Author: Mutoni Yvonne

During an interview with Nathalie Tocci, Director of the IAI (Istituto Affari Internazionali) for Foreign Affairs, held in Italy on June 18, 2024, Minister Cleverly noted the sharp rise in the number of migrants heading to European countries. He expressed concern about the exploitation of these migrants by criminals who may kill, kidnap, or abuse them.

Minister Cleverly highlighted that 80% of the migrants transported in small boats are young people, and many of those in need of help are girls and children who have been abandoned by criminals because they “appear to have no money and are not well-known. Criminals focus on their own profit.”

He mentioned that to stop these criminals from transporting migrants in small boats, the british government is working with various agencies, including those affiliated with the European Union and maritime security forces.

“But we also need to address the root causes of why people flee their countries—some are escaping persecution, while others seek better economic opportunities. In the UK, we have always welcomed migrant investors, but the current scale of migration requires us to prevent criminals from controlling our borders,” he explained.

Minister Cleverly said that the british government decided to tackle the migrant issue by economically supporting countries willing to host them, leading to the agreement with Rwanda.

This agreement, initially signed in April 2022, aims to resolve migrant issues and foster economic development cooperation.

Migrants sent to Rwanda will receive financial support and assistance to build their lives, advancing as Rwandans.

He emphasized that people should understand that after the governments of both countries signed this agreement, any migrant entering the UK using small boats will be sent to Rwanda instead of staying in the UK.

He explained that Rwanda is not a large country and lacks abundant valuable minerals, but it exports agricultural products and aims to compete in the international market. The british government will assist Rwanda in these efforts.

“We are asking Rwandans to provide one service for us, and we will pay for it. Those criticizing us for this payment are the same ones who want us to help African countries. It is clear that african countries like Rwanda want to improve their financial status, and I believe this approach is more sustainable than just providing aid. These countries want to move from an aid-based relationship to a trade-based one,” he said.

Minister Cleverly stressed that sending migrants to Rwanda is not harmful, as Rwanda has made significant progress in the last 30 years and is praised for its hospitality towards migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers.

“Rwanda is committed to addressing global issues and is in a strong position. It has developed significantly since the genocide period,” he said.

Some accuse the british government of rejecting migrants based on this agreement. However, Minister Cleverly responded that this is not true; instead, it is a measure to prevent crimes committed at sea, where criminals smuggle migrants and sometimes abuse them.

He explained that the UK regularly accepts asylum seekers, including those fleeing the war in Ukraine and persecution in Hong Kong, adding that the UK works with organizations like UNHCR to provide necessary assistance and aid.

Regarding Rwanda, Minister Cleverly confirmed that it is a safe country, and this will be reinforced by the provisions in the updated agreement between the two governments in December 2023, which guarantees that migrants arriving in Kigali will not be returned to their countries of origin. “We can now confidently affirm that Rwanda is a safe country,” he concluded.

The Office of the President announced that on June 18, 2024, President Kagame met with Deputy Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, who is on an official visit to Rwanda. Prior to meeting with the President, Bettel had meetings with other government officials to discuss the partnership between Rwanda and Luxembourg.

Rwanda and Luxembourg have a well-established and cooperative relationship. For instance, in October 2021, the Government of Rwanda and this Western European country signed a cooperation agreement aimed at developing the operations of the Kigali International Financial Center (KIFC).

The agreement focuses on enhancing the Kigali International Financial Center by building the capacity of its personnel and improving operational capabilities to elevate the center to an international level.

Additionally, Rwanda and Luxembourg have agreements in place to prevent smuggling and tax evasion.

Luxembourg is a very small country, covering an area of 2,586 km², with a population of about 645,000 people.

Economically, Luxembourg is often referred to as the “Paradise of Europe” due to its significant development since gaining independence in 1890.

The country’s GDP is $86 billion, with an average per capita income of $133,000 per year.

The financial sector is the backbone of Luxembourg’s economy, contributing over 30% to the country’s GDP and providing employment for over 50,000 people.

