Expected to conclude on October 29, 2024, approximately 60 witnesses are expected to testify during the trial.
Rwamucyo, 63, previously headed the Public Health Department at the National University of Rwanda (UNR) and worked as a doctor in Lille before relocating to Maubeuge, France. He also practised medicine in Belgium.
Rwandan prosecution accuses Rwamucyo of forming death squads, inciting people to commit genocide, providing weapons for the killings, and taking Tutsi women and girls hostage.
In September 2009, a Gacaca court sentenced him to life imprisonment in absentia after determining that his crimes were connected to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
French prosecutors have charged Rwamucyo with genocide, complicity in genocide, involvement in planning genocide, crimes against humanity, and conspiracy to commit genocide.
Emmanuel Daoud, a lawyer representing the human rights organizations LDH and FIDH, stated that Rwamucyo committed these crimes as he openly supported the government that planned the genocide.
“He was openly anti-Tutsi and publicly expressed his support for the genocidal government,” Daoud said.
However, Dr. Rwamucyo’s lawyer, Philippe Meilhac, has maintained that his client is innocent of the charges.
Rwamucyo was arrested by Interpol in May 2010 but was released on bail after four months.
The Court of Appeal in Versailles ruled that he would stand trial in France due to his French citizenship.
If found guilty, he could face life imprisonment.
Rwamucyo’s trial is the eighth in France related to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, which claimed the lives of more than one million people.
In a statement issued on Monday, September 30, 2024, the agency announced that it is deploying experts to assist Rwanda’s investigation and response to the Marburg outbreak.
“The staff will use experience from responding to outbreaks of Marburg virus disease and similar diseases in other countries to support epidemiology, contact tracing, laboratory testing, disease detection and control along borders, and hospital infection prevention and control,” the statement reads in part.
The CDC is part of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Its primary role is to protect public health by controlling and preventing the spread of diseases, particularly infectious diseases. It also addresses health issues related to non-communicable diseases, environmental health, occupational safety, injury prevention, and health promotion.
The agency established its office in Rwanda in 2002 and has, over the years, worked with the government to strengthen health systems and prevent communicable diseases. This includes training scientists through the Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP), which enhances Rwanda’s capacity to investigate disease outbreaks.
The CDC has also collaborated closely with the Rwandan government to implement the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the President’s Malaria Initiative, co-implemented by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
The agency noted that these past investments and partnerships have strengthened core capabilities, which can now be utilized in response to the current outbreak.
Rwanda confirmed its first-ever Marburg outbreak four days ago, with 26 cases and eight deaths reported as of Sunday, September 29, 2024.
The government has since announced measures to curb the spread of the virus, including the suspension of hospital visits, the banning of wakes and home vigils (locally known as Ikiriyo) in cases of death caused by Marburg, and the restriction of burials related to Marburg deaths to a maximum of 50 people.
Additionally, all healthcare facilities have been directed to implement a protocol for receiving and providing services to clients exhibiting symptoms of Marburg disease through the strict application of infection prevention and control (IPC) measures.
The visit to the country was confirmed by Foreign Affairs Minister Olivier J.P. Nduhungirehe and the office of Latvia’s President, Edgars Rinkēvičs, on Monday, September 30, 2024.
Nduhungirehe described the visit as historic as it marks the first official visit by a Rwandan president to the Baltic States, which comprise Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania. It is also the first official visit by an African president to Latvia.
During the visit, President Kagame will meet with Latvia’s highest-ranking officials, including President Edgars Rinkēvičs, Speaker of the Saeima (the Parliament of the Republic of Latvia), Daiga Mieriņa, and Prime Minister Evika Siliņa.
Additionally, during President Kagame’s visit, a memorial plaque dedicated to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda will be unveiled at the Latvian National Library on Wednesday, October 2, 2024.
Talks between Presidents Kagame and Rinkēvičs will focus on bilateral relations between Rwanda and Latvia, current security challenges in Africa and Europe, and cooperation within international organizations.
The two heads of state last met at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in New York in September 2023. At that meeting, they discussed Rwanda’s regional engagements in Africa, particularly in peace efforts in Mozambique and the Central African Republic, as well as its involvement in UN peacekeeping missions.
President Rinkēvičs expressed Latvia’s appreciation for Rwanda’s firm stance on protecting international law and voiced interest in educational cooperation.
