This clarification comes after British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, elected in July 2024, canceled the agreement initially signed in April 2022.
The decision was made on the grounds that the deal would not effectively prevent illegal migrants from entering the UK.
In response, the Rwandan government expressed its continued willingness to contribute to addressing the migrant crisis and emphasized that it had no involvement in the termination of the deal.
The agreement’s cancellation sparked speculation over whether Rwanda would need to return the £270 million provided by the UK for the implementation of the asylum scheme.
However, Rwanda’s Deputy Government Spokesperson, Alain Mukuralinda, said that a refund was not stipulated in the agreement.
During a press briefing on October 2, 2024, High Commissioner Thorpe addressed these concerns directly, stating, “As far as I’m aware, there is no intention to ask Rwanda for any of the money back.”
When asked whether the UK might reconsider and reinstate the partnership, she indicated that this was unlikely in the near future, as the UK has introduced new strategies to tackle illegal migration.
These include enhanced border security measures aimed at preventing small boat crossings.
The diplomat also explained that, following Prime Minister Starmer’s decision to cancel the deal, the UK Parliament is expected to approve the formal termination.
Once approved, the UK government will notify Rwanda of its decision to officially withdraw from the agreement.
Despite the migration deal’s cancellation, High Commissioner Thorpe emphasized that the broader UK-Rwanda relationship remains strong.
“The new government in the UK has ended the migration partnership with Rwanda, but that absolutely doesn’t mean they’ve ended the relationship with Rwanda,” she assured.
High Commissioner Thorpe added, “In fact, the relationship has always been far broader than just migration. The new government is very keen to continue a strong relationship with Rwanda.”
The diplomat further pointed to the visit of the UK’s new Minister for Africa, Lord Collins, to Rwanda in early September 2024 as a testament to the enduring ties between the two nations.
She explained that it was intended to underscore the UK government’s commitment to strengthening ties with Rwanda in the coming years.
Thorpe also highlighted the UK’s desire to continue collaborating with Rwanda on key issues such as promoting trade, economic growth, and tackling climate change.
According to Rwanda’s Presidency, Kagame arrived in this European nation on Tuesday. He began the visit with a tour to the country’s Occupation Museum, which houses exhibits related to Latvia’s history.
Kagame and his host, President Rinkēvičs, are expected to hold a closed-door meeting before addressing a joint press conference.
During Kagame’s visit, a memorial plaque dedicated to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda will be unveiled at the Latvian National Library on Wednesday, October 2, 2024.
Latvia, located in northeastern Europe, is one of the smaller countries on the continent, covering an area of 64,589 square kilometers. Founded in 1201, it shares borders with Lithuania to the south and Estonia to the north and has a population of approximately 1.88 million people.
The country gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 after decades of occupation. Latvia’s landscape features rolling hills, dense forests, and sandy beaches along the Baltic Sea coast.
Riga, the capital and largest city of Latvia, is renowned for its stunning architecture, which includes Art Nouveau buildings and medieval churches. The official language, Latvian, is a Baltic language with ancient roots.
Diplomatic relations between Rwanda and Latvia were officially established in 2007. Rwanda appointed its ambassador to the country in January 2022.
On the morning of October 1, 1990, Major General Fred Gisa Rwigema led RPA soldiers across the Ugandan-Rwandan border, marking the beginning of a decisive military campaign.
Upon crossing, the RPA forces encountered and swiftly defeated a small group of government soldiers under President Juvénal Habyarimana, securing their entry into Rwanda.
By mid-afternoon, most of the RPA soldiers, numbering between 400 and 600, had reached Kagitumba.
Major General Rwigema stood between two trees—still standing today—and issued orders to his troops.
He divided them into battalions: Major Chris Bunyenyezi led the First Battalion, Colonel Ndugute Stephen commanded the Fourth, Lt Col Adam Waswa led the Sixth, and Sam Kaka headed the Ninth Battalion.
Before advancing, Rwigema reminded his soldiers of their mission to liberate Rwanda.
In a symbolic gesture, he removed his Ugandan military ranks and threw them into the Umuvumba River.
