Author: Wycliffe Nyamasege

Political pundits remain confident that the outcome of the 2024 presidential election will be determined by swing states. These battleground states are significant in U.S. elections as they often decide the outcome in the Electoral College due to their unpredictable voting patterns.

The Electoral College is a unique system used in U.S. presidential elections, where voters technically vote for electors, who then vote to elect the president and vice president. This system is so powerful that a candidate can win the popular vote—meaning they receive more total votes from across the country—but still lose the election due to the Electoral College.

In the U.S., each state has a set number of electors, which is equal to the sum of its U.S. Senators (always two) and its U.S. Representatives (which varies based on the state’s population). In total, there are 538 electors, and a candidate must receive a majority—at least 270 electoral votes—to win the presidency.

In recent days, Trump, who is running on the Republican Party ticket, and his Democratic counterpart, Harris, have continued their blitz across key swing states such as Georgia, Michigan, and North Carolina as they press for any possible advantage in the closing days of the campaign.

Other swing states expected to determine this year’s election outcome include Pennsylvania, Arizona, Nevada, and Wisconsin. These states were pivotal in the 2020 election and remain closely contested due to their evenly split or shifting voter demographics.

There are two notable examples where the Electoral College determined the winner despite the national popularity indicating otherwise:

{{Al Gore in 2000}}

The Democratic Party’s Al Gore won the popular vote by over 500,000 votes in the 2000 presidential election but lost the presidency to Republican George W. Bush. The Electoral College vote came down to a razor-thin margin in Florida, where Bush won by a small number of votes.

Despite Gore’s popular vote lead, Bush secured more electoral votes, 271 against Gore’s 266. In this election, one of Washington D.C.’s three electors abstained from voting, which lowered the total electoral votes cast to 537 rather than the usual 538.

{{Hillary Clinton in 2016}}

In the 2016 election, Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton won the popular vote by nearly three million votes, but Trump won the presidency by capturing key swing states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin. These wins gave Trump enough electoral votes to surpass the 270 needed, even though Clinton received more votes nationwide.

{{Policies}}

Divergent stances on key policies are also expected to play a role in determining the winner. Trump and Harris differ on the implementation of various government policies, with each strongly defending their positions.

For instance, Trump has been promoting tax cuts for businesses and higher-income earners, arguing that this approach stimulates economic growth and investment. Harris, on the other hand, supports progressive tax reforms, including higher taxes on the wealthy and large corporations to fund social programs. She advocates for policies aimed at reducing income inequality, increasing the minimum wage, and providing direct support to lower- and middle-income families.

On the sensitive issue of immigration, Trump proposes strict immigration policies, focusing on border security, reducing both legal and illegal immigration, and building a border wall. His policies include reducing refugee admissions and imposing travel bans from certain countries. Harris advocates for more inclusive immigration policies, including protections for DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipients, expanding pathways to citizenship, and reforming the immigration system to be more humane and efficient.

On social issues, Trump generally opposes expanded LGBTQ+ rights and has taken stances against abortion, appealing to conservative and evangelical bases. Harris, by contrast, supports LGBTQ+ rights, expanded gender equality initiatives, and access to reproductive healthcare.

As the election approaches, the nation waits to see how these policy differences and the dynamics of the Electoral College will shape the final outcome.

Telesphore Munyembabazi, a resident of Burera District in Kagogo Sector, Nyamabuye Cell, explained that he admired Vladimir Putin’s commitment to justice, resistance to war, and support for African development. Comparing Putin favourably against America and Europe, he decided that if he ever had a son, he would name him after Putin.

In September 2023, when Munyembabazi’s expectant wife visited a health centre, he gave her a note specifying that if the baby was a boy, he should be named Vladimir Putin; if a girl, Maria Zakharova.

After the birth of his son, when it came time to officially register the baby’s name, healthcare workers were taken aback by the choice and refused to proceed with the registration.

According to the 36-year-old Munyembabazi, a doctor immediately called him, questioning, “What kind of name is this? I cannot register a child with this name,” and added, “Putin is a terrorist.” Munyembabazi responded, “Do not insult my child; such comments upset me.”

Munyembabazi went to the health centre to understand why his chosen name was rejected. The healthcare staff challenged him, asking why he wanted to name his child after someone they saw as a warmonger. He stood his ground until the issue escalated to the health centre’s management, who also could not resolve it and eventually reached out to district officials.

