The RNP spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Boniface Rutikanga said that the electoral process was “peaceful.”
“The RNP takes this opportunity to thank Rwandans for their cooperation in this period; campaigns and elections on July 15th and 16th. There were no any unlawful or violent incident as candidates and their supporters exercised their rights in a peaceful, safer and secure manner,” ACP Rutikanga said.
He added that transportation of electoral materials to and from polling sites ended incident-free
The spokesperson thanked other partners, including the National Electoral Commission, security agencies and local leaders for the partnership to make this electoral process successful.
“Rwandans understand their rights and are accustomed to peaceful elections,” he said, calling upon the public to strengthen the spirit of community policing and sharing information on anything that can cause insecurity and the wellbeing of the people.
The Office of the President revealed that Kagame met with the ambassadors on the evening of Thursday, July 18, 2024 and bed them farewell.
The relationship between Rwanda and Sweden has flourished for over 20 years, primarily through cooperation in sectors such as education.
During a ceremony on March 23, 2023, celebrating 20 years of partnership in research and other development activities through the ‘UR-Sweden Program’, Amb. Teague highlighted the importance of continuing this collaboration.
Meanwhile, British High Commissioner Omar Daair has shown keen interest in strengthening the relationship between his country and Rwanda, supporting various initiatives during his tenure.
Notably, Rwanda and the UK signed the Migration and Economic Development Partnership, facilitating the transfer of migrants staying illegally in the UK to Rwanda.
This agreement, however, faced challenges following the new UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s assumption to power and it was terminated.
Mbabazi will simultaneously hold the position of Rwanda’s Ambassador to Ghana, where she is already based.
Expressing her delight as she assumed the new role, she posted on X “It was an honour to present Letters of Credence to H.E. Joseph Nyuma Boakai, President of the Republic of Liberia, as Rwanda’s Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary to Liberia, resident in Accra.”
Before her appointment as Rwanda’s Ambassador to Ghana, Mbabazi served as the Minister of Youth and Culture as well as Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
The new ambassador is expected to bolster Rwanda and Liberia’s good relations in various areas, particularly in political collaboration between the legislative bodies of both countries and in education, where higher education institutions undertake student exchange programs.
Meanwhile, earlier this week, Ambassador Fatou Harerimana presented her credentials to President Asif Ali Zardari of Pakistan, becoming Rwanda’s first High Commissioner to Pakistan.
Through a newly established Rwandan embassy in Pakistan, Harerimana is expected to enhance cooperation in security, trade, health, and education between the two countries.
According to the Canadian police, the vehicle, which was carrying soldiers from Oromocto town, veered off the road and knocked a tree, immediately bursting into flames. Sources indicate that Nkubito and his two other colleagues died on spot.
The police reported that the accident occurred 30 kilometers from Fredericton, a city in New Brunswick Province. An investigation is underway to confirm the exact cause of the accident.
A relative to Nkubito who spoke on condition of anonymity expressed sadness saying the death is a big loss to the family.
“He was expected to achieve much for his personal development and his country, especially given his young age. It is such a big loss,” he said.
The family member also disclosed that Nkubito had been serving in the Canadian Armed Forces for three years and lived with his family in Canada.
Requiem masses in his honor will be held at Institut de Formation Apostolique de Kimihurura (IFAK-Kimihurura), in Gasabo District on various dates.
They will be held on July 18, 2024, at 1:15 PM; on July 19, 2024, at 1:15 PM; and on July 20, 2024, starting at 7:00 AM. The final requiem mass will be on July 21, 2024, at 11:00 AM at the same venue.
The King expressed his warm congratulations on the Rwandan people’s renewed trust in Kagame’s competences and ability to lead the country towards further achievements, progress and prosperity.
“I take this opportunity to reaffirm my determination to continue working with the President of the Republic of Rwanda to strengthen the fraternal relations rooted in mutual esteem between the two countries,” he said in a statement.
“I commit to reinforce the fruitful Moroccan-Rwandan cooperation, serving both people’s shared interests and promoting integration and solidarity between African countries,” he added.
In the same spirit, Uganda’s Museveni posted his congratulatory message to Kagame on his X handle.
“Your re-election is a testament to the trust and confidence the people of Rwanda have in your leadership,” he said.
“Uganda recognizes Rwanda as a strategic ally with a shared vision of peace and prosperity. I look forward to collaborating with you for the benefit of our nations and the East African Community,” he added.
