Category: Politics

“Amending the constitution to harmonize the date for parliamentary and presidential polls will help save money and time used for conducting each election,” said Edda Mukabagwiza, deputy speaker of the Chamber of Deputies in charge of parliamentary affairs, after the vote.

The bill for the constitutional amendment was proposed by the president and first approved by the Rwandan Cabinet in March this year.

Wednesday’s final vote by lawmakers means the parliamentary elections originally scheduled for September this year will be delayed until August next year, the date set for presidential polls, according to officials.

According to the National Electoral Commission, holding parliamentary and presidential elections at the same time could save the country about 6 billion Rwandan francs (about 5 million U.S. dollars).

This is the second amendment to the country’s constitution since 2015 when it was amended to reduce presidential tenure to two five-year terms.

“Saudi Arabia and the United States remain steadfast in their commitment to the people of Sudan and call upon the parties to agree to and effectively implement a new cease-fire, with the aim of building to a permanent cessation of hostilities,” the two countries said in a joint statement posted by the U.S. Embassy in Sudan on Twitter.

Despite the formal pause in the Jeddah talks and the expiration of the five-day extension to the previous week-long cease-fire agreement on Saturday, the delegations from the two warring parties remain in Jeddah, the statement said.

It added that the facilitators stood ready to resume formal talks and reminded the parties of their obligations under the May 11 Jeddah Declaration of Commitment to Protect the Civilians of Sudan.

On Thursday, Saudi Arabia and the United States announced the suspension of the Jeddah peace talks between the Sudanese Army and the RSF.

Sudan has been witnessing deadly armed clashes between the army and the RSF in the capital Khartoum and other areas since April 15, leaving more than 800 people dead and at least 1.6 million displaced, according to UN statistics.

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to lead the country during a runoff.

Erdogan won 52.14 percent of votes in the presidential runoff against his rival Kemal Kilicdaroglu, who garnered 47.86 percent of the votes.

In the first round of the presidential election on May 14, Erdogan earned 49.52 percent of the vote while Kilicdaroglu received 44.88 percent.

Neither secured more than 50 percent of the votes needed to call a winner in the first round, therefore an election runoff was held for the first time for the presidency.

The third-place candidate, nationalist politician Sinan Ogan, with 5.17 percent of votes, announced his endorsement of Erdogan in the runoff where only the two most supported were able to race.

Erdogan’s People’s Alliance, composed of the ruling Justice and Development Party and Nationalist Movement Party, garnered a majority of 323 seats in the 600-seat parliament in the parliament election, while the six-party opposition block Nation Alliance received 212 seats.

The twin elections saw a high voter turnout at 86.98 percent, with almost 54 million citizens going to the polls.

Erdogan, who has been leading the country since he became prime minister in 2003, became the first president of Türkiye in 2018 following a constitutional referendum in 2017 which changed Türkiye’s parliamentary system into a presidential system.

One of the reforms that Welby wants to challenge is the Rwanda-UK Migration and Economic Development Partnership, which involves the deportation of migrants residing illegally in the UK to Rwanda.

Under this agreement signed in April last year, migrants sent to Rwanda will receive assistance in starting a new life, having their asylum claims processed, accessing economic opportunities, or receiving support to return to their home countries if they so wish.

Archbishop Welby stated that the Illegal Migration Bill 2022-23, which was introduced in the House of Commons to change the law and prevent those who enter the UK illegally from remaining in the country, would be ineffective in addressing the migrant crisis. He accused the government of lacking foresight and neglecting the actual problems faced by the world.

In an opinion piece published by the Comment Central news outlet, Amb. Busingye criticized Archbishop Welby’s narrow-minded perspective on the partnership with Rwanda.

“It seems to me that criticisms of the partnership as a narrow-minded approach to the migration crisis are themselves based on incomplete, narrow-minded perspectives of Rwanda’s partnership with the UK,” he said.

“In reality, our partnership is specifically focused on overhauling an outdated, broken international system, and contributing to long-term global solutions to this global crisis,” added Amb. Busingye.

Considering figures from the International Organisation for Maritime, he emphasized the magnitude of the crisis, where over 50,000 lives have been lost on migration routes since 2014, with many of them being Africans attempting to reach Europe.

