The UN migration agency, in its latest situation update issued Friday, said as of Tuesday, more than 60,000 people have arrived in Ethiopia through multiple border crossing points in Amhara, Benishangul Gumz and Gambella Regions.
It said the armed conflict in Sudan has forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee to neighboring countries.
Figures from IOM show that from the total of 60,046 people who have crossed into Ethiopia, 30,606 are Ethiopian nationals, 15,541 Sudanese while the remaining 13,899 are third country nationals.
IOM said it has scaled up presence at border crossing points and its migration response center in Metema, providing multi-sectoral assistance to arriving people, including health, water and sanitation, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support, onward transportation and tailored protection assistance.
It, however, expressed its concerns regarding gaps associated with onward transportation, inadequate access to life-saving services including food, non-food items, water, sanitation and hygiene as well as health.
IOM further said heavy rains have made the conditions and terrains very difficult for aid workers to provide timely support. It said protection services are a major concern, with gender based violence case management requiring urgent attention.
Sudan has witnessed deadly armed clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in the capital city of Khartoum and other areas since April 15, with the two sides accusing each other of initiating the conflict.
The deals, involving areas like advanced technology, modern agriculture, health sciences, and higher education, were announced at the ongoing 2023 China-Africa Innovation Cooperation and Development Forum.
Chinese universities, alongside research and medical institutions as well as corporations, have entered into partnerships with their African counterparts in Ethiopia, Nigeria, Egypt, Ghana, South Africa, Tunisia, Kenya, and Mozambique.
The partnerships cover diverse areas such as smart city development, multimedia communication, energy storage, water-saving irrigation, sesame variety improvement, prevention and treatment of tumors, and infrastructure.
Zhang Xiao, director of the China-Africa Innovation Cooperation Center, noted that the extensive coverage of the signed projects reflects the deepening innovative collaboration between China and Africa.
“Amending the constitution to harmonize the date for parliamentary and presidential polls will help save money and time used for conducting each election,” said Edda Mukabagwiza, deputy speaker of the Chamber of Deputies in charge of parliamentary affairs, after the vote.
The bill for the constitutional amendment was proposed by the president and first approved by the Rwandan Cabinet in March this year.
Wednesday’s final vote by lawmakers means the parliamentary elections originally scheduled for September this year will be delayed until August next year, the date set for presidential polls, according to officials.
According to the National Electoral Commission, holding parliamentary and presidential elections at the same time could save the country about 6 billion Rwandan francs (about 5 million U.S. dollars).
This is the second amendment to the country’s constitution since 2015 when it was amended to reduce presidential tenure to two five-year terms.
These remarks were made on 4th July 2023 as Rwandans residing in the Netherlands celebrated 29th Liberation Anniversary.
The event was attended by Mrs. Martine Van Hoogstraten, Deputy Director for Sub-Saharan Africa in the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, members of the diplomatic corps, and representatives from international organizations among others.
“This evening, we are not only celebrating a national day but also commemorating the values and principles of togetherness and prosperity, friendship and cooperation, and multilateralism and international law,” Amb. Nduhungirehe stated.
He emphasized that these three sets of values are fundamental to Rwanda’s progress and development.
Rwanda’s Liberation Day, which falls in the same month as Independence Day on July 1st, marks the anniversary of the overthrow of the ethnic regime responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Amb. Nduhungirehe also reflected on Rwanda’s liberation journey, highlighting the critical role played by unity, reconciliation, and togetherness in rebuilding the nation after the destruction caused by a divisive ideology propagated by the colonial administration and successive regimes.
Prosperity has been a core objective of the Rwandan government since the end of the genocide, leading to significant socio-economic transformation over the past 29 years.
Amb. Nduhungirehe acknowledged that Rwanda’s independence in 1962 was not marked by national unity and celebration, but rather by pogroms and persecution within the Rwandan community, supported by the colonial administration.
Despite this, Rwanda also honors its Independence Day as an integral part of its history.
Besides, Amb. Nduhungirehe considered the celebration as an opportunity to recognize the friendship and cooperation between Rwanda and partner countries, including the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
These partnerships have contributed to Rwanda’s development, particularly in areas such as e-governance, FinTech, manufacturing industry, and technology.
Amb. Nduhungirehe expressed gratitude for the Netherlands’ support in Rwanda’s judicial sector and their efforts to promote accountability for the genocide. He also highlighted the significant trade, investments, and cooperation in critical sectors such as agriculture and water resources management between the two countries.
Moving beyond aid to trade, he expressed hope for the continued flourishing of friendship and cooperation between Rwanda and the Netherlands.
The celebration also served as an occasion to emphasize the importance of multilateralism and international law.
Amb. Nduhungirehe underlined Rwanda’s belief in multilateralism as a means of fostering international togetherness where he expressed support for institutions such as the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and called for continued backing of its work to build a better world free of chemical weapons.
Among others, he acknowledged the contribution of The Hague-based international courts to peace, justice, and international law, which Rwanda greatly appreciates.