Frustrated with the response, Munyembabazi threatened to leave the child at the health centre, saying, “I will keep pursuing this until a solution is reached; if it becomes impossible, I’ll continue calling for action.”

He stated, “Naming him Vladimir Putin reflects my admiration for Putin and his country’s stance of non-interference. The world is changing, and the era of colonial dominance will eventually end. If people can name their children Queen or Elizabeth without any problem, why should naming my child Vladimir Putin be an issue?”

Currently, Munyembabazi’s son, Vladimir Putin, is one year and nearly two months old. In the community, he has become well-known, and wherever his parents take him for church services or other functions, people are intrigued by his name, often providing quick assistance.

Munyembabazi says that when his son grows up, he will explain that he was named after Putin for his bravery and encourage him to stand for truth, reject arrogance, and fight against injustice.

Anti-government protests have rocked Maputo since the October 9 presidential election, which the ruling Frelimo party won. The ruling party’s presidential candidate, Daniel Chapo, secured a 70.7% victory according to the official results, but opposition candidate Venancio Mondlane has dismissed the polls as fraudulent and is calling for street protests.

With the rising tension, a social media user shared a video of the police battling protesters on X, claiming that the Rwandan troops were among the security forces.

South African journalist and international news editor for SABC Sophie Mokoena sought clarification from the Rwandan authorities over the clip.

“Rwanda must quickly respond to these allegations. This will create a huge problem. A swift response is needed. The @SADC_News can’t look away. This political and security crisis is not good for the region,” she wrote on X.

Responding to the journalist, Yolande Makolo, the Rwandan government spokesperson, dismissed the claims, clarifying that there are no Rwandan security forces in Maputo; rather, they are in the Cabo Delgado Province, where they are engaged in anti-terrorism operations.

“Hello, Sophie. This is a lie. There are no Rwandan troops in Maputo. Rwandan Security Forces are deployed strictly in Cabo Delgado province, in joint operations with Mozambican forces against extremist Islamist fighters that have been terrorizing residents in the province,” Makolo stated.

Rwandan forces are helping Mozambique’s army fight militants who launched an armed uprising in 2017.

Rwanda deployed its security forces to Mozambique in 2021 after the insurgency escalated, with the militia employing violent tactics, including attacks on civilians and security forces and destruction of property.

Since 2021, Mozambique has also received military support from the Southern African Development Community (SADC), but SADC forces began withdrawing in April 2024 as their mandate ended. This withdrawal has left Rwanda with a greater share of responsibility in assisting local forces in addressing the ongoing security crisis in the northern province.

The Sudanese Doctors Network reported that 15 people were killed and five injured in an RSF attack on the Bardik area and nearby villages.

Separately, Ibrahim Khatir, director-general of North Darfur State’s health ministry, told Xinhua that three people were killed in an artillery attack on the Saudi Hospital in El Fasher, the capital city of North Darfur State. Medical staff at the hospital were unharmed.

Fierce clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF have been ongoing in El Fasher since May 10. The city, home to approximately 1.5 million people, including 800,000 internally displaced persons, has been severely affected by the conflict.

The ongoing conflict in Sudan, which began in mid-April 2023, has resulted in over 24,850 deaths and displaced millions of people, according to the latest estimates from international organizations.

In addition to giving established celebrities a platform to reach an even wider audience, the app continues to create overnight sensations, turning simple acts into captivating performances that showcase talent and charisma.

From famous Senegalese-Italian influencer Khaby Lame to Uganda’s rising star Rango Tenge Tenge, Turkish chef Salt Bae, Kenya’s beauty Azziad Nasenya, and Rwanda’s content creator Judy, TikTok’s influence is truly astonishing.

In recent weeks, Rwanda’s taxi moto rider Sadi Bizumuremyi has emerged as a rising star on TikTok. The 26-year-old has leveraged the short video platform to promote his business while captivating his growing audience with engaging content that entertains and highlights life in Rwanda.

In an exclusive interview with IGIHE, Sadi shared that he has been in the taxi moto business for about six months after quitting his job as an Arabic course tutor at Ashakirina Academy in Nyanza to start his own enterprise. He secured his previous position after completing online courses offered by an institution based in Saudi Arabia.

According to Sadi, the decision to quit his teaching job was influenced by his strong desire for self-employment and financial freedom.

“I realized I needed to be financially stable before pursuing anything else. Even if I decide to return to teaching, I must first secure my finances, as it will allow me to perform my job much better,” Sadi remarked.

