Idd-ul-Fitr, a religious holiday celebrated by Muslims around the world, marks the end of the holy month of fasting and prayer widely known as Ramadan.
“The Ministry of Public Service and Labour wishes to inform employers and employees in public and private sectors that on Wednesday 10 April 2024, will be a public holiday to celebrate EID EL FITR, in accordance with the Presidential Order N° 062/01 of 19/10/2022 on public holidays,” the ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.
During Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations, Muslim faithful wake up to cleanse their bodies in a ritual called ghusl.
After getting dressed for the day they gather in mosques or outdoor locations for prayers and listen to a khutba (sermon) and give zakat al-fitr (charity in the form of food).
Customary greetings, Eid Mubarak, with a formal embrace – three times – are common during Eid.
The celebrations come at a time the country continues to observe the National Commemoration Week as part of the 30th anniversary of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The 30th commemoration, also known as Kwibuka30, kicked off on Sunday, April 7, with a national event presided over by President Paul Kagame.
The anniversary, that seeks to honour more than a million people who lost their lives in the genocide, is being marked under the theme “remember-unite-renew” and serves as a moment of reflection on peace and unity, as precursors for sustainable development.
In an interview with South Africa’s SABC News, Mbeki called for the disengagement of troops in the volatile region to pave the way for a political solution to the war, which pits the M23 rebel group against the Congolese government.
Mbeki argued that the disengagement of troops in eastern DRC, including those from the Southern African Development Community (SADC), would avoid potential clashes.
“I am quite convinced as were President of Rwanda and DRC when they signed an agreement that you can’t resolve the problem in eastern Congo by force of arms. You can send the troops there, and people will die, but you cannot solve the problem,” Mbeki stated while condoling with the families of four members of the SADC contingence forces, including three Tanzanian soldiers, who recently died while on a mission in eastern DRC.
“So I am very sorry to hear these things that people have died from South Africa and other countries. Let us disengage the forces. They are already there, but let us disengage them so that there is no possibility of clashing. Because clashing will result in people dying for no reason. Let us separate them so that they are far from each other and then work to find a political solution.”
SADC troops, drawn from South Africa, Malawi and Tanzania, took over eastern DRC, following the withdrawal of The East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) from the region in December last year.
They are fighting alongside the Congolese government-led coalition, which includes the FDLR composed of Interahamwe, remnants of the perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
Rwanda, accused by the DRC of supporting M23, had protested against the deployment and technical support for 2,900 SADC troops to the region, stating that their involvement could spark a regional war.
Mbeki, in his interview following his attendance at the 30th Commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi on Sunday, stated that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is committed to helping Rwanda and DRC find a lasting solution to the tension in eastern DRC, amid counter accusations over support for the two armed groups, M23 and FDLR.
“I am very glad that President Ramaphosa is committed to the pursuit of the political solution,” Mbeki stated adding, “We are wasting people’s lives for no reason.”
Earlier, President Ramaphosa, in his interview with the same TV station, said the crisis in eastern DRC featured prominently in his discussion with President Kagame in Kigali, over the weekend.
He said the two leaders agreed that a political solution would be much beneficial in ending the tension between Rwanda and DRC.
“We both agreed that peace was an essential component fostering the development of this part of the continent and that in doing so we should bring the conflicts that are happening in the eastern part of the DRC to an end,” he said.
“There are a number of forces that operate in this area (North Kivu) and we agreed that a peaceful political solution is the best option to any military action.”
Kagame, on his part, continues to accuse the Congolese government of dehumanizing Congolese Tutsis, forcing them to seek refuge in Rwanda and Uganda.
Kagame, during his engagement with the media yesterday, insisted that the M23 rebel group is fighting for the rights of the Congolese Tutsis who are being “uprooted from their ancestral land and persecuted.”
“I am saying that even those who are accusing us, I should actually accuse them of not supporting M23 because it as if they agree with the injustice being done to this community,” he said in response to a question whether he supports the rebel group.
