Upon Kagame’s arrival in Abidjan, Ivory Coast at Félix-Houphouët-Boigny airport he was received by President Alassane Ouattara, reads Office of the President’s Tweet.
This year’s summit is being conducted under the theme ‘Investing in youth for a sustainable future’.
African and European Heads of State and Government gather for the summit including the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk; the president of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker; the President of the African Union, IdrissDéby and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, MoussaFaki.
2017 is a defining year for AU-EU relations as it has been ten years since the adoption of the Joint Africa-EU Strategy.
Taking stock of the progress made since the Brussels Summit in 2014, African and European Leaders will be given the opportunity to provide guidance in order to jointly address current and future challenges and to deepen their strategic partnership, launched in 2007 with the adoption of the Joint Africa-EU Strategy.
Organized by the journalists network PAX PRESS in partnership with the German Development Cooperation (GIZ), the debate coincided with the launch of a nationwide anti-violence campaign under the theme “End violence against women and girls: Speak out.”
Innocent Rutayisire, a resident of Nyarugenge, said: “There is a kind of untold violence against men and it is on the rise because we feel ashamed reporting violence against us.”
“While men are still the breadwinner of the family, women are often behind the misuse of family resources such as in beer consumption and affairs with other men, he stated. “There were incidences where a husband came back home and found another man in his bed.”
Jean Baptiste Mbarubukeye, a resident of Kamabare Village in Ngenda Cell, said he knows cases of men who are beaten by their wives. Some of those men opted to leave their families. Mbarubukeye blamed the violence against men on what he termed “the supremacy that government has given to women.” The concern was also shared by a number of other men attending the debate.
Another participant, John Birindabagabo, said “women face violence at a higher rate but men also face it at a rate no one can determine because men rarely report the violence against them by their wives. Women are often envious of neighbours’ living conditions and put pressure on their husbands to provide beyond their capacities. If a man fails to do as a wife wishes, she starts getting around siding with other men. Isn’t that violence?”
{{Women, statistics disprove claims}}
Veredian Mukankusi, a resident of Nyarugenge Sector, said “not only do women face violence but also men do. Some young boys are forced to have sex with adult women.”
Clotilde Nyirangirababyeyi, 44 years old, said most of the men who abandon their families and live in Nyagatare District or Uganda are frustrated by the emancipation of women, which does not allow men to mistreat their wives and use family resources as they please.
“I was born and still live in this sector. I know how men have always violated women’s rights, especially before 1994 when most men including my uncles had up to three wives.” She told the audience that she was forced into marriage when she was 14-years old and became a wife to a 48-year old man.
“Now that government has changed power relations by new laws, some men are unhappy and claim to face violence only because they are frustrated,” added the mother of four children.
Priscilla Uwiragiye, the Bugesera vice Mayor in charge of Social Affairs, acknowledged violence against men but on a smaller scale than women. “Some people misinterpret the meaning of gender balance. They believe that it reduces the power of men and makes women superior to men. But in fact the policy seeks to promote equality and inclusiveness in decision-making both at family and national levels,” she said, adding that “no one should exercise violence against another. The government did not give space to women so that they step on men.”
Uwiragiye urged the residents to work together and avoid conflicts aiming to embrace the development in their families. “We shall keep sensitizing residents on fighting against violence especially during the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence,” she added.
Statistics from the police office in Bugesera indicate that 43 victims of violence were recorded in October 2017, including 12 women, 28 girls, two men and one boy. The statistics also show that 565 girls between 12 and 18 years were impregnated through violence in the first nine months of 2017. Among them, 29 early pregnancies were recorded in Nyarugenge alone, one of the 15 sectors of the district.
Among the facilities are classrooms and other commercial structures.
Five classrooms, 12 latrines and one staff room were constructed at Ruhehe Primary School in Gatagara sector, and one house was constructed in for Byangabo market-based tailors.
The vice-head teacher in charge of academics at Ruhehe Primary School, Diogène Kavumu said that new classrooms will help reduce congestion.
“We are thankful for Rwandan Diaspora in Germany for such invaluable contribution to our school. These classrooms will help us reduce congestion. We used to have 60 students in one classroom but they will not exceed 45,” he said adding that staff room will help teachers work in comfortable environments.
The coordinator of Rwandan Diaspora in Germany, Claude Kalimba said that it is their target to back government’s development programmes by creating good learning environment for Rwandan children and contribute in changing communities’ lives.