Latvia, located in northeastern Europe, is one of the smaller countries on the continent, covering an area of 64,589 square kilometers. It shares borders with Lithuania to the south and Estonia to the north and has a population of approximately 1.88 million people.
The country gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 after decades of occupation. Latvia’s landscape features rolling hills, dense forests, and sandy beaches along the Baltic Sea coast.
Riga, the capital and largest city of Latvia, is renowned for its stunning architecture, which includes Art Nouveau buildings and medieval churches. The official language, Latvian, is a Baltic language with ancient roots.
The 21-year-old software engineers’ AI project, dubbed Bwenge, was ranked first among 18 projects reviewed by judges in the 48-hour competition on Sunday, September 29, 2024, securing them Frw 5 million in cash prizes and VIP passes to the Global AI Summit on Africa in April 2025.
Bwenge is an AI-powered chatbot that allows any citizen with a phone, even without internet access, to make a call and access digital government services. The bot has been integrated with IremboPay, a payment solution for Rwanda’s one-stop shop for government services, to ensure seamless payments.
“You can ask the bot how to do things, for example, how to start a business in Rwanda, and it will provide you with a detailed guide,” Izabayo explained.
“You can also request an SMS on how to pay for an application, and it will send you a direct text. You can then call, and the system will prompt you to make a payment through mobile money (MOMO).”
Another interesting feature of the chatbot is its telephone agent, which allows two people who speak different languages to have a conversation on a call, with the bot translating for each of them.
Izabayo and Clarence are graduates of the Rwanda Coding Academy and work at Pivot Access and Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB), respectively. The two young software developers could not contain their excitement after winning the top prize on their very first attempt at such a competition.
“This journey was really interesting; it showed us what we can accomplish in less than 48 hours. We were thinking about what we could do to provide value to the whole Rwandan society, especially for those who don’t have access to the internet,” Clarence beamed, adding that ironically they were among the last groups to apply for the hackathon, just a few hours before the application deadline.
The duo is open to collaborating with other partners to implement and explore other ideas leveraging artificial intelligence.
“We have the ability to do more things. Now we are using a phone, but one can use WhatsApp to send requests. The possibilities are endless,” Izabayo concluded.
Peter Charles Djomga, Director of Software Engineering at Irembo, said the project has the potential to revolutionize access to information, especially for persons with limited internet access.
“The project can have a huge impact in Rwanda because the way it’s deployed allows people without internet to access information by just calling a phone number. It can have a huge impact in urban and rural areas,” Djomga stated, emphasizing that the pioneering event was organised to create solutions that address real-world challenges and drive meaningful impact in Rwanda.
The second place went to a team of four developers with a technology titled Immersive AI. It’s a platform that enables businesses and individuals to create their own AI workflow agents to automate processes and improve productivity. The project developers included Dirac Murairi, Landelin Gihozo, Julien Barezi and Kevin Nkusi.
Somatek AI clinched the third place. The project was also undertaken by group of four young software developers, who built an AI-powered browser extension that simplifies complex technical documentation. The team, comprising Janvier Ntwali, Laura Celine Ishimwe, Dean Daryl Murenzi, and Leny Pascal Ihirwe, developed the extension to assist the government in its recently rolled-out scheme to train one million coders under the second National Strategy for Transformation (NST2) by 2029.
“Given that most Rwandan youth are low-proficient English speakers, we decided to create a solution for them to transcribe technical documentation to their level for better understanding and learning experiences,” the team explained.
The two teams won Frw 2 million and Frw 1 million, respectively.
In developing practical AI solutions, the participants leveraged large language models (LLMs) and locally built technologies. Teams had the opportunity to access IremboPay APIs to integrate cutting-edge digital payment solutions into their projects. Pindo, a partner of the event, also provided access to its latest speech-to-text and text-to-speech AI models for voice-enabled applications.
Twenty teams comprising 63 individuals were initially selected to participate in the competition from a pool of more than 130 teams, but only 18 teams made it to the final stage and had their projects reviewed by a panel of eminent judges from Irembo, C4IR, and RSSB, among other partners.
Esther Kunda, the Director General of Innovation & Emerging Technologies at the Ministry of ICT and Innovation in Rwanda and Alain Ndayishimiye, Project Lead for AI/ML at C4IR Rwanda, were among the judges.
