The information circulated on social and mainstream media last week. It was reported that UAE banned visas application for 20 African countries including Rwanda.
Rwanda’s Embassy in UAE has through a statement released on 26th October 2022 indicated that no visa ban on Rwandans has been placed, noting that relations between both countries remain intact.
“The Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda in the United Arab Emirates informs the public that recent media reports of UAE via ban on Rwandans are false and misleading. Citizens of Rwanda continue to enjoy all categories of UAE visas including visit visa,” reads the statement in part.
Meanwhile, UAE recently announced new reforms for visa applicants.
Rwanda’s Embassy in UAE has also advised Rwandans on UAE’s new visa reforms officially launched on 3rd October 2022.
Under the new reforms, Rwandans like other applicants seeking a visit visa are required to provide proof of hotel booking for the duration of stay, valid return and onward ticket.
In case of home stay, the applicant is required to present an invitation letter from the host along with the address including phone and identity card, passport number of the host in UAE.
Rwanda opened embassy in UAE on 8th March 2018. Both countries have cooperation in the areas of investment and tourism.
The Head of State made the remarks on Tuesday 25th October 2022 as he officiated the opening of a three-day Mobile World Congress (MWC) Africa organized by the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA).
The summit held on the African continent for the first time brought together over 2000 participants form more than 50 countries.
These include major players in mobile telecommunication, ministers of ICT, non-profit organizations, investors and researchers among others.
The summit to be concluded on 27th October 2022 is expected to create opportunities for investment and cooperation to increase the number of smartphone owners and internet users in Africa.
President Kagame has said that digital technologies are a catalytic force for development in Africa but pointed out existing challenges where almost half of adults in low- and middle-income countries do not have access to the internet, even when living in areas with broadband coverage.
“Digital infrastructure is key, but it is not enough. To leverage the potential of connectivity, investments in digital skills and literacy must be integrated in our national policies,” he said.
The Head of State pointed out an example of Rwanda, where Kigali Innovation City aims to develop a competitive and productive workforce and a conducive environment for start-ups, with the support of the private sector.
The project to be set up in Kigali Special Economic Zone in Gasabo District will be completed at a tune of US$2 billion.
It comprises buildings that will host international universities, tech companies, and commercial buildings among others. The facility will sit on 70 hectares.
Some of buidlings under this –project including premises of Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) and African Leadership University (ALU) have been completed.
Considering the project under development, Kagame said that Africa is home to creative and tech-savvy youth, looking for the right platform to contribute solutions.
“We cannot afford to reduce them to a statistic, only, or sit idly by, as they seek opportunity outside of Africa. Our young people have a lot to offer. We must do our part, and keep our promise to them,” he noted.
The President highlighted that significant strides have been made on the continent to accelerate the digital transformation, through initiatives spearheaded by the African Union and Smart Africa, among others.
{{Aligning technology with good governance}}
Kagame also stressed the need to create a more enabling legal and regulatory environment to leave no one behind.
He underscored that everyone, regardless of status, gender, or nationality, must benefit, ‘if we want to create lasting change’.
The President said that emerging technologies are shaping the economic future everywhere in the world, as well as the conditions for peace and security.
“To speed up prosperity, technology has to go hand in hand with good governance,” he noted.
The Director General of the GSMA, Mats Granryd said that the Africa presents a lot of investment opportunities in digital technologies that will contribute to the continent’s economic growth.
Last year, over 500 million Africans had mobile phones. The figures represent 46% of Sub-Saharan Africa’s population. The number is projected to increase to more than 600 million in 2025.
Granryd explained that mobile penetration contributes to countries’ economies considering that fact that the use of mobile phones contributes 5% of the global GDP (US$500 billion).
In the Sub-Saharan Africa, using mobile phones contributed 8% (US$140 billion) to the total GDP in 2021. It also created over 3.2 million jobs.
However, there is still a long way to go as a half of the global population (3.6 billion) has no access to internet.
The two-day hike that started on Friday, 21st October 2022 comprised of hikers from partner institutions – RSSB, I&M Bank, BK Arena, RTC, Amakoro Lodge and all BK Subsidiaries – with a total number of 20 hikers. The whole team reached the summit safely and thankful for everyone who supported this noble cause.
