Category: Diaspora

{{Rwandans and Friends of Rwanda in North America will gather in Washington D.C to commemorate the 18th anniversary of the Genocide against Tutsi in Rwanda and reiterate their commitment to the promise of Never Again.}}

This event will take place on 7th April and 8th April 2012, in Washington D.C to remember the lives of over one million people who were killed during the genocide against Tutsi in Rwanda in 1994.

Under this year’s theme “Let’s learn from our history to shape a bright future” participants will have the opportunity to learn through discussions ranging from the history of the genocide, the role of media and literature in the genocide, genocide denial and survivors’ needs today.

“The keynote speech will be delivered by Carl Wilkens, an acclaimed human rights activist and the only American who chose to remain in Rwanda as the genocide against Tutsi unfolded, risking his life to deliver food, water, and money to those in desperate need”, Said Yvette Rugasaguhunga the coordinator of the program.

Other notable speakers include the Executive Director of the USC Shoah Foundation, Dr. Stephen Smith; Genocide scholar, James Waller; Author, Dr. Margee Ensign; International law scholar, Dr. Zachary Kaufman; the Chief Executive Officer of Aegis Trust, Dr. James Smith, and the former spokesman for the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, Dr. Tim Gallimore.

Additionally, the program will feature survivors of the genocide against Tutsi including Console Nishimwe, Dr. Egide Karuranga and Ms. Immaculee Ilibagiza, as well as other Rwandan activists including Dr. Chrysologue Gakuba, Mathilda Mukantabana and Dr. Rangira Bea
Gallimore.

The program will conclude with a Walk to Remember at the Washington D.C Mall, in memory of those lost to genocide in Rwanda and worldwide.

This two-day special program is being organized by the Rwandan Community in North America in partnership with the Embassy of Rwanda in Washington D.C.

{{Rwandans living in Belgium and other Diaspora hailing from the Great Lakes Region have been violently attacked by angry supporters of defeated Congolese presidential candidate Etienne Tshisekedi.}}

The Congolese community in Belgium, in solidarity with opposition parties in the Democratic Republic of Congo, rejected official results in a November 28 election that showed Joseph Kabila elected new president of Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Supreme Court in a ruling said Kabila won the election, rejecting opposition demands for the vote to be annulled over fraud allegations.

As votes were being counted in the DR-Congo, Congolese nationals living in Europe set into action violent demonstrations especially targeting Rwandan nationals.

However, the Rwandan Ambassador to Belgium, Robert Masozera has pledged protection and continuous visits to the Rwanda victims ensuring there are no more attacks.

IGIHE.com reporter visited Matonge area where there are lots of businesses run by Rwandans. The area is currently secured following collaboration between the Rwandan Embassy and local police.

At Matonge Rwandan owned properties including restaurants, window glasses, cars and buildings among others were destroyed.

Rwandan ambassador and Embassy officials visited the area and urged them to continue their business as usual as the authorities in charge takes action to ensure peace in the area.

Amb. Masozera further challenged Rwandans in the area to take part in providing protection for themselves.

There are over 40,000 Rwandan community living in Belgium.

{{Rwanda’s living in USA’s Indiana and Michigan states say they are impressed by some of the services provided by various government agencies.}}

The Rwanda embassy in US was highlighted as exemplary especially in the issuing of legal documents like passports and passing information about Rwanda’s progress especially on how diaspora members can invest back in Rwanda.

The remarks were made during a recent meeting involving diaspora and Ambassador James Kimonyo who advised them to tap into existing opportunities in Rwanda mostly in trade.

David Gasirabo and Edna Mbangukira hailed Amb. Kimonyo’s visit saying that it proved the government’s commitment to include the Diaspora in decision making and development of Rwanda.

Alice Cyusa from Indiana state who was also among the organizers thanked the governments initiative of visiting the Diaspora, she further hailed a similar visit by president Paul Kagame to Rwandans in Canada.

Appolinnaire Bamugire who resides close to Grand Rapids hotel where the meeting took place noted that the embassy helped her to process documents quickly when she was requested by a Gacaca court in Rwanda to come and answer allegations of involvement in crimes commited during the Tutsi genocide.

“At the end I was confirmed not guilty because I arrived on time to defend myself.”