Mbeki, while acknowledging South Africa’s role in Rwanda’s recovery, said the country’s rise from the ashes of the 1994 atrocities inspires the rest of the African continent on its development potential.
“I think the government and the people of Rwanda have done very well in terms of the recovery from the genocide, development of Rwanda. I am very happy that South Africa made its own contribution as President Kagame was saying yesterday,” Mbeki said during an interview with SABC News on Monday after Sunday’s commemoration of 30th anniversary of the genocide.
“I think they demonstrate that if Rwanda can come from the genocide like that and achieve the kind of progress and development that it has achieved, it says that all of us on the continent, whatever our own problems nationally, if we do the right thing, we can also recover,” he added.
South Africa was among the countries recognized by Kagame on Sunday for their solidarity with the people of Rwanda during the challenging period.
The Rwandan Head of State said South Africa, which had just ended apartheid, offered to pay for Cuban doctors to help rebuild Rwanda’s shattered health system and opened up its universities to Rwandan students, charging only local fees.
“Among the hundreds of students who benefited from South Africa’s generosity, some were orphaned survivors; others were the children of perpetrators; and many were neither. Most have gone on to become leaders in our country in different fields,” Kagame stated, adding, “Today, they live completely new lives.”
During the event, President Kagame, who has predicted a fivefold growth for Rwanda in the next 30 years, also expressed his gratitude to Kenya, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for hosting and giving a home to large numbers of Rwandan refugees.
He also recognized Tanzania for its role in hosting and facilitating the Arusha peace process and being a productive partner in the rebuilding process.
President Ruto made the remarks in a special tribute to Kagame as Rwanda marks the 30th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
He said that thirty years after the Genocide, ‘the country has made tremendous progress that demonstrates the total resilience of the people and the government of Rwanda’.
“Rwanda is a shining example of the people’s immeasurable power not only to overcome adversity, but also to reconcile and live as one people,” President Ruto remarked.
The Kenyan Head of State attributed Rwanda’s encouraging progress to Kagame’s “resolute leadership, tremendous courage and abundant foresight.”
He wished the country well in its pursuit to reach even greater heights. “I commend my brother President Paul Kagame, for his resolute leadership, tremendous courage and abundant foresight. The people and government of Kenya wish him and the people of Rwanda Godspeed as they continue to build their country to even greater heights,” President Ruto added.
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President Ruto did not attend Sunday’s commemoration anniversary event, dubbed ‘Kwibuka30’. Instead, he was represented by his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, at the gathering attended by several heads of state and dignitaries from Africa and around the world.
The leaders included Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Petr Pavel (Czech Republic President), Andry Rajoelina (Madagascar), Mohamed Ould Ghazouani (Mauritania), Salva Kiir (South Sudan) South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa (South Africa), Faustin-Archange Touadéra (Central African Republic) and Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
Former US President Bill Clinton, Ugandan Vice President Jessica Alupo, and Stéphane Séjourné, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, also attended the event.
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Yesterday, President Kagame affirmed that Rwanda’s economy would continue to soar, reaching five times its current level in the next 30 years.
“In the next 30 years we will continue making progress and be where others are that they have even taken for granted. We see developed countries, why can’t Rwanda or Africa develop to that extent or even beyond,” Kagame stated during his engagement with the media on Monday.
He highlighted that with the right politics in the country and the region, Rwanda will be far much better than its current state.
“The Rwanda of the next 30 years should maybe be three, four, or five times better than what you are seeing now. Thirty years from our graves to being here, I think another year we are not coming from the graves; this time we are coming from some level of progress,” he affirmed.
According to Central Bank Governor John Rwangombwa, Rwanda’s economy is projected to remain strong and resilient with the country’s GDP expected to grow by 6.6 per cent in 2024 after recording a remarkable growth of 8.2 per cent to hit $35 billion last year.
This was voiced during the 30th commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi, organized by the Rwandan Embassy in Belgium and IBUKA, umbrella organization of genocide survivors.
During the event, André Bucyana, the acting Chargé d’Affaires, illuminated the role played by the international community in these sorrowful times.
