Category: Diaspora

{{The Embassy/Permanent Mission of Rwanda in Geneva, hosted the 50th Anniversary of the Independence Day jointly with the 18th Anniversary Liberation Day.}}

Representatives of the Switzerland government, Geneva based Ambassadors and diplomats, Rwandans living in Switzerland and friends of Rwanda, accounting for over 300 guests, were in attendance for the event.

The evening began with the singing of the National Anthem, followed by the speech of the Rwandan Ambassador Mrs. Soline Nyirahabimana.

She stated, “We will not use this time for real celebration but for reflection, reflection on how we have used the Independence as well as looking forward to securing a better and prosperous future.”

She acknowledged that the decades following Independence were unfortunately misused, resulting in discrimination and the genocide against the Tutsi in 1994.

Despite the devastation created by the genocide, Rwandans chose a path of unity and reconciliation. Rwanda can now celebrate 18 years of peace, stability and prosperity.

The Ambassador highlighted achievements of Rwanda in sectors of Health, Education, Gender equality and its contributor to the African Union and United Nations Peacekeeping operations.

She concluded her speech by saying, “The past 50 years have been a journey of resilience. We decided to learn from our history and shape a bright future. On this occasion we thank our partners who have walked with us through our journey and for our cooperation in mutual respect.”

The evening’s celebrations included performance by Urunana and Ineza troops, as well as song performance by Rwandan artist Darius Kabalisa.

{{On 8th July 2012, Rwandan Diaspora in Mozambique organised a get together “Ubusabane” at Pestana Rovuma Hotel in Maputo, Mozambique.}}

Ambassador Vincent Kagera and Mrs Muchimba Sikumba, Rwandan Honorary Consul to Mozambique attended the gathering.

The get together party was attended by 130 Rwandan from Maputo city and surroundings.

In his remark Louis Baziga, Chairman of Rwandan Diaspora in Mozambique encouraged the audience to work together to strengthen the Diaspora which has the objective to promote unity among Rwandan living abroad.

He called on everybody to promote a good image of Rwanda. Rwanda is our home, we should be proud of our country, he concluded.

Ambassador Vincent Karega in his address called upon Rwandan community to work hard in their respective sectors and defend their dignity. By doing so they are building Rwanda and its image.

One of the members shared his experience on his visit to Rwanda in December 2011 after 17 years abroad.

He said that the annual meeting “Inama y’umushyikirano” which he attended is the best forum for Rwandan living abroad to communicate their ideas to the leadership of Rwanda.

The meeting was entertained by a music band composed by Rwandan artists.

The audience was given opportunity to ask questions to the committee of the Diaspora and to the Ambassador, all were answered to the satisfaction of the audience.

{{On 6 July 2012 Rwanda’s Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany, H.E. Christine Nkulikiyinka, hosted a reception on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of Independence and the 18th Anniversary of Liberation.}}

Over 90 guests followed the invitation, among them were representatives of the German government, head of diplomatic missions representing their governments, such as Belgium, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Luxembourg, Georgia, Bangladesh, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Morocco and others. Members of the Rwandan community living in Germany also participated in the celebration.

In her welcoming speech, Ambassador Nkulikiyinka thanked the guests for their solidarity and friendship for the Rwandan people. She presented some of the key achievements made in Rwanda, noting that they would not have been possible without successful cooperation and support from friendly nations.

She particularly thanked the German government for the trust and sustainable cooperation shown to Rwanda.

Ambassador Nkulikiyinka remarked that the celebration of Rwanda’s independence and liberation should be an occasion for reflection.

Given Rwanda’s recent history the struggle for self-determination, equality and peace continues to be in the forefront of Rwanda’s efforts for the building of a better future, Rwanda’s envoy said.

“In Rwanda, the notion of independence had lost relevance when natural and basic right to life was denied to a section of the Rwandan population.

For three decades after the independence, Rwanda suffered bad governance characterized by discrimination, hatred and cycling killings that culminated in to the 1994 genocide against Tutsi.

Despite the seemingly insurmountable consequences of the genocide, Rwanda successfully embarked upon a path of reconstruction, reconciliation, nation building and development.”

Dr. Wolfgang Manig, head of division responsible for the Great Lakes region in the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, representing the German government, delivered the German government’s message of congratulations for the two national anniversaries.

He said that Germany was impressed by the many positive developments taking place in Rwanda, especially the success of the Gacaca jurisdiction.

Dr. Manig further said that Rwanda continues to be an example for good governance, peace building and the promotion of regional stability in Africa and elsewhere.

He commended the Rwandan people for their resilience and commitment to work for a peaceful and prosperous country. Dr. Manig assured the continued support of the German government for the people and government of Rwanda.

Germany and Rwanda enjoy good bilateral relations, ranging from technical cooperation to cultural exchanges. Germany is among the few donors that supports Rwanda through budget support.

{{Rwandans living in Kenya today marked the 50th Independence anniversary of the republic of Rwanda held at the Rwanda High commission in Kenya.}}

Rwanda got her independence on July 1 1962, from Belgium.

