This advisory comes in the wake of escalating violence near Sake, marked by confrontations between the DRC’s military forces and the M23 rebel faction, raising alarms about the deteriorating security landscape in Goma.
Amidst the volatile situation, concerns have amplified due to recent demonstrations in Kinshasa, the Congolese capital, which pose a potential risk of spreading to Goma.
Such developments have heightened the risk of targeted aggression towards foreigners, prompting decisive action from Dutch officials. The advisory extends to Dutch nationals across the DRC, advising heightened vigilance and avoidance of populous events.
The Netherlands Times reports that the eastern segment of the DRC has been designated as a red zone. This classification serves as a stark warning from the Dutch government, strongly discouraging travel to the area and urging those present to depart without delay.
Dutch residents in Goma are implored to establish contact with their families to convey their safety and to liaise with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for assistance with their evacuation plans. This initiative underscores the Dutch government’s commitment to safeguarding its citizens abroad, particularly in regions plagued by conflict and instability.
The ongoing situation in Goma is under intense scrutiny by the global community, with both Congolese officials and international bodies mobilized to address the crisis.
George’s military career is marked by her ascendancy through various pivotal roles. Prior to her groundbreaking appointment, she served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for the Armed Forces of Liberia, showcasing her leadership and strategic planning capabilities.
Her tenure within the Liberian army is highlighted by her roles as the Acting Commander of the 23rd Infantry Brigade, Company Commander of the Military Police, S-5 CIMIC Officer, and Provost Marshal of the 23rd Infantry Brigade. These positions underscore her diverse skill set and adaptability across multiple facets of military operations.
In addition to her military expertise, George’s academic credentials are equally impressive. She holds a Master of Arts in International Relations from Webster University in the United States, and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from the African Methodist Episcopal Zion University College in Monrovia. Her rich educational background complements her practical military experience, providing her with a broad perspective on defense and strategic affairs.
Brig Gen Geraldine Janet George’s appointment as Minister of Defense is a testament to her exemplary service and dedication to her country. Her diverse experience, enhanced by international training and academic achievements, positions her as a formidable leader in Liberia’s defense sector.
Commonwealth Day witnesses participation from individuals across continents including Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Americas, the Pacific, and Europe.
On this occasion, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland, emphasized the day as a moment to acknowledge, rejoice in, and rejuvenate the spirit among its 56 member states, which are unified by the Commonwealth Charter.
She highlighted that this year’s theme is a testament to the collective resilience and strength of its members, which is crucial for overcoming current challenges and ensuring a future of equitable wealth distribution.
The Secretary-General also noted the diverse sizes of the Commonwealth’s countries, stating that their unity stems from shared values that focus on enhancing governance, environmental sustainability, economic strength, and societal empowerment for its citizens.
In addition, Secretary-General Scotland extended, on behalf of the Commonwealth, well wishes to His Majesty King Charles III, the Head of the Commonwealth, for his speedy recovery.
The theme for Commonwealth Day also aligns with the focus of the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) set to be hosted in Samoa in October 2024. Samoa’s Prime Minister, Afioga Fiame Naomi Mataafa, expressed anticipation for showcasing Samoa’s unique communal culture and traditions to foster a sense of a unified family.
The week of Commonwealth Day in March will see a convergence of world leaders, diplomats, youth advocates, and other delegates from the Commonwealth to engage in meaningful discussions on global challenges, propose empowering initiatives, and advocate for transformative changes. A highlight of this year includes the declaration of the Commonwealth Year of Youth, aiming to amplify support for the Commonwealth’s 1.5 billion young individuals.
Observance of Commonwealth Day will involve activities such as the reading of the Commonwealth Proclamation and hosting of celebratory events, with the Commonwealth Secretariat’s website providing resources to facilitate these events. In London, the Commonwealth Secretariat will organize a reception for representatives from across the Commonwealth, and a special service at Westminster Abbey on 11th March will feature a multicultural, multi-faith celebration of the Commonwealth’s diversity.
Furthermore, the day will be marked by the presence of Speakers and Presiding Officers from Commonwealth countries, invited by Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, Speaker of the House of Commons in the UK, highlighting the unity and milestones of the Commonwealth, including the upcoming 75th Anniversary of the modern Commonwealth on 26 April 2024.