The commemoration was attended by a host of notable figures, including Jeroen Cooreman, the Director General for Bilateral Affairs at the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Kalvin Soiresse Njall, President of the French-speaking section of the Brussels Regional Parliament; and Benoit Cerexhe, Mayor of Woluwe-Saint-Pierre, where Brussels’ genocide memorial is located.
The event also saw participation from Dr. Jesse Jean, the Haitian Ambassador and chair of the ACP group’s committee of Ambassadors; Dr. Ibrahim Norbert, Deputy Secretary-General of the ACP; and Ernest SAGAGA, head of Ibuka Mémoire et Justice-Belgique, among others.
Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Bucyana reminded attendees that following the murder of 10 Belgian peacekeepers guarding Prime Minister Agathe Uwilingiyimana on April 7, 1994, Belgium decided to withdraw the remainder of its forces from Rwanda.
He mentioned that after the loss of the Belgian peacekeepers from MINUAR who were protecting the Prime Minister, Belgium not only withdrew its own troops but also influenced the UN to repatriate all MINUAR forces.
Initially, there were 2,700 peacekeeping troops in Rwanda, which was reduced to only 250 in Kigali to observe the situation.
Belgian troops had been positioned at the ETO Kicukiro vocational and technical school in Kigali, where many Tutsis had sought refuge, hoping for safety. However, on April 11, 1994, they left them vulnerable to the Interahamwe militia and government forces.
As the Belgian forces left, Tutsis trying to accompany them were pushed back, with shots fired to prevent them from following towards the Kigali International Airport.
Bucyana also recounted how Guy Verhofstadt, a former Prime Minister of Belgium, admitted Belgium’s involvement in these tragic events during a visit to Rwanda.
Verhofstadt, on a notable visit in 2000, acknowledged the need for reconciliation in Rwanda, stating the importance of admitting Belgium’s role and past mistakes.
He paid homage to the genocide victims and sought forgiveness on behalf of Belgium. The Rwandan government later recognized Verhofstadt’s acknowledgment, which came six years after the Genocide against the Tutsi.
The commemoration event in Brussels was attended by Rwandans, friends of Rwanda, diplomats, and officials from Belgium and the European Union, marking a significant moment of remembrance and reflection.
This memorial serves as a place for survivors and all Rwandans to remember the innocent victims killed over innate identity.
The ceremony was attended by approximately 250 people, including the Ambassador of Rwanda to the Netherlands, Olivier Nduhungirehe; the Netherland’s Minister of Justice and Security, Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius;and Christine Safari, the President of Ibuka-Hollande.
Participants also included officials from the South Amsterdam Province, Rwandans living in the Netherlands, representatives from the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT), among others.
Before the commencement of the event, participants observed a moment of silence to remember the victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi before proceeding with a remembrance walk and the main ceremony held at the RAI Exhibition Center.
The ceremony began with a lighting of the flame of hope, symbolizing Rwanda’s bright future and ensuring that the victims will never be forgotten, with everyone present taking part.
Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius praised Rwanda’s significant progress in rebuilding over the past 30 years, stating the importance of continuous commemoration, not only for Rwandan youth but also for the international community.
She highlighted Rwanda’s choice of reconciliation over revenge, acknowledging the challenges faced by many who lost their loved ones or grew up in incomplete families yet continue to carry the burden of this historical wound.
Minister Zegerius also commended the role of justice in Rwanda’s rebuilding process, noting her country’s substantial support in enhancing Rwanda’s judicial system.
She remarked on Rwanda’s commendable current state and its role as a beacon of hope worldwide. According to her, despite its tragic past, Rwanda chose to rebuild and unite its people.
Amb. Olivier Nduhungirehe thanked the Netherlands for its support in Rwanda’s rebuilding efforts and emphasized the importance of understanding the history of the Genocide against the Tutsi.
He criticized the ongoing efforts by some to distort the history of the genocide.
He highlighted that such tactics are not new and called for vigilance to prevent these narratives from undermining the global understanding of Rwanda’s history. As the world commemorates the 30th anniversary of the genocide, Amb. Nduhungirehe praised the Netherlands for its significant contributions to justice.