Post independence Rwanda was characterised by divisionism, prejudice and hatred among the citizens and this climaxed into the 1994 genocide against ethnic Tutsi, during which a million people died in a period of 100 days.

The Charge ‘d Affaires a.i Madam Yamina Karitanyi High Commission of Rwanda in Kenya presented a Speech highlighting major strides Rwanda has achieved including; creation of 650,000 jobs , 80% of them in non agricultural sector.

She added that fertility rate in the country had dropped from 6% to 4.6%. That between 2006 and 2011, Poverty in Rwanda dropped by 11.8%.

It was also revealed that enrolment in secondary schools has increased threefold.

That infant and maternal mortality rates have declined by 41% and 35% respectively.

The commissioner also highlited Rwanda’s positive strides in areas of Justice and bilateral cooperation both with regional neighbours and abroad.

She also told participants that Rwanda is now a leading contributor to Unite Nations Peacekeeping operations and has successfully chaired the Peace building commission and shared its post conflict recovery story with other countries emerging from conflict.

Present at the Anniversary were Diplomats, CEO Equity and the Director General United Nations Office Nairobi.

{{The Minister of gender and family promotion Hon. Aloysia Inyumba met with over 200 Rwandans living in Canada at Travelodge hotel on 9 June.}}

Minister Inyumba met the Diaspora Rwandans after attending a meeting “Universal Peace Federation” and “Women’s Federation for World Peace” in Toronto where she explained Rwanda’s progress and family promotion.

Rwandans travelled from different parts including; Ottawa, Gatineau, Montreal, Quebec, Toronto and Hamilton among other places to meet the minister in Ottawa.

Dr. Karuranga Egide the leader of Rwandan community in Canada explained to the minister the achievements of the Rwandan Diaspora in Canada and their programs aimed at helping Rwanda through their various skills.

The Diaspora requested the minister to always update them with information on various government policies and programs so that they can also contribute to the country’s development.

Mukabagwiza Edda the High Commissioner of Rwanda in Canada explained to Minister Inyumba that Rwandans living in Canada established structures to help improve on implementation of various Diaspora activities especially “One Dollar Campaign”.

The minister explained to the Diaspora the level of progress achieved in Rwanda on gender equality.

{{Very soon Africa will produce more oil than the Middle East as the continent becomes a focal point in global business.}}

The remarks were made by Rwanda’s Commercial Attaché in DC, USA, Bonny Musefano while addressing students at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA).

“Africa offers the highest return on foreign direct investment in the world, far exceeding all other regions,’’Musefano remarked.

Musefano represented the Ambassador of Rwanda HE. Eng. James Kimonyo as the keynote speaker at the 7th Annual Symposium “Business of Africa” May 18-19, 2012 hosted by the African studies Center.

Citing various business success stories in Africa, he said, this is the decade for Africa to shine.

He passionately told of how Rwanda, a small, over populated country in the heart of Africa is the third easiest country in Africa to conduct business after South Africa and Mauritius and that Rwanda seeks to become a business hub for the wider great lakes region.

Bonny further argued that Africa offers the highest return on foreign direct investment in the world, far exceeding all other regions. While petroleum products are the driving force behind those returns, other sectors offer impressive growth.

“There is no reason why we should be the world’s suppliers of cheap commodities and yet remain a vast market dependent on the outside world for most of our consumable goods”.

He was confident that when African countries address the problem of insufficient energy, improve transport network, easy access to good quality internet, enhance the business environment by reducing beaurcracy and good governance, Africa will out compete many continents in business endeavors.

During the Question and answer session, Musefano attributed the success of Rwanda to the resiliency of the Rwandan people and the outstanding leadership of President Paul Kagame.

He noted that Rwandese chose to look forward and restore the pride of their country. Rwanda has zero tolerance to corruption, consistent accountability mechanisms have been put in place, and investors feel secure to do business at home.

He also attributed the success of Rwanda to vibrant domestic and foreign private sector which has steadily boosted Rwanda’s economy.

Dr.Francoise Lionnet, the Director of the African Studies UCLA was optimistic that time had come for Africans to spearhead development strategies of their own continent.

She acknowledged that part of Africa’s challenge was capacity development which has steadily improved and that Africa was now ready to compete on the global market.

The two day conference was opened by entertainment from the World Arts and Culture department UCLA as well as Rwandan Students dancing group of California Baptist University.

The African Studies Center at UCLA is one of the oldest and the biggest departments in USA with various academic disciplines that focus on Africa.

{{Rwandans and Germans from state Rhineland-Palatinate (RLP) jointly participated in the annual Mayence Marathon May 6th for the first time.}}

Participants in the race included; Rwanda’s Ambassador to Germany, H.E. Christine Nkulikiyinka, RLP Minister of Economy, Hon. Eveline Lemke, five Secretary of States as well as Members of Parliament.

The Rwandan community abroad was also represented and joined the marathon.

