Rusesabagina revealed this as he appeared before the High Court Special Chamber for International and Cross-border crimes.
Rusesabagina faces nine counts linked to terrorism, and he is co-accused with other 20 individuals who were allegedly involved in terror attacks that took place between 2018 and 2019 and claimed nine lives.
Rusesabagina who has been heard claiming that he was abducted has today appeared before the court requesting six months to review his dossiers. After consultations between judges, the court rejected Rusesabagina’s request saying that the trial should proceed as usual.
Following the court’s decision, Rusesabagina made his objection saying, he won’t return to court because his rights are not respected.
“I would like to tell the court and judges that my basic rights to present my objections and fair trial have not been respected. The court failed to respect that,” he said.
“As a result, I would like to tell the court that I don’t expect justice here. That is why I will not take part of this trial again,” added Rusesabagina.
Rusesabagina’s defense lawyer, Rudakemwa Félix said he has nothing to add to what his client said.
“He is my employer. So I will respect his wishes,” he explained.
Lawyer Buhuru Célestin has told IGIHE that Rusesabagina’s decision is normal but it doesn’t halt trial proceedings.
“It is the right of the accused. He can decide to keep quiet or not to return to court. However, the court still has the power to proceed with trial in absentia,” he said.
Rusesabagina might not return to court but can allow defense lawyers to represent him during further proceedings.
“He can allow his defense lawyers to represent him. The court also has power to continue the trial despite the suspect’s unwillingness to return to court,” said Buhuru.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr. Vincent Biruta welcomed Patricia Scotland to Kigali with a lunch in her honour also attended by High Commissioners to Rwanda.
Minister Biruta said: “In less than four months, the Commonwealth will gather in Kigali for our biennial family reunion. Our teams are working round the clock to ensure a safe and memorable event in June 2021.
“Rwanda very much looks forward to hosting the Commonwealth family in their second home and we hope that your delegations will take time to visit our beautiful country and learn more about our people and our culture.”
Thanking him for his hospitality, the Secretary-General said she was impressed by the level of commitment and preparedness for CHOGM that is already in place, and the milestones which have already been achieved since her last visit to Rwanda.
She said the next CHOGM must be a springboard for concerted action.
“As we seek to overcome the challenges before us, not least the devastating impact of the Coronavirus epidemic across the Commonwealth, CHOGM presents an opportunity to be the launch pad that propels us onward, upward and forward together,” she said.
“As we strive to live up to the ideals of the theme ‘delivering a common future’, building on the aspirations of the 2018 CHOGM, I look forward to working closely with Rwanda when it assumes the mantle of Chair-in-Office, in advancing our shared objectives, whether it be advancing the rights and well-being of women and girls;
Combatting the threat of climate change; promoting trade and good governance; championing the health, wellbeing and human rights of every one of our citizens; or ensuring that all young people have equitable access to the opportunities they need in order to fulfil their potential.”
The Secretary-General’s visit to Rwanda coincides with celebrations to mark Commonwealth Week.
In his first primetime address as president, Mr Biden said he would order states to make all adults eligible for vaccinations by 1 May.
Current measures prioritise people by age or health condition.
Mr Biden was speaking exactly a year to the day after the outbreak was classified a global pandemic.
Half a million Americans have since died – more than the death toll from World War One, World War Two, and the Vietnam War combined.
Schools have been closed, businesses shuttered and people kept apart.
Last year many Americans were forced to forgo the elaborate parades, fireworks displays and parties that feature in the national holiday on 4 July, which marks independence from Britain.
In his speech, President Biden said he did not expect large events to be able to go ahead, but he hoped small groups could meet again.
“If we do this together, by 4 July, there is a good chance you, your family and friends can get together in your backyard or in your neighbourhood and have a cookout or a barbecue and celebrate Independence Day,” he said.
“After a long, hard year, that will make this Independence Day truly special – where we not only mark our independence as a nation but we begin to mark our independence from this virus.”
The US has by far the highest death toll in the world from the virus, but death and infection rates have been declining in recent weeks as the vaccine programme picks up.
The country’s health system is complex and individual states are in charge of public health policy. While the federal government is responsible for getting the vaccine distributed to the states, it has largely relied on them to handle the distribution.
But as part of the plans to expand vaccinations, President Biden said the number of places where people could be immunised would be increased, with veterinarians and dentists among those also allowed to vaccinate people.
Mobile units will travel into local communities to provide vaccinations in underserved communities, he said.
Mr Biden previously set a target of 100 million vaccinations by his 100th day in office. But in his address on Thursday, he said this target would be reached on day 60, which is 20 March.
He was speaking shortly after signing a $1.9tn (£1.4tn) economic relief bill, which marks an early legislative victory for his administration. It includes a $1,400 direct payment to most Americans, along with other measures to help people out of poverty and provide additional funding to local and state governments.
Despite the good news on vaccinations, Mr Biden warned that the “fight is far from over”.
He called on people to maintain social distancing measures, hand washing and wear a mask.
“Beating the virus and getting back to normal relies on national unity,” he said.