Ndayishimiye commended the dedication of all the teams in the competition, highlighting the creativity in their projects.
“Over the past 48 hours, we have witnessed remarkable technical ingenuity, creativity, and collaboration, turning many ideas into real MVPs that address some of the country’s most pressing challenges,” he remarked.
He emphasized that every participant, irrespective of the contest’s outcome, should take pride in their accomplishments and push themselves to achieve even more.
“Regardless of the results, you should be proud of your achievements. We look forward to more initiatives like this, aligned with the AI policy, to support local talent and foster meaningful change,” he added.
Rwanda confirmed its first-ever Marburg outbreak five days ago with 26 cases and eight deaths registered as of Sunday September 29, 2024.
To control the further spread of Marburg, the Ministry of Health announced on Sunday night that only one caregiver would be allowed per patient at a time.
All healthcare facilities have been directed to implement a protocol for receiving and providing services to clients exhibiting symptoms of Marburg disease through the strict application of infection prevention and control (IPC) measures.
Other new measures introduced include the banning of wakes and home vigils, locally known as ‘Ikiriyo’, in cases of death caused by Marburg.
Additionally, funeral services for those who have died from Marburg will be limited to no more than 50 attendees.
The government also stated that in the wake of the MVD outbreak, open-casket viewings will not be permitted in homes, churches, or mosques. These will only be held in designated areas within health facility premises, and with a limited number of people.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Health emphasized that normal business and activities will continue, with a strong focus on reinforcing personal hygiene measures.
The ministry urged the public to avoid close contact with symptomatic individuals. The main symptoms of the virulent disease are high fever, severe headaches, muscle aches, vomiting, and diarrhoea.
“By diligently following these guidelines, each one of us is making an invaluable contribution to protecting ourselves and each other,” the Ministry stated, adding that additional measures will be announced in the coming days.
Earlier on Sunday, Health Minister Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana said the government had identified approximately 300 people who had contact with infected individuals, all of whom are being tested to determine whether they are infected.
“We have many contacts, and the number continues to grow as we trace them. Nearly 300 people have been identified so far, and that number may increase because the interactions vary. They might have had casual contact, such as greeting each other, or closer contact, like caring for or being a patient,” Minister Nsanzimana added.
The contacts include both those who live with the infected and others from different areas.
The minister urged the public to stay calm and continue their daily activities as usual, reassuring them that the measures being taken to combat the MVD outbreak are promising.
The Ministry of Health confirmed in a statement on Sunday night that two more deaths had been recorded since the last update on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the number of confirmed cases in the country remains at 26. The number of patients in isolation and receiving treatment is 18.
Rwanda confirmed its first-ever Marburg virus disease outbreak on Friday, September 27, 2024, stating that cases had been identified among patients in health facilities across the country.
The government has since announced enhanced measures to prevent the spread of the virus, including contact tracing and testing.
Earlier on Sunday, Health Minister Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana said the government had identified approximately 300 people who had contact with infected individuals, all of whom are being tested to determine whether they are infected.
“We have many contacts, and the number continues to grow as we trace them. Nearly 300 people have been identified so far, and that number may increase because the interactions vary. They might have had casual contact, such as greeting each other, or closer contact, like caring for or being a patient,” Minister Nsanzimana added.
The contacts include both those who live with the infected and others from different areas.
The minister urged the [public to stay calm and continue their daily activities as usual->https://en.igihe.com/news/article/rwanda-health-ministry-reassures-public-amidst-marburg-outbreak?var_mode=calcul], reassuring them that the measures being taken to combat the MVD outbreak are promising.
Addressing the media on Sunday, September 29, 2024, Minister Nsanzimana said the Marburg virus is not as alarming as COVID-19 and stressed that there is no need for panic. Instead, he emphasized the importance of maintaining good hygiene, avoiding physical contact, and refraining from touching bodily fluids of those suspected of having the virus.
“People should continue with their lives and work as usual. So far, in the initial three days of contact tracing, we’ve made good progress, and it doesn’t warrant halting daily activities,” Minister Nsanzimana stated.
Dr. Nsanzimana affirmed that Rwanda is well-prepared for the outbreak, given the country’s experience in handling various past epidemics.
“We are always prepared. It is extremely difficult to prevent an outbreak before it happens. Globally, no one can guarantee stopping every outbreak, but the way we prepare ensures that when it occurs, we quickly identify and respond to it before it spreads further. That is what we are doing now,” he added.