The participants ran in couples of representatives from Rwanda and Rhineland-Palatinate through the city center of Mayence alongside the other 11.000 runners who had travelled from the entire region.

More than 50.000 viewers followed the marathon and cheered the runners up. They were especially delighted to see the Rwanda/Rhineland-Palatinate team.
Rwanda and the partnership also gained the attention of regional broadcasters who reported about the event.

The race provided a good opportunity of exchange between the participants and enabled the Rwandan runners to provide information about the partnership country.

The joy was great when majority of participants reached finishing line together.

The relay race is one of many activities organized on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the partnership between Rwanda and Rhineland-Palatinate.

{{Following the Saturday graduation ceremony Prime Minister Dr.Pierre Damien Habumuremyi met on Sunday Rwandan students’ community of California Baptist University in USA .}}

Dr. Habumuremyi was accompanied by Rwandan Ambassador in Washington Ambassador Kimonyo James.

Over 60 Rwandan students welcomed the Prime Minister with traditional dances as an expression of joy and pride to be where they are.

The students thanked Prime Minister for taking time to meet them as a testimony of support offered to all Rwandans by the good and dedicated leadership.

Students said, “We recognize that the outstanding leadership qualities of President Paul Kagame have delivered rwanda from the dark past.

They said, “we stand as a testimony of governments efforts in promoting equal and strong education opportunities for all Rwandans.

“We promise all Rwandans is that we shall always remember and work for our country. We shall honour Rwanda throughout all our experiences.”.

Addressing students, Dr. Habumuremyi said : “ whereby in the pre-genocide period, access to education was predicated on rank, privilege and ethnicity, today merit has taken the center stage.”

Dr. Habumuremyi congratulated 2 graduants and each one was offered a Rwanda national flag as a sign of the good job they have done being good ambassadors of Rwanda at CBU.

The Prime Minister noted that the country needs hardworking citizens to propel the country to development.

Dr. Habumuremyi urged graduants to contribute to national development encouraging them to specialise in domains lacking in Rwanda .

Graduants were encouraged to return home with projects that could be transformed into business opportunities and respond to needs of population.

{{The Education minister Dr. Vincent Biruta on 27 April 2012, attended a Graduation Ceremony held at Oklahoma Christian University.
In attendance were Rwanda’s Ambassador to US James Kimonyo and hundreds of Rwandans living in USA.}}

The Commencement ceremony that took place Friday morning had 11 Rwandan Students graduating in areas of Science and Engineering with one graduating with Masters in Engineering.

The 11 Students make up the third group of Rwandan Presidential Scholars (RPS) graduating from Oklahoma Christian since the inception of the program in 2006.

The Graduation ceremony was followed by a meeting of the OC Rwandan Students with the Ambassador and Minister of Education.

During the meeting, Rwandan students presented some of the innovative projects they had initiated to help develop Rwanda and themselves.

Yves Iradukunda (Junior at OC, and ELERwanda CEO) presented ELERwanda, a platform for Entrepreneurial Innovation by Rwandan students connecting them to investors.

“We are organizing a business Competition and a summit this June that will connect Innovative Rwandan Students from all over the USA to investors and advocates”, Iradukunda said.

Seven other students presented other innovative projects that they had initiated or were involved in. These included Rwandans4Water, NationalExaminations.com, Isaro Foundation to mention but a few.

Dr. Biruta commended the Students for working on side projects to help develop Rwanda while studying, “the ministry of Education recently started a Rwanda Innovation Endowment Fund specifically for the purpose of funding innovative projects”.

There was a blessing ceremony for the Graduating Students which was also attended by the Oklahoma Christian University Administration.

Pie Masomo, one of the Graduating students speaking on behalf of the Graduands said he was at a loss for words to describe how thankful he was for the support and guidance the Community had provided to them.

“To the host families, I thank you for having taken care of us as your own”, Pie added. John De Steiguer, President at OC made the concluding remarks during the ceremony and said a prayer for the Graduating Students.

Currently close to 60 Students are pursuing degrees in various courses in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. (STEM)This graduation ceremony is the first of many, this year that are taking place as Rwandan Presidential Scholars graduate in many universities across the USA.

{{Rwandan students in Poland in collaboration with the University of Lodz have showcased a commemorative film and held discussions aimed at highlighting the facts about the 1994 genocide against ethnic Tutsi in Rwanda in which a million lives were lost.}}

The commemorative event was held on 26 April 2012 at Lodz (School of Polish Language, University of Lodz) for the 18th commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

During the discussions hinted on the history of Rwanda including the colonialism period and the how genocide was planned and executed in 1994, the after effects and the current level of reconstruction progress.

Details were explained through films, commemorative songs and photography with the help of lecturers and other students hailing from East Africa and friends of Rwanda.

An opportunity for questions from people in attendance was provided and all questions were answered by Rwandan students moderating the discussions.

At the end of the commemoration event, People were more informed than before about Rwanda’s history and current reconstruction progress in Rwanda.