Drawing from Rwanda’s own history, he said that the country’s recent past, during which many Rwandans experienced what it means to be a refugee, enables them to empathise with ‘this human suffering’.

Amb. Busingye also emphasized the need for practical solutions rather than moralizing and indecision.

To effectively address the crisis, he believes it is crucial to understand its underlying causes.

Amb. Busingye highlighted the belief among migrants and asylum seekers that their immediate regional neighborhoods do not offer safe and prosperous lives, while the global north is seen as a perpetual source of opportunity. He acknowledged that the reasons behind this belief are complex and subject to further discussion.

The Ambassador asserted that the core defect in the global migration crisis lies in the necessity for individuals to embark on perilous journeys across thousands of miles, often at the mercy of ruthless traffickers, to seek safety and opportunity.

To combat this, Rwanda places great importance on creating a safe haven within its borders. Of these efforts, the country has implemented liberal visa and residency policies, providing safety, public services, legal rights, and employment opportunities for asylum seekers, refugees, and economic migrants.

Rwanda has also collaborated with international partners to rescue migrants from Libyan detention camps and offer them sanctuary. Continuous investments are made to improve refugee camps, accommodation facilities, and educational institutions.

The partnership between Rwanda and the UK is seen as a significant step towards sustainable solutions through international cooperation.

In addition to saving lives in the English Channel and disrupting criminal people-smuggling networks, the partnership offers investment opportunities for migrants to build new lives in Rwanda. This investment approach recognizes that addressing the pressures faced by European asylum systems requires investing in safe countries like Rwanda, which can better accommodate migrants. The investments contribute not only to development goals but also create new centers for migrants.

As Amb. Busingye explained, the partnership involves joint efforts between the governments of Rwanda and the UK to enhance the quality of life for both migrants and Rwandans.

This includes support for jobs, education, public services, and housing. During a visit by the UK Home Secretary, various developments were showcased, such as the Gahanga Housing Project, vocational training programs, and educational facilities like the Kepler Academy.

Amb. Busingye believes that such programs represent the future of a sustained global effort to end dangerous and illegal migration.

However, he acknowledged that global progress is hindered by the polarization and politicization of the migration and asylum debate.

In the UK, Amb. Busingye criticized the outdated and negative perceptions of Rwanda that have further complicated discussions.

He underscored that action and results are more important than mere words and expressed confidence that the partnership between Rwanda and the UK will pave the way for a sustainable solution to the global crisis.

Ultimately, Amb. Busingye hopes that global cooperation and investment will allow migrants and refugees worldwide to safely and swiftly reach cities with welcoming migration policies, providing safety, opportunity, and dignity.

Ahmet Yener said to reporters that Erodgan is reelected Türkiye’s president according to initial results.

Erdogan won 52.14 percent of votes in the presidential runoff against his rival Kemal Kilicdaroglu, who garnered 47.86 percent of the votes, Yener said.

He added that 196,744 ballot boxes, or 99.43 percent of all, have been opened.

In the first round of the presidential election on May 14, Erdogan earned 49.52 percent of the vote while Kilicdaroglu received 44.88 percent.

Neither secured more than 50 percent of the votes needed to call a winner in the first round, therefore an election runoff was held for the first time for the presidency.

The third-place candidate, nationalist politician Sinan Ogan, with 5.17 percent of votes, announced his endorsement of Erdogan in the runoff where only the two most supported were able to race.

Erdogan’s People’s Alliance, composed of the ruling Justice and Development Party and Nationalist Movement Party, garnered a majority of 323 seats in the 600-seat parliament in the parliament election, while the six-party opposition block Nation Alliance received 212 seats.

The twin elections saw a high voter turnout at 86.98 percent, with almost 54 million citizens going to the polls.

Erdogan, who has been leading the country since he became prime minister in 2003, became the first president of Türkiye in 2018 following a constitutional referendum in 2017 which changed Türkiye’s parliamentary system into a presidential system.

Under his leadership, Türkiye has increased its presence in regional affairs despite contentions with the United States and other Western allies on issues such as the Syria conflict and rapprochement with Russia.

Erdogan’s win came amid the country’s current economic troubles and cost-of-living crisis. The Turkish lira lost roughly 80 percent of its value against the U.S. dollar in five years and the inflation rate is around 50 percent. Erdogan is a supporter of an unorthodox economic policy of lowering interest rates despite high inflation.