His fellow soldiers followed suit, emphasizing their commitment to the cause. Despite offering an opportunity for any soldiers who felt uncommitted to return to Uganda, none chose to leave.
On October 2, 1990, the First and Fourth Battalions were ordered to advance towards Kigali, while the Sixth and Ninth Battalions moved toward Nyagatare.
Maj Gen Rwigema, along with a few troops, went to oversee their deployments.
Unfortunately, while en route to Nyabwishongwezi Hill, a government army vehicle on patrol to inspect areas attacked on the previous day fired shots, one of which fatally struck Maj Gen Rwigema.
The news of his death did not reach many RPA soldiers until later, but despite this loss, they continued to press forward.
By October 3, RPA forces had taken control of Nyagatare, and two days later, they captured Gabiro.
The Rwandan government, claiming Uganda had invaded, sought international assistance, with Mobutu Sese Seko of Zaire sending reinforcements to aid the Rwandan army.
As the battle raged on, the RPA forces began to learn of Rwigema’s death, causing morale to drop. The harsh conditions of the battleground also contributed to their difficulties, leading to setbacks in their initial progress.
{{Local residents’ experiences}}
Kagitumba and the surrounding areas were sparsely populated in 1990, as much of the region was part of Akagera National Park.
While some local residents quickly became aware of the fighting, others took longer to realize the significance of the events unfolding around them.
Donatha Mukarubayiza, a resident of Kagitumba at the time, was a farmer and served as a member of the cell’s committee.
She recalled the moment she first learned about the attack. “It was around 6 PM when we heard government’s radio broadcasts that the country had been attacked by Inyenzi [cockroaches- a degrading name used by the then regime to dehumanize attackers]. The name Inkotanyi hadn’t been mentioned yet. We were told not to leave our homes or gather in groups. That was the first time we had heard gunfire, and we were very scared,” she recounted.
Mukarubayiza first encountered RPA soldiers on October 4, 1990, when they arrived in distinct uniforms.
“We saw soldiers dressed differently, and people told us, ‘Look, those are the Inkotanyi.’ […] They reassured us, saying, ‘Stay calm, continue farming; we are Rwandans like you,’” she said.
Mukarubayiza also noted how respectful the RPA soldiers were towards the local population.
“They would take essential goods from shops, like soap and food, but they always paid.”
Pheneas Muzatsinda, another resident, was traveling to Kigali when the war broke out and could not return home.
He recalled, “When the war started, I was on a trip to Kigali, and I couldn’t return. The road to Nyagatare was closed, and vehicles were not allowed to pass. I had no other way to return, so I remained there.”
“I learned about the Inkotanyi invasion that same day, on October 1, because after 10 a.m., no more vehicles were going towards Nyagatare, and the road was closed. Around 1 or 2 p.m., we saw two people arriving on a motorcycle, saying that Ugandan soldiers had crossed the border at Kagitumba and attacked Rwanda,” he continued.
Muzatsinda recalled seeing RPA soldiers for the first time on October 18, 1990, when they had captured Kabarore and reassured civilians that it was safe to return to their homes.
He spent around one week and half with the RPA forces in Kabarore until they came under attack by government forces.
As the fighting intensified on October 26, Inkotanyi asked Muzatsinda to remain indoors as the then government’s soldiers had arrived in the area.
Muzatsinda along with his colleagues in the same house was captured by the government soldiers and imprisoned as a suspected RPA accomplice.
Three of them died in Byumba where the government’s forces had taken them but Muzatsinda escaped.
{{The aftermath of Rwigema’s death}}
The death of Maj Gen Rwigema initially caused a drop in morale among the RPA forces.
Samuel Rwabuhungu, another resident of Kagitumba at the time, recalled being a schoolboy in Primary Six when the RPA invaded.
His parents came to collect him from school as the country had been attacked.
“Like many children, we initially saw the situation as exciting, unaware of the gravity of the war,” he said.
Rwabuhungu recalled that the RPA soldiers were not violent and lived with residents in harmony.
Donatha Mukarubayiza said she doesn’t remember the exact day she learned about the death of Maj Gen Fred Gisa Rwigema.