Martine Van Hoogstraten, Deputy Director for Sub-Saharan Africa in the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed delight for joining the celebrations of Rwanda’s 29th Liberation Day and the 61st Independence Day.
She underscored the importance of reflecting on the challenges Rwanda has overcome and commended the country’s efforts to honor the victims of Genocide against the Tutsi.
Hoogstraten also encouraged participants to visit a commemorative statue built in Beatrixpark in honour of victims of Genocide against the Tutsi, noting that it symbolizes deep connection between the two nations.
During the event held on Wednesday 5th July 2023, Defence Attachés were briefed on Rwanda’s internal and external security situation, updates on RDF bilateral engagements in Mozambique and the Central African Republic and RDF participation in peacekeeping operations.
In his remarks while welcoming the DAs, the RDF Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Mubarakh Muganga said that the security brief was an important way to pursue defence cooperation and mutual understanding ‘between our countries’. He emphasized that RDF firmly believes in cooperation and strong partnership with allies.
The President of the Defence Attachés Association, Col Didier Calmant congratulated RDF colleagues on the occasion of Rwanda Liberation Day. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity given to them to attend the briefings and exchange views on security and defence matters. He said that their participation in the periodic security briefs was an important milestone.
The briefing was organised by the RDF-International Military Cooperation Department and involved 30 Defence Attachés and Associates representing 23 countries namely Algeria, Belgium, Botswana, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Kenya, The Netherlands, Poland, Russia, South Korea, Sweden, Sudan, Türkiye, Uganda, United Kingdom, USA and Zimbabwe
After the brief at RDF Headquarters, the DAs also toured the Rwanda Military Academy Gako that trains RDF troops for Peace Support Operations and cadet officers’ course.
RDF organizes Defence Attachés Security Briefings periodically to provide the opportunity to resident and non-resident DAs to meet and exchange views on current security dynamics at national, regional and international level with a view to enhance cooperation between Defence and security forces.
The Head of State made the remarks on Wednesday 6th July 2023 as he addressed participants of the 45th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) held in Trinidad and Tobago.
Kagame is among dignitaries invited to attend the meeting that coincided with the organization’s celebration of its 50th anniversary.
Other guests include US State Secretary, Anthony Blinken, Chinese Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister, Hua Chunying and others.
As he delivered remarks, Kagame stated that the meeting took place at a time when Haiti , as a member of the block, is faced with a security crisis which cannot be overlooked.
He went on to say that Rwanda’s history is a testament that nothing is beyond repair.
“Rwanda and Haiti enjoy long-standing ties of friendship. The history of my country shows that no matter how bad things are, nothing is beyond repair, and there is always a way forward,” said Kagame.
The President emphasized that it is always the onus of leaders to take the leading step in desired transformations.
“The turning point starts with the leaders in the country, and the wider region, at different levels, coming together to forge a new, unified path. When that process begins to occur, then external support can be part of the solution, instead of being part of the problem,” he noted.
Kagame reminisced on Haiti’s situation at a time when the country has been faced with insecurity that began when the country’s President Jovenel Moïse was shot dead on 7th July 2021.
As of today, the United Nations shows that a large part of the country’s capital, Port-au-Prince, is controlled by armed groups that killed over 2000 people while more than 1000 were kidnapped in 2022.
The security crisis was an addition to other problems the country had been experiencing including food crisis, epidemics and drug trafficking.
Following the meeting, President Kagame and the Prime Minister of Haiti, Dr. Ariel Henry held a closed-door meeting for discussions on potential solutions to address the security challenges impeding Haiti’s progress.
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Apart from the Haiti security crisis, President Kagame stressed the need for collaboration between the Caribbean and African countries.
“The horrors of the Middle Passage, and the indignities of colonialism, join our peoples in a shared story of struggle, survival, resilience and, ultimately, renewal,” he stated.
“Many intellectuals and professionals from the Caribbean served in Africa in the years after independence, helping to build our new institutions,” added Kagame.
The President further called for concerted efforts to reinforce the cooperation between the Caribbean and Africa.
“We need to come together in real terms and focus on concrete initiatives which address the challenges that nations like ours face today. It is possible to do so,” he remarked.
“As smaller countries, we gather strength by working together in our regional organizations, integrating our economies, and sharing infrastructure costs,” added Kagame.
Citing an example of partnership between Rwanda, Guyana and Barbados where they have embarked on a program of mutual support for the local manufacturing of vaccines and medicines; Kagame highlighted that the cooperation between Africa and the Caribbean is possible.
The Head of State disclosed that the cooperation can involve enabling the free movement of people by removing obstacles to travel and exchange.
It is reported that Col Simba, 85, died on July 4, 2023, in Benin, where he had been residing since his early release by the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT).
Simba was a former soldier of the Rwanda Armed Forces (FAR) and was among the soldiers who assisted former President Juvénal Habyarimana in seizing power in 1973. He served as a security adviser in Gikongoro Prefecture and Butare during as the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi unfolded.
