The statement was made by the AU Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat, expressing his concern over the expanding conflict in the country.
The chairperson “notes with dismay, the reopening of traumatic wounds for many Darfurians, who for over the past twenty years, have lived in Abu Shok as a place of refuge, but fighting resumed there in recent days,” an AU statement issued Monday read.
Noting the deteriorating security situation in Sudan, Faki, in particular, expressed concern over recent reports of the renewed attacks on the Abu Shouk camp for internally displaced persons, as well as the spread of the fighting to Wad Medani in Gezira state.
“Similarly, attacks on Wad Medani have opened up a new front in the Sudanese war that is now in its ninth month,” the chairperson said.
Noting the Wad Medani area has in recent months welcomed millions of Sudanese civilians who have fled the fighting in the capital Khartoum, Faki said many previously displaced people are being forced to flee for a second time since the outbreak of the conflict in April 2023.
The AU Commission chairperson called on the warring parties in Sudan, the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, “to immediately cease hostilities and participate meaningfully in negotiations towards building and sustaining peace in Sudan.”
He reaffirmed the readiness of the AU to continue to work with key national stakeholders, and regional and global actors including the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the League of Arab States and the United Nations, toward the swift resolution of the conflict in Sudan.
The EAC Secretariat issued a statement on December 18, informing stakeholders that the EAC would not physically attend the elections due to the denial of the request by relevant authorities.
Despite this setback, the EAC expressed its commitment to wishing the Government and people of the DR Congo peaceful elections and reiterated its dedication to fulfilling its mandate to all Partner States.
The European Union and its Member States in a Team Europe approach are investing more than €900 million in Rwanda under Global Gateway, Europe’s investment programme for the world. The Presidents discussed investments in areas including health, critical raw materials, the agro-food industry, climate resilience and education.
President von der Leyen announced an additional €40 million Global Gateway investment in the development of a vibrant biopharmaceutical industry and local manufacturing of vaccines, medicines and health products in Rwanda, which was welcomed by President Kagame.
The funds will benefit particularly higher, technical and vocational education and training, research and development, entrepreneurship, and supply chains.
With the investment announced on Monday, Team Europe’s support to local manufacturing and access to vaccines, medicines and health technologies in Rwanda amounts to approximately €94 million.
The leaders also witnessed the signature of the Joint Declaration on Critical Raw Materials Value Chains between the Government of Rwanda and the European Investment Bank. The declaration builds on the robust working relationship between the EU and Rwanda in the mining sector and paves the way for an even more significant and comprehensive strategic partnership in the field of critical raw materials under the Global Gateway strategy.
Commenting on the development, President Kagame said: “As a continent, we still rely heavily on imports for vaccines and medicines. We want to change this, and the long-term solution is to strengthen our manufacturing and scientific capacity. Again, the European Union has been very active in this, trying to support us in this development.
Earlier today, the President and I attended the inauguration of BioNTech’s vaccine manufacturing site. The European Union, and President von der Leyen personally, helped to make this a reality.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: “On the global scene, the EU and Rwanda see eye-to-eye on many matters and we warmly welcome Rwanda’s climate leadership.
Rwanda is also a key partner for Europe under Global Gateway, which is investing 150 billion euros in Africa. Global Gateway, Europe’s investment strategy for the world, comes with the highest environmental and social standards, and with transparency.
We share technology and knowledge, and we train the local workforce. We bring the support of the entire Team Europe, from public and financing institutions, and private sector investment. All this helps to create good, local jobs for Rwandans.”
Approximately €380 million of Global Gateway investments by Team Europe support the development of the agro-food industry.
Team Europe also invests almost €320 million in sustainable, climate-proof cities, including in urban mobility, and an estimated €100 million in inclusive pre-primary education in Rwanda.
The Government of Rwanda confirmed its interest to commence negotiations on an Economic Partnership Agreement with the EU and agreed to launch a process to scope the negotiations.
President Kagame and President von der Leyen welcomed Rwanda signing the Samoa Agreement in Brussels just before their bilateral meeting. The Samoa Agreement will form the foundation of the partnership between the European Union and the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States for the next 20 years.
The signing ceremony at MINECOFIN was attended by several high-level authorities from various institutions, among them Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana, CEO of BRD Ms. Kampeta Sayinzoga and the Parliamentary State Secretary of the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Dr. Bärbel Kofler.