The crisis is further exacerbated by the devastating earthquakes in early February in southern Türkiye, which killed more than 50,000 people and left tens of thousands of people homeless.

In the last two weeks, the two candidates focused to appeal to nationalist votes in their campaigns. They both pledged to focus on problems regarding refugee issues and vowed to end terrorism as the May 14 results showed an increase in support for nationalist parties.

Erdogan was promising a new “Turkish century” if he is reelected. He also stressed his presidency as a requirement for harmony among state institutions and stability in the country as his alliance held the majority at the parliament.

Africa Day, observed by Africans across the continent and the diaspora, provided an opportunity for the AU to pay tribute to the visionary Founding Fathers and Mothers of the OAU/AU. These remarkable leaders made significant strides in achieving sovereignty for African nations and laid the groundwork for the establishment of the AU. The decision to transition from the OAU to the AU was adopted by African Heads of State and Government in the Sirte Declaration of 1999, which aimed to accelerate the process of continental integration.

The commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the OAU-AU serves as a milestone that showcases the continent’s unwavering commitment to solidarity, peace, security, and economic integration. It is worth noting that the OAU was founded on May 25, 1963, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with the objectives of promoting unity, solidarity, and contributing to the economic, social, and political development of Africa. Over the past 60 years, the OAU-AU has played a vital role in fostering collective action, promoting shared values, and facilitating collaboration among African nations.

The celebrations at the AU headquarters were graced by the presence of esteemed guests, including Dr. Abiy Ahmed, the Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia; Azali Assoumani, the President of the Union of Comoros and Chairperson of the African Union; Moussa Faki Mahamat, the Chairperson of the AUC; Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa, the Deputy Chairperson of the AUC; Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, the former Chairperson of the AU Commission, AU Commissioners, Members of the Permanent Representative Committee, AUC staff and their families, Representatives from AU Organs and RECs, as well as the media and other invited guests.

In his welcoming remarks, Moussa Faki Mahamat, the Chairperson of the AU Commission, highlighted the significance of May 25 in African history. He emphasized the importance of honoring the visionary leaders of the OAU-AU who laid the foundation for the African renaissance and socio-economic and political development. Chairperson Faki also called for solidarity with African brothers and sisters who have been displaced or forced into exile due to conflicts on the continent. He reminded everyone of the ambitious goal of “Silencing the guns by 2020,” as articulated in the Agenda 2063 adopted during the 50th anniversary of the OAU in 2013. Chairperson Faki underscored Africa’s resilience and urged unity, stating that Africa has the capacity to overcome any adversity it faces.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Abiy Ahmed, the Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, reflected on the historic event that took place 60 years ago in Addis Ababa. He acknowledged the progress made by the African Union in promoting and defending an African common position on issues of continental interest. However, he also recognized that much work remains to be done to fulfill the aspirations of the founding charter and Agenda 2063.

President Azali Assoumani, the Chairperson of the African Union and the President of the Union of Comoros, expressed pride in the achievements of the past six decades of the organization. He highlighted the OAU’s success in ending colonialism in Africa and apartheid in South Africa between 1963 and 2002.

President Azali emphasized the need to pursue together the ambitions for unity, peace and development to succeed in creating the conditions for the free movement of goods and people in the continental space, through the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). “Let us ratify the Agreement, for those who are still hesitating, in order to make this ambition a reality, and give our continent a chance, to experience sustainable economic growth and to nourish the hope of becoming one of the largest markets in the world, in the years to come”, urged the President.

Other events which took place during the celebrations included Honouring the OAU founders Fathers, Planting trees to mark the 60th Anniversary, Exhibitions , various games and activities for children and Cultural evening.

Minister Kuleba disclosed that the discussions with Dr. Biruta encompassed Ukrainian President Zelensky’s Peace Formula and food security. The Peace Formula consists of several key points, ranging from nuclear security and territorial integrity restoration to energy security and the repatriation of prisoners of war and deportees held on Russian territory.

“We intend to enhance cooperation in various sectors such as trade, digitalization, aerospace, construction, education, and pharmaceuticals. Ukraine is also planning to establish an embassy in Rwanda,” Minister Kuleba tweeted.

