David Ssengozi, 21, alias Lucky Choice, and Isaiah Ssekagiri, 28, were arraigned in court on Monday, November 11, 2024. Magistrate Stella Maris Amabilis directed that the suspects be detained at Kigo Prison pending their next court appearance on Wednesday.
Police accuse the young men of hate speech and spreading malicious information against the first family and musicians linked to the governing National Resistance Movement (NRM).
The duo denied the charges on Monday.
The prosecution alleges that the suspects committed the offences with 19-year-old Julius Tayebwa, who had previously been brought before court and remanded.
According to the prosecution, the suspects posted information on TikTok intended to “ridicule, degrade, demean, and promote hostility” against the first family and others.
The latest arrests come barely two months after police spokesman Rusoke Kituuma warned that insulting the president, whom he termed the “fountain of honour,” was an offence.
Kituuma issued the warning while commenting on an investigation into a TikToker known as Lucky Choice, who was accused of similar offences, arrested, and later released.
In July, a 24-year-old man was sentenced to six years in prison for insulting the first family through a TikTok video.
Edward Awebwa was charged with hate speech and spreading “misleading and malicious” information against Museveni, First Lady Janet, and Muhoozi, who is the head of the Ugandan army.
Though Awebwa pleaded guilty and asked for forgiveness, the presiding magistrate noted he did not appear remorseful and that the language used in the video was “really vulgar.”
Magistrate Amabilis ruled, “The accused deserves a punishment that will enable him to learn from his past so that next time he will respect the president, the first lady, and the first son.”
The lawmakers, Matthew Green, a Member of Parliament for Hamilton Centre, and Sarah Jama, a Member of Provincial Parliament for Hamilton Centre, questioned authorities’ contradictory statements regarding the circumstances under which the 43-year-old Rwandan national was fatally shot.
Hamilton Police initially claimed that the deceased had exchanged fire with officers responding to a 911 call near his apartment in Ontario. However, a subsequent statement from the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) indicated that it did not appear Kabera had discharged a firearm during the incident.
“His (Kabera’s) death was a violent death at the hands of police, and we join with the community in demanding truth and justice. Reports initially released by the Hamilton Police Service (HPS), which suggested that Erixon had exchanged gunfire with police at the time of his death, have been proven false, according to information from the province’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU),” the MPs stated.
“Reports of ‘suspicious activity’ in the area prior to his death also appear to be questionable and racially charged. We agree with the Kabera family that ‘the reversal of crucial facts, a full day after telling the entire world otherwise and painting an image of violence, is deeply outrageous and unnerving,’” the MPs added.
The MPs issued a joint statement after meeting with the devastated family of the deceased on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, to share their condolences.
They accused Hamilton Police of racially targeting Black individuals, asserting that “this is not the first time that Hamilton Police have been directly involved in the serious harming or killing of a Black Hamiltonian.”
“Hamilton Police have also, by their own account, disproportionately used force against members of the Black community during public interactions. Hamilton Police Services must be held accountable for their actions.”
The lawmakers noted that there are many unanswered questions regarding the killing that must be addressed in a timely and transparent manner.
“Why did the Chief of Police allow false information to be released about Erixon carrying a weapon? Why was the Chief so quick to highlight the gun-related injuries of his officers when, according to the SIU report, Erixon did not shoot at police? Why won’t video footage from the hallway where this incident took place be released to the family? Why did Erixon’s family first learn about his death through an online post from HPS? What ‘suspicious activity’ in the neighbourhood led to Erixon’s violent death in his own home? And why won’t the names of the officers involved be released to the public?”
In their quest for justice, the Rwandan community in Canada has organized a vigil to honour Kabera’s life and call for accountability.
The night vigil and march will be held at City Hall on Thursday, November 14, at 6:00 PM.
At the time of his death, Kabera was working as a Resource Officer with the Canada Revenue Agency.
In addition to his job, he was deeply involved in the Rwandan community, serving as Vice President of the Rwandan Community Abroad in Toronto and as an advisor for the Rwandan Canadian Healing Center.
He is survived by his wife and three children, aged 10, 13, and 17.
Slated for December this year, the science and engineering fair will enable students to showcase their STEM innovations and compete with peers in robotics, ICT, 3D printing, game development, coding, electronics, entrepreneurship, and bio-chemistry.
In line with this upcoming competition, a three-day training of trainers (ToT) event was held this week at K-Lab, Kacyiru, and was attended by 21 trainers.