A grant of total EUR 15.6 million (approx. Rwf 20 billion) is made available by the German Financial Cooperation, implemented by KfW on behalf of the German Government. The facility will furnish the banking sector through BRD with tailor-made guarantee products, incentivizing them to provide higher financing volumes and longer tenures to their clients, and hence enhancing their access to finance and other financial services.
The establishment of the EGCF is a continuation of a long-lasting and successful relationship between BRD and KfW which inter alia also introduced the Export Growth Facility (EGF), a vehicle which provides adequate financial services to SMEs through the Rwandan banking sector since many years.
Speaking after the signing event, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana welcomed the EGCF and expressed his expectation that it will allow Rwandan businesses to access new markets and expand their operations, ultimately increasing the country’s overall export revenues. “ECGF will help to create new jobs and foster economic growth by providing a more stable business environment that will support the economic empowerment of the Rwandan people,” Minister Ndagijimana added.
Kampeta Sayinzoga, CEO of BRD, highlighted BRD is deeply committed to fostering sustainable economic development within the region and beyond. ECGF aligns with the Bank’s overarching goal of promoting inclusive growth through strategic interventions in key sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, and technology- especially SMEs seeking to venture into export markets.
Through tailored financial solutions and advisory services, BRD aims to empower SMEs with the tools they need to compete internationally and contribute significantly to trade diversification and job creation.
This facility plays a pivotal role in mitigating risks associated with international trade. By providing credit guarantees to exporters and financial institutions, we are enabling businesses to expand their global reach and seize opportunities in foreign markets.
Dr. Bärbel Kofler, Parliamentary State Secretary of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) commended the innovative approach of the EGCF as a testimony to the continuing strong ties between Germany and Rwanda and the long-lasting collaboration between KfW and BRD in the area of Financial Systems Development.
She particularly welcomed the improvement of access to finance for women-led enterprises as a contribution to the new strategy on feminist development policy, which is of particular importance to the German Government.
During the rally, Tshisekedi asserted that the Congolese Army has the capability to shell Kigali while stationed in Goma, just kilometers away from the ongoing conflict with the M23 rebel group.
He assured Kinshasa residents that they need not fear, as the Congolese Army possesses the potential to disrupt President Paul Kagame’s peace.
Tshisekedi warned that upon the first sign of aggression towards Goma, he would convene parliamentarians to seek approval for a military intervention in Rwanda.
These statements echo previous claims by Tshisekedi and other Congolese officials, accusing Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebel group, allegations vehemently denied by Rwanda.
Despite campaign pledges starting on November 19, 2023, where Tshisekedi accused Rwanda of invading and causing suffering in eastern DRC, Rwanda has maintained its commitment to addressing instability in the region without succumbing to provocations.
Tshisekedi’s rhetoric escalated when he compared President Kagame to Adolf Hitler, expressing a desire for a similar end to the dictator.
Despite DRC’s provocative statements, Rwanda remains steadfast, emphasizing its readiness to contribute to resolving instability in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The statement released by RDF reads that four soldiers with the rank of Brigadier General have been promoted to Major General while 17 have been elevated from the rank of Colonel to Brigadier General.
Among others, 83 have been promoted from the rank of Lieutenant Colonel to Colonel, 98 from Major to Lieutenant Colonel, 295 from Captain to Major while four have been promoted from Lieutenant to Captain.
The statement also indicates that 226 non-commissioned officers have been promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant.
About 100 female Police officers from different departments and units across the country came together in a one day meeting to share and harmonize experiences and to ensure timely intervention.
The dialogue provided a platform for the female RNP officers to share knowledge and ideas for proper interventions; to strengthen the Regional Centre of Excellence’s capacity to build the skills of security organs; and to enhance networking and collaboration with other service providers to jointly address the the vice.
The Deputy Inspector General of Police DIGP in charge of Administration and Personnel, Jeanne Chantal Ujeneza, while opening the meeting, said that RNP is committed to fight all forms of GBV.
She pointed out that gender desks, training, awareness and seminars are some of the means through which GBV and child abuse issues are addressed.
The Deputy Police Chief commended the role of different partners in tackling these human rights violations.
She appealed to the women police officers give it due attention in their policing tasks.
