Author: Publisher

{ {{Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and government spokesperson, Louise Mushikiwabo}} }

{{Rwanda Government has warned the DRCongo government against further actions that undermine the security of Rwanda.}}

According to a government statement, a series of actions by the DRC continue to undermine regional efforts towards peace.

On Wednesday morning in Rusura cell in the sector of Busasamana, a section of the DRC army crossed the border to Rwanda where they opened fired on a Rwanda Defense Force (RDF) patrol.

The RDF retaliated and the resulting exchange of fire killed one FARDC soldier identified as Hategekimana Boysiro.

The RDF immediately requested the Extended Joint Verification Mechanism for an independent assessment but their access to the site was denied by DRC authorities.

The morning attacks were followed by a second attempt by two FARDC platoons to deploy into Rwanda that resulted in further exchange of fire leaving four FARDC soldiers dead.

These attacks come less than a year after a series of bombs were launched on Rwandan territory by FARDC.

This includes an attack in August 2013 where a bomb launched from DRC territory landed in a marketplace in Bugangari killing Vestine Mukagasana and seriously injuring her two months old son.

Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and government spokesperson, Louise Mushikiwabo warned the DRC leadership against any further hostilities:

“These actions by the DRC are jeopardising the region’s extensive efforts to ensure peace, stability and development for all our citizens.

We urge the leadership of the DRC to embrace the logic of peace and end all attacks on the Rwandan territory. Rwanda stands ready to act to protect its citizens.”

In the past three months, the DRC has unilaterally closed its border with Rwanda, imposed visa fees despite regional and bilateral agreements and failed to honor their commitment to neutralise the FDLR militia operating in the DRC for the last twenty years.

{{The Israel Foreign Affairs minister Avigdor Liberman is on a two-day state visit in Rwanda where he has also met with President Paul Kagame at village Urugwiro.

According to government, the visit is aimed at strengthening cooperation between Israel and Rwanda with emphasis on improved economic relations, investment, agriculture, ICT and political exchanges.

The two governments have also signed a Memorandum of Understanding on bilateral cooperation.

Israel delegation included over 50 members comprising of business personalities, Rwandan envoy to Israel with residence in Ethiopia and members of Israel Knesset.}}

{{Unknown armed people were reportedly repulsed by Rwanda Defence Forces when they allegedly crossed into Rwanda and launched an attack between 4-5AM.}}

The attack occurred about 300 meters away from the DRC-Boarder.

One person a mid aged man lost his life in the attack in Cyamabuye village located at Rusura cell, Busasamana Sector in Rubavu District.

Sources say they suspect the armed attackers could be members of ((Democratic Liberation Forces of Rwanda) FDLR while others say the attackers could be congolese armed forces FARDC.

Efforts to reach the Rwanda Defence Forces Spokesperson were futile as he didn’t answer our calls.

However according to a local news website ({Kigalitoday}), the attackers were members of the Congolese army (FARDC) and one of their soldiers was instantly killed in the crossfire.

The congolese soldier that was put out of action in the attack has been identified as Hategekimana Boysiro. This morning residents in the attacked area turned up in dozens to witness the body of the slain attacker.

According to other media reports, the Congolese soldiers crossed into Rwanda from their camp at Kanyesheja hill which overlooks an adjacent hill on the Rwandan side on which the RDF troops are also stationed.

RDF immediately neutralized the Congolese forces as they crossed onto Rwanda soil.

However, according to Julien Paluku the governor of the province of North Kivu in DRC, there was no fighting between two armies.

He said, “There was shooting between elements from the Rwandan army and the FARDC (the Congolese army) in Kanyesheza.They were minor incidents, not fighting between two armies.”

He said the fighting began before dawn in Kanyesheza, about 20 kilometres (12 miles) northeast of the provincial capital Goma, and lasted over four hours, the officials said.

(Photos Kigalitoday)

{{An estimated Frw400million will be spent on the forthcoming prestigious cycling competition ‘Tour du Rwanda 2014’.

Tour du Rwanda 2014 will attract dozens of cycling professionals from across the globe and once again draw mammoth fans along the smooth paved Rwandan roads that meander through the hilly countryside.

The cycling competition which is the 6th of the kind will commence November 16-23. The cycling circuit has been expanded to include districts of Ngoma and Nyanza.}}

{{Girdlestone Dylan winner of Tour du Rwanda 2013}}

{{Eyob Metkel won the COGEBANQUE award}}

Previous Winners of Tour du Rwanda

2012 : Darren Lill (Afurika y’Epfo)

2011 : Reijnen Kiel (USA)

2010 : Teklehaimanot Daniel (Eritrea)

2009 : Adil Jelloul (Maroc)

2008 : Niyonshuti Adrien

2007 : Ruhumuriza Abraham

2006 : Kamao (Kenya)

2005 : Ruhumuriza Abraham

2004 : Ruhumuriza Abraham

2003 : Ruhumuriza Abraham

2002 : Ruhumuriza Abraham

2001 : Nsengiyumva Bernard

1990 : Mparabanyi Faustin

1989 : Masumbuko Omar

1988 : Ndengeyingoma Celestin

{titythierry@igihe.com}