The office of the President has announced that President Paul Kagame held bilateral talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister, Dr. Abiy Ahmed.
The two Heads of State also visited Ethiopia’s flagship Hawassa Industrial Park, which Ethiopian government sees as crucial to meet its vision of making Ethiopia a light industry hub in Africa and middle-income economy 2025.
According to the World Bank, Hawassa Industrial Park is expected to generate around 60,000 jobs and $1 billion in export revenues.
Built by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), the Hawassa industrial park, located in Ethiopia’s southern city of Hawassa, was completed in a record time of nine months and commissioned in July 2016.
President Kagame will on the second day attend a number of Consultation Meetings on the African Union Institutional Reform Process including with the Group of 15 Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Heads of Regional Economic Communities and the Bureau of the Assembly.
Over time, Ethiopia has occupied a strategic position as AU host.
Earlier this year, African Union (AU) Commission chief Moussa Faki Mahamat offered his services to the government of Ethiopia amid political upheaval in the country, following Hailemariam Desalegn’s resignation in March.
It is the first state visit Kagame held in Ethiopia since Dr. Abiy took over replacing former Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn.
The statistics were unveiled during the launch of road safety week in Rubavu district.
The week-long nationwide campaign targets various groups including drivers, motorcyclists, cyclists, students and pedestrians to equip them with traffic rules and regulations tips and the overall road safety standards.
Speaking with IGIHE, the spokesperson for Traffic and Road Safety department, SSP Ndushabandi said that “Road accidents claimed 138 lives and injured 246. From those, 53 lives were lost from Taxi-moto accidents, injuring 111 people.”
The Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) in charge of Administration and Personnel, Juvenal Marizamunda requested motorists to ensure discipline while on duty, so to prevent the loss of lives.
“Most of the accidents are caused by technical faults and are avoidable if drivers respected traffic rules.” He said
Statistics also indicate that fatalities caused by public services vehicles and trucks reduced to 40 per cent and 23 percent, respectively in the last four months compared to the same period last year.
The reduction, according to Commissioner of Police (CP) Rafiki Mujiji, doesn’t call for celebrations calling for responsiveness to prevent loss of even a single life to recklessness of motorists.
Speaking on thursday, during a consultative meeting between RNP, Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA) and owners or heads of transport companies, CP Mujiji appealed to owners and managers of transport companies to take an upper hand to ensure the behavior and discipline of their drivers on roads, and take action against errand members.
In the elections, Friday, Habarurema got 180 votes of 197 voters and his competitor Félix Rukundo only 17.
The Vice-Mayor in charge of Economic Development is JMV Rusiribana while the vice-mayor in charge of social welfare is Alphonsine Mukangenzi.
Former Mayor Mbabazi and vice-mayors were dismissed on March 7th 2018.
Upon their dismissal, the Ruhango District Council Chairperson, Jérôme Gasasira Rutagengwa told IGIHE that all officials were dismissed after being accused of different malpractices in the implementation of different projects.
“We dismissed them from Ruhango District council due to malpractices. There are different improper deeds that have been made during the implementation of different projects as revealed by auditing report. Some mistakes were made by technicians but the political responsibility falls on the mayors’ shoulders,” he explained.
And now, IGIHE has brought out the special features of the life of those people who always have their travel passports in their pockets as if they were diplomats. They spend their days and nights on the roads for long cross-border travels transporting goods from countries to countries.
They always have cash on them, not because they are rich but to put up temporary residence all along their ways. You will find them putting saucepans on stoves in their parkings. They eat their food beneath the parked lorries, pray God from there and keep all their stuffs there. They sleep in there and you will find some with mosquito nets in there. To them, a lorry is their second but mobile home.
{{Making children all the way is creating cities
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Some of them get concubines on their ways. They call the practice making new homes and headquarters in the form of creating cities. But most of them will now tell you the practice is outdated especially because there are young people among them who say they are committed to their bright future.
Hussein Yusuph Kabale, an experienced driver having a wife and five children in Dar-es-Salaam, says a lot has changed in the 21st century and their profession has followed the new era.
“Sometime back, lorry drivers were making concubines all their way in what we called creating cities but a lot has changed. You cannot attain any development with that practice,” he said.