{{On 11th December 2011 the Rwandan youth network “Ruanda Connection” which is based in the capital of Germany in Berlin invited the Rwandan community for Christmas celebration.}}

The festivity was attended by members of the Rwandan diaspora as well as friends of Rwanda. Guests included; the Rwandan Ambassador to Germany, H.E. Christine Nkulikiyinka and the Embassy’s First Secretary who attended to show their support for the event initiated by “Ruanda Connection”.

“Ruanda Connection” aims at bringing together young Rwandans living in Germany and connecting them to their home country Rwanda.

Ambassador Nkulikiyinka welcomed the initiative of the youth and said that she hoped that this was the beginning of intensive encounters of the Rwandan family in Germany.

The aim of the group is to promote networking among young Rwandans in Germany and friends of Rwanda, and to create an active exchange with other young people in Rwanda.

The group plans to promote the Rwandan culture through events and raising awareness about Rwandan projects in Germany.

“Ruanda Connection” was founded one month ago by young Rwandans studying and working in Germany and Rwanda.

Christmas is known as a family celebration, the group wanted Rwandans in
Germany to celebrate as one family together with friends. They emphasized that they are motivated and ambitious to work hard to connect Rwandans from Germany and Rwanda.

The chairperson, Elisabeth Kaneza and deputy chairperson, Charlotte Ndakorerwa, of “Ruanda Connection” hailed the guests for attending.

The Christmas Celebration was the group’s first event. The guests appreciated the initiative and commended the good organization of the event.

More information about the activities of “Ruanda Connection” can be found at the group facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ruanda-Connection/246502885409971

Questions and remarks can be sent to their Mail-address: ruandaconnection@yahoo.de

{{Supporters of the Congolese Presidential Candidate Etienne Tshisekedi in Belgium this Monday demonstrated against Rwandans claiming that their candidate should be announced as the winner in the last Presidential election.}}

This is not the first time for Congolese to attack Rwandans in Belgium, because when they’re fighting against President Joseph Kabila’s regime in the past years, they attacked Rwandans living there only by looking in their face and beat them.

The demonstration took place in Matonge area a host to a big African migrant population. During the protests, Congolese attacked Rwandan businessmen, and burnt their properties.

There are about 40,000 Rwandans living in Belgium.

The igihe.com reporter at the scene found glasses of Rwandan shops blocked and others scattered in the middle of the roads as Belgian Police calmed the situation.

Among the victims; Lambert Kalisa, the owner of Evasion 29 Restaurant told our Reporter that Congolese violent protestors destroyed his building.

In addition Kalisa said that he didn’t understand why Belgium Police couldn’t secure Rwandans and their properties during the protest.

“I’m very sad because always when Congolese are facing political challenges, they attack us(Rwandans), we are wondering why Police does not secure us,” said Kalisa.

Another Rwandan Jean Pierre owning a Car Parking company in Brussels said that his Parking area was also destroyed.

igihe.com talked to the Rwandan Ambassador in Belgium, Robert Masozera but the diplomat wasn’t aware of the protests.

He expressed shock that Congolese were actually attacking Rwandans.
In addition Masozera noted that he’s incquring about the matter before giving any statement to the media.

{{Under patronage of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Job in Rwanda Ltd. and WAF (Wakening Abilities for the Future) organized the first edition of the Rwandan Diaspora Career Day to be held at Serena Hotel on the 19th December 2011.}}

With the theme “Inspiring Careers in Rwanda”, different members of the Rwandan Diaspora will get the opportunity to meet and share several professional and knowledge skills.

Discussions will be based on career perspectives within organizations, analyse the possibilities of collaborating with them as consultants and promote their organization and marketing their product and services.

In an interview with IGIHE.com, Oria Kije Vande Weghe the Public Relations and Communication officer in WAF also organizer of the event, told us that they had the idea together with Job in Rwanda after realizing that so many Rwandans were not aware that they can work in different Rwandan enterprises.

“You find so many foreigners called to work in Rwanda whereas there are committed members of the Rwandan Diaspora. We want to show them that they will bring much benefit to their country,” said Oria.

Oria went on stating that during the event they will share with different boards including RDB and others that will exhibit their work to the sixth province(Diaspora)as commonly refered to.

“We will share experience from the Diaspora and I know that many will appreciate the Rwandan enterprises work,” stated Oria.

Oria added that anyone who would like to register for this event that will join many Rwandans, should visit www.rwandajobday.com