According to [STEMpower Rwanda->https://www.stempower.org/rwanda] Country Director Espoir Serukiza, the ToT will equip the trainers with the necessary skills they need to effectively train students across the country.
“We want to work with our different STEM centers across the country to drive innovation and harness hands-on experience. The purpose of the ToT is to make sure these trainers go back to the STEM centers with the right tools and information they will share with students, and eventually use the skills to solve problems in their respective communities,” he explained.
The significance of the ToT was also highlighted by one of the trainers who said it will improve her training skills.
“The ToT will help me and my fellow trainers to efficiently train students in different STEM fields, as we prepare them for the national science and engineering fair,” said Florence Umutoniwase.
Serukiza appreciated the role being played by the Ohio-based Case Western Reverse University (CWRU) US, one of the best research universities and a partner in the implementation of the project. The university shall provide technical expertise and hands-on training programs in Biochemistry (Chemical micro factory).
“We are grateful to Case Western Reverse University for their continued contribution of knowledge and experience in STEM fields to enrich the training sessions and provide valuable insights to both trainers and students,” he stressed.
After the ToT, the trainers will go ahead to train hundreds of high school students at Ines Ruhengeri, Kibogora Polytechnic, and Gitwe Adventist College STEM centers, three of the nine [STEM Centers established by STEMpower in Rwanda->https://en.igihe.com/news/article/how-stempower-is-promoting-science-based-knowledge-in-rwanda].
Meanwhile, speaking on the upcoming science and engineering fair, Karlene Noel Jennings, Regional Public Engagement Specialist for Central Africa at the US Embassy, commended the partnership with STEMpower, noting that the program will positively impact many students.
“This partnership is truly a wonderful opportunity to look at reaching new audiences, especially young women and girls, and encourage their interest in science,” she said.
She added: “I have true appreciation for the work of encouraging the next generation to collaborate and look at problems creatively, as we try and solve them for the betterment of world.”
It is expected that at least 70% of students who will participate in the program will be young women, in a bid to encourage them to pursue STEM education and careers.
Marissa J Polnerow, Deputy Public Affairs Officer at the US Embassy, also noted that through the partnership between STEMpower and the US Embassy, shared goals are being advanced.
“The diversity of STEM and technology fields is remarkable, from life-changing medical devices to global educational platforms like Khan Academy. I’m inspired by your commitment to use your knowledge for social good and encourage you to think big and impact not just Rwanda but the world. Congratulations on your achievements and vision, it’s an honor to support and be a part of this,” she said.
Besides Rwanda, there are other science fairs planned in other countries where the organization has presence. A case in point is the 9th annual Ethiopian National Science Fair slated for next week, two weeks after the end of the second science fair in South Sudan.
These competitions provide students with the opportunity to showcase their creativity, problem-solving skills, and innovative ideas.
So far, STEMpower has established 125 STEM centres in different countries across Sub-Saharan Africa, which are among other things helping bridge the digital divide.
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{{President Kagame Attends COP29}}
President Paul Kagame arrived in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, to join world leaders for the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29).
During his stay, President Kagame is expected to hold bilateral meetings with various leaders, including Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev.
Calls for increased climate financing are anticipated to dominate COP29, which runs from November 11 to November 22, 2024.
{{Trump Expected to name Marco Rubio as Secretary of State}}
United States President-elect Donald Trump is expected to nominate Sen. Marco Rubio as secretary of state.
If confirmed as America’s top diplomat, Rubio would become the face of Trump’s foreign policy, crisscrossing the globe to articulate the president-elect’s America First doctrine. He will be the first Latino to serve in the role.
The Florida Senator has in past years advocated for a muscular foreign policy with respect to America’s geopolitical foes, including China, Iran and Cuba.
Sources close to the Republican also indicate that Trump has Rep. Mike Waltz to be the White House national security adviser.
The reports come just hours after Trump designated Tom Homan, his former acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement director, to serve as “border czar” in his incoming administration, a position that is likely to play a key role in Trump’s campaign pledges to secure the U.S.-Mexico border and deal with illegal migration.
{{Women in U.S. Stockpile Abortion Pills Over Ban Fears}}
The Washington Post reports that women are increasingly seeking abortion medication ahead of a Trump presidency, fearing restricted reproductive care access.
Aid Access, a major abortion pill provider, is reported to have received 10,000 requests within 24 hours after Trump’s election—a dramatic surge from the usual 600 per day.