Rwanda enjoys cordial relations with both Morocco and Uganda in various sectors.
Simillary, in a message posted on X, the Government of Somaliland also reacted to Kagame’s re-election by conveying sincere congratulations.
“President Kagame’s steadfast leadership continues to inspire us. We express willingness to strengthen Somaliland’s relations with Rwanda given our shared history,” the message read.
Other distinguished leaders who have so far sent their congratulations include Presidents William Samoei Ruto of Kenya, Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania, Filipe Nyusi of Mozambique, Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau, Madagascar’s Andry Rajoelina and Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed.
Rwandans went to the polls on Sunday July 14, Monday July 15 and Tuesday July 16, 2024, following a three-week campaign period.
Partial results announced on Thursday by the National Electoral Commission (NEC) put RPF Inkotanyi candidate Paul Kagame in the lead with 99.18% of the votes, while Dr. Frank Habineza and Philippe Mpayimana managed 0.50% and 0.32%, respectively.
The final results are expected to be announced by July 27, 2024.
“The United States welcomes a 15-day extension of the humanitarian truce committed to by the parties to the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo [DRC]. This extension will be in effect until 11:59 pm local time on August 3 and recommits the parties to the conflict to silence their weapons and provide humanitarian personnel unfettered access to vulnerable populations,” reads a statement released by the Spokesperson of White House National Security Council, Adrienne Watson.
“In support of the Luanda Process, we commit to working with the Governments of the DRC, Rwanda, and Angola to use this truce extension to outline a series of steps to reach a durable cessation of hostilities and set conditions for the voluntary return of displaced populations,” he added.
The US has previously concurred that, based on discussions held by Intelligence Chiefs of Rwanda and the DRC in November 2023, FARDC and M23 had agreed to a one-week ceasefire.
This ceasefire, which began on July 5, was originally scheduled to end on July 19, 2024.
Its main aim of the ceasefire was to facilitate the provision of humanitarian assistance to civilians displaced by the conflict. Despite the agreement, there have been reports of ceasefire violations from either warring faction.
On July 14, 2024, M23 spokesperson Lt Col Willy Ngoma announced that a coalition of the DRC government and some affiliated rebel groups had launched an attack on their territories in Kirumbi and Kanyabayonga.
On the other hand, FARDC spokesperson in North Kivu, Lt Col Ndjike Kaiko Guillaume, accused M23 rebels of attacking them in parts of Nyange and Mpati, in the western part of Kitshanga, Masisi territory on July 10, 2024.
The United States has repeatedly warned against potential violations and recommended regional mechanisms as key to pacifying Eastern DRC.
In a statement released on Wednesday July 17, 2024, the RPF expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support shown by Rwandans in the elections.
“It is yet another testament of the trust and confidence placed in our leadership and vision for Rwanda. We remain committed to working for national unity, sustainable development, and prosperity for all Rwandans,” reads the statement.
While waiting for the final results to be announced, RPF thanked all Rwandans and all friends of Rwanda for their support.
Rwandans went to the polls on July 14, 2024 (for the diaspora) and locally the elections were held on July 15 with special interest groups being voted for on July 16, 2024.
Partial results released put RPF-Inkotanyi candidate Paul Kagame in the lead with 99.15% followed Dr. Frank Habineza and Philippe Mpayimana with 0.53% and 0.32% respectively.
Landline home phones were a luxury in China back in the 1970s, when an average employee earned a few hundred yuan a month but had to pay a staggering 3,000 yuan for a new installation. Now, in 2024, new installations cost only 100 yuan ($13.8), while the average salary has increased to thousands of yuan.
The Chinese people can enjoy such drastic price cuts thanks to the country’s sci-tech development. In the 1970s, China relied on imported telephone infrastructure. With no key technology at hand, the price of a phone service was largely decided by foreign tech powers. Now, China is a major player in 5G, with companies like Huawei and ZTE being industry leaders.
China’s transformation from an underdeveloped nation to a global scientific powerhouse is a result of strategic planning and sustained investment. The cornerstone of this remarkable journey was the launch of the reform and opening-up policies in 1978.
Prior to this, China was mired in economic stagnation and poverty. Agriculture dominated the economy, characterized by low productivity and yields. Industry was underdeveloped, inefficient and heavily reliant on sectors like steel and coal.
Furthermore, the Cold War had limited China’s access to advanced technology and new knowledge in foreign countries.
