Rwanda’s Presidency has via Twitter handle revealed that President Kagame will also visit Oyo, a town in the Republic of Congo located in the Cuvette Region, more than 400 km from Brazzaville.
In 2010, the town had more than 5 000 inhabitants. It is connected by paved road to Brazzaville, the capital of the country.
President Kagame is accompanied by officials including the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr. Vincent Biruta; the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana and the CEO of Rwanda Development Board, Clare Akamanzi among others.
A statement released recently on 9th April 2022 by Florent Ntsiba, the Director of Congo Brazzaville Presidential Cabinet indicates that Kagame’s visit is a response to the invitation of his counterpart and seeks to deepen bilateral relations and cooperation.
Both Heads of State are also expected to proceed to a tête-à-tête discussions. The statement also reads that Kagame will address both chambers of parliament before witnessing the signing of cooperation agreements in different areas.
Rwanda and Brazzaville relations date back in August 1982. Since then, both countries have enjoyed cooperation in the areas of diplomacy, politics and trade among others.
In November 2021, Rwanda and Brazzaville signed agreements in the areas of military cooperation, sustainable development, environmental preservation and trade promotion among others.
Following his appointment in February 2022, Byumba Diocese has announced that the ceremony will take place on 14th May 2022 at Gicumbi Stadium.
“During the ceremony, we will celebrate his 25-year Jubilee since he was orgained priest and bid farewell to the outgoing Bishop Servilien Nzakamwita,” reads part of the statement released by Byumba Diocese.
Bishop Nzakamwita is replaced three years after requesting Pope Francis to grant him retirement.
Musengamana, the new Bishop of Byumba Diocese was born on 21st August 1967 in Byimana, Ruhango District. He was ordained priest on 18th May 1997.
He holds PhD in Theology obtained from Germany in 2006.
{{[You can also read this article: Bishop Musengamana replaces Nzakamwita of Byumba Diocese->https://en.igihe.com/news/article/bishop-musengamana-replaces-nzakamwita-of-byumba-diocese]}}
The incident took place on Sunday 10th April 2022 at a time when Rwanda is commemorating Genocide against Tutsi.
The cow was stabbed from its shed in Nyabitare Village of Ruyenzi Cell.
IGIHE has learnt that Ruzindaza found his cow stabbed around 7a.m in the morning of Sunday after milking.
The executive secretary of Runda Sector , Rafiki Umwizerwa has told IGIHE that suspects have not yet identified noting that investigation into the case has been launched in collaboration with Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB).
“The hooligans have not yet been identified but we are treating the cow as efforts are underway to track suspects,” he said.
Umwizerwa appealed on residents to stand against such acts and Genocide ideology.
Despite self-evidencing facts of the heinous crime that saw victims brutally murdered 28 years ago, there are still people distorting the truth of what happened spreading propaganda to deny and undermine the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
As the world is called upon to join hands to fight genocide denial and trivialization through different platforms, some individuals have taken giant steps by writing books to tell the truth and preserve history.
There are many authors who wrote about the Genocide but we have selected five must-read books written by survivors who narrated their ordeal and how the Genocide was executed with extreme cruelty.
{{Letf to Tell}}
The book ‘Left To Tell Discovering God Amidst The Rwandan Holocaust’, was written by Immaculée Ilibagiza. It is about the author’s testimony narrating difficult times she went through during Genocide against Tutsi.
Ilibagiza talks about his path to survival hiding in a toilet of a neighbouring Hutu pastor where she spent 91 days.
As Ilibagiza narrates, she stayed there with seven more women and had neither food nor drinks. She spent all days and nights reciting the Rosary asking God to strengthen her during the trying times.
After the tragedy, she went out of the hiding place but all her relatives had been murdered except his brother who was studying abroad. Ilibagiza met face to face with the offender who killed her mother and siblings but got strength to forgive him.
The book ‘Left To Tell’ was translated into more than 17 languages where over 2 million copies have been bought.
In 2007, an American Leslie Lewis Sword and Edward Vilga used the book to produce a film dubbed ‘Miracle In Rwanda’ which has been showcased in different corners of the world.
Ilibagiza authored other books including ‘The Story Of Mary and Jesus in Kibeho: A Prophecy Fulfilled’, ‘The Station Of The Cross’ and ‘The Boy Who Met Jesus And Message For Humanity’ among others.
{{Moi, le dernier Tutsi}}
The book ‘Moi, le dernier Tutsi’ translated as ‘Me, the last Tutsi’ was written by Charles Habonimana in collaboration with French national Daniel Le Scornet.