However, like many people keen to venture into self-employment, his main obstacle was capital, as he did not have enough money to start his long-harboured dream of a motor vehicle taxi business.

After some soul-searching, he borrowed money from a friend and added it to his savings to purchase a motorcycle and kickstart his business.

Initially, as a newcomer in the taxi moto sector, Sadi found it challenging to attract customers. However, necessity is the mother of invention, and that’s when he turned to social media, primarily WhatsApp, to connect with potential clients.

“It was really hard to get customers despite having over 600 friends on WhatsApp who could see my status. I realized many people in my country prefer motorcycles because they’re cheap and fast, yet they didn’t know I was in this business. So, I started posting on my WhatsApp status to let them know: ‘I’m riding motorcycles now—please give me some work!’” Sadi explained.

“That’s how I began posting every day before heading to work. I would stand in front of my door, wearing my jacket and helmet, and shoot a short video saying, ‘I’m ready for work—please give me some jobs!’”

Soon after, he started receiving requests from friends for rides or deliveries around Kigali. In the process, he also met two sisters from Nigeria who were running a startup in the city. They advised him to elevate his business by opening a TikTok account in early October.

“The Nigerian sisters gave me a job and encouraged me, saying, ‘You’re doing well! Why not share what you do on TikTok and other social media platforms? Show others your work and become a professional.’ I thought that sounded great!” he added.

Most of his TikTok videos have gone viral, with his growing community of followers praising him for his professionalism, business acumen, and humorous character.

“Since then, they text me, ‘Hi Motari, can you pick me up?’ I’ve gained so many customers that I can’t even keep track. For example, today, people are already reaching out for tomorrow. I plan my day based on these requests, knowing exactly who I’ll pick up until my day ends.”

Sadi is also fluent in English, and his mastery of the Queen’s language has set him apart from his colleagues in the moto taxi sector, who mainly converse in Kinyarwanda. This has made him a favourite among foreigners, who are increasingly sharing his videos and giving him errands around the city.

Rwanda is among the few countries that have successfully regulated the taxi moto business, attracting admiration from neighbouring countries and beyond. Sadi believes that the measures put in place by the government have helped instil discipline and order in the taxi moto sector, significantly reducing road carnage.

“It’s all about our safety. For example, when they tell you to wear your helmet, it’s for your protection. Similarly, the rule about not carrying more than one passenger on your motorcycle is also for your safety,” Sadi advises.

The rider hopes that his newfound fame will propel him to even greater heights of financial freedom, enabling him to start a taxi business or driving school.

“If I earn more money, I plan to start a driving school or a taxi business with multiple cars, helping people get to their destinations.”

He encourages young people to dream big and embrace any opportunities that come their way with open arms.

“You can start small and grow bigger because you know where you want to be,” he concludes.

The refugees, from various African countries facing instability, were unable to secure the peace and freedom they sought, with many failing in their attempts to cross the Mediterranean Sea to reach Europe. Instead, they found themselves detained in Libya.

A temporary camp was established in Rwanda, where they received various forms of assistance while awaiting permanent resettlement options, including relocation to other countries.

In August, the Government of Rwanda and its partners renewed the agreement to receive more refugees and asylum seekers. In collaboration with the European Union, the capacity of the Gashora transit center was expanded, raising its accommodation limit from 500 to 700 people.

Since the program began, UNHCR reports that by September 2024, Rwanda had hosted 2,474 refugees. Most of them are from Eritrea, Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, and South Sudan, though a few also come from West African countries.

By the end of September 2024, UNHCR statistics show that 1,817 refugees had been resettled in other countries, while 698 remained at the Gashora transit center, including 119 refugees and asylum seekers who just arrived in Rwanda on 26 September. The main resettlement destinations include Canada, Sweden, the United States, Finland, Norway, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

Their well-being is monitored daily by the Rwandan Government, through the Ministry in charge of Emergency Management (MINEMA), and UNHCR, with support from partners including the European Union and Denmark.

{{A New Life Begins
}}

Many refugees have varied reasons for fleeing their home countries, with war, insecurity, and persecution being the primary drivers. These challenges forced them to seek passage from Libya to Europe by sea. However, for many, these hopes tragically ended, as they either fell into the hands of armed groups in Libya or suffered from dangerous boat journeys.

Abdallah Mohamed Altahir, a father of three from Sudan, currently lives at the Gashora transit center with his wife and children. He told IGIHE that he decided to leave Sudan due to the ongoing civil war.