Rutaremara recounted the bravery of Rwanda’s young liberators, who, driven by a clear purpose, overcame fear and adversity to secure the nation’s peace. He stressed that today’s leadership, having actively participated in the liberation struggle as young adults, possesses a profound understanding of the needs and aspirations of the youth.
He emphasized the dismantling of societal barriers as a foundational step towards national unity and development. Rutaremara pointed out that the liberation movement focused on eradicating ignorance, poverty, and aimlessness, thereby fostering a unified Rwandan identity.
Highlighting the government’s commitment to education, Rutaremara noted the provision of educational opportunities that surpass the country’s economic constraints. This initiative aims to equip the youth with necessary skills and knowledge, thereby bolstering a knowledge-based economy.
Rutaremara touched on the significance of civic education, explaining that through various platforms, including Civic Education camps and direct interactions with leaders, the youth are encouraged to embrace their inevitable role in leading the country across different sectors.
He also shed light on Rwanda’s long-term developmental strategies, referencing Vision 2020’s goals to overcome the country’s past challenges and Vision 2050’s focus on technological advancement and smart technology as pivotal to the nation’s future prosperity.
Through his talk, Rutaremara inspired the students to recognize their potential and role in shaping Rwanda’s future, emphasizing the importance of leadership, education, and technological innovation in achieving national development.
The Mozambican News Agency, AIM (Agência de Informação de Moçambique), detailed the assault on the Mucojo military base in the Macomia region on February 9, 2024, where the SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) oversees control in Macomia, covering areas such as Nandage, Mwidumbe, Meluco, Mueda, among others.
Meanwhile, peace was restored in regions under control of Rwandan troops like Palma, Mocimboa da Praia, Quionga, Afungi, Mbau, Pundanhar.
Tomás Badae, the leader of Macomia, confirmed on February 12 that the assailants had successfully seized the Mucojo base, emphasizing the tragic demise of 25 Mozambican soldiers.
Mayor Badae provided further insights, stating that the terrorists attacked the military base, ‘but we lack information on whether they are still present or have departed’.
Detailing the timeline of events, Badae recounted, “On Friday morning, the terrorists initiated the assault, and due to blocked roads, escape was impossible. Eventually, our response was, ‘We can leave, but our comrades are no more.’”
Subsequently, on February 12, another attack unfolded in the Chiúre region, spanning from the evening hours into the night. According to the Mozambique-based Lusa newspaper, the assailants targeted the office of the Mazeze area, the residence of its leader, hospitals, and churches.
This information was corroborated by Chiúre’s Mayor, Oliveira Amimo, who lamented, “Unfortunately, our infrastructure has been destroyed; it is nonfunctional.”
The origins of this terrorist group trace back to 2017 in Cabo Delgado. In 2021, Rwanda and the Southern African Community (SADC) forces intervened, successfully expelling the group from numerous captured areas. However, remnants of the militants sought refuge in the forests, launching periodic attacks from their hidden bases.
The Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board (RMB) has credited this impressive performance to a series of strategic measures, including increased value addition, heightened professionalization, and substantial investment in the mechanization of mining practices. These steps not only underscore Rwanda’s commitment to sustainable mining but also reflect the industry’s potential as a cornerstone for the nation’s economic growth.
The surge in earnings is particularly noticeable in the fourth quarter of 2023, where mineral export earnings were reported at $252.99 million. This figure represents a 34.9% increase from the corresponding quarter in 2022, signaling a robust end to the year.
An analysis of the export figures reveals that cassiterite was a top earner for the country, with October 2023 exports reaching 431,035 kilograms valued at USD 6,487,192. November saw a slight dip in both volume and value, but December bounced back with 446,342 kilograms worth USD 6,923,495.
Coltan, another significant mineral in Rwanda’s export portfolio, also showed a strong performance, particularly in October, with exports of 159,297 kilograms bringing in USD 6,907,161. Wolfram followed suit, contributing significantly to the total earnings with 182,099 kilograms worth USD 2,293,588 in October alone.
Gold, a perennially valuable resource, did not disappoint, with its highest earning month in December, where 1320 kilograms of gold were worth a staggering USD 87,521,667. This reflects both the global market’s unwavering demand for gold and Rwanda’s capability to meet it.
Other minerals collectively added over a million kilograms to the export tally each month, with earnings peaking in November at USD 1,720,701 for 1,725,993 kilograms.