“We are confident that within a short period, we will have made significant progress in controlling this outbreak. That’s our goal, as similar outbreaks in other regions didn’t last long, typically two or three months at most. Such outbreaks tend to be fatal, but the challenge is detecting and identifying them early, after which the key is to act swiftly to contain them.”
The Ministry confirmed the Marburg outbreak in Rwanda on Friday, September 27, 2024. So far, 26 cases, including six fatalities, have been confirmed.
Addressing the media on Sunday, September 29, 2024, Minister Nsanzimana said the Marburg virus is not as alarming as COVID-19 and stressed that there is no need for panic. Instead, he emphasized the importance of maintaining good hygiene, avoiding physical contact, and refraining from touching bodily fluids of those suspected of having the virus.
“People should continue with their lives and work as usual. So far, in the initial three days of contact tracing, we’ve made good progress, and it doesn’t warrant halting daily activities,” Minister Nsanzimana stated.
Dr. Nsanzimana affirmed that Rwanda is well-prepared for the outbreak, given the country’s experience in handling various past epidemics.
“We are always prepared. It is extremely difficult to prevent an outbreak before it happens. Globally, no one can guarantee stopping every outbreak, but the way we prepare ensures that when it occurs, we quickly identify and respond to it before it spreads further. That is what we are doing now,” he added.
“We are confident that within a short period, we will have made significant progress in controlling this outbreak. That’s our goal, as similar outbreaks in other regions didn’t last long, typically two or three months at most. Such outbreaks tend to be fatal, but the challenge is detecting and identifying them early, after which the key is to act swiftly to contain them.”
The Ministry of Health has identified approximately 300 people who had contact with infected individuals, all of whom are being tested to determine whether they are infected.
“We have many contacts, and the number continues to grow as we trace them. Nearly 300 people have been identified so far, and that number may increase because the interactions vary. They might have had casual contact, such as greeting each other, or closer contact, like caring for or being a patient,” Minister Nsanzimana added.
The contacts include both those who live with the infected and others from different areas. The cost of treating and caring for all those affected is being covered by the government.
The World Health Organization (WHO) office in Rwanda announced that it would be sending supplies to support Rwanda’s efforts to combat the Marburg virus and ensure that responses reach as many people as possible swiftly.
Additionally, seven international experts specializing in contagious diseases, including Marburg, are being dispatched to Rwanda to join the larger team fighting the outbreak.
Symptoms of Marburg include high fever, severe headaches, often accompanied by body weakness and muscle pain. Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea are also common.
Preventive measures include avoiding contact with infected individuals and enhancing hygiene practices.
Gachagua was elected to office on a joint ticket with President William Ruto in August 2022, but differences with the Head of State and Members of Parliament allied to the ruling party are threatening his premature exit from government.
The Deputy President faces accusations of undermining Ruto’s leadership and causing divisions within the ruling administration. Some of the President’s allies accuse Gachagua of being behind the youth-led [anti-tax protests witnessed in the country in June->https://en.igihe.com/news/article/protesters-storm-kenyan-parliament-as-controversial-finance-bill-is-passed]. Already, three members of his staff and two MPs close to him are facing prosecution following the conclusion of a probe by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
Ruto’s allies in the National Assembly confirmed to local media that more than 300 MPs had signed a motion to impeach Kenya’s second in command as of Saturday, September 28, 2024.
The signatures, which had largely remained secret over the past few weeks, were reportedly collected by regional caucus whips, who have been holding night meetings to reach a common position.
“There is a stampede; members are moving to sign the motion…It is a matter of when, not if, the motion will be tabled,” Majority Whip Sylvanus Osoro told Kenya’s Citizen TV.
The motion is expected to be tabled in the House on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, for consideration.
To impeach a Deputy President in Kenya, an impeachment motion must be signed by at least 117 MPs before being introduced in the National Assembly. Once tabled in the House, the motion must garner the support of 233 MPs, representing two-thirds of the total 349 MPs, before being transmitted to the Senate for consideration.
The Constitution of Kenya (2010) stipulates that to impeach a Deputy President, the proponents must present watertight grounds, including gross violations of the Constitution or any other law, crimes under national or international law, and gross misconduct.