However, she recalled, “We eventually heard that the person leading Inkotanyi was shot on the Nyabwishongwezi Hill. The soldiers repelled Inkotanyi and came to tell us, ‘We are fighting the battle, and we are winning.’ About a week later, we heard that Bayingana and Bunyenyezi had also fallen in Nyakayaga.”
She continued, “Later, the local leaders appeared carrying banana stems, saying they were going to reward Rwigema. Then they told us, ‘We defeated the Inkotanyi, and they retreated.’”
As for Pheneas Muzatsinda, he learned about Rwigema’s death when “they started singing about it because, where we were imprisoned, we had no other news throughout the entire month of November.”
After the death of Rwigema and other senior RPA officers, the battle lost momentum, and some began to feel that defeat was imminent.
However, the struggle was revived when Paul Kagame, who was studying in the United States, returned to take command.
He regrouped the forces who moved from Nyagatare to the Volcano National Park. The war eventually came to an end in July 1994, when the RPA forces stopped the Genocide against the Tutsi and secured victory.
At a fruit trading center in Youyi township, Pingxiang, south China’s Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, there are always constant streams of trucks loaded with various types of fruits.
As the largest port city for fruit trade between China and ASEAN, Pingxiang saw a total of nearly 1.65 million tons of fruit imported and exported in the first half of this year, up 15.36 percent year on year.
The bustling fruit business in Pingxiang is a vivid example of the thriving fruit trade between China and ASEAN.
With the annual hosting of the China-ASEAN Expo, the full implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) among all 15 participating countries, and the deepening Belt and Road cooperation, the trade cooperation between China and ASEAN countries has been increasingly closer in recent years, with fruit trade becoming a highlight in the agricultural products trade between the two sides.
Currently, China is the largest export market for Vietnamese agricultural products, with Vietnamese fruits such as durian and dragon fruit being highly favored by Chinese consumers.
China is also a major destination for Thai fruits. Sixteen land ports have been permitted by the two sides to deal with the fruit trade.
Fresh food e-commerce platforms have set up vegetable and fruit procurement bases in Vietnam and Thailand, becoming new channels for local agricultural products to enter the Chinese market. In the first seven months of this year, Chinese e-commerce platforms reported a 48.6 percent increase in sales of Thai durian.
With the continuous addition of new fruit varieties from ASEAN countries approved to enter the Chinese market, more and more ASEAN fruits are being favored by Chinese consumers at more favorable prices.
Gao Lingyun, a researcher at the Institute of World Economics and Politics of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, attributed the booming fruit trade between China and ASEAN countries to multiple factors.
First, he said, the full implementation of RCEP has continuously released policy dividends, significantly reducing trade costs; second, under the RCEP framework, policies such as rapid inspection and quarantine have promoted the circulation of fruits and other agricultural products.
He also attributed the booming fruit trade to the increasingly strengthened infrastructure connectivity, the upgraded cross-border logistics system, and the diverse choices provided by ASEAN fruits for Chinese consumers.
Since the implementation of the RCEP on Jan. 1, 2022, agricultural products trade cooperation among member countries has become closer. According to statistics, due to the customs facilitation brought by the RCEP, China imported a total of 46.61 billion yuan ($6.57 billion) of fresh durians from RCEP member countries such as Thailand and Vietnam in the first 11 months of 2023, 1.7 times higher than the amount in the same period of 2021, before the agreement took effect.
Furthermore, in recent years, with the implementation of major projects such as the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor and the China-Laos Railway, cold chain and refrigeration facilities in the region has been continuously improved, providing important technical support for China’s import of fruits. Today, it has become more convenient for ASEAN countries’ fruits to enter the Chinese market.
As a “golden channel” of logistics between China and ASEAN countries, the China-Laos Railway has shown its increasing significance since its operation. As of Aug. 22, 2024, the China-Laos Railway has transported over 43 million tons of goods, including 13,000 tons of Thai durians, bananas, and other fruits carried by cold chain carriages.
An industry insider pointed out that China and ASEAN countries have shown significant seasonal and category complementarity in fruit production.
China excels in producing temperate fruits such as apples and pears, while ASEAN countries specialize in tropical fruits like mangoes and durians. The fruit trade between the two sides helps optimize the supply and distribution of fruits in the region.
