Category: Opinion

For Eastern and Southern Africa, COP29 offers a crucial moment to prioritize regional strategies for managing our unique ecosystems, which include forests, marine, and wildlife habitats that support millions and sustain diverse biodiversity.

Among the most critical actions we can take is to embrace data-driven ecosystem management and address the governance challenges that often stand in the way of effective conservation. In recent years, data has come to be seen as “the new oil” in conservation—a resource with immense potential to improve ecosystem management.

Data-driven decision-making involves using data to make informed decisions, rather than relying on intuition or experience. With accurate, timely data, policymakers and conservationists can track biodiversity trends, detect environmental changes, and target conservation efforts where they are needed most.

The Regional Centre of Excellence for Biodiversity, Forests, and Seascape Ecosystems Management in Eastern and Southern Africa (RCoE-ESA) is leading this data revolution with the development of a Data Geoportal—a centralized platform that aggregates environmental data from 24 countries in Eastern and Southern African.

This Data Geoportal has the potential to transform conservation across the region by abridging the data gap to enhance collaborative efforts in conservation initiatives. It fosters collaborative data contribution and sharing by different stakeholders.

At the heart of Regional Centre of Mapping of Resources for Development’s (RCMRD) strategy is the Data Sharing Agreement, a collaborative framework being signed with the 24 countries we serve.

This agreement ensures that the environmental data we receive is authenticated and verified by governments, providing a solid foundation for transparency and trust among all stakeholders.

By standardizing data-sharing practices, the agreement supports informed decision-making, enabling better strategies for ecosystem protection and restoration. It also strengthens the functionality of the Data Geoportal.

RCMRD plays a pivotal role in helping countries update information on protected and conserved areas, which are key to biodiversity conservation.

This effort was amplified with RCMRD’s contribution to the recently published Protected Plant Report 2024. The report, produced by UNEP-WCMC and IUCN is the first global assessment of protected and conserved areas since the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework was agreed. It highlights countries’ progress on commitments to protect 30% of Earth by 2030.

Yet, as COP29 discussions aim to strengthen global commitments to biodiversity protection, we must also confront a significant barrier: the governance issues around data sharing. Each country in Eastern and Southern Africa has unique policies on data privacy, ownership, and access, leading to significant discrepancies that impede cross-border conservation efforts.

While some countries restrict access to data due to security concerns or prioritize national control over ecological information, others face institutional gaps that limit their ability to contribute to regional data-sharing initiatives.

This fragmented approach makes it difficult to create a unified conservation strategy, particularly for ecosystems that transcend borders, such as migratory corridors and forest reserves.

Moreover, issues of data sovereignty are increasingly prominent, with countries viewing environmental data as a national asset. While protecting national interests is valid, restricting data access or failing to engage in collaborative data platforms like the RCoE-ESA Geoportal weakens conservation outcomes across the region.

This lack of coordination not only impacts biodiversity but also threatens regional stability, as ecological disruptions can trigger resource conflicts, displacement, and economic losses.

To leverage data effectively in conservation, Eastern and Southern African countries must commit to harmonizing policies on data governance. Regional leaders should prioritize the development of shared standards for data privacy, ownership, and cross-border access.

A unified framework will allow countries to contribute to data-driven initiatives without compromising national interests, ensuring that all stakeholders—governments, conservation organizations, and local communities—benefit from a collaborative approach.

Countries can share data in a way that respects national privacy concerns and boundaries while maintaining the integrity of national boundaries and safeguarding sensitive information.

The time is ripe for Eastern and Southern Africa to champion data-driven ecosystem management and to establish a unified governance framework that supports transparent data sharing.

By aligning on these critical issues, the region can lead the way in demonstrating how data can drive effective, sustainable conservation.

Data must be the foundation of conservation efforts, backed by robust governance, regional cooperation, and the full support of our communities.