‘”It is our utmost honor and privilege to be part of this toughest challenge for youth education. We are living our motto of Financially transforming lives, in addition to raising awareness for education as a key pillar for sustainable growth,” said Nathalie Mpaka, Chief Finance Officer at Bank of Kigali.
“We believe with this contribution, more students are given a chance to go to school and more importantly the hope for a brighter future,” she added.
This is the second consecutive year of hiking Karisimbi and raising funds for Agahozo Shalom Youth Village.
Last year’s hikers raised Rwf70 million for youth education through ASYV.
Nizigiyimana, an illegal mineral dealer, was at the time attempting to cross the lake from Gasange Sector to Kiramuruzi, both in Gatsibo District.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Hamdun Twizeyimana, the Police spokesperson for the Eastern region, said that Nizigiyimana was reported by water transport operators in Lake Muhazi.
“Nizigiyimana, who had a motorcycle, boarded a boat from Gasange to cross Lake Muhazi going to Kiramuruzi, but boat operators, after noticing that he had minerals, suspected him of being a smuggler or to have stolen them.
They called the Police Marine detachment in Kiramuruzi, which took him into custody, seized the minerals and impounded his motorcycle registration number RRA 846R,” SP Twizeyimana said.
It is suspected that Nizigiyimana was attempting to cross the lake en-route to Fumbwe Sector in Rwamagana District, where he had a potential buyer.
“The suspect is detained at Kiramuruzi Police station, but the search for his accomplices is still underway,” SP Twizeyimana said.
Article 54 of the law N° 58/2018 of 13/08/2018 on mining and quarry operations, states that; any person, who undertakes mineral or quarry exploration, exploitation, processing or trading without a licence, commits an offence.
Upon conviction, the offender is liable to imprisonment for a term of between two and six months and a fine of not less than Rwf1 million and not more than Rwf5 million or only one of these penalties.
The court also orders confiscation of any seized minerals or quarry in storage, trading or processing without a license.
Despite the presence of armed groups in DRC which have increased to more than 130; Tshisekedi, his country’s cabinet members and Congolese at large have directed their attention to M23 rebel group which has been controlling Bunagana town at the border with Uganda for the past four months.
DRC has been accusing Rwanda of supporting M23 but the rebel group has repeatedly indicated that it wants the Congolese government to implement peace accords signed in 2013.
Rarely, one can find discussions involving Tshisekedi during his recent visit to the UK where he did not hint at Rwanda.
From talks held with King Charles III to his interactions with Congolese diaspora in UK, Rwanda remained on the table of discussions.
The Financial Times recently reported that Congolese continue to accuse Rwanda of waging a war in eastern DRC and blame Western countries for remaining silent on the issue.
Rwanda’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Johnston Busingye has hinted at the reasons why Congolese continue to yell but fail to get attention from targeted countries, mainly from Europe and the United States of America (USA).
Amb. Busingye has explained that DRC’s problems are domiciled in its capital Kinshasa where the country has to own up its problems instead of shifting the blame to others.
He went on to say that there is the presence of over 130 armed groups occupying large swathes of eastern DRC, violating every human right known to law including routinely raping women and girls but overlooked by the country.
“No Government isn’t worried because of violent armed rebel groups that sprout like mushrooms anywhere in the DRC,” Amb. Busingye tweeted.
Figures show that Congolese Army (FARDC) and ADF were main contributors to insecurity in eastern part of DRC from 2017 to 2022.
Reports indicate that ADF was involved in 451 incidents undermining security, FARDC in 416 while M23 was reportedly involved in one.
Considering the situation, Amb. Busingye said no government isn’t worried by the rate of violations of rights, including rape, murder and pillage among others committed by FARDC yet it still the national army still.
The United Nations (UN) Experts Report released in August this year accuses Rwanda of supporting M23 on one hand and blames DRC army for collaboration with FDLR terrorist group during its fight with M23.
The report indicates that the shelling on Rwandan territory in May this year was done on the order issued by FDLR officer who was working with Congolese soldiers.
“No Government wouldn’t be as worried as Rwanda that the FDLR, the Hutu extremist violent genocidal armed rebel militia, whose aim is violent return, is warmly hosted in the DRC since 1994, launches attacks on Rwanda at will, and commits untold crime against DRC citizens,” said Busingye.
Rwanda maintains that FDLR is the root cause for insecurity in eastern DRC, instead of the country’s accusations that Rwanda is behind its security problems.