During the 2024 campaign, Trump adopted a clear stance on abortion, emphasizing that abortion laws should be managed by individual states rather than at the federal level.
Although he previously hinted at potentially supporting a 15- or 16-week federal ban with exceptions for cases like rape, incest, or life-threatening conditions, he ultimately confirmed he would not endorse a national abortion ban.
He stated that if a federal abortion ban reached his desk, he would veto it, affirming his position on state-level control over abortion policy.
{{Jets from US airlines struck by gunfire over Haiti’s capital
}}
Two jets from U.S.-based airlines were hit by gunfire on Monday while flying over Port-au-Prince, Haiti, prompting Haitian authorities to suspend all flights in and out of the capital due to escalating gang violence.
Officials confirmed that a Spirit Airlines flight attendant was injured after Flight 951 from Fort Lauderdale in Florida to Port-au-Princ was struck by several rounds of gunfire while trying to land in Haiti.
JetBlue also temporarily cancelled flights to and from Haiti after damage from a bullet was identified in one of its planes returning from Haiti.
Gang violence in Haiti has intensified due to the country’s ongoing political instability, especially after the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021. The killing of the Head of the Head of State created a power vacuum that further weakened governance and fueled gang activity.
Kenya is now leading a United Nations-sanctioned multinational mission aimed at restoring law and order in Haiti.
{{Opposition calls for protests at Mozambique border posts, ports
}}
Tensions in Mozambique continue as opposition presidential candidate Venancio Mondlane calls for gatherings at ports, borders, and major cities starting Wednesday, marking the fourth round of demonstrations against recent election results.
Mondlane has led protests since the ruling Frelimo party’s candidate, Daniel Chapo, was declared the winner last month with 70.67% of the vote. Mondlane, representing Podemos, received 20.32%. Mondlane accuses the ruling party of electoral fraud and his claims have intensified public outrage and fueled ongoing unrest.
According to media reports, the Rwandan Head of State was received at Heydar Aliyev International Airport by Hidayat Abdullayev, Azerbaijan’s Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Protection of the Population, along with other officials.
During his stay in Baku, President Kagame is also expected to hold several bilateral meetings with various leaders, including the host, President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan.
Calls for increased climate financing are expected to dominate the COP29 conference, which is scheduled to run from November 11 to November 22, 2024.
Rwanda’s delegation, represented by various institutions, will advocate for more ambitious climate action and present the country as an ideal destination for green investment.
Rwanda will also call for a new global climate finance goal of at least $1.3 trillion annually, as part of the proposed ‘new collective quantified goal on climate finance’ (NCQG).
The United Nations meeting comes at a time of increasing urgency to fund climate adaptation through capacity building and technology transfer. This approach is essential to mitigate the effects of climate change and ensure that nations “walk the talk” on previous commitments.
During the last edition of the conference held at Expo City in Dubai, UAE, from November 30 to December 12, 2023, world leaders deliberated on several initiatives and agreements aimed at accelerating climate action.
COP28 delegates reached a historic consensus to phase down fossil fuels, pushing for economies to transition towards clean energy. The UAE Consensus calls for participants to submit economy-wide Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), commit to net-zero emissions by 2050, and triple global renewable energy and double energy efficiency by 2030.
The conference performed the first Global Stocktake, which evaluates global progress on climate commitments, identifying key gaps. In response, COP28 advocated for a restructuring of climate finance to make it more accessible and equitable, especially for developing nations. It mobilized over $85 billion, including funding for loss and damage due to climate events and increased support for adaptation measures.
At the same time, a landmark agreement was reached to operationalize the Loss and Damage Fund, with an initial commitment of $792 million. This fund is intended to assist nations that have suffered disproportionately from climate-induced disasters, helping them recover and rebuild.
The conference recognized youth contributions by institutionalizing the Youth Climate Champion role and included commitments to health and sustainable food systems. Over 140 countries endorsed the “Climate and Health Declaration” to build climate-resilient health systems, and 158 nations supported a similar initiative for sustainable agriculture.
COP28 also fostered partnerships between governments and industries, committing to decarbonize the oil and gas sector and reduce methane emissions.
Erixon Kabera, a father of three, was shot at his apartment following an incident involving Hamilton Police officers on Saturday, November 9, 2024. The Rwandan national succumbed to his injuries in the hospital on Sunday, November 10.
Hamilton Police initially indicated on social media that officers were responding to a 911 call when they were confronted by a “male with a firearm.” The police reported that one officer was injured during the confrontation.