The Comprehensive Country Exhibition of this year’s Expo covered 30,000 square meters, showcased 77 countries and international organizations, highlighting their unique cultures, national characteristics, and modern technologies. Over 200 interactive events drew wide attention. All pavilions are designed to reflect the countries’ diverse historical and cultural heritages, development achievements as well as specialties.

As an important platform to promote win-win cooperation between China and countries all over the world, this year’s Expo continued to maintain an ultra-large exhibition scale of 360,000 square meters, with a total of 3,496 companies from 129 countries and regions participating in the Business Pavilion. Among the exhibitors, 186 companies and organizations have been full-time participants in the CIIE since its launch in 2018. It fully reflects the confidence of global companies in the development of China’s economy and the attractiveness of China’s super-large-scale market.

This year, 11 Rwandan companies brought various products to the CIIE. The coffee, chili, tea, honey and other booths attracted many visitors. Handicrafts woven by Rwandan women made their debut and received wide recognition.

Since the first CIIE in 2018, Rwanda has participated in the Expo for seven consecutive years. Its high-quality products were well accepted and quite popular in China. In 2023, the bilateral trade volume between China and Rwanda reached 552 million US dollars, a year-on-year increase by 16.5%, and China’s import from Rwanda increased by 86.2%.

More and more Rwandan products entering the Chinese market, more Chinese consumers experienced “Rwanda on the tip of the tongue”. It helps promote Rwanda’s export, create jobs, and increase its people’s income.

The Ambassador of Rwanda to China, H.E. Mr. James Kimonyo said, the CIIE had made a huge contribution to boosting trade, investment and tourism. Rwanda’s trade volume with China in 2023 increased by 274% compared to 2018. Rwandan farmers earn 4 US dollars more for every kilogram of coffee beans sold to China.

According to the calculation of Dr. Herman Uwizeyimana, who graduated from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, if a Rwandan farmer grew 1 hectare of chili, the planting and harvesting cycle is 8 months, and the average daily income can reach 7-8 US dollars, which is 5-6 times of their previous income.

As an important part of the CIIE, Hongqiao International Economic Forum (HQF) provides a platform for international political, business and academic circles to discuss cutting-edge issues. Under the theme of “High-Standard Opening up for Universally Beneficial and Inclusive Economic Globalization”, the 7th HQF features the main forum (the opening ceremony of the CIIE and HQF), and 19 parallel sessions.

Mr. Prudence Sebahizi, the Minister of Trade and Industry of Rwanda, attended the session on “Sustainable Development of Global South and China-Africa Cooperation”.

He summarized the three major challenges of the Global South, financing difficulties, energy shortages, and food security crisis in his speech.

“However, thanks to China’s proposal to jointly build the Belt and Road Initiative and three global initiatives, many developing countries, including Rwanda, have gained tangible benefits.” He emphasized China’s important role in promoting South-South cooperation.

China has implemented a series of preferential policies such as tariff reduction and exemption for the least developed countries. It leads to the significant growth of Rwanda’s trade with China, the expansion of Rwanda’s export value, and the improvement of Rwanda’s economic status in the world.

Mr. Li Fei, Vice Minister of Commerce of China, said that China is a natural member of the Global South and a good partner of developing countries, including African countries. It stays committed to the sustainable development of the Global South with practical actions.

Starting from December 1st this year, China will give zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines to all the least developed countries having diplomatic relations with China, including Rwanda. This is an important announcement by President Xi Jinping at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit.

Since then, the overall characterization of China-Africa relations has been elevated to an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era, and relations with African countries have also been elevated to a strategic level. It fully demonstrates China’s determination to stand firmly with the Global South and support its development and revitalization. They will work together to realize the modernization of the world.

After the successful hosting of FOCAC, the 7th CIIE is one of the most important events for economic cooperation and exchange between China and other countries in the world. The Expo demonstrates China’s confidence and determination to promote reform and development through opening up, thus creating new opportunities for the world. New contribution to inclusive economic globalization is highly expected.

