According to an RCS statement released on November 11, 2024, these dismissals were confirmed by Cabinet Meeting resolutions from November 9, 2024.
The primary reasons cited include professional misconduct such as indiscipline, corruption, and other offenses.
The RCS highlighted that these actions align with its commitment to uphold high standards and values within the service.
In a similar move earlier in May 2024, judicial authorities had investigated over 135 prison officers for various offenses.
Of these, 20 were promptly reinstated, while others were referred to the Rwanda Investigation Bureau, with several recommended for permanent dismissal from their roles.
The Commission declared ruling Frelimo party candidate Daniel Chapo the winner, with 70.67% of the votes, while Mondlane, representing Podemos, received 20.32%. Mondlane subsequently alleged electoral fraud, fueling public outrage.
The Rwandan community in Maputo was urged to take precautions due to concerns that protesters might target them. Social media rumors suggested that Rwandan forces stationed in Cabo Delgado had been deployed to Maputo to control the demonstrations. However, Rwanda refuted these claims.
Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe, recently announced that the Rwandan Embassy in Maputo would close on November 6 and 7, advising Rwandans to remain at home.
Jean Damascène Iyamuremye, the Deputy President of the Rwandan Community in Mozambique, spoke with IGIHE about the impact of the protests on the Rwandan community and their current situation following the third phase of demonstrations, which ended on November 7, 2024.
Iyamuremye clarified that relations between Rwandans and Mozambicans are generally positive, dismissing the rumors of Rwandan forces’ involvement in Maputo as attempts by opportunists seeking to incite unrest and target Rwandan-owned businesses for looting.
“There is no real conflict between Rwandans and Mozambicans; we coexist peacefully. Those spreading rumors are opportunists aiming to justify looting by sowing divisions,” he stated. “The Mozambican government, in collaboration with security agencies, has condemned such actions.”
The protests, however, have disrupted local businesses, including those owned by Rwandans selling food and beverages. According to Iyamuremye, looters have specifically targeted these businesses during chaotic episodes.
“Some protesters break into shops looking for food and beverages. Many shop owners have suffered substantial losses due to looting, and others fear they might be next, with no end to the unrest in sight.”
Human Rights Watch reported that as of November 7, the protests had resulted in up to 30 deaths, including three fatalities and 66 injuries on November 6 alone.
Iyamuremye reported that two Rwandans were injured during the protests. One was struck by a rock while assisting a friend whose shop was being looted, and the other was beaten by protesters after refusing to join them, as he was focused on carrying his goods.
He emphasized that these injuries were not due to the victims’ nationality but rather were general acts of violence amid the unrest. Both individuals are now recovering well.
On November 11, Mondlane announced that a fourth phase of protests would take place from Wednesday to Friday, promising a more intense demonstration.
Iyamuremye advised Rwandans in Mozambique to heed guidance from local authorities and Rwandan representatives, staying home until further notice or an assurance of restored safety.
Meanwhile, Mondlane has taken his grievance to the Constitutional Court, requesting the annulment of the election results.
The Mozambican government has urged him to wait for the court’s decision, but he remains defiant in his call for protests.
Its purpose is to provide the investment community with a benchmark of market infrastructure across the continent and equip policymakers with insights from developments throughout Africa.
In line with this improved ranking, Rwanda listed its first domestic sustainability-linked bond in September 2023.
Additionally, the country introduced new climate-related financial regulations that reflect its commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles.
These developments contributed to a three-point increase in Rwanda’s overall score to 47 from 44 in 2023 scores.
Now in its eighth year, the Absa Africa Financial Markets Index, produced by OMFIF in association with Absa Group Limited, evaluates the financial development of 29 African nations, offering valuable insights and benchmarks for investors. It serves as a key resource for understanding market infrastructure while enabling policymakers to learn from key trends across the continent.
Commenting on the ranking, the Chief Executive Officer of the Capital Market Authority of Rwanda, Thapelo Tsheole noted; “Rwanda has fully embraced ESG principles, reflected in our recent listings in this category. We remain committed to continuous improvement, and our financial sector is poised for further growth. Work is already underway to improve Rwandan ranking.”
The annual index ranks the maturity, openness, and accessibility of 29 African financial markets based on qualitative and quantitative criteria. It emphasizes the development of local investor capacity and enhances the ability to attract foreign capital.
The Absa Africa Financial Markets Index highlights significant investment opportunities and reveals untapped market potential through expert analysis of Africa’s financial landscapes.
The index is structured around six fundamental pillars of financial market performance: Market Depth; Access to Foreign Exchange; Market Transparency and Regulation; Pension Fund Development; Macroeconomic Opportunity; and Enforceability of International Financial Agreements.
The RWAFPU3-3 is commanded by Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Thomas Kayonga.