The terrorist group has been spreading genocide ideology and harassed Kinyarwanda-speaking citizens whom partition history placed in Belgian Congo, Zaire in the current DRC.
This led to the creation of rebel groups including M23 to defend their rights.
Busingye highlights that Congolese government ignores the reality and accuse Rwanda of invading its land, supporting M23, pillaging gold, chimpanzees, and gorillas or quote a non-existent UN report ‘that can’t be remembered even in 12 hours’.
He wondered which position countries can consider or situation that would raise worries yet the country is putting forward baseless accusations.
“No Government isn’t aware that M23 is a DRC issue by identity, history and geography though DRC chooses distraction over reality,” said Amb. Busingye.
“To accuse is one, easy part. To accuse and try to prove is a different other part. But to accuse, regardless of proof, because it is politically expedient to do so, is a completely other part that takes a special type of courage to accomplish,” he added.
Analysts explain that Tshisekedi try to externalize his country’s problems to Rwanda to cover his shame over failing to fulfill promises to Congolese as he seeks to contend for another term next year.
On Monday 24th October 2022, the Government of Rwanda released a statement condemning DRC for continual blame games and contradictory assertions to externalize its problems to Rwanda yet it has not ceased to collaborate with FDLR.
The Head of State was addressing participants of the African Philanthropy Forum (APF) Conference taking place for two days in Kigali.
The African Philanthropy Forum is a strong and vibrant community of partners who through their strategic giving, investments and influence, foster shared prosperity on the African continent.
Established in 2014, PF seeks to promote philanthropies with the involvement of Africans and strive for an inclusive development of the African continent.
It brings together over 1400 philanthropists from across the world.
As he presided over the opening ceremony of the forum’s two-day conference on Monday 24th October 2022, President Kagame highlighted the need to increase Africans participation in philanthropies.
“Increasing philanthropic initiatives by African individuals and organizations is critically important, but not only because of the money. It is about having the dignity, as Africans, to choose for ourselves the future we want, and work diligently towards it, together,” he said.
The conference is held under the theme “African Philanthropists Closing the Gender Gap.” It brought together stakeholders in the African philanthropy community to intensify partnerships for greater impact in the gender equity and empowerment space.
Commenting on the issue of gender inequalities, Kagame said: “Discrimination against women and girls is fuelled by distorted mindsets that perceive women as inferior to men. To begin with, men must reject and reverse this. Now, even women, you must refuse that. They are not inferior.”
Rwanda hosts the meeting at a time when it is among top countries promoting the principle of gender balance.
Currently, Rwanda registers 65% of women representation in parliament and 50% in the cabinet.
The incident happened in the night of Sunday leading to Monday in Rugunga Village, Gihinga Cell of Rwinkwavu Sector, Kayonza District in Eastern Province.
The Executive Secretary of Rwinkwavu Sector, Claude Murekezi has told IGIHE that the old woman who lived alone was found dead at his home stabbed on the neck.
“It is apparent that someone went to her home and stabbed her to death. The suspect who stabbed her on the neck is on the run. Rwanda Investigation Bureau and other security officials have visited the crime scene and launched investigation. The knife used to stab her was also found at home,” he said.
Murekezi has advised residents against self-administered justice for people in conflicts and reminded them to seek assistance.
“We strongly condemn such cruelty. Residents should seek assistance from leaders instead of committing such crimes. Whoever found guilty, will face the law,” he noted.
Following the incident, the woman’s body was taken to Rwinkwavu Hospital for postmortem before burial.
Rwanda’s Presidency has revealed via Twitter handle that Kagame met with Graça Machel on Monday 24th October 2022.
She has come to Rwanda to attend a two-day African Philanthropy Forum (APF) Conference taking place in Kigali.
Graça Machel,77, is the Founder of Graça Machel Trust and the Foundation for Community Development.
She is the only woman in modern history to have served as First Lady of two countries; South Africa and Mozambique.
Graça Machel is one of the world’s leading advocates for women’s and children’s rights and has been a social justice and political activist for many decades.
She established the Graça Machel Trust in 2010 as a Pan-African advocacy organisation focused on child health and nutrition, education, women’s economic and financial empowerment, leadership and good governance.
Over the past years, the Trust has worked to “Multiply the Faces and Amplify the Voices” of African women and children.
Through collaboration with partners, at all levels, the organization has helped promote and strengthen women and children’s networks to drive social and economic change.