The friendship between China and Rwanda as well as the two peoples has witnessed a long history. China is willing to further deepen cooperation with Rwanda and develop together towards a shared future.

The exhibition and sales platforms such as the CIIE, the Canton Fair, and the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, as well as preferential policies will be better utilized to boost bilateral trade and strengthen China-Rwanda economic and trade cooperation. Mutual benefit and win-win results shall be achieved under the development of a high-level China-Africa and China-Rwanda community with a shared future.

Wang Xuekun is the Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda.

However, this technological enhancement also attracts the attention of cybercriminals. Rwanda is one of the highly targeted countries on the continent due to its fast-growing cyber-related technology, and this can negatively impact all facets of the country’s tech ecosystem, from government to corporations, small to medium enterprises, and even individual citizens.

This constant rise and innovation in cybercrime require the need for protecting users and business-critical data. The ease with which attackers exploit vulnerabilities should be cause for concern, not only for larger enterprises and organisations, but also for SMEs and start-ups.

With the government’s commitment to advancing the digital agenda and transformation, building resilience to cyber threats, and ensuring that citizens and businesses in Rwanda benefit from trustworthy digital technologies has become more than just a good idea – it has become a vital imperative for Rwanda’s future.

This holds true for the wider continent, where cyber security is as crucial for economic growth as it is for safeguarding business operations. This was the driving force behind Liquid’s Cyber Security Fusion Centre matrix, leading to the launch of three centres in Africa to date.

In addition to offering an extra layer of protection, the Fusion Centres provide African businesses and governments with access to threat evolution and security data across key markets. As the number of Fusion Centres increases, the battle against cybercrime in Rwanda and across Africa will be significantly strengthened.

The Rwandan government’s commitment to advancing the digital agenda and transformation is laudable. A big part of this effort involves building resilience to cyber threats and ensuring that citizens and businesses in Rwanda benefit from trustworthy digital technologies.

To that end, both the private and public sectors must actively engage in educating businesses, organisations, and individual citizens about cyber security, as well as raising awareness about the potential dangers posed by the online space.

From a business perspective, it’s crucial to recognise that awareness and training in cyber security is not limited to rank-and-file employees alone. Cyber security requires buy-in at the very highest level and it can no longer be viewed as an isolated concern for IT departments.

Cyber security best practices must be implemented right across the board to ensure that employees, a huge threat vector for cybercriminals, cannot be tricked into allowing malicious parties access to company data (through phishing or social engineering attacks).

Failing to educate employees put a business at risk of being breached, as they are a company’s best and first line of defence. It is in line with this that Liquid Intelligent Technologies conducts webinars and workshops to educate corporate personnel on cyber security.

Moreover, every enterprise, regardless of its size, must establish a formal cyber security framework aligned with its strategy and objectives. This requires continuous management and improvement of the technologies and systems, alongside the establishment of an Information Security Management System (ISMS) and resilience controls.

Any business that is uncertain about its ability to mitigate cyber-attacks should employ the services of experts. Liquid, for example, offers a full 360-degree cyber security threat assessment for potential clients and tailors a strategy to meet their specific needs.

The cost of a successful breach far exceeds the investment in ongoing cyber security. Additionally, with the increasing number of local and global regulations around data protection and security, there is an added cost of business reputation.

Investing in a solid and dependable cyber security strategy might appear as an additional burden on the balance sheet. However, in a landscape marked by threats and trickery, cyber risk and business risk are now inextricably intertwined more than ever before.

Rwanda’s growth depends on our awareness and implementation of cyber security. To pretend otherwise would be foolhardy.

The Author is the Chief Executive Officer at Liquid Intelligent Technologies Rwanda

However, simply reviewing the names quoted in this bogus investigation, reveals a list primarily made up of classic genocide deniers, children and grandchildren of perpetrators, along wth their friends and supporters of all kinds, especially concentrated in Belgium and France but present across Europe and beyond.