“The vehicle is a residence itself. It requires meals, drinks, sleeping… a lot that you can’t add the third residence. Where can we find those means?”
Their travel allowances differ but some say they receive at least $400 that they use for a weeklong or longer travels.
Ismael Rachid Lijonjo, 18, says he joined the lorry driving job at a young age because he got passion in it in his childhood and decided to side with the drivers to learn from them.
{{Quick customs services in Rwanda earn them savings
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Mr. Kabale says they are often faced with delays on the way that chop up their pocket money but Rwanda’s customs help them save from their allowances.
“Though we often face different hurdles like accidents and eating up our money before reaching the destination, the good thing I see in Rwanda is the quick services at the customs. It helps us save money because when the boss gives me money for a week and I spend two days on the way, I remain with a good package to take home. Anyone smiles when he is told to drive to Rwanda because they know the benefits,” he says.
Bakhressa Bakhar Katema, who has been driving lorries for 40 years, says since he started driving in the region, he has never seen good leadership like he is witnessing in Rwanda.
He says that Rwanda’s before 1994 period was marked by a bad experience whereby soldiers and other government’s armed forces were harassing drivers, something that is no more among the current forces.
“Whenever our lorries were involved in accidents, the forces would say that the foreign vehicle is wrong and punish its driver and leave the local ones walk free. But it has now changed, we are only required to respect the laws,” he says.
{{Offended by adultery allegations
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These drivers say they always feel bad when people allege them with cheating their spouses. They say one of the reasons that make them remain long in the job is that they walk away from adultery practices which can attract the curse from their families while driving a lorry also requires a stable and attentive mind.
Yusuph and Bakhressa Bakhar share the point that as their feet pose on the lorry accelerator and brakes, their hearts go out to their families and that they don’t have time to waste looking for women on their way.
Appeal for action against thieves in Musha
The drivers say they often incur losses over the thieves who cut out the sealed well labels on the trucks on an uphill road in Musha, Rwamagana District.
“There are thieves who try to loot from our trucks but they haven’t managed to steal the goods. They just cut out the sealing metals and we face up to $2,000 fines on each. It is a threat to us,” says Bakressa.
Mayor of Rwamagana, Mbonyumuvunyi Rajab, said that they are going to tighten security in the area to stop those thieves threatening lorry drivers.
Despite the threats in Musha, the drivers say the security in Rwanda is higher than in any other country they operate.
They say that they meet in countries like Zambia, Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania many hurdles such as being forced to bribe police officers, bad roads and poor services.
CP Mujiji made the remarks on May 24, during a consultative meeting between RNP, Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA) and owners or heads of transport companies.
Statistics indicate that fatalities caused by public services vehicles and trucks reduced to 40 per cent and 23 percent, respectively in the last four months compared to the same period last year.
The reduction, according the CP Mujiji, doesn’t call for celebrations calling for responsiveness to prevent loss of even a single life to recklessness of motorists.
“Most of the accidents are avoidable if drivers respected traffic rules such as regulating speed, use of speed governors, respecting pedestrian pathways including zebra crossing, and avoiding bad maneuvers,” CP Mujiji said.
He appealed to owners and managers of transport companies to take an upper hand to ensure the behavior and discipline of their drivers on roads, and take action against errand members.
He appealed to business leaders to prevail upon truck drivers and buses to change road usage behaviors and attitude towards proper driving.
The meeting was in the framework of the ongoing Police Week, with the second week focusing on promoting road safety.
“We have been sensitizing motorists but we believe that owners and managers also have a big responsibility to monitor their drivers,” he said.
“We want to see the positive impact, no life should be lost due to causes which we can collectively prevent,” CP Mujiji.
Asaba Katabarwa, the head of Transport regulation department at RURA noted that some truck drivers we found to deliberately tamper or fault speed governors, which are often found offline on the RURA tracking systems.
As business people, Katabarwa said, they have economic benefits if drivers adhere to traffic rules and other regulatory instruments, but also losses if they violate them coupled with loss of lives and destruction of people’s property.
{{Why not…Venture off for a few hours of relaxation?