“The officer has been transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. An adult male has also been transported to hospital in life-threatening condition,” the police said.
However, in a statement on Monday, the family disputed the circumstances surrounding Kabera’s shooting, insisting that their relative was neither armed nor a violent person.
“We are devastated by this unspeakable loss of a man who was a giant in his own right, the kindest soul we’ve ever known, and the pillar of our family and community. With his infectious smile and hearty laugh, he was so full of life and had so much to live for,” the family’s statement reads in part.
“…Our family deserves answers, clarity, and peace, and we stand firm in our belief that Erixon was not armed, nor would he act in a way that would justify this result.”
The family accused the police of issuing contradictory reports regarding the circumstances that led to Kabera’s death, citing a statement in which police reportedly acknowledged there was no exchange of fire.
“More than 24 hours after that disconcerting initial report, the SIU released an update clearly indicating there was no gunfire exchange, and that it was indeed two responding officers who shot Erixon and inflicted fatal wounds. We find this reversal of crucial facts—a full day after telling the entire world otherwise and painting an image of violence—to be deeply outrageous and unnerving,” the family stated.
The heartbroken family is now calling for transparency and accountability in the investigation into Kabera’s death, including the release of police body camera footage.
“As we grieve this senseless loss, we respectfully ask for transparency and accountability from the authorities. Whether it’s police body cam footage, surveillance videos from the building, or any other pieces of evidence, we want to know the details of the altercation so we can understand the truth of what happened in Erixon’s final moments,” the family added.
The family described Kabera as a dedicated and industrious father who worked tirelessly to support his family.
At the time of his death, they revealed, he was serving as a Resource Officer with the Canada Revenue Agency, where his ability to speak multiple languages was an asset in customer service roles.
In addition to his job, Erixon was deeply involved in the Rwandan community, serving as vice president of the Rwandan Community Abroad in Toronto and as an advisor for the Rwandan Canadian Healing Center.
“He contributed to countless projects aimed at empowering, educating, and uplifting the community he cherished,” the family said.
The Chairperson of the Rwandan community in Canada, Alain Patrick Ndengera, also questioned the police’s statement and urged Canadian authorities to conduct an impartial investigation into the death of the Rwandan national.
“If any police officers are found to have acted wrongly, they should face the courts to explain their actions,” Ndengera stated while alluding to a case of mistaken identity.
At the 2024 YouthConnekt Africa Summit in Kigali, the HealthTech Hub was launched by Timbuktoo Africa Innovation Foundation in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Government of Rwanda.
During the launch on November 9, President Paul Kagame made powerful remarks on the role of African youth in addressing healthcare challenges by scaling up such initiatives.
“We have to put in more energy, resources and ideas and scale it up to reach wherever we intend and for many to benefit from it.”
In the same spirit, The UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Africa Regional Director, Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa, highlighted the significance of nurturing the youth.
During the launch, the first cohort of 40 young innovators from 21 African countries was unveiled, selected from over 957 applicants, to participate in the startup accelerator programme that is designed to provide early-stage startups with comprehensive support, including access to mentorship, funding, and cutting-edge resources.
{{Will Jonas Vingegaard Finally Race in the Kigali 2025 Cycling World Championships?}}
Jonas Vingegaard’s absence from the Cycling World Championships has sparked debate in Danish cycling circles.
The Tour de France champion has yet to compete in a World Championship as a pro, but the challenging 2025 World Championship in Rwanda may change that. The course promises a grueling 5,500 meters in elevation, which could suit Vingegaard’s strengths.
Teammate Magnus Cort is urging him to participate, saying, “It’s always more fun with a stronger team, and Jonas would be our best card.”
Although Vingegaard’s focus is typically on multi-stage races, his potential in one-day events is undoubted. Despite ending his season early due to a demanding schedule and family commitments, hopes are high for his future participation, with Visma team manager Frans Maassen envisioning success in Montréal’s 2026 World Championship.
{{New Scandal Brews in Balthazar Divorce Drama}}
A video circulating on social media, allegedly showing Samantha Geminta, wife of Equatorial Guinean businessman Bello Balthazar, has stirred new controversy around the couple’s already tumultuous divorce.
Following recent leaks of compromising videos involving Bello, this rumored footage of Samantha has reignited public interest and speculation. While the video’s authenticity is unconfirmed, it has intensified the media scrutiny on Samantha, who recently expressed her desire for divorce.