Residents of Brussels seem to be among the most frightened by these supposedly fictitious poisonings.

The timing of this article is telling. It coincides with the recent trial of Dr. Eugene Rwamucyo and just before the trial of Charles Onana, both figures with connections to groups seeking to belittle Rwanda’s tragic history.

It represents an expression of fear. The parties involved are expressing their fear of being prosecuted, monitored, and potentially even killed at any moment through strategies allegedly devised by the Rwandan government, particularly poisonings.

These accusations, which have been rehashed time and again, are now reappearing in recycled form—through poisoned handshakes and clothes soaked in poison, instead of the previously alleged “utuzi twa Munyuza.”

Their real fear isn’t poison itself, but rather being identified, judged, and condemned for the crimes committed during the Genocide against the Tutsis. In their minds, the real title of this investigation could well be, “Who’s Next After Rwamucyo and Onana?”

This has triggered a variety of defensive mechanisms, both psychological and strategic, which ultimately produced this investigation based on biased claims meant to manipulate facts and distort the truth to alleviate a conscience troubled by deep-seated guilt.

A Fear of justice and accountability

When individuals involved in past atrocities witness stringent sentences handed down, as in Rwamucyo’s case, a wave of anxiety spreads among those connected to these crimes, either directly or through family ties. This often leads to a collective defensive response, an effort to sway public opinion, mask their actions, and distract from potential legal consequences.

Rettman’s article amplifies the voices of genocide deniers, children of perpetrators, and extended networks of supporters, including well-known individuals like Judi Rever, David Himbara, and Denyse Zaneza.

Zaneza’s father, Marcel Sebatware Nzabona, awaits arrest for crimes he committed in Rwanda while running a cement factory in Bugarama (formerly Cyangugu).

The family of Paul Rusesabagina alternates between stories of espionage—sometimes claiming they are spied on through their phones, other times that they are followed by unknown people wherever they go, and now it is poison.

Members of Jambo ASBL (a group comprising children born to extremist Rwandan exiles accused of involvement in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi), like Natacha Abingeneye, the daughter of Juvénal Uwiringiyimana, a former minister under Habyarimana’s regime, are also involved.

Abingeneye appears very close to Charles Onana, promoting his book sales, raising funds for his trial, and urging genocide deniers to show up in large numbers to support Onana during his trial, as observed on certain YouTube channels.

Also present is one of Kabuga Félicien’s sons, Donatien Nshima Kabuga, who was recently seen at Onana’s trial to show his support. Others, such as Placide Kayumba, the mastermind behind Jambo ASBL and a main supporter of FDU Inkingi, are linked to Rwamucyo.

Kayumba’s father, Dominique Ntawukuriryayo, a friend of Rwamucyo and former sub-prefect in Gisagara during the genocide, was convicted in 2010 for the extermination of Tutsis on the hill of Kabuye. He is serving his sentence in Arusha.

There are many more friends and Western patrons, including Ambassador Johan Swinnen (former Belgian ambassador to Rwanda and to the DRC), Peter Verlinden, Filip Reyntjens, and other prominent Belgian politicians linked to parties such as CDH or Vlaams Belang.

By magnifying these unsubstantiated claims, they attempt to create distractions and sow doubt.

Spreading rumors to shift public opinion

By stirring up panic among their networks, they may be seeking to delay justice.

Spreading rumors (poisoning, in this case) can manipulate public opinion, shape perceptions, and sometimes mislead people of goodwill who know little about the subject or younger generations who are still learning about the history of the Genocide against the Tutsi.

These rumors might exaggerate the treatment they face, accuse authorities of a “witch hunt,” and portray themselves as victims of injustice, when in reality, it’s the opposite.

Victimization strategy

By portraying themselves as victims, they seek to gain public sympathy and transform perceptions of their actions. They attempt to lessen their responsibility and appear as targets of an unjust system, potentially appealing to some sections of public opinion.