“In 2023, my wife, our three children, and I decided to leave Sudan for Libya because of insecurity,” he said. “Once we reached Libya, the situation was no better than in Sudan, as armed groups constantly threatened us. Each day, new dangers arose, with no one to help us.”

Abdallah explained that he sought asylum with UNHCR in Libya and was eventually selected for resettlement in Rwanda, an option he had not anticipated.

“Coming to Rwanda was a surprise,” he said. “Arriving here felt like being lifted from a blazing fire to a safe place. For the first time, I felt genuinely welcomed, and it restored my hope in life.”

Similarly, Hussein Fakeya Abader, a young woman from Ethiopia, arrived at the Gashora camp in late 2022. She left Ethiopia for Libya due to conflict and endured hardships, including losing sight in one eye.

“Life in Libya was terrible. I saw people suffer, people killed on the streets, and others assaulted. I never want to return to Libya,” she shared.

Since arriving in Rwanda, Fakeya says her life has transformed. “When I learned I was going to Rwanda, I was very happy. After arriving, we were welcomed, settled, and even received medical care.”

At the Gashora transit center, asylum seekers and refugees live freely, receive food, and engage in recreational activities. Children attend regular classes, and adults can study English, French, Kinyarwanda, and vocational skills like driving, hairdressing, tailoring, and computing.

Although grateful for the warm welcome in Rwanda, many still hope to resettle in Western countries, where they believe they can secure a better future for themselves and their families.

Mrs. Kagame made the remarks during the Qatar Foundation’s commemoration of the 30th International Year of the Family on Thursday, October 31, 2024, highlighting the essential role of family in fostering sustainable development.

“Today’s exchange calls for reflection, but also experience, on the transformative journey that can successfully take a people from deprivation to prosperity,” Mrs. Kagame stated.

The First Lady stressed the importance of addressing poverty through a holistic lens. She pointed out that the narrative surrounding poverty often reduces individuals to mere statistics, stripping them of their resilience and potential.

Mrs. Kagame challenged the prevailing measures of economic success, such as GDP per capita, arguing they often fail to capture the true quality of life experienced by individuals, particularly in nations marked by inequality.

“If “poor” or “rich” are to be pertinent qualifiers of human development for entire nations, shouldn’t there be a more accurate and culturally-sensitive barometer, of the quality of one’s well-being, than the one that we currently uphold?” she posed.

The First Lady’s perspective aims to shift the dialogue from merely quantifying wealth to understanding the dynamics of prosperity and human development.

She called for a generational mindset shift regarding the term “poor country” and the associated narratives that often perpetuate stigma.

“Behind facts and figures, behind statistics, are real families, with aspirations and desires similar to everyone else’s: the health and success of our children,” she urged.

“The futures of those who have abundance are closely connected with the lives of those in need. We must recognize that our fates are interconnected… So, we must all ask ourselves: Will this generation, at last, be the one to end extreme poverty? We are equipped with the resources, incentives and I dare hope, humanity, to do so.”

Reflecting on Rwanda’s journey since liberation three decades ago, Mrs. Kagame shared the nation’s strides toward eradicating poverty through innovative governance and social policies. She pointed to significant advancements, such as Universal Healthcare (Mutuelle de Sante), which covers over 98% of Rwandans, and initiatives like the Integrated Model Villages, which provide comprehensive support to vulnerable families.

“Since 2000, the Rwandan economy has multiplied more than seven times, and Rwandans’ life expectancy has increased from 47 years to 70 years and rising,” she noted.

Mrs. Kagame also emphasized the importance of partnerships in achieving these goals, thanking the Qatar Foundation for its collaboration on projects aimed at ensuring that no child is left out of education.

“We take this opportunity to celebrate the solid partnership between the Government of Rwanda and Qatar Foundation. The Zero Out of School Project, spearheaded by Education Above All, offers an encouraging prospect that no child shall miss school, by re-enrolling all dropouts. Thank you for committing to this noble cause,” she thanked the foundation.

She also highlighted the significance of environmental sustainability in Rwanda’s development agenda. With climate change posing a substantial threat, Mrs. Kagame highlighted Rwanda’s efforts that have seen access to electricity increase from 6% to 75% in just 15 years, with a focus on renewable resources.

This, she asserted, is crucial for fostering a healthy and prosperous society capable of sustaining thriving families.

The First Lady is recognised globally for her dedication to vulnerable communities. She champions family well-being through her leadership at Imbuto Foundation and other organisations she patrons. Her initiatives focus on health, education, and social protection for marginalized groups.