A recent report by Vietnam’s Nhan Dan Newspaper stated that Vietnam is currently the largest supplier of durians and fresh bananas to the Chinese market. The Chinese market is driving strong export momentum for Vietnamese fruits and vegetables.
The governor of Thailand’s Chanthaburi Province Monsit Paisarnthanawat said that the development of the fruit industry has created a large number of job opportunities.
Currently, there are tens of thousands of people working in the fruit industry in the eastern region of Thailand, and the income of farmers has increased. “We look forward to more and closer cooperation with the Chinese market,” the governor added.
Currently, China is constantly working to widen market access, enhance customs clearance facilitation, and establish trading platforms such as the China Import and Export Fair, the China International Import Expo, and the China International Consumer Products Expo to further drive the continuous growth of fruit trade with ASEAN.
Gao said, under cooperation frameworks like the RCEP, China and ASEAN countries will further improve and optimize existing cooperation mechanisms and platforms to deepen cooperation, thus creating better development prospects for ASEAN fruits in the Chinese market.
“Every few steps, there’s a new activity to experience. I’m so immersed in the Mid-Autumn Festival atmosphere here,” Chen said.
Focusing on traditional customs and creating immersive experiences, various regions across China actively introduced new cultural and tourism products, models, and consumption scenes during the recent Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, to better meet the diverse needs of consumers.
According to data from the Ministry of Transport, on Sept. 15, the first day of the holiday, Some 215.92 million passenger trips were handled by China’s transportation sectors, up 37.9 percent year on year.
This year, China’s tourism market has steadily rebounded, with immersive experiences powered by smart technology becoming a new trend.
Leveraging diverse settings like scenic spots, museums, and pedestrians, and incorporating technologies such as artificial intelligence, holography, and augmented reality, immersive tourism has introduced new products, scenes, and experiences, enriching people’s travel options and contributing to the high-quality development of the tourism industry.
In a smart tourism immersive experience hall at a tech and art museum in Pingyao ancient city, north China’s Shanxi province, a light show is staged to present the charm of traditional culture to visitors.
The light show employs 16 projectors, which project historical scenes onto a massive hemispherical screen, creating a “time travel” experience for visitors and “transporting” them to historical sites and ancient trade routes where camel bells ring.
The “Land of Dramas” immersive theater complex in Zhengzhou, central China’s Henan province saw over 4 million visits this summer. With 56 chessboard-like courtyards, 21 sub-theaters and 6,500 plays, it presented a cultural feast to tourists.
“There is always something different here. Every visit brings new feelings and experiences,” said Li Yi, a local resident in Zhengzhou.
Chen Hong, deputy director of the Key Laboratory of Interactive Technology and Experience System under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism at Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, noted that compared to conventional static displays, immersive tourism, enhanced by technology, provides a more comprehensive interpretation and expression of culture. This better satisfies the evolving needs of tourists for cultural experience while opening up new market opportunities, Chen added.
This summer, immersive experience programs incorporating virtual reality (VR) technology have blossomed across the country. According to statistics released by on-demand local services provider Meituan, the number of orders for VR experience programs during the summer surged by 144 percent year on year, and the search volume for “immersive experiences” saw a significant rise, with consumers under 30 accounting for more than half of the demand.
An immersive party event hosted at the Yellow Crane Tower, a renowned historical site in Wuhan, central China’s Hubei province, has attracted a number of foreign visitors. The party features a unique cultural blend of Eastern and Western music, clothing, crafts, and cuisines, creating a vibrant cultural feast that builds a bridge of friendship between East and West.
Zeng Bowei, a professor at Beijing Union University, divides the current immersive experience programs in the cultural and tourism market into two types.
The first includes independently operated immersive products, such as Sleep No More Shanghai, which blends theater with immersive experience.
The second type enhances visitors’ immersive experiences by integrating new technologies with performances, facilities, and activities at scenic spots, such as a light show at Slender West Lake in Yangzhou, Jiangsu province, and the Flight Theater in Changbai Mountain, Jilin province, which simulates a flight over the mountain.
