    Sudan Rebels Reject Government Call For Dialogue

    {{The rebel alliance of the Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF) Sunday has reiterated its rejection to take part in the national dialogue, saying the government is escalating military operations instead of declaring cessation of hostilities and making confidence-building measures.}}

    The rebel SRF, which says that a constitutional conference must lead to restore a democratic regime in Sudan, demands that such national process intervene after holding direct talks with them to negotiate a cessation of hostilities and open humanitarian access to civilians in the rebel areas.

    The alliance pointed in a statement on Sunday that its leadership held continuous meetings throughout last week to assess the political situation and decide on participation in the national dialogue, saying it decided not to take part in it.

    The statement added this strategic decision was made following a deep evaluation, pointing out that the regime launched systemic military operations during the last couple of months including escalation of aerial bombardment and ground attacks carried out by government militias targeting civilians in Darfur, South Kordofan, North Kordofan, and Blue Nile.

    “The Revolutionary Front is not ready to participate in this farce par excellence. We represent the victims, their mothers, their parents, sisters and brothers , and we cannot provide a cover for the continuation of war crimes in the name of (dialogue).”, said the statement.

    The rebels said the government only seeks to buy time in order to produce another version of the same regime and draft a new constitution under the control of its security apparatus.

    The statement added that the SRF doesn’t reject the dialogue and the comprehensive peaceful solution , but they want a dialogue to be based on clear roadmap to “move from war to peace and from totalitarianism to democracy”.

    sudantribune

  • Nairobi Mall Terrorists May Have Used Uganda

    Nairobi Mall Terrorists May Have Used Uganda

    {{The group of Islamist gunmen who stormed the Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi last year, killing at least 67 people, may have entered Kenya from neighbouring Uganda, a senior police official was quoted as saying Saturday.}}

    Uganda’s police chief, General Kale Kayihura, cited intelligence reports indicating that Uganda had been used as a transit stage. He added that Uganda was also still at risk of attack.

    “Even intelligence shows Westgate attackers passed through Uganda,” Uganda’s government spokesman, Ofwono Opondo, quoted the general as saying during a high-level meeting this week of security chiefs and senior government officials.

    “Uganda is being used as a transit route by the terrorists who bomb Kenya,” he added. “We must ensure there is no disturbance in Kampala.”

    Somalia’s Al-Qaeda-linked Shebab claimed responsibility for the Westgate attack, saying it was a warning to Kenya to pull its troops out of southern Somalia, where they are fighting the extremists as part of an African Union force.

    Ugandan troops are also fighting as part of the AU force, and in 2010 Shebab bombers killed at least 76 people in restaurants in the Ugandan capital.

    The Westgate gunmen, believed to have numbered just four, were all killed in the siege.

    Four men are currently on trial in Nairobi on charges of providing them with logistical support, although it has been unclear precisely what route they took to Nairobi.

    NV

  • Rising insecurity Threatens East Africa Economy

    Rising insecurity Threatens East Africa Economy

    Persistent terrorist attacks are expected to keep Kenya’s risk profile high in the next couple of years, dampening its attractiveness to investors despite the strong economic fundamentals.

    This is according to the latest country risk assessment by American consulting firm IHS International.

    The New York Stock Exchange-listed company warns in a research note that the attacks and rampant crime in Nairobi and Mombasa, if not checked, could erode the attractiveness of East Africa’s biggest economy as an investment destination despite its promising economic prospects.

    Gus Selassie, the deputy head of Africa Analysis at IHS, says Kenya should expect terrorist attacks to continue in Nairobi and Mombasa as well as along the border with Somalia in the medium term with serious ramifications on the economy.

    The assessment comes at a time when the government is preparing to sell a $2 billion Eurobond, whose pricing will be determined by Kenya’s creditworthiness, which is determined by country risk score.

    “The insistence by the government that it will not be pulling its forces out of Somalia means the country remains a target of Al-Shabaab attacks beyond the next 12 months unless the group is defeated or severely weakened,” Mr Selassie says, adding that measures President Kenyatta announced in the State of the Union address are unlikely to result in an immediate improvement of the security situation in the next 12 months.

    IHS conducts research for global clients in sectors like defence and security, energy and power as well as country and industry forecasting.

    Kenya has in recent months suffered a series of terrorist attacks including last September’s assault on the Westgate Shopping Mall where at least 67 people were killed.

    The government has more recently responded to deadly attacks in Mombasa’s Likoni and Nairobi’s Eastleigh districts with a controversial paramilitary operation, leading to the arrest of thousands of aliens and citizens it claims are responsible for the growing insecurity.

    More than 80 Somalis were deported to Mogadishu and more continue to be held in different police stations, including the Safaricom Stadium in Kasarani.

    Interior secretary Joseph ole Lenku, and Attorney- General, Githu Muigai have defended the operation, saying it would help restore sanity in the country.

    Mr Selassie however says the duo and their colleagues in government have their job cut out for them in next 12 months for Kenya to get some semblance of security.

    Besides highlighting the terror hot spots, IHS has identified upmarket neighbourhoods like Runda, Muthaiga, Parklands and Westlands as areas that will continue being the focus of crime such as carjackings and armed robberies.

    NMG