“By this gesture we wanted to show that there are Rwandans who are committed to build their nation. We should differ from others who have chosen the way to oppose government programmes,” he said.
Last year, Rwandan Diaspora in German also constructed 15 classrooms worth Rwf124 million at Groupe Scholaire Nyarubara in Musanze District.
After the discussion between both heads of states, Netanyahu wrote on his twitter handle that they agreed to open Israel’s embassy in Rwanda.
” With Rwandan President Paul Kagame today. I informed him that Israel will open, for the 1st time, an embassy in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. This historic step comes as Israel is expanding its presence in Africa and deepening its cooperation with countries across the continent,” tweet reads.
The embassy is set to further deepen diplomatic relations and cooperation between the two nations.
The two nations have enjoyed warm bilateral ties over the years with their cooperation touching various developmental and diplomatic aspects. These include agriculture, technology and innovation, business among others.
Rwanda’s embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel was established in 2015. The Israeli embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia is the one covering Rwanda so far.
Last week, Israel’s government confirmed in four months they will have closed Holot immigrants’ camp and a total of 40,000 from African countries like Eritrea and Sudan will be sent to Rwanda whereas others who wish can be repatriated to their respective countries.
According to BBC, seven rights non-government organisations working in Israel confirmed that Israel and Rwanda will meet in the near future to finalise the agreements.
At the beginning of last year, Foreign Affairs Minister, Louise Mushikiwabo announced that there were no agreements signed between Rwanda and Israel related with hosting refugees.
She however confirmed that discussions were underway.
“We are among countries that two years back negotiated with Israel to receive immigrants. We did not finalise the talks but it is true that they approached us,” she explained.
She said that migration and emigration officials from both countries were still discussing about requirements to transfer these immigrants, their behaviors and their long term status they would be given.
Last week, Israel based Haaretz media house wrote that Israel will pay the Rwandan government $5,000 for every African immigrant it accepts from Israel. The Israeli government will additionally continue to pay immigrants who voluntarily leave the country a grant of $3,500, as well as the cost of their airlines tickets out of the country.
Rights organisations and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) opposed the Israeli government’s decision saying that it is even difficult to find out information about lives of immigrants who were transferred in African countries since 2013 to 2017.
As Kenyatta took oath of office for his second term in office, Kagame said Kenyans deserved Kenyatta’s victory.
“People of Kenya, I have come to congratulate you, congratulations! The people of Rwanda send you their greetings and congratulations for your well-deserved election victory. Congratulations!,” reads the office of the President’s tweet.
Kenyatta is going to serve his second and last term that will end in 2012.
Kagame is among ten heads of states that attended the ceremony including Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, Ian Khama of Botswana, John Pombe Magufuli of Tanzania, Edgar Lungu of Zambia, Ismaïl Omar Guelleh of Djibouti, Hage Geingob of Namibia, Faure Gnassingbé of Togo, Mohamed Farmajo wa Somalia, and Ethiopia Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn.
According to the Director General in charge of Trade at MINICOM Robert Opirah, women have been grouped in cooperatives and reduced informal trade which raised taxes that the country earns from their businesses.
Opirah was speaking Monday in a conference that brought together countries that share borders with Rwanda. The conference intended to assess challenges cross-border women traders face and measures to solve them.
“Cross-border business is being done by a big number of women, Rwanda earns over $170 million from them every year,” he explained.
He said that in a need to promote such businesses, the government of Rwanda has constructed three cross-border markets in Cyanika, Burera District; Kanyaru, Huye District and in Karongi District.
According to Opirah, they target to construct more markets on the borders of Rusumo, Kagitumba, Gatuna, Rusizi I&II and Nemba Border in Bugesera.
Speaking in the conference, the advisor to the minister in theDemocratic Republic of Congo’s Trade Ministry, Solange Umulisa said that unawareness in women engaged in the business is still a big challenge to their country.
“They are unaware of border posts services. Most of the time both countries sign agreements that seeks to promote their businesses but you find that they are unaware of them,” she said
She said that they will continue to explain more about Border Posts services so that they will continue to develop their businesses.
Though cross-border businesses among women on Rwanda’s side are commendable, the Executive Secretary of Pro-Femmes Twese Hamwe, an umbrella of Rwandan civil society organizations aiming at advancement of women status, peace building and sustainable development, Emma MarieBugingo said that women in the business still face some challenges.