According to the Specialized Committee of Immersive Smart Tourism of the China Culture and Entertainment Industry Association, immersive tourism experiences characterized by high-tech and creative content, as well as strong interaction, are particularly popular with tourists, especially the younger generation. These immersive programs have become a new hotspot in China’s cultural and tourism consumption market.
An expert stressed that while technology is a tool, it is the inherent resources and cultural appeal of a destination or activity that are key to retaining visitors. Tailoring digital technology to align with local cultural and tourism resources is crucial for creating successful immersive products, the expert added.
An immersive Tang-style cultural block in Xi’an, northwest China’s Shaanxi province has launched several cultural and tourism activities this summer, including a carnival co-launched with popular online game Westward Journey, which attracted significant attention from tourists, especially younger audiences. With these events, the cultural block saw over 7,000 visits per day this summer.
The Office of the Prime Minister announced these appointments on the evening of Monday, September 30, 2024.
Among other significant appointments, Michelle Byusa has been named Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, while Irene Murerwa succeeds Michaella Rugwizangoga as Chief Tourism Officer at RDB.
Jules Ndenga has been appointed CEO of Aviation Tourism Logistics (ATL), while Eva Nishimwe is the new Managing Director of Rwanda Airports Company (RAC).
Additional appointments include Isabelle Mugwaneza as Strategic Advisor in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Marie Mediatrice Umubyeyi as Executive Secretary of the National Women’s Council (NWC), and Brave Ngabo as Executive Secretary of the National Youth Council.
On Monday, Nduhungirehe reacted to an article published by Africa Intelligence, which claimed that during a recent ministerial meeting in Luanda, Angola, the DRC had requested Rwanda withdraw its forces and the M23 rebels before signing an agreement aimed at combating the FDLR.
Minister Nduhungirehe dismissed the claims as false, explaining that during the discussions in Luanda on September 14, 2024, M23 was not part of the agenda.
“This is false information spread by ill-intentioned officials. During the 4th Ministerial Meeting under the Luanda Process, held in Angola on September 14, 2024, military and intelligence experts from all three countries, including the Head of Military Intelligence from the DRC, reiterated their support for the harmonized plan they had adopted in Rubavu on August 29-30, 2024, to neutralize the FDLR and lift Rwanda’s defensive measures. They all three requested the Ministers to endorse it,” Nduhungirehe said.
The intelligence experts who convened in Rubavu had proposed steps to neutralize the FDLR, a group Rwanda sees as a long-standing threat to its security, due to its close cooperation with the Congolese army (FARDC).
The Rubavu meeting, attended by DRC intelligence officials, resulted in conclusions meant to be ratified by the ministers in Luanda, with DRC representatives initially in agreement.
However, Nduhungirehe explained that upon arrival in Luanda, the situation shifted. The DRC’s Foreign Minister, Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, refused to sign the conclusions reached by the experts regarding the eradication of the FDLR.
“This plan was endorsed by the Foreign Ministers of Angola and Rwanda. However, the DRC’s Foreign Minister alone rejected the harmonized plan and opposed a new meeting of experts proposed by the facilitator for September 30 to October 1, 2024, to develop a concept of operations [CONOPS] for the plan,” Nduhungirehe stated.
Regarding claims of discussions about M23 withdrawing from Congolese territory, Nduhungirehe dismissed these as baseless.
“There was no plan discussed for the withdrawal of M23 from Congolese territory, a territory that is also theirs,” he noted.
DR Congo’s reluctance has reportedly delayed further meetings aimed at restoring relations between the two countries.
According to Boona FM, the incident occurred on Sunday, September 29, 2024, in Kamonyi Village, Northern Division of Kisoro Municipality, Uganda.
Ntirivamunda, in his 40s, had gone to a local bar to purchase meat, which he shared with his visiting daughter.
Witnesses said that, after consuming the meal, a piece of meat became lodged in Elias’ throat, causing him to lose consciousness and tragically die on the spot.
The survey highlights that public transport is more commonly used in urban areas, with 25.9% of employed people in the City of Kigali relying on it for their commute.
In contrast, the usage of public transportation is notably lower in rural areas, where only 2.6% of employed individuals use it.
