Category: News

{{Eleven UN troops have been seriously injured in an attack launched by mutomboki Raya militia in South Kivu province. The attack happened at about 5PM Monday.}}

The attack followed protests from demonstrators at the MONUSCO base at Kamananga located 8 km from Bunyakiri. The protesters demonstrated against an attack by FDLR rebels.

These protesters showed their anger against the peacekeepers with mobile base of operations located 3 kilometers from where the FDLR committed the crimes.

A MONUSCO source at the scene said some protesters fired shots towards peacekeepers. UN forces fired into the air to disperse protesters.

The Raya Mutomboki militiamen infiltrated the group of demonstrators. Other demonstrators barricaded the road Bunyakiri Ombo also to show their anger after the attack.

{{Fourty police officers from Burundi, South Sudan, Somalia and Rwanda currently undergoing a Police intermediate command and staff course at National Police Academy in Musanze district have visited Kacyiru Police
headquarters.}}

The Commissioner for Human Resources Management and Support services Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) John Bosco Kabera explained to the visitors Rwanda National Police structure which include Office of the Inspector General of Police, Office of the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Commissions, territorial units, specialized units, directorates among others.

ACP Kabera informed course participants that apart from ensuring security and safety of Rwandans, Rwanda National Police was an active participant in United Nations peace keeping operations in different countries.

The Human resource Commissioner also explained the recruitment procedure for prospective candidates willing to join Rwanda National Police.

He explained the welfare initiatives including; medical insurance, the Police housing project, access to loans as well as the prospective armed forces shops. These initiatives are aimed at improving the welfare of Police officers.

They later visited Kigali memorial center where they witnessed the effects of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.

The police officers returned to Musanze where they are persuing a three months Intermediate Command and Staff Course.

{{A team of five officials representing security organs from Benin and Burkina Faso are visiting Rwanda to learn about Rwanda’s Success story on Gender Promotion and Peace Keeping operations.}}

Rwanda has gained respect from other nations following the successful Peace Keeping operations in Sudan and Haiti.

Delegates received an orientation about preparations police officers undergo before they are ready to be deployed to peacekeeping tours including selections, tests undergone as well as other preparations.

Francis A Behanzin, the controller General of Benin Police noted, “It’s going to be the first time that Benin deploys a Formed Police Unit to a peace keeping mission so we hope to learn a lot from Rwanda Police as they have already have Formed Police Units in peacekeeping duties before”.

Burkina Faso Colonel Yssoufou Sawadogo, the logistics director in the Burkina Faso Army noted that on top of learning from Rwanda’s peace keeping initiatives, they would also gain experience from gender mainstreaming in the Police force and other security organs.

The visit was organized and facilitated by the Pearson Peace Keeping center, a Canadian organization that has supported Rwanda on peace keeping initiatives.

IGP Emmanuel K. Gasana noted that it was beneficial for Africans to share experiences and forge a future that is fit for Africans.

Gasana noted that force capability was essential in deploying forces in Peace keeping missions. “You need to have a credible, professional and reliable police force and that is what we have tried to achieve here”.

{{Police in Gasabo is holding a man found in posession with fake currency notes.

Janvier Mbarushimana 24, was seized after he attempted to pay for cigarettes to a local shop keeper at Kabuga center using a counterfeight note of Frw 2000.

The suspect is detained at Rusororo Police station while investigations into the matter are underway.

If found guilty, Mbarushimana is likely to be sentenced between 5 and 10 years and pay a fine up to Frw 100,000.}}

{{Dr. Ann Fields, President of William Penn University;

Mr Jerry Ellis, Chairman of the Board of William Penn University;

Dr Noel Stahle, Vice President for Academic Affairs;

Faculty and staff;

Distinguished Guests;

Class of 2012;

Parents, ladies and gentlemen:}}

Thank you Dr Fields for your kind introduction and for the honour of this degree you have just conferred on me.

I accept it with deep humility, knowing that in actual fact, it is a recognition of the collective effort of Rwandans to work for a better and brighter future.

It is a distinct pleasure for me to be associated with William Penn University personally – through this honorary doctorate – but also as a country through the special partnership we have in the common search for what can better the lives of our people. This partnership is evidently beginning to produce results.