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Now we’re talking about some real me-time. Kigali has a variety of spas in the metropolitan area that will ease your stress and change your mood as soon as you walk through the door. One such spa is aptly named Saray Spa; in there, you will taste the comforts of world class pampering. Enter a welcoming, attentive staff, private treatment rooms, steam rooms, saunas, fitness Centre and pool- and you will never want to return to the real world.
Among the options on the exquisite treatment menu are Swedish massages, Indian head massages, Jade hot stone therapy, lemon and mint scrubs and luxury facials. Treatments can be combined into half and full-day retreats.
While waiting for in-between treatments, treat yourself to one of Saray’s warm brownies and a glass of champagne.
{{Why not…Vent off some steam in a yoga session?
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What better way to relax and find your own thoughts than by taking a wellness class in Yego Yoga Rwanda; a pop-up yoga studio that offers yoga classes at different locations across town. Held in different venues including City Arts in Kimihurura, Soho Fitness and the Inema Art Center in Kacyiru; Yego Yoga Rwanda focuses on feeding your mind, body, and soul.
The studio offers Beginner Yoga, Power Yoga, Vinyasa Flow, Hot Yoga, Ashtanga Vinysasa, classes. Moreover, it also offers special classes like Prenatal / Post-natal Yoga classes, AcroYoga, Yoga for Kids, etc…
For Yogi Lovers, do not miss your chance!
{{Why not…plan your cultural escape in Inema Arts Center?
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For the art-loving loner, visiting Inema Arts Center is the best place to go. Tucked in Kacyiru, there surely is no lack of vision and creative spirit in this visual art hub. Hidden within rich colorful paintings, the works of artists; Emmanuel Nkuranga and his brother Emmanuel Nkurunziza give out messages of positivity, encouragement and gratitude.
You will be left enthralled by the unique pieces of artwork that will captivate your attention for hours and drown out any background noise that might distract you.
{{Why not…Grab a cocktail…or two?
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After your enjoyable day of taking time out for yourself, have a sip at Trophy’s Sports Lounge, an upscale Cocktail bar located in Kigali, around the corner from RDB’s General headquarters. Try as you might, you won’t find any cocktail menu at this bar anywhere else.
As soon as you step inside a waitress or bartender grills you on whatever cocktail you fancy, from tried-and-tested classics to more obscure creations (the Trophy’s Dawa is a Must-try).
Both Heads of States toured the exhibition on Thursday; an activity which marked the end of Kagame’s two-day working visit to France.
The exhibition was part of this year’s ‘Viva Technology’, the World’s meeting for startups and leaders to celebrate innovation together.
According to the Office of the President, Kagame who has been in France since yesterday alongside Macron attended the meeting.
“President Kagame and President Macron attend Viva Tech 2018, beginning their tour at the Rwanda stand showcasing Kigali Innovation City and 8 Rwandan start-ups. Marking the end of his two day working visit to France,” reads a tweet.
This year 60 tech companies from Africa exhibited their innovations and got opportunity to discuss with minds behind technology projects advancement around the World.
Among Rwandan companies that participated in the exhibition include Awesomity Lab, a company behind the technologies that will be used by car assembling plant, Volkswagen in Rwanda.
Also participated is AC Group, a tech company behind cashless payment in transport fare. Irembo, the government online portal through which different government services are offered was also present. Also Fab Lab and Pivot Access among others participated in the exhibition.
Rwanda’s Kigali Innovation City, a project which aims at nurturing science and technology experts for Rwanda and the world in general was exhibited.
In February, Cimerwa embarked on renovation and replacement of old machines and introducing new technologies which would enable the plant increase yearly production from 380,000 tones to 500,000 tones and 600,000 in 2018 and 2020 respectively.
The exercise affected the production capacity and caused cement scarcity on local market. Among other effects, the price was hiked and some construction projects were delayed.
Speaking in a press conference on Thursday in Kigali, MINICOM Minister, Vincent Munyeshyaka said that Cimerwa’s production covers 55% of local market. He said that the renovation will see the plant increase the production capacity.
He assured the public that normal cement supplies will have been restored available in June.
“Cement they are producing today is being distributed to people who had paid in advance, and the process will be over by May 31st. We believe that starting from June, Cimerwa cement will be available on the market,” he said.
As a way of closing the scarcity problem, Munyeshyaka said that they requested importers from Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya to increase the quantity of importation.