“They claim disproportions of hours these border posts operate. Take an example, Rwanda can operate 24 hours but other countries may not be on the dot,” Bugingo said.
Farmers working in KABOKU cooperative were speaking to the Prime Minister, Dr. Eduard Ngirente yesterday while visiting agro-activities in the district.
The cooperative representative, EdouardMusemakweli said that lack of market for their produce in Rwanda forces them to sell to neighboring Uganda.
“We still have in store soya produce t from last agricultural season. That is why some farmers take their produce in Uganda or sell at very low prices,” he said
Among other challenges farmers raised include, lack of drying grounds which result into post-harvest losses.
Premier Ngirente assured farmers that they will send a group of experts to partner with cooperative members and assess all problems they have as well as finding solutions together.
“We are here to discuss the challenges you face and seek possible ways of addressing them. Solutions cannot be generated instantly but we will partner with institutions concerned to address them” he told farmers.
Speaking about market access problem, Trade and Industry Minister, Vincent Munyeshyaka said that they will connect them to harvesting and maize processing companies.
KABOKU cooperative grows maize and vegetables on the surface of 900 hectares. It is made up with 1083 members. Currently, they produce between six and eight tonnes per season.
Innovation and creativity knows no boundaries, and that has never been more evident than in this year’s Smart Service Awards winners.
The Best News Publishing Website award recognize publishing websites that have created ground-breaking digital products that engage readers while increasing online business.
IGIHE came at the top of all the other publishing websites with 37.7% of votes from the Public. IGIHE is considered by most, as perhaps one of the best digital display for news in Rwanda.
The awards were handed during a function held at Park Inn Hotel venue on 25th November. Among the different winners recognized were Bank of Kigali as the best Twitter Brand, SORAS as the Best Insurance Company, TV 1 as the Best TV Station, among others.
Smart Service Awards, which are now in their second year, focus on showcasing the hard work and commitment of the many businesses, departments and individuals across the country, who not only keep clients’ wishes at the top of their game, but also are innovation-driven and potentially, changes the environment all for the better.
The 2017 Awards covered about 30 sub-categories aligned to the tech/digital expertise areas: Social Media, hospitality, Customer care, Digital Technology, Media, Marketing and academics among others.
{{List of the 2017 edition of the prestigious “Smart Service Awards” winners.}}
{{Best Employment Web:}} Job In Rwanda
{{Best Online Shopping Website:}} Groce Wheels
{{Best Hub/Lab:}} Fab Lab
{{Best Radio Station: }} City Radio
{{Best Tech Company:}} BK Tech House
{{Best Mobile Application:}} U Plus
{{Best Technology Institution:}} UTB
{{Twitter Brand:}} Bank of Kigali
{{Facebook Brand:}} Itel
{{Best Bar and Restaurant:}} Just Chill
{{Best Airline:}} Ethiopian Airlines
{{Best Magazine/Journal Online}}: Hope Magazine
{{Best TV Station:}} TV 1
{{Media Personality}}: George Ndirangu
{{Best Financial Institution:}} BK Tech House
{{Best Insurance Company:}} SORAS
{{Best Internet Service Provider:}} Axiom
{{Best Fashion House: }} Kabash Fashion House
{{Best News Publishing Website:}} IGIHE
{{Best Travel Agency:}} Satguru Travels
{{Best Innovation}}: Yego Motos
{{Best Public Institution}}: Immigration
{{Best Telecommunication Company}}: Korean Telecom
{{Miss Social Media:}} Miss Uwase Honorine (Igisabo)
“President Kagame arrives in Kenya to attend President-elect Uhuru Kenyatta’s Inauguration ceremony,” reads Office of the President’s tweet.
Recently, the government of Kenya announced that 11 heads of states will attend the ceremony.
Foreign Affairs Minister of Kenya said that 13 presidents will delegate their vice-presidents, special envoy or ministers.
Other heads of states who will attend include, Israel Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, Ian Khama of Botswana, John Pombe Magufuli of Tanzania, Edgar Lungu of Zambia, Ismaïl Omar Guelleh of Djibouti, Hage Geingob of Namibia, Faure Gnassingbé of Togo, Mohamed Farmajo wa Somalia, and Ethiopia Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn.
Senegal, China and Japan will delegate special envoys whereas South Africa, United Kingdom, Ukraine and India will delegate ministers.
President Kenyatta and his Vice-president William Ruto will be swearing in for their second term following the re-run elections win of 26th October 2017.