Today we mark another milestone in this relationship with Rwandan students being part of this graduating class. We are proud of them and this university, and hope to have many more coming here. They did not only find an education here but also a home away from home.

I would like to thank Mr Steve Noah and Joe Crookham for providing the Rwandan students the comfort and warmth of home and family.

We value the partnership with this university and with other learning institutions, and with nations because we recognise that the future of humankind is best guaranteed by collaboration in learning, research and joint approaches to issues of our time.

I am also happy to say that Rwanda shares the principles and values on which this university was founded and that continue to shape it – equal access to quality education without discrimination.

Wherever people decide to live the best life they can, and better the lives of others as well, one will find some common characteristics – vision, determination and resilience.

I believe this ethos is what inspires the William Penn University community – and it is what should keep the ties between this institution and my country Rwanda even stronger for years to come.

Many of you know that Rwanda’s history has been a challenging one – and in describing our nation’s recovery, reconciliation and socio-economic progress, the word “miracle” is sometimes used.

Well, certainly, there has been rapid change – but not in the mystical sense that most may think; there has been no magic formula to fix the daunting challenges we face.

While appropriate policies and good governance structures have all played their rightful role, the key to our transformation lies with the individual Rwandan citizen and in their interactions with each other.

In their capacity to find common ground and a common cause and purpose, to come together in pursuit of peace and national prosperity – there has not been a Rwandan miracle as such, but millions of them.

In every language, there are words that are not easily translated. One such word in Kinyarwanda – the native language of Rwanda – is agaciro.

In English, you might say self-respect, self-worth or dignity — but none conveys its meaning precisely. The word tries to capture the very essence of humanness.

Agaciro has been – and continues to be – the indispensible ingredient of Rwanda’s transformation.

To truly grasp the meaning of agaciro, it helps to contemplate the consequence of its absence. After all, this is what made our history so tragic.

The genocide in Rwanda eighteen years ago had its origins in decades of bad governance (combining internal and external factors), hateful ideologies and impunity.

For that to have happened – to the unbelievable degree that it did – people had to have surrendered the last shred of their dignity because to truly value one’s own life means valuing the lives of others.

As a people, Rwandans have since sought to rebuild a sense of individual as well as collective worth.

As a government, we have pursued policies of economic growth – not for its own sake, but because expanding the horizons of opportunity for our citizens will lay the groundwork on an equitable basis for prosperity and peace.

Our work in tackling corruption has earned respect from around the world, but that is not why we took such steps.

We did so because there is no dignity in paying a corrupt official to get your goods to market, your children to school or hospital, or for the guarantee of temporary safety.

Our national mission is towards self-reliance, but it does not come from some kind of reflexive nationalism.

It is simply the recognition that there is no self-respect in depending on the permanent generosity of others.

Rwandans of your generation are more optimistic about their country than any before them. They are full of hope, full of pride. This is because they have grown up in a society that has restored the enduring spirit of agaciro.

Madam President;

Class of 2012;

Ladies and Gentlemen:

These lessons we have learned along the way in Rwanda may have some relevance for you, Class of 2012:

Today marks the culmination of much preparation and hard work – and you stand here to celebrate your achievements, realised dreams and the promise of a better tomorrow. Congratulations!

Indeed, this is the end of one phase of your education – but also, the beginning of a whole new different one. You will now get the opportunity to apply what you have learned to real life situations, moving beyond theories and debates to action that can make a difference in your own life, and for those around you.

You are graduating as leaders of this century – possessing the idealism that has driven leaders over the centuries, but also tempered by the realities of the world we live in, and above all, equipped with the knowledge and skills to deal with its problems and challenges.

And how you deal with them and transform the environments in which you will be working shall be the test of true leadership.

Your formal education has given you a valuable skill set to succeed in the world – but it will be the values you uphold, and the high standards that you set, that will distinguish you as the leaders our communities need today.

It is these values that will help you deal with the inequalities that exist in the world, to know that what is taken for granted in one place is not the same in another. And so the goal will be to reduce disparities and increase opportunities, and create societies where everyone can realize their potential.

Every generation has its unique challenges and opportunities, but also its specific mission. In your generation, technology and globalization have created a borderless, fast-paced and interdependent world.

In this environment no single individual, however talented, no one nation, however powerful, can live in isolation or think that they do not need the other.