During his visit, Kuleba also met with President Paul Kagame and conveyed a message on behalf of President Zelensky. His visit to Africa occurred amidst the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, which commenced in February 2022. The Rwandan Presidency has revealed that Kuleba and Kagame discussed the conflict in Ukraine and explored ways to support peace initiatives aimed at resolving the crisis.

On the same day, Kuleba visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where he paid tribute to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi who laid to rest there.

Kuleba’s visit to Rwanda followed his trip to Ethiopia on May 24, where he met with various officials, including Moussa Faki Mahamat, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), and Azali Assoumani, the President of Comoros, who currently serves as the Chairperson of the African Union.

During their meeting, Minister Kuleba reiterated Ukraine’s commitment to reinvigorate relations with African states based on mutual respect and mutual benefits.

While in Ethiopia, Kuleba also attended and [{{delivered remarks}} ->https://mfa.gov.ua/en/news/address-minister-foreign-affairs-ukraine-dmytro-kuleba-africa-day-2023] at the celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and the subsequent establishment of the African Union (AU).

Africa Day, observed on May 25 by Africans on the continent and in the diaspora, provided an opportunity for the AU to honor the Founding Fathers and Mothers of the OAU/AU for their remarkable achievements in securing sovereignty across the African continent. It also commemorated the decision made by African Heads of State and Government to transition from the OAU to the AU, as outlined in the Sirte Declaration in Libya in 1999. The declaration called for the establishment of an African Union with the aim of expediting the process of continental integration, among other objectives.

This is the first time Erdogan faces a second-round runoff vote as a presidential candidate, as none of the three candidates garnered more than 50 percent of votes needed to call a winner in the first round on May 14.

Pre-election opinion polls gave a winning percentage to the opposition alliance led by Kilicdaroglu, but the scale seems to be tilting toward Erdogan after he received the open endorsement of Sinan Ogan, a nationalist candidate who won 5.17 percent of vote in the first round.

Following a fiercely contested first ballot that left Erdogan with 49.52 percent of votes, and Kilicdaroglu with 44.88 percent, the two candidates dived into even more heated public debates to prove they are the best choice to lead Türkiye.

Erdogan, 69, could likely have the advantage going forward and might extend his leadership for another five years as his ruling coalition also obtained a majority of seats in the parliamentary race on May 14, analysts say.

Erdogan has secured large popular support despite economic hardships and the aftermath of devastating earthquakes in early February. He came out on top in most of the 11 quake-hit provinces where over 50,000 people died.

Voters in these regions, which are strongholds of Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), have been reassured by Erdogan’s promises to rebuild cities within a year, Ankara-based political analyst Serkan Demirtas told Xinhua.

“Voters in the earthquake zone have confidence in Erdogan and his government’s experience in construction projects,” he said.

In capital city Ankara, near the landmark Atakule Tower, people told Xinhua that they are eager to vote for the candidate of their choice after the high turnout of the previous vote, which stood at 87 percent.

“Türkiye is at a crossroads,” said pensioner Remzi Karaoguz, adding “everything will be good,” using a slogan of 74-year-old Kilicdaroglu’s campaign.

Ziya Derya, an electrical engineer, said he would vote for stability, implying that he will favor the incumbent president.

“The most important thing for me is the security and the independence of my nation … I will vote for stability because without it, nothing is possible,” said the man in his late fifties.

In videos posted on Twitter in recent days ahead of the second round of voting, Kilicdaroglu has adopted a harder tone and promised to send millions of Syrian and Afghan refugees home to win nationalist votes and defeat Erdogan.

He also said that the election ahead is a “referendum” for the future of Türkiye.

Burhanettin Duran, a scholar at Ankara’s Social Sciences University, said in an article in Daily Sabah on Friday that the opposition bloc still faces a challenge to mobilize those supporters demoralized by the initial result to cast a vote again.

Meanwhile, Erdogan said in an interview with CNN International on Saturday that he will maintain his unconventional economic model of tackling high inflation with interest rate cuts, vowing that the inflation will go down along with low rates.

Kilicdaroglu promised on the other hand to return to economic orthodoxy, which would mean massive interest rate hikes to cool inflation.