The competition consists of four teams each with three law students, and its format is a simulated war-crimes trial, in which the teams take turns playing the roles of both the prosecution and the defence.
The competition intends to develop an increased awareness and interest in IHL among academic circles in Rwanda.
The competing universities include the University of Rwanda, The University of Lay Adventists of Kigali, Kigali Independent University (ULK) and the University of Kigali.
The winning team will be fully sponsored by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to represent Rwanda in the All Africa IHL moot court competition to be held from 18th to 25th November 2017 in Arusha, Tanzania.
On the first day of the competition, a public lecture themed “IHL and Terrorism” shall be delivered to law students, law lecturers, law experts and practitioners, diplomats, public and military authorities.
This competition is part of a larger ICRC programme which aims to promote IHL in the country. It has been organized by the ICRC in partnership with the University Law Schools in Rwanda and the Rwanda Red Cross Society (RRCS).
The first national IHL moot court was held on 5th and 6thOctober 2016.
In the last session, ULK team emerged victorious.
The attack also left different Government and private buildings demolished.
While handing over the support to the Somalia government yesterday, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Community, Claude Nikobisanzwe said Rwanda has been saddened and touched by the atrocities.
“We have been saddened and touched by the atrocity that happened two weeks ago in Zobe area of Mogadishu. The donation of medicines is a humble contribution from Rwanda to Somalia’s efforts to rebuild the health system” he said.
He said Rwanda is ready to share experience with Somalia in many areas including public order and health among others.
Receiving the supplies at Aden Ade International Airport in Mogadishu were different Somalia government officials including, MP AbdinasirSaeed Muse and Deputy Minister of Internal Security and Amb. Ali Mohamed Ali.
The Minister of Health of Somalia, Fawziya Abaikar Nur thanked Rwanda for the support saying it is a sign of brotherhood.
“On behalf of Somalia government and people of Somalia, I would like to thank government of Rwanda and their people for the brotherly hand of support,” Fawziya said.
“This support responds to the tragedy that happened on 14th October. I would also like to thank Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Community, Louise Mushikiwaboand Minister of Health Dr. Diane Gashumbafor the efforts put in supporting Somalia till today,” Fawziya added.
Ruggles was speaking on Monday in a Press conference in Kigali, briefing media about the ‘World AIDS Day slated on December 1st’.
The World AIDS Day 2017 will be celebrated under the theme ‘Increasing Impact through Transparency, Accountability and Partnerships.’
Ruggles said that this year’s theme reflects the U.S. government’s longstanding leadership in global HIV/AIDS, increasing impact to move the epidemic from crisis toward long-term control.
She said that the theme highlights the historic opportunity all people have to accelerate progress toward controlling, and ultimately ending, the HIV/AIDS epidemic as a public health threat in countries around the world.
She added it emphasizes the critical role of transparency, accountability, and partnerships in reaching these goals.
In Rwanda, she saidthe U.S. President’s Emergency Fund for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has invested more than $1 billion to support the HIV/AIDS response.
“That is part of the more than 70 billion the United States has invested globally through PEPFAR over the past fourteen years to fight this horrible scourge” she explained
“This is the single largest investment by one country in the health of humanity in the history. I am proud that together we are now on course to long-term control” Ruggles said
In Rwanda, PEPFAR supports lifesaving antiretroviral treatment (ART) for more than 94,000people, including over 1,800 children, representing 52% of all Rwandans on ART.
“We have a long term commitment that those people will continue to be able to get those life-saving drugs. While Rwanda is not yet at HIV epidemic control, with the right push it can be, and soon” she emphasized.
She said that part of their push is to raise awareness on how everyone can help achieve epidemic control.
She said that on November 18th at Stade Regional they will partnerwith the Global Livingston Institute and theRwandan Cycling Federation to host a free public health concert featuring some amazing Rwandan and artists.
“We are at a historic moment in the global HIV/AIDS response. For the first time in history, we have the opportunity to change the very course of the HIV pandemic, by actually controlling it, despite the fact that we do not yet have a vaccine and there is nocure” she said.
She said the U.S. government, through PEPFAR, is supporting efforts to control epidemic through a new Strategy for Accelerating HIV/AIDS Epidemic Control with ambitious targets to achieve epidemic control in Rwanda and other focus countries by the end of 2020.