RWAFPU3-2 commanded by Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Methode Munyaneza, returned home later in the afternoon, after a successful one-year tour-of-duty.
Rwanda began deploying police officers under the MINUSCA mission in 2014.
Rwanda has four police units involved in this mission. These include RWAPSU and RWAFRU-1, both of which operate in the capital, Bangui, with each unit comprising 140 police officers.
The FPUs specialize in public order management, protection of civilians, delivery of humanitarian assistance, escort duties and protection of UN facilities.
The report, published by Oxford Economics Africa and Control Risks, also highlights the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Kenya, and Uganda as the riskiest investment destinations in East Africa, primarily due to political, social, and economic challenges.
The Africa Risk-Reward Index 2024 gives the DRC a risk score of 7.6 out of 10, followed by Kenya (6.06), Uganda (6.01), and Tanzania (5.37), with Rwanda achieving the safest ranking at 5.11, an improvement from its 2023 score of 5.46.
The reward score considers factors such as each country’s medium-term economic growth forecast, economic size, structure, and demographics. Economic growth outlook holds the most weight in the reward score.
The report also notes a shifting investment landscape across African markets, with the continent at a significant point of change and transformation.
Rwanda’s dedication to poverty eradication and economic development over the past 30 years has been instrumental in boosting its GDP and raising its per capita income to $1,040.
Projections show Rwanda’s economy growing at an average rate of over 7% through 2029, supported by policies aimed at fostering investment. Key initiatives include developing industrial parks, advancing technology, and expanding infrastructure.
Additionally, Rwanda stands out as one of the few African nations pioneering the use of artificial intelligence across multiple sectors, enhancing its appeal as a forward-thinking investment destination.
Rwanda’s agricultural calendar is divided into three seasons: Season A (September-February), Season B (March-May), and Season C (June-September).
The survey highlights significant growth in various crops: cassava production increased by 6%, reaching 783,290 tons; rice rose by 4%, totaling 72,834 tons; sweet potatoes saw an 8% increase to 666,814 tons; and bananas grew by 5% to reach 1,142,552 tons.
Maize output increased by 1% to 119,101 tons, and beans saw a 6% increase despite a 1% decrease in the area planted with beans.
Potato production, however, decreased by 13%, largely due to a reduction in planted area and unfavorable weather conditions in major potato-growing regions.
The land area planted with potatoes dropped from 48,210 hectares in 2023 to 41,836 hectares in 2024, leading to a reduction in output from 326,677 tons to 285,596 tons.
Yields per hectare remained stable, with smallholder farmers averaging 6.8 tons per hectare and large-scale farmers averaging 14.9 tons per hectare. Of the total potato production, 55.4% was sold, 26.7% consumed by farmers, and 12.8% reserved for seed.
Several factors contributed to the overall increase in agricultural output, including the widespread use of fertilizers, with over 80.1% of farmers applying organic fertilizers.
Improved seed varieties were also key, utilized by 72.6% of large-scale and 16.6% of small-scale farmers, particularly enhancing maize and bean production.
Additionally, 30.2% of farmers applied pesticides, and a significant majority (89.2%) engaged in soil erosion prevention practices. Irrigation also saw increased adoption, with 12.1% of farmers implementing various irrigation methods.
The NISR report emphasizes that the 3.1% increase in agricultural production marks a positive trend for Rwanda’s agricultural sector.
The report also notes that Rwanda’s total land area is 2.376 million hectares, with 1.350 million hectares (57%) dedicated to agriculture.
Prof. Stanton’s purpose was clear: to warn President Habyarimana of an impending threat of genocide and to urge preventive action.
His specific recommendation was to abolish ethnic classifications on national ID cards, which he feared would fuel division and violence. Despite his warnings, Prof. Stanton’s pleas were disregarded, and within five years, the horrors he had foreseen happened.
Reflecting on this history over the weekend in Kigali after attending a week-long series of high-level discussions on the prevention of genocide, Prof. Stanton shared his initial experiences and insights from that meeting in 1989.
He described how his call to action, made with deep conviction and fortified by years of research, had fallen on deaf ears.
Prof. Stanton’s “Eight Stages of Genocide” framework, which classifies ethnic identification as the first dangerous step toward genocide, had been built on decades of studying mass violence.
Yet his appeal to Habyarimana to remove “Tutsi,” “Hutu,” and “Twa” classifications from ID cards was rejected.
“Unless you take very strong steps to prevent a genocide here,” Stanton had warned, “you are going to have a genocide here in Rwanda within five years.” His words, however, were not heeded.
Prof. Stanton’s concerns for Rwanda began in 1988, a year before his meeting with Habyarimana.
Invited to assess Rwanda’s judicial system, which struggled to handle civil cases effectively, he observed the nation’s deep social divisions almost immediately.
Stanton quickly recognized that the issues went beyond judicial inefficiency; the country was riddled with division and distrust.