The data from 2023 is a testament to Rwanda’s growing prominence in the mineral export market and serves as a beacon of progress for other nations looking to harness their natural resources sustainably. With the strategic implementation of responsible mining practices, Rwanda is not only securing substantial revenue but is also setting a precedent for environmental stewardship in the mining industry.
He made the proposal during the opening of the 44th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the AU that began Wednesday in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.
Addressing the session, Atske Selassie noted that in alignment with the AU’s Agenda 2063, empowering indigenous African languages should be strengthened to contribute to the progress of the African continent.
“I wish to propose the inclusion of Amharic as one of the official languages of the African Union,” Atske Selassie said.
He said it is worth noting that the charter of the Organization of African Unity, the predecessor of the AU, was initially signed in four languages, including Amharic.
“Adopting Amharic as one of the official languages of the union would honor Africa’s linguistic diversity and boost our collective identity as Africans,” he added.
The foreign minister also emphasized the collective responsibility of the union to build a resilient educational system across the continent. He also highlighted the need to significantly improve the AU’s working methods, and strengthen the AU Commission and its organs through availing adequate resources.
This year’s AU summit is being held under the theme “Educate an African fit for the 21st Century: Building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality, and relevant learning in Africa.”
The 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Heads of State and Government of the AU is set to take place on Feb. 17-18. It is preceded by the 44th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council which runs on Feb. 14-15.
This came after the latest report on the state of global education issued by the World Bank, UNICEF and other partners, which revealed that nearly nine in 10 children in Sub-Saharan Africa are unable to read and understand a simple text by the age of 10.
“The foundational level of education among African children is so weak and that has resulted in a human capital deficit in the continent,” said founder and chief executive officer of the Human Capital Africa Obiageli Ezekwesili Tuesday in a joint briefing in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.
According to Ezekwesili, leaders of the continent should recognize the scale of the learning crisis confronting the continent and commit to a continental strategy to address it through effective policies and interventions.
She said failing to address the learning crisis will have catastrophic results for the continent’s education outcomes across secondary, and tertiary schools, significantly restricting future employment opportunities.
“Agenda 2063 of the African Union will go nowhere until our leaders react now on crisis related to foundational learning,” Ezekwesili said.
Lieke Van de Wiel, UNICEF’s education adviser, said children who were out of school failed to learn what they were supposed to and that means investments in education have not been generating the right return.
“African leaders must feel a sense of urgency to solve the problem,” said Wiel, further noting that nine out of every 10 children in Africa are in school but not learning.
Albert Nsengiyumva, the executive secretary of ADEA, warned that failing to react to the existing learning crisis in the continent will prevent the achievement of the African Union’s vision for the “Africa we want” by 2063.
“We must now ensure that our concerns are shared as widely as possible and that heads of state and government hear our message in the context of all the challenges facing the continent,” Nsengiyumva said.
At the Africa Human Capital Heads of State Summit in July 2023, 43 African leaders signed the Dar es Salaam Declaration and pledged to increase accessibility, affordability, and quality education, and improve literacy rates to 75 percent by 2030.
The officials gave the briefing upon the conclusion of a two-day summit on Human Capital Africa that dwelt on foundational learning in the African continent.
The summit, co-convened by UNICEF, called for increased investment in technology to enhance foundational learning such as access to digital resources, creating e-learning platforms, and ensuring that both teachers and students have the necessary skills to use technology effectively.
The initiative is open to a wide array of contributors, including Rwandan citizens, international partners, government entities, development agencies, industry experts, the Rwandan diaspora, and leaders within the private sector. These stakeholders are encouraged to present forward-thinking and impactful project proposals that will contribute significantly to the nation’s progress.
These Lab sessions are designed to foster deep collaboration across the entire ecosystem, involving government officials, development partners, private sector figureheads, specialists, potential investors, and the original idea proponents. The goal is to evolve these ideas into viable, investor-ready projects.
Francis Gatare, the CEO of the Rwanda Development Board, emphasized the critical role of the private sector as a catalyst for national economic progress. He highlighted RDB’s commitment to supporting this sector through resources and policy initiatives, aiming to secure a future of rapid and sustainable growth for Rwanda and offering a gateway to broader opportunities within Africa.
Aida Azmi, Joint Managing Director & Partner at PEMANDU Associates, shared her enthusiasm for the project, drawing parallels with Malaysia’s economic success story driven by private sector innovation. She expressed confidence in replicating this success in Rwanda, supporting the nation’s shift towards an innovation-led economic model, and fostering the development of scalable sectors across Africa.