The Graça Machel Trust acts as a catalyst, working across the continent to advocate for the protection of children’s rights and dignity, and amplify women’s movements by harnessing and promoting their contributions to the economic, social and political development of Africa.
It works with global, regional and local partners who are passionate about creating profound change in the issues of focus.
Rwanda has highlighted its position through a statement released on Monday 24th October 2022.
“Contrary to the assertions of the President of DRC that his country is focused on a diplomatic solution to the insecurity in eastern DRC, recent statements and actions show that the DRC Government is decided on a course of continued military escalation. Furthermore, FARDC continues to operate alongside irregular armed militias, including FDLR,” reads the statement in part.
The statement further reads that the Congolese Army (FARDC)’s buildup ‘to renew attacks on M23, a Congolese armed group, is in violation of the agreed regional security mechanisms, including the Nairobi and Luanda processes’.
“Continued public incitement on the basis of ethnicity, use of heavy weaponry, targeting of Rwanda’s border zone, and baseless accusations against Rwanda are unacceptable,” adds the statement.
Despite continued provocations by DRC authorities and armed forces, the statement reads, Rwanda reiterates its firm commitment to contributing to a sustainable, peaceful regional security solution within the agreed regional frameworks.
Rwanda has however indicated that ‘the continual, unjustified attempts to make Rwanda a scapegoat for the internal political problems of DRC will continue to be categorically rejected’.
The statement is released, few days after Congolese Army resumed fighting with M23 amidst the country’s continual allegations accusing Rwanda of supporting the rebel group.
As Tshisekedi met with Congolese diaspora in the United Kingdom on Wednesday last week, he dragged Rwanda into his country’s mess saying that war will be the ultimate option in case diplomatic negotiations fail.
At the time, Tshisekedi also met with King Charles III where he highlighted that discussion on Rwanda was on the agenda of his visit.
Tshisekedi requested King Charles III to use his power in Commonwealth and demand Rwanda to stop destabilizing eastern DRC so that security can be restored in the Great Lakes Region.
However, Rwanda maintains that FDLR is the major cause of insecurity in the region.
Violating Zebra Crossing, one-way traffic, green zones and making U-turn at prohibited junctions; all become a common phenomenon. In some circumstances, these serious violations have resulted into preventable accidents.
In an effort to prevent these reckless human behaviors and to ensure safety of all road users, the Rwanda National Police (RNP) department of Traffic and Road Safety has now started operations not only to educate but also to penalize violators.
In operations conducted on Monday morning, October 24, along the newly upgraded Sonatube-Kicukiro centre highway; at least 150 road users were caught in various violations.
RNP spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera warned against such high risk behaviors and urged all road users to abide by the traffic rules and regulations.
“In a space of just three hours, about 150 road users were caught in various violations. They include drivers and motorcyclists, who were speeding through pedestrian walkways, taxi-moto operators and cyclists who were riding on the wrong side of the road violating one-way traffic, and those crossing the road through green zones; motorists who were making U-turn at prohibited junctions; and pedestrians who were crossing the road through protected green zones, which is also prohibited,” CP Kabera said.
Most pedestrians claimed ignorance about regulations on green spaces of the road.
“I did not know that crossing through green areas of the road is punishable. I have been doing this unknowingly, but today, I was caught by the Police in the morning as I was rushing to work. This is a lesson to me, and I guess a lesson to many others,” said Theogene Iyangabiye.
Equally, Cyusa Louange argued that she used to cross the road from anywhere including through green spaces. “I was only thinking about not being hit by a vehicle or motorcycle but not the green spaces.”
CP Kabera said that this is a combination of operations and awareness to educate road users on road safety standards to influence behavioral change to save lives lost in accidents and to protect the environment.
“Motorists do not respect Zebra Crossing and make U-turn at prohibited junctions; cyclists have also made it a habit to violate the one-way traffic and pedestrians destroy the protected green spaces.
Sadly, there are also taxi-moto operators and cyclists, who ride through these restricted green spaces,” CP Kabera said.
He added: “People should not be penalized for putting their lives and those of others at risk of accidents. Respecting traffic rules and regulations should be an individual responsibility. These specific operations that have started today will continue.”
Although the first day of target operations was mainly on education, CP Kabera cautioned that the next step will be to penalize errant road users.