Mr Biden said last month he hoped that life would return to “normal” by Christmas 2021. Dr Anthony Fauci, the top US infectious diseases expert, described this timetable as “reasonable”.
The president’s caution is at odds with some states such as Texas and Mississippi, which are relaxing restrictions in order to boost their economies.
One year ago, the United States joined the world in facing a brutal truth. The coronavirus pandemic was going to fundamentally alter everyday life. Businesses shuttered. Citizens sheltered in their home. Life ground to a halt.
On Thursday night, in his first prime-time televised address to the nation, President Joe Biden said there was light at the end of the tunnel.
The big news from his speech was that all adult Americans would be eligible for a vaccine by the beginning of May – a pace, he boasted, that was the best in the world.
His most important message, however, may have been his urging that all Americans should get the jab when it’s their turn. “I know they’re safe,” he said.
A recent opinion poll showed that nearly half of Republicans are sceptical of the vaccine. If their doubt becomes inaction, Mr Biden’s promises – widespread school openings, an ability to travel and Independence Day celebrations – will go unrealised.
His speech was part promise, part warning. Get vaccinated, continue social distancing, wear masks – or else.
“America is coming back,” he said. But, he added, Americans needed to do their part.
This time last year, there were 1,000 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the US and about 30 people had died.
All US major sport was cancelled and then-President Donald Trump suspended travel from Europe, saying he hoped the US would be open again for Easter 2020. This prediction was repeatedly revised.
The pandemic has now left more than 530,000 people dead in the US and has infected more than 29 million.
In his speech, President Biden criticised the Trump administration by saying the virus was initially met with “denials for days, weeks, then months, that led to more deaths, more infections, more stress, more loneliness”.
He also denounced “vicious hate crimes” against Asian Americans, who he said had been “attacked, harassed, blamed and scapegoated” for the pandemic. Mr Trump repeatedly referred to coronavirus as the “China virus”.
About 1.6 million twins are born each year worldwide, with one in every 42 children born a twin.
Delayed childbearing and medical techniques such as IVF have seen the rate of twin births rise by a third since the 1980s.
But it could be all downhill from here as the focus shifts to one baby per pregnancy, which is less risky.
According to a global overview in the journal Human Reproduction, the peak was reached because of large increases in twinning rates in all regions over 30 years – from a 32% rise in Asia to a 71% rise in North America.
The researchers collected information on twinning rates from 165 countries for 2010 to 2015, and compared them with rates for 1980 to 1985.
The number of twins born per thousand deliveries is now particularly high in Europe and North America – and worldwide it’s gone from nine per 1,000 deliveries to 12.
But twin rates in Africa have always been high and haven’t changed much over the past 30 years, which could be due to population growth.
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Africa and Asia make up about 80% of all twin deliveries in the world at present.
Prof Christiaan Monden, the study’s author from the University of Oxford, said there was a reason for that.
“The twinning rate in Africa is so high because of the high number of dizygotic twins – twins born from two separate eggs – born there,” he said.
“This is most likely to be due to genetic differences between the African population and other populations.”
Twinning rates in Europe, North America and Oceanic countries have been catching up – and the increasing use of medically assisted reproduction since the 1970s – for example IVF, ICSI, artificial insemination and ovarian stimulation – have been the main reason.
These techniques all increase the likelihood of a multiple birth.
Women choosing to start families later in life, increased use of contraception and lower fertility overall also play a role, the review says.
But the emphasis is now on singleton pregnancies, which are safer, says Prof Monden.
“This is important as twin deliveries are associated with higher death rates among babies and children, and more complications for mothers and children during pregnancy, and during and after delivery,” he says.
Twins have more complications at birth, are more often born premature and have lower birth weights and higher still birth rates.
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The review found that the fate of twins in low and middle-income countries was more of a concern.
In sub-Saharan Africa, in particular, many twins will lose their co-twin in their first year of life – more than 200,000 each year.
“While twinning rates in many rich Western countries are now getting close to those in sub-Saharan Africa, there is a huge difference in the survival chances,” said Prof Jeroen Smits, a study author.
Looking ahead, the researchers say India and China will play a major role in future twinning rates.
Declining fertility, older mothers at birth and techniques like IVF will all have a bearing on the numbers of twins in years to come.
The Arusha Regional Police Commander, Justine Masejo in a press statement on March 11, said the Chinese national (name withheld) was abducted in Karatu district.
Commander Masejo said the police on Mach 7, received a report from a Chinese national, Lian Qiang (44) from Bonanza saying that one of their employees had disappeared under mysterious circumstances while working in Karatu.
The Chinese man was and his driver was in a Toyota Kluger with registration T571DLQ.
He said Giang later received a call from the kidnappers demanding a ransom of $ 100,000 for the man to be released.
The commander said after a thorough investigation the suspects were arrested at a lodge located in Ada Estate in Kinondoni, Dar es Salaam.
He said that after the search, the abducted Chinese national was found withe arms and legs tied by the suspects.
