Author: Publisher

{{African Union peacekeepers from the Republic of Congo operating in the Central African Republic have been accused of abuses, including torture, killings and detentions, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Monday.}}

The allegations – from witnesses, residents and local officials interviewed by HRW during an investigation by its staff – are likely to embarrass the AU peacekeeping mission, which suffered a blow to its legitimacy in April when Chadian forces were accused of killing 30 civilians.

Chad denied the allegation, saying its forces opened fire after being ambushed by Christian “anti-balaka” militia.

About 6,000 AU peacekeepers, known as MISCA, are working alongside French and European Union troops to try to restore order in the nation, where months of ethnic and religious violence have killed thousands and made nearly a million homeless.

HRW said that on March 24 a group of Congolese troops surrounded a house belonging to an anti-balaka general and captured at least 11 people, including four women.

The incident, which took place about 80 km (50 miles) north of Bangui in the town of Boali, followed an attack on a Congolese vehicle by anti-balaka troops.

“The African Union needs to say what happened to the group that was detained and taken by the Congolese peacekeepers,” said HRW emergencies director Peter Bouckaert said in a statement.

HRW said that MISCA had agreed to an investigation of the incident which it said could be a violation of international law.

The rights group also said it had received reports that Congolese troops had tortured to death two anti-balaka leaders following the lynching of a Congolese soldier in the northern town of Bossangoa in December.

Central African Republic has been gripped by ethnic and religious violence since northern Seleka rebels, who are mostly Muslim, seized power in the mainly Christian nation in 2013.

Seleka left power in January under intense pressure after 10 months of looting and violence that prompted the creation of the anti-balaka militia.

Agencies

{{Police in Bugesera district on June 1 impounded an assortment of goods that were smuggled into the country through a porous border in an area.

The impounded goods include 122 big bottles of Amster beer, 25 kilogrammes of fish and 20 kilogrammes of plastic bags.

The goods were being transported in a public vehicle Toyota Hiace registration number RAA 870G.

They were intercepted in Nyamata along Nyamata-Kigali highway.

The good were handed over to Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) for further proceedings.

The Eastern region Police Spokesperson, Senior Supt. Bénoit Nsengiyumva warned those involved in these illegal businesses.

“This is an illegal act that we have to fight jointly because they might hurt the local business and bring substandard products in the market,” SSP Nsengiyumva said.}}

RNP

{{Rwanda has identified the finance sector as one of the key pillars to become a middle-income country by the year 2020.

This strategy is paying off as recently, during the African Bankers Awards 2014 ceremony that took place on the sidelines of the Africa Development Bank Meetings in Kigali. }}

President Paul Kagame received a special recognition and the Bank of Kigali was awarded for being the best bank in East Africa.

President Paul Kagame received the award in recognition of Rwanda’s achievements that include spearheading the economic growth and transformation the country has achieved over the last 20 years.

Addressing guests at the event, President Kagame thanked Rwandans who have sacrificed much to put Rwanda where it is today.

“Rwandans have made me the kind of leader that I am and they have given me the strength that has added up to taking our country forward,” he said.

President Kagame said that the award highlights those who have been instrumental in maintaining excellence and best practices along with the outstanding achievements of individuals and companies that have changed the perception of Africa’s potential in domestic and international markets. He however called for continued efforts:

“As we celebrate, we must think about doing more and sustaining what we have achieved,” said President Kagame.

Rwanda’s financial institutions have been awarded for the improved performance of the sector and its contribution to the national economy. These awards are also a recognition of reforms, rapid modernization and expansion of the banking and finance sectors in Africa.

Omar Ben Yedder, the Publisher of African Banker Magazine, said that President Kagame has set a powerful benchmark of excellence for future generations of leaders to follow.

The Publisher of African Banker Magazine, Mr Omar Ben Yedder, noted that the award was memorable because they took place in Kigali where all delegates have witnessed the transformation of a country.

“Since we launched the awards, we have witnessed the transformation of an industry. There is no room for complacency because there is much room for growth and development to achieve the transformation we all desire and work towards,” he added.

According to the organizers of the event, over the years the quantity and quality of entries has been increasing which attests to the readiness of African banks and financial institutions to showcase to the world the good work they have been doing.

Approximately, 42% of the total population of Rwanda is in the formal financial system, while banking dominates the financial market with 66.3%. The sector remains liquid, well-capitalized and sustainable growth. Interests on loans are stable and ranges between 14% to 22%.

The National Bank of Rwanda, which will be celebrating its 50th years anniversary in August this year, regulates the financial system. It also issues licences to commercial banks, insurers, pension schemes, micro finance institutions, forex bureau and credit reference bureau.

The three biggest banks in Rwanda are Bank of Kigali, Banque Populaire du Rwanda and I&M Bank. Among the largest regional banks with a presence in Rwanda are Ecobank, Guaranty Trust Bank, Access Bank, Equity Bank and Kenya Commercial Bank.