She said, “Our children reject him; I want a divorce.” This unfolding scandal highlights the pressures faced by high-profile couples amid publicized relationship issues.
{{Calm returns to Maputo as Mozambique resumes operations amid post-election unrest}}
Maputo has returned to a semblance of normalcy after police deployed force to disperse large protests following disputed elections.
“At least five people died and 120 were injured,” reported the Centre for Democracy and Human Rights, after security forces confronted demonstrators moving toward Maputo’s center, creating an “insurmountable barrier” of trucks and soldiers.
Last week’s violent scenes led to the closure of Mozambique’s main border with South Africa and suspended operations at Maputo port, crucial for the nation’s exports. Grindrod Ltd., owner of Maputo’s terminals, confirmed operations resumed, as did some public transport.
Opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane called the unrest “a revolution” and vowed protests would continue. Despite government warnings to stay off the streets, Mondlane claims the election, which showed the ruling party’s candidate winning 71% of votes, was “fraudulent.” The opposition has filed an appeal, with Mozambique’s top court expected to verify results in the coming weeks.
{{Musk raises questions on voter ID rules after US election Results}}
Elon Musk has stirred the voter ID debate with a post suggesting an unusual pattern in the recent U.S. Presidential election. The billionaire shared a map on X, pointing out that most states won by Vice President Kamala Harris either don’t require voter ID or accept non-photo IDs.
“Must be a coincidence 🙄,” Musk wrote, sparking renewed discussion over election integrity and ID requirements. His post aligns with a longstanding Republican stance that looser ID laws could lead to voter fraud, countering Democratic arguments that strict ID requirements restrict voter access.
Trump, who served as the 45th President of the United States, pulled off a comeback to the White House after winning 312 electoral college votes against Harris’ 226 in the elections held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
Musk’s commentary highlights the contentious and ongoing debate surrounding election security and voting accessibility in the U.S.
{{COP 29 begins in Baku, Azerbaijan}}
Calls for an increase in climate financing are expected to dominate talks as world leaders gather in Baku, Azerbaijan for the COP 29, which kicks off today until November 22.
The United Nations meeting comes at a time when there is a growing need to fund climate adaptation through capacity building and technology transfer to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Rees and his alleged accomplice, Aisha Uwamahoro, are under investigation for embezzling over Frw100 million from Nobilis Hotel & Apartments, a property owned by SONARWA General Insurance. But the story goes much deeper than numbers on a ledger.
Credible sources recently intimated to IGIHE new details about the case, pointing to a tangled web of professional misconduct, personal relationships, and desperate attempts to avoid accountability.
According to the sources, before Rees’ arrest on October 2, 2024, he attempted to escape after learning that authorities were closing in, only to be apprehended—further fueling intrigue.
{{A Partnership Built on More Than Just Business?
}}
It all began with what seemed like a standard job. Aisha Uwamahoro joined Nobilis Hotel & Apartments, entrusted with managing the hotel’s finances. However, this wasn’t your typical hiring process.
Sources indicate that Aisha, despite failing a job interview at SONARWA, somehow landed the role with Rees’ help. Eyebrows were raised, as her qualifications were less than ideal.
She had no formal training in finance or hospitality, yet she was given a managerial position. It quickly became apparent that her relationship with Rees went beyond a standard boss-employee dynamic.
Aisha’s appointment, which reportedly came through a signed contract on December 29, 2023, surprised many within SONARWA, especially as the job was granted without solid grounds. This unusual hiring decision would prove costly.
{{Patterns of Misconduct Begin to Emerge
}}
Between July 2023 and May 2024, troubling patterns of financial mismanagement surfaced. According to the investigation, invoices and client records did not match up: payments made to the hotel were routinely lower than documented, and clients were often billed for fewer days than they stayed.
Despite these discrepancies, Rees reportedly never questioned or supervised the hotel’s financial operations—a hands-off approach that sources attribute to his close connection with Aisha.
While Rees claims his role was limited to overseeing and offering advice to the hotel, evidence suggests otherwise. This laissez-faire attitude, it appears, allowed Aisha to operate with little oversight, and the hotel’s financial losses began to spiral.
{{Shifting Blame
}}
When investigations began, tensions quickly escalated between Rees and Aisha. Each pointed the finger at the other. Aisha defended herself, arguing that the job was beyond her expertise and claiming she only took on the role because Rees offered her no guidance.