Clement Kirenga from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), said that achieving sustainable development goal goes with tackling violations still faced by women and children.
“No country can achieve sustainable development goals while women and girls are still facing gender based violence challenges,” Kirenga said.
Situated in Gasabo District and spanning 300,000 square meters, the state-of-the-art facility is hailed as one of the most advanced in the world. President Kagame commended the project, emphasizing its potential to democratize vaccine technology. He expressed pride in the facility’s diverse African workforce, highlighting its capability to produce vaccines of equivalent quality to those produced elsewhere.
President Kagame acknowledged the challenges of vaccine inequity faced by Africa during the pandemic and emphasized the collective commitment of Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, and Ghana to spearhead vaccine manufacturing on the continent. BioNTech aims to produce mRNA-based vaccines, including potential solutions for diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria.
The President extended gratitude to various partners, including the European Commission, the World Health Organization (WHO), the African Development Bank (AfDB), and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), for their pivotal roles in supporting Rwanda’s pharmaceutical initiatives.
He announced a new phase of collaboration with the IFC to ensure sustained investment in Rwanda’s pharmaceutical ecosystem.
President Kagame underscored the importance of trust and cooperation in achieving the milestone, praising the swift mobilization of global support. He cited the presence of Barbados Prime Minister Mia Motley as an example of broader collaboration, emphasizing the need for deeper cooperation between Africa and the Caribbean.
The facility’s launch coincides with the initiative to increase Africa’s vaccine self-sufficiency, with the goal of producing 60 times more vaccine doses on the continent by 2040. President Kagame’s remarks showcased a shared commitment to global health equity and resilience in the face of future challenges.
During the inauguration event, Ugur Sahin, BioNTech’s co-founder and CEO, outlined the company’s plans for the newly launched facility. He stated that construction will be completed by 2024, with local personnel training commencing, and mRNA validation testing initiated in 2025.
Initially, the facility will be equipped with two BioNTainers, one dedicated to mRNA production and the other for the formulated bulk drug product. These BioNTainers are designed to manufacture various mRNA-based vaccines tailored to the needs of African Union member states. Potential vaccines include the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine, as well as investigational malaria and tuberculosis vaccines, pending regulatory approval.
Sahin emphasized the facility’s advanced capabilities, with BioNTainers capable of producing over 50 million doses annually for public supply or pandemic response, or alternatively, 10,000 doses for clinical trials. While acknowledging the work ahead, Sahin outlined the goal to operate the facility on global standards.
The quantity of BioNTech’s production will vary based on the mRNA product’s characteristics, such as dose size and composition. The company aims to bridge the accessibility gap for medicines and make them more affordable, as highlighted by Barbados Prime Minister Mia Motley.
Ursula Von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, underscored the challenges in global vaccine production capacities and emphasized the collaborative effort between Africa and Europe to bring both vaccines and mRNA technology to the continent.
The event was attended by other leaders, including Presidents Macky Sall of Senegal and Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana. BioNTech also revealed plans to conduct clinical trials in Africa for malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV vaccines in 2024, aiming to provide these vaccines to lower-income countries at a not-for-profit price upon regulatory approval.
At a press conference in the capital Cairo, the NEA said the turnout reached 66.8 percent of the total 67 million eligible voters.
Voting in Egypt took place on Dec. 10-12, while Egyptians abroad cast their vote from Dec. 1 to Dec. 3 in 121 countries.
Four candidates ran for the presidency, namely Sisi, the Social Democratic Party’s Farid Zahran, Al-Wafd Party’s Abdel-Sanad Yamama, and Hazem Omar from the People’s Republican Party.
The panel of five judges led by Deputy Chief Justice Richard Buteera received written submission and arguments from gay rights activists and civil society organizations seeking to declare the new legislation, which President Yoweri Museveni signed into law in May 2023, “null and void.”
Buteera said in court that the judges will deliver the court’s judgment on notice to the petitioners and government Attorney General defense lawyers.
At the court’s direction, all the parties filed written submissions and agreed not to introduce any new documents or pleadings during the hearings.
“The court will notify us when they are ready. The court has an opportunity to decide whether the constitution of Uganda affords all Ugandans, including LGBTQI+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex) individuals, equal protection under the law,” Nicholas Opiyo, one of the petitioners’ lawyers, told the press after submission of the written statements.