According to the survey, 8.3 million of Rwanda’s 13.2 million population are of working age, with 4.3 million currently employed.
Among those employed in Kigali, over 61% commute on foot, while 12.7% use personal vehicles.
In March 2023, the Rwandan government introduced 12 new public transport routes in Kigali, increasing the total number to 79.
The recent addition of 200 new buses has helped ease congestion at bus stations, particularly during peak hours when commuters are traveling to and from work.
In other urban areas, 75.3% of workers also walk to work, and 10.2% rely on private means of transportation.
In rural areas, only 5% of workers use private cars, with a mere 2.6% utilizing public transport.
The forum gathered key government representatives and business leaders, including Hazza AlQahtani, UAE Ambassador to Rwanda, and John Mirenge, Rwanda’s Ambassador to the UAE. The event was also attended by several Rwandan business owners operating in the UAE, and UAE investors with interests in Rwanda.
In his keynote address, Amb. AlQahtani emphasized the robust and developing relationship between the UAE and Rwanda.
“It is my privilege to welcome you to this important platform for the business communities of the UAE and Rwanda. This forum reflects our shared ambition to strengthen commercial ties, foster innovation, and create sustainable economic growth for both nations”.
Amb. AlQahtani outlined the strategic opportunities available for Rwandan businesses across various sectors, including real estate, renewable energy, technology and logistics.
“The UAE offers a dynamic and globally recognized business environment. With a strategic location, world-class infrastructure, and a government committed to economic diversification, we present an attractive destination for international investments,” he said.
Amb. AlQahtani highlighted the UAE’s ongoing efforts to solidify its position as a global economic hub, noting that the country’s non-oil foreign trade reached AED 1.4 trillion in the first half of 2024; a 25% increase in exports.
He also stressed the UAE’s ambitious goal of achieving AED 3 trillion in non-oil trade by the end of 2024.
“This demonstrates our commitment to fostering long-term economic prosperity, and Rwanda can play a significant role by capitalizing on opportunities across sectors such as AI, agri-tech, and renewable energy,” Amb. AlQahtani added. “By identifying synergies between our economies and addressing any challenges that may impact the growth of bilateral trade, we can pave the way for more robust collaboration.”
He encouraged Rwandan entrepreneurs to explore emerging industries, particularly in the fields of green technology, advanced manufacturing, and smart agriculture.
On behalf of Rwanda, Amb. John Mirenge reiterated the country’s enthusiasm for welcoming UAE investments.
“Rwanda is committed to supporting UAE businesses that are looking to establish or expand their presence in our country. While we have seen positive developments, there is room for much more, and I strongly encourage more UAE businesses to consider Rwanda as a prime destination for growth,” Mirenge said, calling for a concerted effort to elevate bilateral trade to new heights. He encouraged Rwandan entrepreneurs to explore emerging industries, particularly in green technology, advanced manufacturing, and smart agriculture.
Leading the physical delegation in Kigali was Juliana Muganza, Deputy CEO of the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), alongside representatives from the Private Sector Federation (PSF), the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB), and the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
In her remarks, Muganza emphasized the growing importance of UAE-Rwanda partnerships and the critical role these partnerships play in driving Rwanda’s Vision 2050 agenda.
“We have laid a solid foundation for foreign investment, and we are confident that collaborations like these will continue to unlock new opportunities for growth and development in both nations,” she said.
The forum also featured participation from key UAE institutions including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Economy, the Fujairah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Ras Al Khaimah Chamber of Commerce & Industry, with officials sharing insights into the UAE’s strategic sectors, including AI, food security, and logistics.
Both Rwandan and UAE officials expressed optimism for the future of trade and investment between the two nations. This platform has once again demonstrated that the partnership between Rwanda and the UAE is not only resilient but has considerable also filled with boundless potential to develop further.
“We look forward to seeing more initiatives that will strengthen our economic ties and contribute to the prosperity of our people,” Muganza concluded.
With both countries already seeing tangible benefits from their cooperation, the meeting solidified the foundation for deeper collaboration, offering Rwandan businesses a gateway to one of the world’s most vibrant economies while presenting UAE investors with new opportunities in Rwanda’s rapidly expanding market.