The Director General of Trade and Investment in MINICOM, Robert Opirah said that the importation volume was raised by 10,000 tones monthly.
Before Cimerwa productions reduce, Rwanda had been importing between 15,000 and 20,000 tones monthly.
“We discussed with importers and increased importation volume to the extent that 30,000 tones will have been imported this month only,” he explained.
According to MINICOM, different traders used the shortage and hiked the price. However, the ministry embarked on clamping down and penalized those who were found selling the cement at increased prices.
The party took place yesterday at the Club Rafiki in Nyamirambo. It was a chance for the former homeless children Sherrie saved from the streets and disabled children to enjoy sumptuous and unlimited food, drinks, toys, and simply have fun.
The silver dancer made sure the children were all smiling broadly as she danced for them, played with them and advised them like a big sister would.
Sherrie Silver said that she believed in a great future for the children. She said she was a living proof that growing up in difficult conditions did not affect one’s future. Through her passion for dance, Sherrie Silver grew up to be a very popular artist where she came to work with several world-renowned stars, like Childish Gambino.
“I grew up in very difficult conditions, we didn’t have much, I didn’t have a father since he died before I was born, but look where I am now. I’m a good example that anyone’s life can change for the better.” she said
“Street-children mean a lot to me. Most of the time, I want everything to be perfect, from great dancers to great children, but this time I wanted the less privileged, those who can’t make it to school, those who have little, so to show everyone that anything is possible. Just wait for it, these children will grow up to be exceptional people.”
During the celebrations, Sherrie Silver was accompanied by her mother whom she lives with in England.
Sherrie Silver’s work in “This is America” was greatly enhanced by her work with children.
In an Interview with Glamour, Silver spoke of the importance of engaging in political discourse through creativity. Of the decision to have the kids happily continue dancing in the midst of the violence of the song ‘This is America’, she said, “For me, I was just trying to show that the kids are the light in all the darkness around them. So that was done in a very subtle way of having these happy, amazing children dancing and enjoying their lives and not paying attention to everything going on around them.”
Sherrie Silver, the choreographer for Childish Gambino’s “This Is America” video, is originally from Huye District, Rwanda and has performed in around 30 countries.
The African Liberation Day will be part of a one week long Pan African Movement Week (PAM Week) starting from 21st to 26th May under the theme “The role of governance, business, media and creative industry in the Total Liberation of Africa”.
The celebration will be held with a focus aimed at tackling the challenges facing the African continent through a Pan Africanism spirit including the Pan Africanism vision and strategies to implement Agenda 2063 and AU reforms, challenges and opportunities related to Intra-trade in Africa (ACFTA), Building Pan African media and reflecting on African renaissance through culture, heritage and common identity.
Speaking ahead of the African Liberation Day celebrations, the chairperson of PAM-Rwanda, Protais Musoni commended the event and reiterated Rwanda’s commitment in propelling the continent towards self-reliance.
“The celebration of the African Liberation Day is an opportunity to reiterate the strong commitment of Rwanda and the people of Rwanda to revive the Pan African spirit which is a key driver to propel Africa’s agenda towards self-reliance. We strongly believe that the active engagement of the youth as future generations to embrace the Pan African spirit is paramount to turn the dream for Africa renaissance into a reality.” he said
{{Background to ALD
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On April 15, 1958, in the city of Accra Ghana, African leaders and political activists gathered at the first Conference of Independent African States.
This conference was significant in that it represented the first Pan-African Conference held on African soil. It was also significant in that it represented the collective expression of African People’s disgust with the system of colonialism and imperialism, which brought so much suffering to African People.
Further, it represented the collective will to see the system of colonialism permanently done away with. The meeting designated April 15 Africa Freedom day. In 1963, a historic meeting, the First Conference of Independent African States took place in the city of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
On 25 May 1963, leaders of thirty—‐two independent African states met to form the Organization of African Unity (OAU). By then more than two—‐thirds of the continent had achieved independence.
At this meeting, the date of Africa Freedom Day was changed from 15 April to 25 May, and Africa Freedom Day was declared African Liberation Day. Since I963, 25 May is celebrated and known as Africa Day. On this day, many African countries Celebrate the hard—‐fought achievement of their freedom from European colonial powers.