Damaging Rwanda’s image and its success story

We should also note that this so-called investigation was released at a time when Rwanda has been in the spotlight, with our President shaking hands with world leaders at the Francophonie summit in Paris and the Commonwealth meeting in Samoa.

This investigation seeks to distort Rwanda’s true image and tarnish its success story by discrediting Rwanda’s tangible achievements both nationally and internationally.

In short, the severity of a sentence can serve as a warning signal for certain collaborators, prompting them to act out of fear of future repercussions.

This includes attempting to manipulate public discourse to obstruct justice and protect themselves, hence the invention of rumors that underpin this baseless report.

Rather than focusing on fabricated threats, it is time to let justice take its rightful course.

Through CIIE, Ali brought to China handmade wool carpets from his hometown, each skillfully crafted by the hard-working locals. Every carpet sold was providing for families living in the mountainous terrains of Afghanistan, and giving them hope for a better life.

The CIIE, held in China’s Shanghai annually, is a major move of the country to open up wider to the world and share development opportunities with partners globally.

Unlike other long-existing exhibitions that focus on export, the CIIE is about boosting import and helping foreign firms showcase and sell their products and services in China. It has been held six times since its launch in 2018.

Given the size of China’s market, the CIIE has multiple roles to play: scaling up international procurement, promoting investment, facilitating people-to-people interactions and advancing global cooperation. It has since contributed significantly to both China’s endeavor to foster a new development paradigm and to the growth of the world economy.

At the recently concluded third plenum of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the importance of improving the institutions and mechanisms of high-standard opening-up was once again emphasized. A more open China is going to deliver greater benefits to the rest of the world.

Home to a huge population, an expanding middle-class and well sustained economic growth, China has the ideal consumer market for quality products from around the world. Adding to that, is the country’s world-class manufacturing ecosystem that is constantly fortified by increasing input in innovation and R&D.

The country once known for “Made in China” goods is now taking on new features such as “Created in China” and “Designed by China.” To trade with China is to trade for the future.

The CPC also adopted a resolution at its recent central committee plenum on reform measures designed to advance Chinese modernization, including systematic steps to build a unified national market.

By removing the inconveniences that foreign firms might encounter entering China, this will help them do better as they explore the enormous market of the country. That also promises more opportunities for global growth.

China has done a lot to liberalize and facilitate trade over the years. The government has been conducting reforms to facilitate trade and investment in the country’s Pilot Free Trade Zones. Its customs authorities and other related departments have launched 27 specified measures to improve port services.

Its tax administration has been moving to strengthen interdepartmental information sharing, streamline tax refund declaration, and speed up tax refunds for exports. And the list goes on. It is thanks to these measures that in the first half of 2024, China’s trade in goods hit RMB21.17 trillion yuan, up by 6.1 percent year on year.

China is working hard to bring in more investment, as is reflected in its 24-point measure to enhance the country’s appeal for foreign investors.

The resolution of the recent CPC plenum also laid out a plan to reform the foreign investment management system, and incorporatees measures including expanding the catalog of encouraged industries for foreign investment, removing all market access restrictions in the manufacturing sector, ensuring national treatment, and making life on the mainland more convenient for people who come from outside the area.

Such efforts will help China foster a world-class business environment so that more foreign enterprises will share in the dividends of China’s development.

In the first half of 2024, foreign investment in China amounted to nearly RMB500 billion yuan, and 26,870 foreign-invested enterprises were established here, 14.2 percent more than the previous year. This speaks volumes about foreign investors’ enthusiasm toward the Chinese market and their confidence in its future prospects.

Despite the headwinds of protectionism and decoupling faced by the world economy, the trend of economic globalization is irreversible. As an engine for global growth, China will leverage its market size and opening-up measures to contribute new impetus to the world economy.

YI Xin is a columnist based in Beijing for international affairs.