He outlined three key areas of Dutch support: infrastructure development for judicial institutions, training for judicial personnel, and assistance in tracking genocide perpetrators residing in the Netherlands.
Deniers of the genocide continue to undermine its historical accuracy, disputing the number of victims, the targeted ethnic group, and falsely claiming the occurrence of a double genocide.
Amb. Nduhungirehe assured continued cooperation with the Netherlands in pursuing and bringing to justice those responsible for the genocide who have not yet been apprehended.
This call was made during a commemoration event held at the Rwandan Embassy in Beijing, attended by Chinese government officials, diplomatic corps, international organization representatives, and friends of Rwanda.
He reminded attendees that the genocide’s brutality resulted in the murder of over one million people within 100 days, averaging about 10,000 lives taken daily.
“Perpetrators had no iota of mercy, they slaughtered people like chickens, raped, banged babies against solid objects…they did all manner of callous things without sparing anyone – young, elderly, disabled, even pregnant women,” said Amb. Kimonyo.
The ambassador lamented the international community’s inaction despite clear warnings, such as those from Canadian General Romeo Dallaire, then-commander of the United Nations Force in Rwanda, who foresaw the impending massacre but was denied reinforcements.
Highlighting acts of valor amidst the tragedy, Amb. Kimonyo praised the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPA) for ending the genocide and noted the courageous efforts of peacekeepers like Ghanaian soldiers under General Henry Kwami Anyidoho and Captain Mbaye Diagne from Senegal, who risked their lives to save others.
Thirty years post-genocide, Rwanda’s narrative is one of resilience and unity. The nation has transcended its painful past, fostering a collective identity devoid of ethnic divisions.
“Despite this tragedy that befell our country, we stand as a testament to the strength of human spirit and resilience,” Amb. Kimonyo affirmed.
He emphasized the importance of learning from history to prevent future atrocities, calling out the ongoing hate speech and ethnic discrimination in regions like the Great Lakes, urging for a concerted effort to eliminate impunity and promote global solidarity against genocide.
“Let me call upon the international community to fight the spread of hate speech, genocide ideology, denial and bring to book all the perpetrators residing and working in different countries,” he said.
“The commitment to never again should not be an obligation but the true claim to uphold humanity,” added Amb. Kimonyo.
He also called upon Rwandans, especially the youth, to carry the responsibility ‘that lies on our shoulders to preserve the memory, uphold our unity, safeguard, and accelerate the progress of Rwanda’.
The Director General of the Department of African Affairs, Amb. Wu Peng, representing the Government of China at the event, expressed profound sympathy and condolences towards Rwandans.
He recognized Rwanda as an exemplar of resilience and praised the significant strides Rwanda has made under President Paul Kagame’s leadership, including efforts towards reconciliation and transformation aligned with national conditions. These efforts have led the country to achieve stability, social harmony, and economic growth.
Amb. Wu Peng also reiterated his country’s commitment to continue supporting Rwanda on its development journey, deepening bilateral relations and cooperation for the mutual benefit of both nations.
Meanwhile, Mr. Siddharth Chatterjee, the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in China, conveyed a message from the Secretary-General, expressing solidarity with Rwandans and urging the global community to unite against all forms of hatred and discrimination to prevent the recurrence of genocide.
Rahamtalla Mohamed Osman, the Permanent Representative of the African Union to China, remarked that commemorating the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda serves as a crucial reminder to African states of its magnitude and their essential duty to counteract the destructive path opened by such criminal acts.
The event featured poignant testimonies from Narcisse Mulinga, who survived the Genocide against the Tutsi. At the tender age of 11, he witnessed the murder of relatives right before his eyes yet managed to transcend his harrowing experiences to reconstruct his life. Today, he cherishes having a loving family, including a 10-year-old child.
Currently, he is on the verge of completing his PhD in regional rural development at Anhui Agricultural University, embodying the ongoing journey of personal rebuilding and resilience.