It means we must collaborate in dealing with humanity’s challenges – whether they are about international security, economic difficulties, climate change, energy, education and healthcare or food for the world’s increasing population.

I am confident that the networks for such collaboration are being formed here at William Penn University and others will be made in the workplace in the different continents.

You are entering a competitive world where knowledge, skills and innovation matter a great deal. Competition has over time produced the best in humankind – in academics, sports, science and technology, and many other areas – and propelled us to the present level of development of the human race.

Leaders who will make a difference are those who are able to harness our competitive energies, creative and innovative potential and channel them into work for the common good.

You should always remember that leadership is not about a single individual, no matter how gifted; it centers on the ability to inspire others to move together in the right direction, towards a common good. Aspire to be that person.

I have no doubt that among the 2012 Class of William Penn University there are outstanding leaders ready to step into the future and make the world a better home for all its citizens.

Once again congratulations to you all, and I wish you success in all your endeavours. Thank you for your kind attention.

{{After turning 18 years, Rapper Lil G is not happy with people that still refer to him as a young boy as they used to do before he was 18.}}

Karangwa Lionel known by his stage name Lil G was born 20 March 1994, he started his music career as a rapper in 2007 when he was 13 years, since then his fans and the media at large knicknamed him ‘umwana muto’( translated as young boy).

He told IGIHE that he doesn’t like to be called “umwana muto” because he has now turned 18. He says it hurts him so much because he believes that he is now a man.

“when someone calls me that name, I get furious. Am not a little boy. It doesn’t make me happy anymore.” Lil G explains adding that he wants to be addressed as Lil G as his stage name.

{{A Global Monitoring Report (GMR) 2012, released April by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), says the developing world’s progress is seriously lagging on global targets related to food and nutrition, with rates of child and maternal mortality still unacceptably high.}}

Recent spikes in international food prices have stalled progress across several of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the report says.

GMR 2012: Food Prices, Nutrition and the Millennium Development Goals reports good progress across some MDGs, with targets related to reducing extreme poverty and providing access to safe drinking water already achieved, several years ahead of the 2015 deadline to achieve the MDGs.

Also, targets on education and ratio of girls to boys in schools are within reach.

In contrast, the world is significantly off-track on the MDGs to reduce mortality rates of children under five and mothers. As a result, these goals will not be met in any developing region by 2015.

Progress is slowest on maternal mortality, with only one-third of the targeted reduction achieved thus far. Progress on reducing infant and child mortality is similarly dismal, with only 50% of the targeted decline achieved.

“High and volatile food prices do not bode well for attainment of many MDGs, as they erode consumer purchasing power and prevent millions of people from escaping poverty and hunger, besides having long-term adverse impacts on health and education,” said Justin Yifu Lin, the World Bank’s chief economist and senior vice president for Development Economics.

“Dealing with food price volatility must be a high priority, especially as nutrition has been one of the forgotten MDGs,” he added.

GMR 2012 details solutions for making countries and communities more resilient in the face of food price spikes.

Countries should deploy agricultural policies to encourage farmers to increase production; use social safety nets to improve resilience; strengthen nutritional policies to improve early childhood development; and design trade policies that enhance access to food markets, reduce food price volatility and induce productivity gains.

However, the challenges countries face in responding to high food prices have been made more difficult as a result of the global recession.

“The fragile global economy could very well slow developing countries’ progress on human development goals, since the fiscal, debt, and current account positions, particularly of low income countries, have been weakened by the global financial crisis,” said Hugh Bredenkamp, deputy director of the IMF’s Strategy, Policy and Review Department.

Regional progress towards the MDGs is uneven. While upper middle income countries are on track to achieve most targets, low-income or fragile countries are lagging, with only two goals achieved or on track. While food prices have declined from their 2011 peaks, commodity prices remain volatile.

“To help deal with volatility, more developing countries are complementing their fiscal and monetary policy responses with insurance or hedging operations, such as selling crops in forward markets. This can be part of a broader strategy for managing risks like natural disasters and swings in commodity prices,” said Lynge Nielsen, senior economist at the IMF.

Jos Verbeek, lead economist at the World Bank and lead author of GMR 2012, cautioned that declining development assistance, population growth and high food prices will make the need to focus on nutrition programs for the poor even more challenging.