“On the ID cards, it identified people who were Tutsi, or Hutu, or Twa, or naturalized. This was immediately apparent as a huge problem,” he noted.
In a private dinner with Joseph Kavaruganda, the then President of Rwanda’s Constitutional Court, Prof. Stanton expressed his concerns about the ethnic classifications on ID cards and questioned whether the Constitutional Court could abolish them.
Kavaruganda responded gravely, “No, we can’t, because we don’t have judicial review. You have to go see the president.”
This conversation drove Stanton to take his concerns directly to President Habyarimana.
But when he broached the subject, he observed an unsettling reaction from the president.
“It was as though a mask went down. He didn’t want to hear this,” Stanton recalled during his recent visit to Kigali.
In 1994, within the timeline Stanton had anticipated, Rwanda plunged into one of the fastest and most systematic genocides in history- the Genocide against the Tutsi, claiming more than a million Tutsi lives in just 100 days.
Despite Prof. Stanton’s prescient warning, no steps had been taken to dismantle the structural enablers of genocide, including the divisive classifications on ID cards.
By that time, Stanton had joined the U.S. State Department and was dispatched to Rwanda as part of the United Nations Commission of Inquiry.
His recommendations contributed to the establishment of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), a body tasked with bringing justice to the perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Reflecting on his return to Rwanda this past weekend, Stanton expressed admiration for the nation’s remarkable journey toward healing and resilience.
He praised Rwanda’s commitment to confronting its painful history and becoming a global model for reconciliation and recovery.
“Rwanda, just like Germany, has actually faced its past and is now a leader in this whole effort to overcome ethnicity, to reaffirm that we are all part of the same race — the human race,” Stanton said.
The series of events he attended, alongside leaders and activists from across the globe, highlighted Rwanda’s transformation from a society fractured by genocide to one that promotes unity and justice.
In sharing his insights on the last day of the high-level events, Prof. Stanton disclosed his ongoing admiration for Rwanda’s progress.
“Rwanda is not allowing the past to determine its future,” he said.
Prof. Stanton also advocated for women inclusion in leadership stressing that their voices are integral to peace-building efforts.
“I am so happy that finally the Office of the Special Advisor at the UN is now held by a woman. Because I am convinced that genocide and war are male problems,” he observed.
“There wasn’t a single genocide in world history that was planned by women. Think about that,” Prof. Stanton added, advocating for greater female leadership in global governance. “That is why I do not believe we will overcome war and genocide until women become the leaders of many more of the world’s countries.”
Today, Prof. Stanton’s reflections reveal a poignant mix of sorrow and respect.
The Genocide against the Tutsi was a devastating affirmation of his warnings, yet Rwanda’s rebirth underscores the power of human resilience and the impact of embracing peace and unity.
Stanton’s experience in Rwanda crystallized his mission, leading him to establish the Genocide Watch, an organization devoted to identifying the precursors to genocide and advocating for timely, preventive action.
During his recent visit, Stanton emphasized the importance of Rwanda’s example for other nations wrestling with histories of violence and divisionism.
“Rwanda is an example to the whole world. It is such a pleasure for me to be here in this marvelous country, which I love. To be here, where you are such a witness to the whole world of how the forces of genocide and war can be overcome.”
In the years after 1994, Rwanda has become both a warning and an inspiration. For Stanton, the country serves as a painful reminder of the costs of ignoring early signs of divisionism and hate.
However, it also demonstrates the possibilities of resilience and renewal. By revisiting the events he had warned of decades ago and seeing how Rwanda has rebuilt itself, Stanton’s life’s work continues to evolve.
His “Eight Stages of Genocide” framework is now widely used to educate policymakers and communities, guiding them on the path to prevention and healing.
Prof. Stanton’s legacy in Rwanda is a bittersweet one. He warned of the unthinkable, and he was right. But more importantly, he helped transform the way the world understands and confronts genocide.
Rwanda may be a scar on humanity’s conscience, Stanton’s work ensures that it will not be forgotten — and that future genocides may be stopped before they ever begin.
[Related article: UN’s Nderitu speaks out against Genocide deniers’ influence in downplaying Rwanda->https://en.igihe.com/news/article/un-s-nderitu-speaks-out-against-genocide-deniers-influence-in-downplaying]
According to the network, the RSF also looted the village’s health center and homes. Among the casualties were children, the statement added.
In a separate development, the Nidaa Al-Wasat Platform, a volunteer group monitoring human rights violations, reported that the death toll in Al Hilaliya city, also in Gezira State and under siege for more than 17 days, had surpassed 300.
“More than 300 civilians, including children, the elderly, and the sick, were killed by terrorist gangs who forced them to die without mercy,” the group said.
The RSF has yet to comment on the violence in Al Hilaliya.