Interested parties are invited to submit their project ideas via [an online platform->https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=pYG0WzWnnkySckyHWt-WOrq5sx-RyK9LsNl9H0fi43dUNlRHQUpNUUoyWUZaVE1RSE5TOENNU0lFRSQlQCN0PWcu] before 21 February 2024 at 11:59 PM CAT.
{{About the Rwanda Development Board}}
The RDB stands as a pivotal government agency in Rwanda, dedicated to transforming the country into a vibrant hub for business, investment, and innovation. Its mission is to expedite Rwanda’s economic development by fostering private sector growth.
{{About PEMANDU Associates}}
PEMANDU Associates is a leading consulting firm specializing in public sector transformation, business revitalization, and strategic communications. The firm partners with top government and corporate leaders worldwide to achieve their strategic objectives effectively and inclusively.
Umusambi village has shot to stardom globally by providing a conducive environment for more than 50 grey-crowned cranes. The sanctuary, with an area of roughly 21 hectares, has become a popular destination that draws tourists from Europe, Africa, and Asia who enjoy learning about conservation work and the importance of protecting natural environments.
Winnie Kyamujara, the village’s head guide, said they were inspired to restore the area to conserve the majestic birds. “They were endangered, and their population was declining in the country. We thought of a place where they can reproduce and allow them to be in their natural environment,” Kyamujara told Xinhua.
About seven years ago, the grey-crowned cranes were almost driven to the edge of extinction by illegal bird hunters in Rwanda. As of 2017, there were fewer than 500 cranes of the species in the East African country.
The plight has driven conservation efforts by the Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association, a non-governmental organization (NGO), to restore a wetland area at Umusambi village to safeguard the endangered birds, after Olivier Nsengimana, a Rwandan veterinary doctor, designed a unique conservation project to combat the illegal trade of the endangered bird species in Rwanda.
The organization started the restoration work in 2018 and brought in the birds at the end of 2019.
“We restored this place because cranes love to be in native trees. That is why we focused on restoring the place and bringing the grey-crowned cranes saved from the illegal pet trade so that they can thrive and live freely like they used to be in the wild before,” Kyamujara said.
Cranes do not like to live in captivity or any enclosure or home. The organization, however, rescued many cranes that were disabled due to their capture and transportation or because people had cut their wings to stop them from flying away.
Restoration of the place involved knowing the kinds of trees and plants that needed to be planted.
The organization marked trees that were exotic and invasive. It hired community members to help remove invasive and exotic trees. It then sourced seedlings for indigenous trees and planted more than 10,000 trees with the help of casual laborers.
“In the 2017 census, we had less than 500 cranes in the country, but by last year, we had 1,216, so the population of cranes doubled, and we are proud of that,” said Kyamujara.
She believed that the establishment of the sanctuary at the Umusambi village impacted the community and surrounding areas beyond conservation.
“We employed more than 200 people daily during restoration. Besides casual workers, we hired permanent workers. We are working here because this place was restored. It is a nice place that everyone would wish to visit,” she said.
She said besides cranes, Umusambi village sanctuary is now also home to many other bird species and wildlife.
The village has more than 130 bird species, according to her. Other wildlife, including butterflies and lizards meant to be in the wild, can be found there.
“We hope that in the years to come, Umusambi village will have more animals compared to cranes,” she said.
About 10 tourists from China have signed up for an annual pass to the village, and they are its good supporters, according to Kyamujara. “The feedback they give us is that we are doing a great job, we are making a change; they are supportive of us,” Kyamujara said.
To ensure the safety of the birds, the conservation area is fenced off with an electric fence.
Besides, guides monitor the birds every morning and evening to ensure they are healthy.
“We have a team of veterinary doctors who treat sick birds. We also have a clinic for wildlife which treats birds and small mammals,” she said, adding that the safety of the cranes is guaranteed.
The Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association started with campaigns on various media platforms, teaching people the dangers of keeping cranes in their homes. It carries out education campaigns in schools and communities about conservation. It also hosts schools to teach students about the importance of conserving cranes.
Kyamujara said the campaign helped combat poaching of the cranes for petty trade.
Umusambi village is just one of the six places the NGO has since restored for conservation.
Kyamujara thought that the lessons learned from the Umusambi village project to save cranes could help to protect other wildlife under threat. “Many people now understand the importance of conserving the environment. But conservation requires collective efforts,” said Kyamujara.