It reflects bitter history he went through during the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
‘Moi, le dernier Tutsi’ is a 187-page book featuring the real story of the author’s life during the Genocide where he lost both parents, relatives and siblings.
Habonimana who was 12 years old at the time saw Interahamwe killing relatives with his own eyes but lived with them and accompanied them during different attacks to kill Tutsis.
The authors shows how Genocide unfolded in his parents’ village in the former Mayunzwe Sector, Commune Tambwe of Gitarama Prefecture in the current Ruhango District of Southern Province.
He listed names of victims killed on Nzaratsi hill that was named ‘Calvary’ following the tragic end of a man called Léonard Sebuyonde who was killed and crucified on cross like Jesus.
The fact that many Tutsis in the area were killed at the hill gave him inspiration to give the first part of his book the heading: ‘Calvaire’ (Calvary).
{{Ma mère m’a tué}}
The book ‘Ma mère m’a tué’ translated as ‘My Mother Killed Me’ was written by Albert Nsengimana who was 7-year old during the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
It features testimonies of his horrendous experiences where his mother took part in the death of his siblings and attempted to kill him too.
Nsengimana was among nine siblings born to a Tutsi father and Hutu mother. They lived in the former Commune Kabarondo in the current Kayonza District.
In his book, Nsengimana wrote about shocking testimonies depicting how Genocide was prepared and executed with extreme cruelty until a mother kills own child pitilessly.
Nsengimana also narrated how his mother used to take his children to Interahamwe militiamen including his uncle to be killed.
{{Not My Time To Die}}
‘Not My Time To Die’ is a book written by Yolande Mukagasana, an activist renowned for initiatives to fight denial of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi and trivialization.
‘Not My Time To Die’ is about testimony revolving around how her family was brutally murdered during the Genocide.
{{That Child is Me}}
The book ‘That Child is Me’ was written by Claver Irakoze who was aged 11 during the Genocide against Tutsi. He wrote the book with a view to encourage people to teach children about history of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
The ceremony took place at Kenya’s State House in Nairobi, one week after the country was admitted into the regional bloc becoming the seventh member state.
DRC was given the deadline of 14th April to have signed the accession treaty to formally join EAC and be added to the bloc’s map.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame and his counterpart of Uganda witnessed the signing ceremony between the President of DRC Felix Tshisekedi and Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya who also serves as the current Chairperson of the African union.
Speaking after the ceremony, Kagame reiterated commitment to work with his counterparts to deepen the bloc’s integration.
Below are pictures that marked the visit of President Kagame on his visit to Kenya to attend the ceremony.
This year’s commemoration activities started on 7th April 2022 during an event presided over by President Paul Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame who lit the flame of hope at Kigali Genocide Memorial.
In a message released via Twitter handle, the team revealed that it stands in solidarity with Rwandans during difficult times of remembering Genocide against Tutsi which claimed lives of more than 1 million victims killed for their innate personality.
“In this week of national mourning, in Rwanda, the PSG stand in solidarity with all Rwandans, and pays tribute to the victims of the Genocide perpetrated against the Tutsi in 1994. Remember, Unite, Renew,” reads the tweet.
The team signed partnership with Rwanda Development Board (RDB) three years ago to market Rwanda’s touristic attractions, creative culture and its openness to welcome business partnerships from France and across the world among others.
He paid homage to victims as Rwanda began the 28th commemoration of Genocide against Tutsi on 7th April 2022.
“Kwibuka means remember and Kwibuka 28 commemorates and reflects on the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi that took place in Rwanda. Yesterday, The Prince of Wales planted a tree at Dumfries House in memory of those who were killed,” reads a message posted via Twitter handle of Charles.
The Prince was joined by people including former Rwandan international football player and Genocide survivor, Eric Murangwa Eugène.
In 2018, Eugène Murangwa was given an MBE award in Queen’s New Year’s Honours for raising awareness and education about the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in UK schools.
The Queen’s New Year’s Honours are traditionally given to individuals who have gone an extra mile to help others or for those who have achieved outstandingly in a particular field.
The MBE means Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.
An MBE is given for an “outstanding achievement or service to the community.
Prince Charles is among dignitaries expected to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) scheduled to take place in Kigali, Rwanda during the week of 20th June 2022.
Affected residents were immediately taken to Mushaka Health Center while four of them were transferred to Mibirizi Hospital.
The executive secretary of Nzahaha Sector, Jean de Dieu Rwango has comforted relatives and urged residents to prevent whatever that might put lives at risk.
“We assure to keep standing in solidarity with families whose relatives have been struck by lightning as we rushed to provide emergency assistance following the incident. We also request them to continue following measures aimed at preventing lighting,” he said.