Local activists and volunteer groups have accused the RSF of launching attacks across eastern Gezira following the surrender of its regional commander, Abu Aqla Keikel, to the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) on Oct. 20.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported on Tuesday that around 135,400 people had been displaced across Gezira State since Oct. 20 due to escalating violence in over 30 villages and towns.
Sudan has been embroiled in the conflict between the SAF and the RSF since mid-April 2023. The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project reported on Oct. 14 that the ongoing violence had claimed more than 24,850 lives.
The deal was signed in Sochi by Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe, and his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of the First Ministerial Conference of the RussiaAfrica Partnership Forum.
Rwanda and Russia established diplomatic relations on October 17, 1963, when Russia was still part of the Soviet Union, just over a year after Rwanda gained independence.
The partnership between Rwanda and Russia is rooted in cooperation in political, military, education, human resource development, training, and cultural ties.
Russia offers scholarships to Rwandan students in various fields and provides training for some officers in the Rwanda National Police.
Over the past 50 years, more than 100 Rwandan students have graduated from Russian universities in fields such as technology, law, international affairs, medicine, and political science.
Speaking on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at a press conference held at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, she concluded a week-long series of high-level events focused on the prevention of genocide and related crimes. These gatherings brought together policy experts, academics, civil society, and activists from around the world.
The events, held from November 4-9, aimed to strengthen global efforts to prevent genocide and related crimes, covering critical topics essential to prevention. They included a workshop for women community leaders, an expert consultation on mediation for prevention, and an international conference on ethnicity and prevention.
Commenting on those who portray Rwanda negatively and distort the events following the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, Nderitu referred to this as “the power of genocide” and expressed admiration for Rwanda’s extraordinary resilience.
“You know, you are absolutely right when you say that Rwanda was clinically dead after the genocide because nothing was functioning. And I think it’s really one of the wonders of this century, that when you talk about Rwanda in this continent, we are talking about a first among equals, a very strong country that has developed very strong leadership,” she said.
In 1994, Rwanda had basically ceased to exist as a nation. A million people lay dead, out of a population of around seven million, because of a perverted genocidal ideology. Millions more were refugees. Every public institution had been destroyed, and the national treasury was looted.
From wounds of Genocide, Rwanda has emerged as a united nation promoting unity and reconciliation. It has become a role model across Africa and globally for good governance, technology, peacekeeping, and women’s empowerment.
Nderitu noted the international recognition of Rwandans, who now hold significant positions worldwide, and celebrated Rwanda’s resilience as worthy of praise.
“When I hear some of the things that are said, to downplay, for example, the country of Rwanda, I think to myself, this is the power of genocide. That it has such intergenerational power,” she noted.
Nderitu emphasized that genocide execution and denial involves mass mobilization, warning that denial and misinformation are often perpetuated by genocide deniers.
“So we cannot stop the naysayers, but it’s important to understand the reality of where all these naysayers come from because some of them are actually informed by genocide deniers. […] If we fail in prevention, then what happens is that we have to rely on accountability,” noted Nderitu.
Nderitu also expressed concern over genocide fugitives evading justice and residing in UN member states.
“I’ve issued a number of statements calling them out. […] You shouldn’t be protecting them. You should find a way to either try them or bring them home,” she said.
“We want the world to know that whoever is in your country and is a genocidaire or is being indicted for this crime, you need to hold them accountable,” added Nderitu.
Reflecting on criticisms against Rwanda, she noted that “doomsayers” exist when success is evident.
“So it’s important that I do not think that the kind of things that are said about the country will stop. You know in Kiswahili we say that if you see young children throwing stones at a tree, then you should know that that tree has fruits. There is something good about that particular place,” said Nderitu.
“And there are always all these naysayers. So if you imagine how many people are convicted for this crime, how many people are genuinely remorseful, and how many people out there are tarnishing Rwanda’s name, and so many of them being genocide deniers. And we know that because they even hold conferences, they write papers, they peer review each other. We know that. So consistently trying to bring down what Rwanda is doing. But we are there to provide another voice. I can speak with an unbiased voice and say this is what we are seeing from out there,” added Nderitu.
She commended Rwanda for not only surviving the genocide but also for its willingness to share its experience of resilience and recovery.
Professor Gregory Stanton, who developed the “10 Stages of Genocide” framework, praised Rwanda’s homegrown solutions that prevent its dark past from defining its future.
“I praise this country. You in Rwanda are an example to the whole world. Rwanda, like Germany, has actually faced its past and is now a leader in this whole effort to overcome ethnicity, to overcome nationality, to reaffirm that for all of us, we are part of the same human race,” he noted.
Freddy Mutanguha, CEO of the Aegis Trust and Director of the Kigali Genocide Memorial, emphasized that hosting these discussions in Rwanda provides the world an invaluable opportunity to learn and deeply understand the severity of the genocide against the Tutsi.
