Author: Wycliffe Nyamasege

Images and videos shared by the local media show protesters, mainly in Nairobi and Mombasa counties, holding placards demanding the government to “Stop Injustice” and “End the Abductions.”

A group of protesters stage peaceful demos at Aga Khan Walk, Nairobi, demanding release of those abducted pic.twitter.com/jb5zU9DFgG

— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) December 30, 2024

The protests are being led by human rights organizations, lobby groups, youth, and survivors of abductions that occurred in June during the height of youth-led demonstrations. The earlier protests forced President William Ruto to shelve plans to introduce additional taxes through the controversial Finance Bill 2024.

In a communiqué released on Sunday, the organizers announced that nationwide demonstrations would be held in all 47 counties to condemn what they described as enforced disappearances.

The protesters argue that the demonstrations aim to pressure the government to release those believed to have been abducted, end arbitrary arrests, and address the demands voiced by Generation Z during the June protests.

At least five abductions have been reported in December alone, targeting critics of President Ruto’s administration. Among those missing are individuals who shared AI-generated images of Ruto in a casket—images that some deemed offensive.

One of the abductees is the popular cartoonist Kibet Bull, whose real name is Gideon Kibet. His satirical images of the president went viral. Kibet disappeared on Christmas Eve after meeting opposition senator Okiya Omtatah.

Kibet’s younger brother, Ronny Kiplangat, who has also been missing for several days, is believed by their family to have been used as bait by security forces to lure Kibet.

Besides sharing silhouette images of the Head of State, those abducted have been vocal on social media, accusing the government of corruption, failing to address unemployment, and not fulfilling its promises to revitalize the economy.

The police have denied any involvement in the incidents, stating that none of the missing persons are in their custody.

However, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who was impeached in October for allegedly sabotaging President Ruto’s administration, claims the government is behind the abductions.

Speaking to the press in Nairobi on Friday, Gachagua alleged that the abductions are being conducted by a secret unit operating outside the authority of the Inspector General of Police.

“There’s a building in Nairobi, on the 21st floor in the city centre, where the unit operates from, led by a certain Mr. Abel. Abel is a cousin to a very senior official in this government,” Gachagua disclosed.

He threatened to reveal more details about the secret unit if the abducted individuals are not released.

Later that day, President Ruto, accompanied by opposition leader Raila Odinga—whose allies have joined Ruto’s Cabinet in a broad-based government formed after the Gen-Z protests—promised to address the issue of abductions.

Odinga condemned the state-linked abductions of government critics, stating that Kenya cannot become a “gangster state.”

Recognized as Kenya’s second liberation hero, Odinga was a victim of the oppressive regime of the late President Daniel Arap Moi during the fight for multiparty democracy in the 1990s. He warned that allowing such practices to persist could return the country to the dark days of the “Nyayo Torture Chambers.”

President Ruto acknowledged the public’s concerns but urged the youth to exercise discipline.

“We will stop the abductions so Kenyan youth can live in peace, but they must be disciplined and polite so that we can build Kenya together,” Ruto said during an event at a stadium in Homa Bay in western Kenya.

Carter, who was born in 1924, held a varied career as a naval officer, farmer, and governor of Georgia before becoming president in 1977. His presidency, which lasted until 1981, was marked by both challenges and achievements.

During his term, Carter emphasized human rights in foreign policy, brokered the Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel, and oversaw the creation of the Department of Energy.

However, his tenure faced economic difficulties, rising inflation, and the Iran hostage crisis, which significantly impacted his political standing. Carter lost his reelection bid in 1980 to Ronald Reagan.

After leaving office, Carter dedicated his life to global humanitarian efforts. He and his wife, Rosalynn, founded The Carter Center in 1982 to promote democracy, human rights, and public health.

The center monitored elections worldwide, worked to combat diseases, and advocated for peace. Carter also played a key role in establishing The Elders, a group of global leaders addressing critical world issues. His efforts earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.

Carter’s work extended to Africa, where he focused on health initiatives such as eradicating Guinea worm disease and promoting peace. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi praised Carter’s role in achieving the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel, describing it as a significant historical milestone.

Known for his modest lifestyle, Carter spent his post-presidency years in the same two-bedroom home he lived in before his political career. He authored several books on topics ranging from faith to diplomacy, reflecting his lifelong commitment to public service and advocacy.

Carter is survived by his four children, 11 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren. His wife of 77 years, Rosalynn, passed away in November 2023. Public observances in Atlanta and Washington, D.C., will honor his legacy, followed by a private interment in Plains, Georgia.

In a statement on Sunday, December 29, 2024, the Minister called out the Congolese army over “incompetence” both on the battlefield and in spreading what he described as “mediocre fake news.”