Ngirente who was speaking yesterday while officiating the opening of the 49th annual African Airlines Association General Assembly in Kigali under the theme ‘Rethinking strategies for airline profitability in Africa’ noted that to promote intra Africa trade, African Countries should facilitate and offer visas upon arrival to increase the number of air passengers and cargo. Premier reminded countries to sign the 1999 Yamoussoukro Decision concerning the liberalization of access to airport markets in Africa.
“It is our call that, countries which have not yet signed the 1999 Yamoussoukro Decision concerning the liberalization of access to air transport markets in Africa do so as a matter of urgency,” he urged.
He requested participants to use the assembly as an opportunity to discuss, share experiences and come up with recommendations to address the challenges facing the aviation sector.
“Let us all strive to work together to continue promoting the African Aviation sector for the better future of the entire African continent,” he urged participants.
However, Ngirente said as airline operations become more streamlined in Africa, startup airlines are increasing and are reaching out to take advantage of growing opportunities within the African aviation sector.
According to Ngirente, Rwanda has chosen to promote the aviation industry as an enabler of economic transformation.
Statistics have shown that the aviation industry is an enabling force for economic transformation.
According to 2017 report by Air Transport Action Group released September this year, air transport supports an estimated 63 million jobs globally and contributes $2.7 trillion to global Gross Domestic Product (GDP), equivalent to 3.5% of the global total.
Kagame was speaking at the International Conference Center of Dakar at the International Forum on Peace and Security in Africa that is taking place in Senegal.
The two day conference is conducted under the theme ‘Current security challenges in Africa towards integrated solutions’
The head of State said that insecurity takes many forms from security to uncontrolled migration to divisive politics.
“Whatever the challenge is, we can successfully address it by working together, this means coordinating among ourselves as Africans. If we allow others to define our problems and take responsibility for solving them, we have ourselves to blame” he said.
Kagame said that a major pillar of institutional reform of the African Union (AU) is a more focused and assertive.
He said that African unity and resolve does not negate the importance of productive collaboration with external partners.
“The spirit of collaboration must extend beyond governments; stability is built on a foundation of trust and rising prosperity from which all citizens benefit,” he said.
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Kagame said that Rwanda has developed a logic where citizens and private sector are involved.
“This is the logic behind our experience in Rwanda, a logic that a consultative form of politics in which citizens and private sector are involved and offers the best prospects,” he explained.
On a panel discussion on peace and security were President of Senegal, Macky Sall and President of MaliIbrahim Boubacar Keïta, African Union Commission Chairperson, Mahamat Moussa Faki and Chad Prime MinisterAlbert Pahimi Padacké, Kagamesaid that on priorities for AU reform, it is important to stress the unity of Africa coming together and tackling problems together.
“When people are united they act and speak as one voice, we must take responsibility for ourselves, which doesn’t include partners but they add to our efforts” he said.
“We must take full responsibility in defining our problems and financing efforts where working together is key,” Kagame stressed.
President Kagame on military solution to combat terrorism or focus on inequalities that drive people to terrorism, he said that there is no one cause.
“There are multiple causes and multiple sources. Therefore there cannot be one solution but multiple solutions and efforts. It is important that countries work together, those without problems with those with problems.So approach cannot be just military, working together means each country does what they can to address the problems” Kagame noted.
“At the same time we want countries to work together so that what is affecting you doesn’t affect me tomorrow.The inequalities you mentioned sometimes feed into justification used by people to create instability” he added.
Kagame reminded participants that it is important to talk about integrated solutions, security and development as well as governance.
The international Forum on Peace and Security in Africabrings together close to 400 participants from high-level regional and international political and military authorities, experts, academics from the African Union, the European Union and the United Nations and civil society
The Rwanda Golf Open, which is organized annually, is expected to attract over 180 golfers from across the region including professionals from Zambia, Uganda and Nigeria.
This sponsorship is in addition to support that Tigo Rwanda gave to the national golf team in August 2017 to attend a tournament in Tanzania.
Commenting on the partnership between Tigo Rwanda and the Rwanda Golf Association, Tigo Rwanda Chief Business Officer AmitChawla said;“Golf is definitely seeing a growing interest amongst the population in Rwanda. That is why we are delighted to be associated with the Rwanda Golf Union, Rwanda Open golf tournament and the Rwandan golf fraternity”
“In addition to this support, we also have partnered with the Rwanda Golf Union and the Kigali Golf Club management to introduce the Tigo Corporate Night four times a year.