Simba was arrested in Senegal in 2001 and subsequently transferred to Arusha, Tanzania. He was handed a 25-year sentence by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) after being found guilty of leading various attacks orchestrated by Interahamwe to exterminate Tutsis in former Butare and Gikongoro prefectures, as well as committing crimes against humanity.
In 2019, Judge Theodor Meron, the former President of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, granted Simba early release, which sparked controversy. Rwanda contested the decision, arguing that it had not been informed beforehand, as Simba had not completed his full prison term.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks on Tuesday in a letter replying to overseas students who are pursuing a master’s degree in auditing at the university based in east China’s Jiangsu Province.
In his letter, Xi said he is delighted to learn that the students have deepened their understanding of China’s audit system, socialism with Chinese characteristics and the CPC.
After years of endeavor, an audit system with Chinese characteristics has taken shape, Xi said, expressing the hope that the students will step up exchanges and mutual learning with their Chinese counterparts, take auditing as a window to better understand China and contribute to deepening friendship and cooperation among countries.
Since its launch in 2016, the international auditing master program at Nanjing Audit University has trained over 280 professionals for auditing agencies of 76 countries along the Belt and Road.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks in an important instruction after continuous heavy rainfall hit regions including southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality, causing heavy casualties and property losses.
He required the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters and the ministries of emergency management and water resources to enhance coordination, strengthen consultation and research, and improve early warnings and forecasts.
Xi underlined that leading officials at all levels must take the lead in fighting the floods, put the people’s safety and property first, and strive to minimize all kinds of losses.
His agency, Adam Bradford Agency, has operated for over ten years from its base in the United Kingdom, but in recent years Mr Bradford says he was ready for a change.
“We’d been piloting some projects across Africa as part of our mission called Everyone A Changemaker. This was our commitment to share our business and enterprise skills and impact the youth in a way that met their needs, wherever they are in the world. We worked with some of the biggest institutions for education globally such as Pearson and developed toolkits and frameworks for enterprise education,” noted Adam.
Adam also fiercely defends the governance and opportunities in Rwanda. Recently on a major British broadcaster’s television station he dismissed critics who branded Rwanda as unsafe and unfit for foreign migrants, in the ongoing debate over Britain’s deal with Rwanda to support those seeking asylum.
“Half of the people who make these throwaway comments have never visited Rwanda, or Africa even. Each one of the 54 countries of Africa has something different to offer. Rwanda offers stability, safety, opportunity and peace. I defy anyone to visit the country and not have the time of their life,” he said.
Adam has spent the past year in the Northern mountainous town of Musanze, with his community efforts focusing on rural youth.
Adam and the Agency’s work is not just rooted in communities, his brand works with major corporations and multi-national investors.
“We are proud to have just launched a special investment group in Kigali, which will provide infrastructure support to special projects in key areas for investment such as technology, real estate and healthcare. We have renewed our commitment to support ambitious entrepreneurs with cash and support to lead the way from Rwanda,” he added.
Inspired by his father’s battle with gambling addiction in England, Adam’s team have also been conducting research and activity on the continent to tackle the ever-growing societal issue of betting addiction.
The team brought one of the world’s leading harm minimisation consultancies to Rwanda to base their work combatting gambling harms over to the continent. Crucial Compliance, headed by industry veteran Paul Foster, now has a home in Rwanda thanks to Adam and his team and is starting to make inroads to base its own team from the country.
Paul, whose consultancy acquired Adam’s ‘BetProtect’ therapy app in an undisclosed deal in 2021, said: “We are creating a group of people who will support us going forward and have found the friendliness, ease of doing business and positive attitude from Rwandans a great asset in making the country our African home.”
Currently, Adam’s story is the subject of a Hollywood production, which Adam is also co-producing.
His agent Stephen Watson commented; “He had a vision – and he’s done it.’ Filming has not yet begun on the continent but will begin to take place in coming months. As always, the production will be a community affair, involving local filmmakers, photographers, production crew and talent in its production and assembly.”
The company plans to celebrate its first anniversary in Rwanda with a special event taking place on 10th August. More details can be found on the company website and will be publicised close to the time.
Last month, in Musanze, the company brought Sheffield-based entrepreneurs Andy Hanselman and Jill White from Andy Hanselman over to the country for a special edition of a 3D Leadership programme, which spanned three days, supporting young people to become creative thinkers and exceptional leaders. The programme was met with critical acclaim and there are plans afoot to expand it further in coming months and years, in collaboration with other Rwandan partners.
For now, Adam firmly has his sights set on making an impact in Rwanda and collaborating with locals, NGOs and government institutions to make a holistic difference; but using the principles of sustainability from business and enterprise to underpin everything.
The company is about to launch a number of new partnerships with charitable partners, after closing its year-long sponsorship of Rwanda Opportunities Organization in Nyabihu-district. A statement released by the company yesterday evening mentioned: “As our investment priorities change and we expand into new areas of our strategy, we close our partnership with RwandOpp.
Over the past year we have worked with them to host youth initiatives focused on rural development, skills training and entrepreneurship development. We hope our funding and support has set them on a continued path for the future.”