Nduhungirehe’s remarks came after the Congolese army paraded a man, identified as Hakizimana Iradukunda Jean de Dieu, as an RDF soldier allegedly captured in North Kivu during operations on December 21.

“FARDC presents us with a so-called soldier of the RDF who does not know his unit or his commander, and who cannot provide his registration number within the Rwandan army,” Nduhungirehe stated.

He further highlighted inconsistencies in the man’s testimony, particularly his claimed origins from administrative subdivisions—such as “Murenge” and “Kazabi”—which he said exist in the DRC but not in Rwanda.

The Minister noted that Rwanda’s administrative divisions include districts, sectors, cells, and villages, none of which align with the alleged origins of the supposed RDF soldier.

Nduhungirehe also pointed out FARDC’s history of similar allegations. He recalled a February incident when the Congolese army introduced “Ndayambaje Abouba” as an RDF soldier. However, the same individual had previously been presented by FARDC in civilian clothing under suspicious circumstances.

“Clearly, FARDC, failing to be a war machine on the ground, have become a #FakeNews manufacturing plant!” the Minister declared.

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The Minister’s remarks come two days after RDF also dismissed the claims as fake news.

In a video shared by FARDC, the alleged soldier claimed he was born in Ngororero District and had been stationed in the DRC for over a year. The man also alleged the deployment of four RDF divisions to eastern DRC.

Rwanda has consistently denied involvement in the conflict in eastern DRC, where the M23 rebel group has been fighting the Congolese army and allied forces.

Kigali has repeatedly accused FARDC of harbouring and supporting the FDLR, a militia composed of remnants of the perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

The Rwandan government asserts that the Congolese leadership’s persistent accusations are attempts to divert attention from internal challenges and failures to address the concerns of their citizens in eastern DRC.

This has resulted in strained diplomatic ties between Rwanda and the DRC, with[ efforts to resolve the stalemate continuing to encounter obstacles->https://en.igihe.com/politics-48/article/talks-between-president-kagame-tshisekedi-postponed?var_mode=calcul].

In the World Justice Project (WJP) Rule of Law Index 2024, Rwanda scored 0.63 points in the overall rule of law ranking, leading the region in key areas such as order and security, absence of corruption, and civil justice. The top score is 1.00, indicating stronger performance.

The index, which assesses the rule of law in countries across the globe, evaluates performance based on eight factors: constraints on government powers, absence of corruption, open government, fundamental rights, order and security, regulatory enforcement, civil justice, and criminal justice.

Rwanda ranked first in order and security with a score of 0.85, outperforming Mauritius and Namibia, which scored 0.75 each. Guinea, Ghana, Madagascar, and Botswana followed at 0.71, with Tanzania, Senegal (0.70 each), and The Gambia (0.69) rounding out the top ten.

The country’s ranking in this category reflects its stable and secure environment, which has been crucial for promoting economic growth and social well-being.

The success is also a direct result of Rwanda’s strategic security partnerships with other nations.

For example, in December 2024, Rwanda’s National Police signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ethiopian Federal Police to enhance cooperation on matters of public security and to counter cross-border threats.

Similarly, Rwanda has forged multiple agreements over the years, including with Qatar (October 2024), Dubai Police (March 2024), and Botswana (January 2024), addressing issues such as terrorism, human trafficking, cybercrime, and organized crime.

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Rwanda also ranked first in Sub-Saharan Africa for the absence of corruption, with a score of 0.68. The performance demonstrates the Rwandan government’s strong anti-corruption frameworks and commitment to transparency.

Other countries in the top five include Mauritius (0.58), Botswana (0.57), Senegal (0.55) and Namibia (0.52).

In the civil justice category, Rwanda ranked first with a score of 0.66, ahead of Mauritius, which scored 0.62.

In addition to its solid performance in civil justice, Rwanda has also made significant strides in criminal justice, ranking second in the region with a score of 0.56. The performance reflects the country’s commitment to a fair and effective judicial system, providing equitable access to justice for its citizens while tackling criminal activities through well-coordinated law enforcement.

Rwanda was also ranked among the top countries in several other categories, including constraints on government powers, open government, fundamental rights, and regulatory environment, all contributing to its top score of 0.68 in the rule of law.

The Rwandan government confirmed its commitment to host the IVI regional office through Presidential Order No. 091/01, issued on December 26, 2024, and published in the Official Gazette on December 27, 2024.

The agreement to establish the office in Rwanda was initially signed in June by Rwanda’s Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, and the Director General of IVI, Dr. Jerome H. Kim, marking a significant step toward advancing vaccine research, development, and manufacturing across the African continent.