Recognizing the critical role of science and technology in driving economic growth, China made a pivotal shift in 1978 with the holding of the National Science Conference. The country’s decision makers recognized science and technology as a “productive force” – a Marxist concept that drives the society forward. They embarked on a mission to rebuild the country’s research infrastructure, foster collaboration with global researchers and align scientific endeavors with national development goals. In 1988, China’s leadership further promoted sci-tech as the “primary productive force.”
In 1995, China formalized its commitment to science by declaring it one of the two keys of national rejuvenation. The government further solidified this priority in 2006 with the Outline of National Medium- and Long-term Science and Technology Development Plan (2006-2020), elevating innovation to a national strategy.
This strategic focus bore fruit. By the end of 2023, China’s research and development expenditure had skyrocketed over 200 times compared to 1991, reaching a staggering 3.3 trillion yuan ($460 billion). This massive investment fueled a vibrant innovation ecosystem, attracting and nurturing a burgeoning scientific workforce that grew ninefold to 6.35 million full-time equivalents by the end of 2023.
The results are undeniable. China’s intellectual output has soared, with over 4 million invention patents granted by the end of 2023 – an 80-fold increase from 1991.
China’s journey is a compelling case study of how strategic investment in science and technology can transform a nation’s trajectory. By prioritizing research, development and innovation, China has catapulted itself into the ranks of global scientific leaders.
This comes shortly after Rwanda established its embassy in Pakistan and is expected to enhance cooperation in security, trade, health, and education between the two countries.
She presented the credentials on July 15, 2024 and becomes, the first Rwandan High Commissioner to Pakistan.
Speaking to Rwandan local media, Harerimana said that she has had discussions with President Zardari focusing on bilateral cooperation.
“The discussions focused on the cooperation and relations between Rwanda and Pakistan. We have had a longstanding relationship, but now we will particularly emphasize trade, health, education, and security,” she stated.
She added that President Zardari agreed to expedite the signing of agreements, including those promoting transportation between the two countries.
In addition, Pakistan has agreed to provide scholarships to Rwandan students for studies in Pakistan, particularly in the field of health.
On the same day, other envoys from Zimbabwe, Tajikistan, Argentina, Myanmar, Cambodia and Botswana also presented their letters of credence.
Rwandans elected their President and Members of Parliament on July 14, 15 and 16, 2024, following three weeks of campaigning. In an interview with a TV5 Monde journalist, Muyaya claimed that the elections in Rwanda were held in discretion and that no credible observers were present to monitor them.
He claimed to have only seen the RPF observer, not an observer from the European Union or any recognized election monitoring bodies.
In response, Nduhungirehe has rebuked Muyaya’ comments stating that Rwanda’s campaign and elections were largely calm, and peaceful unlike what happened in the DRC general elections on December 20, 2023.
He reminded Muyaya that elections in his country were marred by acts of violence and sometimes death, therefore he has not moral authority to criticize what happened in Rwanda.
“In the DRC elections, voting equipment was stolen in various places, some found in the homes of members of the ruling UDPS party, polling stations were vandalized, and citizens were prevented from voting,” Nduhungirehe said.
He highlighted constant insecurity and other political challenges in the DRC influenced by its government in which people including national army officers are executed due to their physical appearance.
On July 13, 2023, the spokesperson of Ensemble pour la Republique, the main opposition party in DRC was shot dead in his car in the capital Kinshasa.
Though the DRC government later said that this was a suicide, it was widely seen as a political assassination aimed at silencing political opponents in the country.
Overtime, DRC President Felix Tshisekedi has portrayed himself as a violent person threatening to overthrow the government Rwanda or bomb its capital Kigali on several occasions.
Concerning the claim that “no reputable observation mission” was deployed in Rwanda during the elections, Nduhungirehe noted that several observation missions from five regional and international organizations, of which the DRC is a full member, were assigned in Kigali.
These include the African Union (AU), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the East African Community (EAC), Economic Community of Central African States (CEEAC), and the International Organization of the Francophonie (OIF).
“I was therefore unaware that the DRC government still lived in a bygone era of intellectual and moral ‘bleaching,’ to the point of trying to discredit African organizations of which it is a member,” he concluded.
The electoral commission announced that the elections went smoothly. This was confirmed by various observers who monitored them. Partial results showed that Paul Kagame, the candidate of RPF Inkotanyi, received 99.15% of the votes, Dr. Frank Habineza 0.53%, and Philippe Mpayimana 0.32%.