Despite its small size and population, Luxembourg hosts 128 banks, many of which are major international institutions.

The country is also a hub for financial oversight and asset management, ranking second globally in asset management, behind the United States.

Luxembourg’s financial institutions manage assets worth at least $5 trillion.

Life expectancy in Luxembourg is 82 years, with free healthcare and education for all residents, and free public transportation within the country.

This year set a record for the number of people aspiring to run for both the Presidency and Parliament.

Since 2003, 23 individuals have expressed interest in leading Rwanda, requesting permission to run for office at various times. However, the National Electoral Commission (NEC) found that nine of them did not meet the necessary requirements to run for office.

Regarding the Parliament, 2,426 people have submitted their candidacies to the NEC since 2003, though 154 of them were found to be ineligible.

Among these candidates were 64 independents, but only 30 met the necessary requirements and competed in the elections. No independent candidate has yet managed to secure the 5% of votes required to enter Rwanda’s Parliament.

The year 2024 set a new record.

During the 2003 parliamentary elections, 415 Rwandans submitted their candidacies to join the Parliament, with 391 meeting the requirements according to the NEC. From these, 80 deputies were elected to represent Rwandans in Parliament for a five-year term.

In 2008, as the terms of those elected in 2003 ended, new elections were held. At that time, 366 people, including 200 women, submitted their candidacies. After review, 11 were found ineligible.

In 2013, the number of aspirants for Parliament increased, with the NEC receiving 441 applications, including 221 from women. Out of these, 410 were approved, and 80 deputies were elected for the next five years.

Participation continued to grow over the years. In 2018, there were 539 aspirants, including five independents and 326 women. Of these, 521 were approved, including four independents and 322 women.

The year 2024 broke the record for the highest number of candidacies for both Parliament and the Presidency. For parliamentary seats, the NEC received applications from 665 people, of whom 589 met the requirements, including one independent candidate.

It is anticipated that this year’s elections will be attended by over 9.5 million Rwandans, with more than two million voting for the first time. The elections will have a budget exceeding 11 billion Rwandan Francs, provided by the Government of Rwanda.

The issue of petrol shortages in this country led the police in May 2024 to order vehicle owners in Bujumbura City not to queue at petrol stations knowing there was no fuel available, warning that those who defy the order would be punished.

During various parliamentary sessions, deputies continued to express concerns about this issue and the widespread poverty affecting citizens.

On June 12, 2024, Deputy Hatungimana Athanase said that due to the decision made by the Burundi Police, some deputies are now walking on foot because their cars are parked at home.

These issues were brought up again on June 13, 2024, but Ndabirabe expressed his displeasure at hearing the complaints, stating that some members of the National Assembly were among those causing the problem.

Ndabirabe stated, “But there is something you keep saying about limited resources and people being poor. Is what you are saying true? Recently, when there was currency devaluation, did you see what happened? Didn’t citizens withdraw millions and millions from banks?”

He continued, “Now you are saying people are poor, and they are selling maize, many of them saying they have nowhere to sell it. Do you believe what you are saying? Find another way to describe it. Burundians are eating, if you want every Burundian to have an airplane or a car, I think that is unlikely to happen.”

Regarding petrol, Ndabirabe said that some people are hiding it in their homes, with some being caught with 5000 or 3000 liters, and that among those doing this are deputies or their associates. He said these actions are causing people to claim that Burundi is out of petrol, which he believes could incite unrest among citizens.

He said, “People continue to bring petrol, even now it is coming in. Where is this petrol going? We should ask the government to reinstate the death penalty for those caught stealing petrol because they are causing problems for the citizens. They should be executed, perhaps it would decrease. People in the government are staying up all night to ensure this petrol is available. There are some things you say, making one wonder if you see anything. Are there no Burundians going abroad to say ‘don’t give Burundi petrol’? You don’t see or mention them?”

For those saying foreign currency is scarce, Ndabirabe mentioned that some deputies are trading it, using it to build expensive houses. He suggested that those handling it illegally should have their hands cut off, preventing them from continuing to use it unlawfully.