“According to our projections, an estimated 1.02 billion people will still be living in extreme poverty in 2015. Clearly, assistance must be leveraged in new ways if we are to improve food security and nutrition, particularly for the poor and vulnerable,” said Verbeek. (IMF/World Bank)

{{A Southern Sudan delegation is in Tanzania lobbying for support of the East African Community.}}

James Wani Igga speaking on behalf of the Speaker of the Southern Sudan parliament said the region stands to benefit immensely if South Sudan joins the regional body.

The delegation met members of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) in Dar es Salaam yesterday.

“I had one long message to the honourable Members of Parliament; that we are eager to join the bloc and we have asked their support to fast track our intention to become new member of this important regional body.”

He said allowing Southern Sudan to join the EAC would be of mutual benefit to all member countries, considering the readily available market of about ten million people for various products produced in the region.

The EALA Speaker, Abdirahin Abdi, said the issues discussed would be forwarded to Heads of State for resolution.

{{Stephen Terrill a freelance journalist working for AFP news agency in Rwanda has been arrested at Bradley International Airport in USA on charges of consuming and trafficking cocaine.}}

The FBI arrested Terrill and 35 other suspects in an “Operation Vinefield” after a nine-month investigation into cocaine trafficking in Hartford’s north end on a variety of narcotics and firearms charges.

Terrill 39 is a resident of Glastonbury appeared in U.S. District Court Friday for a detention hearing. He will be released on a $100,000 bond and will be on home confinement.

During the hearing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoff Stone said that investigators monitoring the cell phone conversations of Jaeqwan Sheppard of Hartford on several occasions heard Terrill make arrangements to purchase “eight balls” of crack cocaine.

Stone said agents followed Sheppard out to Terrill’s South Glastonbury home to complete the purchases. Stone said there is no evidence that Terrill was distributing the narcotics elsewhere after the purchases, but rather purchased it for personal use.

U.S. Magistrate Donna Martinez agreed to allow Terrill out on a $100,000 bond, of which $50,000 of it will be cash provided by Robert McCarthy, who described himself as Terrill’s mentor in court.

McCarthy said that Terrill is a freelance journalist reporting on the genocide occurring in African countries such as Rwanda. Terrill has worked for several agencies including Agence France-Presse, the BBC and the Voice of America.

“Steven has flourished in Rwanda and I am quite proud of him but disappointed that he is back here in jail ” McCarthy told Martinez.

Terrill was arrested at Bradley International Airport late Wednesday night by federal authorities as he was returning from his latest trip to Rwanda.

He filed a story on Tuesday from Nkamira, Rwanda detailing the plight of a woman searching for her husband and children who she fears have been victims of the on-going war between soldiers from the Democratic Republic of Congo’s army and mutineers — who were until recently rebel soldiers.

All but one of the 36 people indicted has been arrested and presented in federal court. The only person still at large is Rakent Bunkley, 23, of Hartford. Four others are already in state custody.

{{The Uganda Army has reported the captured a top Lord Resistance Army commander Maj. Gen. Caesar Achellam ({Below}) . He is among the top five LRA commanders.}}

Maj. Gen. Achellam said he felt a “free” man leaving rebellion.“I feel free now after 24 years in the bush,” He told Journalists.

Ugandan military officials prevented journalists from probing Acellam on grounds that would unravel information likely to undermine the ongoing regional effort to rout Kony.

State owned media quoted military saying that the capture is a step closer to catching Joseph Kony, the LRA leader accused of war crimes.

Uganda People’s Defence Forces said Gen. Achellam had been captured in an ambush on Saturday along the banks of the River Mbou in neighbouring Central African Republic.

They said Achellam had been armed with just an AK-47 rifle and eight rounds of ammunition. He was being held with his wife, a young daughter and a helper.

Kony has evaded the region’s militaries for nearly three decades, kidnapping tens of thousands of children to fill the ranks of Lord’s Resistance Army and serve as sex slaves as he moves through the bush.

Thousands have been killed by his brutal army.

The deployment of U.S. special forces as advisers to help Ugandan soldiers track Kony and his senior commanders in the dense equatorial jungle across a region that spans several countries has raised hopes the sadistic leader’s days are numbered.