The Kigali Golf Club provides a perfect atmosphere to interact with our customers and potential ones away from our offices and out of our suits and ties. This sort of interactions also makes it possible for us to gain a deeper understanding of the various communication solutions we offer our clients”Chawla added
Tigo Business provides custom-made end-to-end business and enterprise solutions with cutting-edge technology that delivers great value propositions for all forms of businesses on the pillars of reliability, value driven and quality
Through a five-day photography training organised by UNICEF Rwanda in partnership with National Children Commission (NCC), children were helped to tell their life stories and express their future life aspirations by using pictures.
The exercise was party of the 70th anniversary of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) which was founded in 1947.
Over the last 70 years, UNICEF has promoted children’s rights by fighting against child labour and any violence as well as supporting their education and uplifting their confidence to do anything they can to prepare their bright future.
During the training, children were taught about taking good picture focus that matches with their confidence.
Seventeen-year old François D’Assise, took a picture of a mother with a child in her hands which he interpreted saying, “When I was small, my mother always held me to make me feel safe. I noticed the same love from this mother and her baby, and I knew I had to take a picture.
Afissa Mukeshimana, 16, and Jean Claude Nzeyimana, 15, took pictures of a woman doing pottery to earn the bread for her children. They said, “Women like Makarusanga Zuraika are so inspirational because they work hard to build businesses and earn income for their families. Her success and entrepreneurship will create good lives for her children, and she can pass these values on to them.”
Gloria Uwera, 17, said “At first I was taking a different picture but this little boy caught my eye. He told me he loves coming to the market to help his mother sell fruits. He even tried to sell me an orange! My wish is for all children to grow up like him: with loving families and an entrepreneurial spirit.”
Aline Niyonkuru, 17, Affisa Mukeshimana, 16, and Claire Twagirihirwe, 14, said “Participation and working together are important cultural values. That’s why once a month, everyone in Rwanda participates in ‘Umuganda’, our country’s community work day. We want to encourage our future children to feel proud of these values.”
On another picture, Aline Niyonkuru and Francois D’Assise said, “Our wish is for every child to use innovation and creativity to improve the lives of people in their community… like how Christine, Emeline and Theoneste are using these local materials to create toys for children to learn through play.”
Valentine Niyonkuru, 17, said “Even when my mother had a lot of work, my father or my grandmother would take care of me. I saw this grandmother with her grandson, and it reminded me of myself as a child. The development of children requires good parenting, and this family is a great example.”
“Today, 16 juveniles held at Nyagatare Juvenile Prison will sit for Primary Leaving Examinations (P6),” reads RCS’ tweet.
Through his twitter wall, the Minister of Justice and the Attorney General, Johnston Busingye reacted thanking the children for responding positively to the education programme. He pledged to follow them up for better transition.
“The essential aim of our penitentiary system shall be reformation and social rehabilitation. Thanks to these juvenile offenders for responding positively to the education program. We will follow them up until we are sure they have made the transition,” reads Busingye’s tweet.
According to RCS, a total of 22 inmates will sit for national examinations both in Ordinary and Advanced Level.
Last year, 16 juveniles sat for national examination, including eleven from primary and five from Ordinary Level.
According to the Rwanda Education Board (REB), 237,182 candidates from across the country, today started Primary Leaving Examinations.
The forum is conducted under the theme ‘Current security challenges in Africa towards integrated solutions.”
The forum brings together close to 400 participants from high-level regional and international political and military authorities, experts, academics from the African Union, the European Union and the United Nations and civil society.
Rotary Club branches that participated are Rotary Club of Mt. Jali, Doyen Club, Kigali-Virunga, Gasabo Club, Rotaract of SFB, KIE and Kigali City.
The Rotarians said that planting trees is part of their action plan of supporting welfare of humanity.
The Vice-president of Rotary Club in Rwanda, Masterjerb Birungi Paul said that they believe in the importance of trees in replenishing nature to serve humanity and pledged to continue planting more trees to enable health and wealth in the country.
“We, Rotarians have joined Kicukiro residents to plant trees as part of our action plan; every year it is our target to plant trees. Particularly, the Rotary Club International President has requested every member to plant a tree this year. We also believe that trees are of great importance in human life,” he said.
The Minister of Land and Forestry, Francine Tumushime told participants that planting trees and sustaining forestry should be part of their targets to attain the ideals of a safer environment.
“As a people who want to live in a green country, we should note that this exercise does not cost us any money, it is a voluntarily activity. Everyone should understand the importance of trees and support the greening of Rwanda by planting them. Let’s take it as our responsibility and pant trees in our homes and surroundings,” she urged Kicukiro residents.
Rwanda’s Rotary Club is encouraging all members to plant at least three trees this year.