Affected residents are in good state except one of them receiving intensive care.
Recently, lightning struck dead a student in the same area.
In CAR, President Faustin Archange Touadera joined Rwandans living and working there to pay tribute to more than one million innocent lives massacred during the 100 days of horror, in the event held in the capital Bangui.
Rwanda maintains three Police contingents under the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), with two of them operating the Bangui.
The commemoration was marked with the lighting of the candles as sign of hope and one minute of silence to pay respect to the victims of the Genocide against Tutsi in Rwanda in 1994.
The event was also attended by diplomats and consulates accredited to CAR as well as top leaders of MINUSCA. It was characterized with testimonies from survivors depicted the long journey they lived during the horror period and how, despite being minors, took over the challenging parental responsibilities.
Olivier Kayumba, the Head of Rwanda Diplomatic Mission in CAR thanked President Touadera for joining Rwandan community to commemorate, adding that it demonstrates “strong relationship to the prevailing good cooperation between two brotherly countries.”
He emphasized it was the history characterized by hatred, divisionism and dehumanization among the Rwandans that resulted into the loss of more than one million innocent people 28 years ago.
Kayumba explained how the Genocide was not caused by the crash of the presidential plane as some perceived.
“The Genocide against Tutsi was planned and taught through divisionism, dehumanization to exterminate a group of Rwandans,” Kayumba said.
He called on countries still harboring masterminds and perpetrators to do the right thing to bring them to justice, as well as fight genocide denial.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Francophonie and Centrafrican Community abroad, Madam Sylvie Baïpo-Temon, who spoke on behalf of the Government of CAR, appreciated the invitation to share the history of Rwanda as a friend and a sister country.
She acknowledged the efforts by the Rwandan Government and the people of Rwanda in the reconciliation and national unity as sign of “hard work and good political will” of President Paul Kagame, who focuses on good governance and social economic development.
A moment to remember was also held in the Rwandan Police base-camp in Kaga-Bandora, about 400kms from Bangui, where another Formed Police Unit (FPU) contingent is deployed.
{{South Sudan}}
In South Sudan, where Rwanda maintains two FPU contingents, the commemoration in Juba was presided over by the Minister for Cabinet Affairs, Dr. Martin Lomuro.
It was also attended by the UNMISS Police Commissioner, Madam Christine Fossen, senior officials in South Sudan military and Police as well as officials from UNMISS leadership and other contributing countries.
Minister Lomuro appreciated Rwanda’s progress under the strategic leadership of President Paul Kagame, adding that the presence of Rwandan peacekeepers is of value and a lesson to the people of South Sudan to borrow a leaf.
In Malakal, Upper Nile State where Rwanda FPU-1 of 240 officers are deployed, they also joined the rest of Rwandans and friends of Rwanda to remember.
It can often be difficult for people to know how to comfort their loved ones when it comes to a pain they can’t change.
It can either be your parents, spouse or a person you love. Here is how you can comfort them.
{{Make the first step }}
When it comes to grieving, it is hard to make the first step and approach people to tell them how you feel.
It is better to make the first step and approach your loved one who is grieving and ask them how they feel and how you should help.
{{Being there without forcing them to talk }}
Sometimes we think helping is telling someone to talk but often silence can be fundamental.
When you tell your loved one you are there to listen, they should not be forced to talk about their testimonies. They can talk about how they feel at the moment but going deep into what happened is not really essential.
{{Be proactive}}
Sentences like ‘call me if you need me’ or ‘I’ll be there if you need me’ are usually not very effective.
What is more effective is to be proactive, grieving people will not usually call you if they need something. What they really need is for people around them to figure out something that would be helpful and just do it.
Small actions like helping them in their day-to-day activity are all that they need from you.
{{Watching your words}}
Words like ‘It is what it is’ or ‘It happened for a reason’ or ‘I know how you feel’ are never helpful.
Even though they can be true at some point it is not wise to use them at the moment, those can intensify their pain or make them angry.
Be soft and be gentle and most importantly be attentive.
{{Knowing your limits }}
When you love someone, you can often want to rid them of their pain but you have to know that you cannot change their situation. You can’t reverse what happened. That is why you need to accept that there is a limit to what you can do.
Nothing you can say or do will fix this. You can, however, tell them your heart is with them. Let them know you are willing to sit with them and their pain.
{{Do not ignore them and their pain}}
You should not ignore what they are going through because you do not know what to do or how to do it. Acknowledging them and their pain is crucial.
They need to hear from you that you are there for them, that you will help them, listen to them and give them time to grieve and express their loss.