The two parties formally ratified the agreement on November 25, 2024, officially confirming Rwanda as the host country for the IVI Africa office.

The agreement includes 21 provisions, including tax exemptions on goods and services such as equipment, vehicles, machinery, and other materials exclusively used by IVI. However, items sold to individuals or businesses will not qualify for tax exemption.

Another key aspect of the agreement is its emphasis on building local capacity for pharmaceutical production, aiming to promote self-reliance in health matters across Africa. This initiative also seeks to improve public health outcomes and foster technological advancements in the sector.

As part of this strategic effort, the IVI Africa Regional Office will play a pivotal role in advancing vaccination initiatives, driving technological innovation, and supporting sustainable vaccine manufacturing in Rwanda and other African countries.

The move comes as a BioNTech vaccine manufacturing plant is also under construction in Rwanda, further cementing the country’s position as a key player in the global vaccine ecosystem.

IVI is a non-profit organization committed to ensuring that vaccines are available and accessible worldwide. It collaborates with governments, research institutions, and the vaccine industry to achieve this mission.

Since its founding in 1997, IVI has been instrumental in developing, testing, and distributing vaccines across the globe.

Rwanda’s selection as the host of IVI’s Africa Regional Office was confirmed in February 2024, following a rigorous evaluation process that reviewed proposals from five countries.

The decision was hailed by both IVI and the Rwandan government as a critical step toward addressing vaccine equity across the continent.

With its global headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, and regional offices in Sweden and Austria, IVI’s new African office represents a significant advancement in its mission to ensure safe and affordable vaccines reach the people who need them most.

Jeju Air flight 7C2216, a Boeing 737-800 arriving from Bangkok, crashed during a belly landing after its landing gear malfunctioned, reportedly due to a bird strike.

The crash occurred just after 9 a.m. local time, when the aircraft skidded down the runway, collided with a wall, and erupted into a massive fireball. Video footage captured flames and thick smoke engulfing the plane, with only the tail section remaining somewhat intact.

“Only the tail part retains a little bit of shape, and the rest of the plane looks almost impossible to recognize,” said Muan fire chief Lee Jung-hyun during a press briefing.

Rescuers managed to save two crew members from the tail section, both suffering from medium to severe injuries. Despite this, authorities have shifted from rescue to recovery operations, as the force of the impact made survival unlikely for others.

“We are searching nearby areas for bodies possibly thrown from the plane,” added Lee.

Preliminary investigations suggest a bird strike may have caused the landing gear to malfunction. One passenger reportedly texted a relative before the crash, saying, “A bird is stuck in the wing. Should I say my last words?”

The crash is the worst involving a South Korean airline since the 1997 Korean Air disaster in Guam, which killed 229 people.

Acting President Choi Sang-mok visited the scene, pledging full government support for recovery efforts.

Jeju Air expressed deep regret, with CEO Kim Yi-bae stating, “We will do everything we can to deal with this accident,” while Boeing extended condolences, promising to assist in the investigation.

Authorities are working to identify victims, many of whom are believed to be South Korean nationals, along with two Thai passengers.

The mass escape occurred as the country grappled with widespread protests and violence after the ruling Frelimo party was declared the winner of the disputed October 9 elections.

The chaos began around midday, when violent demonstrations in the vicinity of the high-security prison ignited a rebellion among the inmates.

According to Mozambique’s police chief, Bernardino Rafael, prisoners seized weapons from guards and started releasing other detainees, including 29 convicted terrorists. The breach occurred after the prison wall was collapsed during the protests, allowing prisoners to flee.

In the aftermath, at least 33 inmates were killed, and 15 others were injured in clashes with security forces.

Videos shared on social media showed the moment when inmates fled the prison, with some hiding in nearby homes. Military personnel and prison guards swiftly captured some of the fugitives, though a number remain on the run.

“A curious fact is that in that prison we had 29 convicted terrorists, who they released. We are worried, as a country, as Mozambicans, as members of the defense and security forces,” said Rafael.

The police chief called on those who had escaped to surrender voluntarily while urging the public to stay vigilant.

The prison break is part of a broader wave of unrest that has swept through Mozambique in the wake of the contested election results.

Protests have raged across the country, with demonstrators targeting police stations, vehicles, and public infrastructure in response to the victory of Frelimo’s candidate, Daniel Chapo, who secured 65% of the vote. Opposition supporters, primarily from Venancio Mondlane’s camp, have fueled the violence, rejecting the election results.

The violence has drawn international concern, with the United Nations calling for an immediate halt to the bloodshed and urging all parties to engage in peaceful dialogue. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the need for legal redress and a resolution to the political crisis.