Gachagua, who brought in significant votes for Ruto from Kenya’s central region, also known as Mt. Kenya—which has produced three of Kenya’s five Presidents—insists that he is clean. He has been traversing the region, cautioning President Ruto against allowing the impeachment plot, saying that doing so would betray the electorate.
“Let us not reintroduce the politics of betrayal,” Gachagua stated recently. “Ruto is a beneficiary of Mt. Kenya’s disdain for betrayal. Our people hate it and are unforgiving.”
President Ruto is yet to publicly comment on the matter. He is currently attending the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
In a health alert posted on its website, the U.S. government stated that the decision, which will take effect from Monday, September 30 to Friday, October 4, 2024, was made out of an abundance of caution as the government assesses the severity of the MVD outbreak.
The suspended services include American Citizen Services and visa interviews.
At the same time, the embassy noted that its staff members in Kigali have been authorized to work remotely during this period.
“The Government of Rwanda has confirmed cases of Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) in health facilities in Rwanda. Out of an abundance of caution as we learn the scope and severity of the MVD outbreak, the U.S. Embassy in Kigali is authorizing its employees to work remotely from September 30 to October 4, 2024,” the embassy stated.
“All in-person services at the U.S. Embassy during this period will be suspended, including American Citizen Services and visa interviews.”
The Government of Rwanda confirmed the outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) on Friday, September 27, 2024, stating that cases had been identified among patients in health facilities across the country. The government announced enhanced measures to prevent the spread of the virus, including contact tracing and testing.
On Saturday, September 28, 2024, the Ministry of Health revealed that a total of 26 cases had been confirmed in the country, including six deaths. The ministry urged anyone experiencing symptoms such as high fever, severe headaches, vomiting, muscle aches, and stomach pain to call the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) at the toll-free number 114 or visit the nearest health facility.
The Marburg virus spreads from person to person through direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs, or other bodily fluids of infected individuals. It can also be transmitted by touching contaminated surfaces or materials, such as bedding and clothing. This transmission can occur through broken skin or mucous membranes, such as those found in the eyes, nose, or mouth.
Preventive measures include avoiding contact with infected individuals, practicing good hygiene, wearing protective clothing when caring for someone infected or working in a high-risk environment, and avoiding contact with infected animals, especially fruit bats and non-human primates. Humans are also advised to avoid touching or consuming bushmeat.
As contact tracing and testing continue, the government urges the general public to maintain a high level of vigilance and hygiene to curb the further spread of the virus.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the Marburg virus spreads from person to person through direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs, or other bodily fluids of infected individuals. It can also be transmitted by touching contaminated surfaces or materials, such as bedding and clothing. This transmission can occur through broken skin or mucous membranes, like those found in the eyes, nose, or mouth.
The incubation period, which is the interval from infection to the onset of symptoms, varies from two to 21 days.
Key symptoms include the sudden onset of a high fever, severe headaches often accompanied by body weakness and muscle pain. Nausea and vomiting, along with abdominal pain and diarrhea, are also common.
According to WHO, many patients develop severe hemorrhagic manifestations between five and seven days, and fatal cases usually exhibit some form of bleeding, often from multiple areas, including the nose and gums.
Here are five key preventive measures for this virulent disease:
{{1. Avoid contact with infected individuals
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To reduce the risk of spreading the Marburg virus in communities, WHO advises that close physical contact with Marburg patients should be avoided. Gloves and appropriate personal protective equipment should be worn when caring for ill patients in hospitals and at home.
{{2. Practice good hygiene
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Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially after coming into contact with sick people or their belongings.
{{3. Wear protective clothing
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If you’re caring for someone infected or working in a high-risk environment (e.g., healthcare workers), wear protective gear such as gloves, masks, and gowns to avoid direct contact with blood or bodily fluids.
{{4. Avoid contact with wildlife
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Marburg virus can spread through contact with infected animals, especially fruit bats and non-human primates. Humans are advised to avoid touching or consuming bushmeat.
{{5. Seek medical attention immediately
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WHO advises that if you develop symptoms of Marburg virus, such as fever, headache, muscle aches, or a rash, you should seek medical attention immediately.
Currently, the United Nations health agency states that there are no vaccines or antiviral treatments approved for Marburg virus disease. However, supportive care—rehydration with oral or intravenous fluids—and treatment of specific symptoms can improve survival.