While the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are regrouping and preparing for war, Hezbollah movement joined the war from Lebanon and started to launch rockets and missiles at Israeli cities.

In order to free more than 250 civilian hostages, Israeli forces entered the Gaza strip. Only then, Israel’s true adversary had revealed itself- It was Iran all along. This very open “secret” was proven by different attacks perpetrated by Iran sponsored proxies in Iraq and Yemen.

Despite various enemy’s attacks and consequently heavy losses, around six months after the war commenced, Israel started to gain momentum in the war by entering to the most dangerous hornets’ nests in Gaza, Rafah city.

Ten months later, the tables were turned and Israel has attained the upper hand in the war as more than 90% of Hezbollah and Hamas top leadership was eliminated and the latter lost almost all fighting capabilities.

As we speak the IDF is operating in Lebanon, in the plight of eradicating Hezbollah’s terror capabilities.
Israel is facing many challenges in Gaza due to the fact that the narrow strip is actually the most comprehensive fortified zone in military history which has a 500 Kilometer of underground tunnels and Iranian technologies.

Iran is the snakehead, operating tirelessly with the aim to spread terror, extremist ideology and dark perceptions of the world. Iran will not stop. The false notion that Israel is the only target of Iran is fundamentally wrong.

Iran continues to invest fortune on spreading its ideology worldwide, supporting terror, cybercrimes and espionage. The fact that Iran is still a legitimate part to the global community is sad and worrying. An example, is the choice of Naim Qassem as the new head of Hezbollah.

Qassem was designated and sanctioned and was declared “an International Terrorist”. Under Iran’s guidance he will most likely seek to expand Hezbollah’s activities globally. Including money laundering, building and supporting terror cells and assisting to wreak havoc in already existing international crises.

Rwanda should take a close look at what’s happening in Israel for numerous reasons; Firstly, the threat to Rwanda from its borders is driven from the ongoing attempts of mercenaries to penetrate through and if they succeed, they will not hesitate to act brutally and will not abide by international norms nor laws.

They are motivated by ideology and money, exactly what has happened to Israel. In this regard, Rwanda should bear in mind that terror thrives under two main conditions: resources and lack of strong governance.

Around Rwanda there are lots of foreign actors who are using resources to operate, and using lack of governance to thrive. Everyone in their right minds should be concerned by a potential appearance of a new terror organization to the area and the ongoing Iranian influence in Africa.

Secondly, terrain in southern Lebanon where the IDF is operating does have resemblance to Rwanda’s borders.

Furthermore, now is the best time to learn thoroughly the steps the different actors in the war are taking and why these were the measures they choose, because there are people who see the upcoming weeks or months as the stoppage time of the war.

In football Stoppage Time, aka overtime, is the time the referee adds to a game after the official time of the game is over. Here are some recommendations for future research on lessons learned from Israel:

1. There is a lot to learn on the tactical level on how the IDF clears forested and hilly territories from terror elements, and discovers their secret places hidden in the natural environment.
To learn the combinations of infantry and heavy armored vehicles in such places and how they all perfectly synchronized through technology which serves them for many other uses. This is something to research globally.

2. Another topic to research is lessons learned through the intelligence operations, gathering and waving secret war. Israel has eliminated many leaders and high rank members in both Hamas and Hizbollah ranks. These operations could not be successful without tireless and hard intelligence work. According to different foreign press outlets, there are more operations attributed to Israel, like the radio and pagers spontaneous explosions, which whoever perpetrated them did an excellent job covering up its traces.

3. The most important thing to research in this war, is how countries trying to avoid this war escalating into a regional one. All the relevant actors have operated in their own way while keeping the flames of war contained.
Attacks on Hodeida harbor in Yemen, Cyber-attacks, aerial attacks by planes, drones and missiles. Choosing to hurt your enemy by an attack which holds a message, is an art and should be examined and be taught here in Rwanda.
H.E. Einat Weiss is Ambassador of the State of Israel to Rwanda