The commemoration also included a documentary screening, lighting the flame of hope, and a poem titled ‘Rwanda: A Beacon of Light,’ performed by Rwandan students in China, capturing Rwanda’s journey of recovery and hope.
Throughout the 100 days, the Embassy and the Rwandan Community in China will continue to host commemoration activities centered on the theme ‘Remember, Unite, Renew’.
The 30th commemoration will be held under the theme: “Remember, Unite, Renew.”
Rwanda National Police (RNP) has reassured the usual safety and security during the commemoration week and the rest of 100 days, which will be characterized by different remembrance events across the country.
The RNP spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Boniface Rutikanga urged the public to follow the Kwibuka guidelines and to be responsive against anything that can affect the safety and security during this trying period.
ACP Rutikanga said: “Kwibuka will be held under the usual safe and secure environment. We call upon the public to refrain from operating barred public leisure facilities and other prohibited practices.”
Restricted activities during the commemoration week include projecting football matches, sports competitions; betting games, concerts, theatres and playing music not related to the commemoration; wedding and other mass celebrations.
“These are trying times to be close, comfort and support survivors as we continue to strengthen the unity, preserve the history, justice and integrity, fight impunity and hate speech.
Report any form of genocide ideology, negation, denial, and other acts that influence divisionism and hatred, or pose security threats.”
The public is urged to share information with the police on the RNP emergency toll-free line 112, WhatsApp line 0788311155 and all known Police contacts in districts as well as other RNP social media platforms.
Over three decades, Naton has evolved from its modest inception into a luminary of innovation and global engagement within the medical and health industry, illustrating the profound impact that foresight, pioneering research, and deliberate growth can have on the healthcare landscape worldwide.
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The company’s relentless dedication to innovation is evident in its diverse portfolio, which spans medical implants, intelligent surgical devices, biobased materials, medical aesthetics, protective equipment, and beyond, showcasing its comprehensive approach to healthcare solutions.
During a presentation to African journalists at the company’s headquarters, Shao Zaying, Vice President of Naton, highlighted the company’s innovative contributions and its strategic focus on expanding its footprint in Africa and other regions.
As he said, Naton’s groundbreaking biodegradable materials for medical implants, capable of naturally degrading within the body over a period of up to 24 months, have been exported to more than 130 countries, underlining the company’s pivotal role as a global leader in advancing medical technology.
The inception of Naton’s orthopedic implant business in 1996 marked the start of its ascension to excellence. Today, Naton is recognized as a conglomerate of 13 national high-tech enterprises.
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With a 2023 revenue of 640 million US dollars and a product portfolio that encompasses the entire industrial chain of medical implants, Naton Technology Group reigns as China’s premier orthopedic medical device company. Its vast network of global sales offices, branches, and distributors, along with strategic partnerships with world-renowned brands, underscore its expansive reach and influence in the medical industry.
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Naton Technology Group’s narrative is more than a story of corporate success; it embodies a pioneering spirit that sets new standards in the medical field, fosters global collaborations, and significantly impacts lives worldwide.
An assessment conducted by the United Nations after touring affected areas has revealed that “the amount of crop failure is very devastating and leaves many people in need of food aid. Zambia is facing unprecedented drought,” UN Assistant Secretary-General Reena Ghelani said.
Ghelani, who is also UN climate crisis coordinator for the El Nino/La Nina response, told journalists at a press briefing that the international community needs to respond quickly to avoid further damages.
While commending the government for responding urgently to the crisis by releasing food from the strategic reverses, she noted that there is need for external help to fill the gap.
Etleva Kadilli, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) regional director for eastern and southern Africa, expressed concern that the drought may have a huge impact on children in the country.
She said the situation is likely to result in increased malnutrition levels among children, a situation that may cause stunted growth.
In February this year, the government declared a national state of disaster and emergency to enable a rapid response to the prolonged drought which has affected 84 of the country’s 116 districts.
The Zambian government has reported that about six million people are at risk of food insecurity. About 40,000 people facing emergency levels of food insecurity, the UN said.