“We found them with a Toyota Kluger with registration number T 982DQA a car that belongs to Bonanza company which was stolen on February 8 and we found two knives, a hammer and drill machine and five cables all belonging to Bonanza,” he said.
However, one of the kidnappers was identified as a Chinese national who had been fired for misconduct by Bonanza Company.
In a statement, the US Department of State said the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) were also known as “ISIS-DRC” or “Madina at Tauheed Wau Mujahedeen”.
The group is “notorious in this region for its brutal violence against Congolese citizens and regional military forces, with attacks killing over 849 civilians in 2020 alone” according to UN figures, it added.
Commanded by Seka Musa Baluku, the ADF has come into the orbit of IS’ so-called “Central Africa Province” since the terror group launched it in 2019.
It is mostly active in the North Kivu and Ituri provinces along the DRC’s border with Rwanda and Uganda.
As well as the ADF, the State Department also labelled a separate militia in Mozambique, known as Ansar al-Sunna or al-Shabaab, as an IS-linked terror group, saying it “reportedly pledged allegiance to (IS) as early as April 2018”.
“Since October 2017, ISIS-Mozambique, led by Abu Yasir Hassan, has killed more than 1,300 civilians,” it added.
Nevertheless, both organisations are “distinct groups with distinct origins” from IS itself, the State Department said.
The terror designations freeze any property under US jurisdiction linked to the groups or their leaders, bans transactions with them and threatens foreign financial firms with sanctions if they deal with the groups.
The ADF militia are Ugandan Islamic fighters who have made their base in eastern DR Congo since 1995.
They have not launched raids into Uganda for several years.
Since April 2019, IS has claimed some ADF attacks, sometimes with factual errors, while in December last year a UN expert group found “no direct link” between the two.
Blamed for 1,219 civilian killings since 2017, the ADF is believed to be the deadliest of at least 122 armed groups active in DR Congo’s four eastern border provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu and Tanganyika.
The migrants, mostly Egyptians, were released after “a morning raid on the dens of human traffickers”, the elite 444th combat brigade said in a statement.
Their captors had subjected them to “torture and extortion”, it added, citing testimonies from those released.
Abuse of migrants is widespread in Libya, where they have been exploited in the chaos which has reigned since the 2011 ousting of dictator Moamer Kadhafi.
The brigade also carried out an operation against smugglers last week in Bani Walid, a centre for human trafficking on the edge of the desert about 170 kilometres southeast of Tripoli.
Six hideouts were discovered in that operation and 70 would-be migrants of different nationalities were released, it said, adding that “one of the country’s most notorious traffickers was detained along with other foreign criminals who were kidnapping, killing and torturing their victims”.
Thousands of people have crossed into Libya from neighbouring countries in recent years and travelled onwards to the Mediterranean coast, where human traffickers operate boats bound for Europe.
The king wielded great influence among millions of Zulus through his largely ceremonial and spiritual role despite having no official power in modern South Africa.
“It is with the utmost grief that I inform the nation of the passing of His Majesty King Goodwill Zwelithini … King of the Zulu nation,” the palace said a statement signed by Mangosuthu Buthelezi, a powerful veteran politician who is also a Zulu prince.
The king was admitted to hospital last month for diabetes.
“Tragically, while still in hospital, His Majesty’s health took a turn for the worse and he subsequently passed away in the early hours of this morning,” the statement said.
Born in Nongoma, a small town in the south-eastern Kwa-Zulu Natal province, Zwelithini ascended the throne in 1971 during the apartheid era at the age of 23, three years after the death of his father.
CHOGM is scheduled in June 2021 in Kigali. Preparations are underway, few months ahead to host delegates attending the meeting initially postponed due to Coronavirus constraints.
The vaccines administered in Rwanda include 240,000 AstraZeneca and 102 960 Pfizer-BioNTech doses distributed through COVAX as well as 50,000 AstraZeneca doses donated by India last week.
Since the vaccination program kicked off on Friday last week, over 230,000 people have been vaccinated.
Other groups of people vaccinated include motorcyclists, health workers, frontline workers in the fight against Covid-19 and elders above 60 among other people with chronic diseases.
In light with ongoing preparations of the 26th CHOGM, Commonwealth Secretary General Patriacia Scotland arrived in Rwanda yesterday for a three-day visit and received updates on the progress of preparations for the meeting.
Following the disaster, Rubavu district and security officials visited the affected residents and assured emergency support.
“We promise support and cooperation to renovate houses that have been destroyed. We also take this opportunity to remind you to build houses with strong roofs and plant trees near the houses to break the wind speed and force, saving your homes,” said the Mayor of Rubavu district, Gilbert Habyarimana.
Located in the neighborhood of DRC valley, Nyirangongo and Karisimbi volcanoes;
Bugeshi, Busasamana and Cyanzarwe sectors in Rubavu district often experience strong wind known as ‘Isata’.
Similar hailstorms destroyed 35 houses from Cyanzarwe sector and 12 from Busasamana sector recently as heavy rain characterized by wind fell on 26th September 2020. At the time, affected families received 775 roofing sheets in donation.