She contended that her frequent billing errors were innocent mistakes and questioned why the financial losses were flagged only two months after her departure.
Meanwhile, Rees distanced himself from Aisha’s actions, asserting that he was only her supervisor in a limited capacity.
He argued that he never directly managed the hotel’s finances, insisting that Aisha’s hiring had been approved by SONARWA’s board—though he was unable to provide documentation of this approval.
{{Secrets in the Shadows
}}
SONARWA employees watching the drama unfold noted that Rees and Aisha’s relationship was anything but typical.
Reports from insiders revealed that they often worked in secluded, private spaces, far from the rest of the staff. For many, it was no surprise that their “collaboration” had led to the scandal.
As one staff member put it, “Rees was effectively running the show. With Aisha’s lack of experience, she followed his instructions to the letter. It was all too easy for them to keep things hidden.”
Aisha had, in fact, tried to cover her bases, repeatedly requesting clearer guidelines from Rees. She claimed he consistently ignored her pleas, leaving her to handle the job in the only way she could—with improvisation.
As whispers of the embezzlement case started to circulate, Rees, a Kenyan national, allegedly made a final attempt to evade the authorities, attempting to flee. But he was apprehended, dashing his hopes for a quiet escape.
Aisha, meanwhile, had completed her “handover” and was no longer working with SONARWA when the losses were finally noticed, sparking further controversy about why her alleged misdeeds weren’t flagged sooner.
With allegations of embezzlement mounting, the court ruled that both Aisha and Rees would be detained for 30 days while the investigation continues.
The charges they face are severe, with both suspected of high-level embezzlement and Rees facing accusations of complicity.
Whether Rees and Aisha were drawn into this alleged crime by personal entanglements, professional ambition, or simply bad luck, the outcome of this case promises to shed light on the sometimes murky dealings within the corporate world.
As they await trial, all eyes are on the duo—two people whose fates, once intertwined in secrecy, now lie exposed in the harsh light of the courtroom.
The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) report, released on Sunday, November 10, 2024, shows that in October 2024, prices for food and non-alcoholic beverages decreased by 1% year-on-year but increased by 3.7% on a monthly basis.
Additionally, prices for housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels rose by 4.8% year-on-year and 0.8% month-on-month, while transport cost increased by 15.9% year-on-year but remained stable month-on-month.
Meat saw a price increase of 22.4% year-on-year, while milk, cheese and eggs, rose by 14.8%.
Prices of alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and narcotics rose by 5.6% annually, while clothing and footwear increased by 5.6%.
The data also indicate that prices for local products increased by 3.3% annually and 1.9% monthly, while imported products rose by 5.5% annually and 0.4% monthly.
Prices for fresh products increased by 0.8% year-on-year and 4.5% month-on-month, while energy prices rose by 1% annually and 0.3% monthly.
Excluding fresh products and energy, the ‘general index’ increased by 5.2% on an annual basis and by 0.7% monthly.
The Urban CPI, considered the primary measure of inflation in Rwanda, is calculated based on approximately 1,622 products across twelve urban centers. In contrast, Rural CPI decreased by 1.5% annually but rose by 2.5% on a monthly basis.
Overall, the national CPI increased by 0.5% year-on-year and by 2.1% month-on-month.
In a statement, Sudan’s Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC), a governmental body that manages humanitarian work, said the accusations made by U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan Tom Perriello were part of an organized campaign targeting the commission’s efforts.
“It would have been more realistic and courageous of him (Perriello) to direct his criticism toward the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia, which has been looting, detaining, and obstructing the delivery of humanitarian aid, besieging those in need, and denying them access to food and medicine,” the Sudanese government said in the statement dated Saturday, November 9, 2024.
The statement indicated that between January 1 and November 6, the HAC had granted 12,170 movement permits to organizations and agencies, allowed 1,073 trucks to enter through the Adre and Tina crossings, and approved 2,985 entry visas for foreign humanitarian workers.
The statement added that the total funds provided by the government in the form of customs and tax exemptions, transportation of aid, and purchase of supplies exceeded 600 million U.S. dollars.
In a post on social media platform X on Wednesday, Perriello said that the HAC prevented 520 of the 550 humanitarian relief trucks from leaving Port Sudan to deliver life-saving supplies to states across the country.
Sudan has been gripped by conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF since mid-April 2023. According to a report by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project on October 14, the ongoing conflict has claimed more than 24,850 lives. The International Organization for Migration estimates that over 14 million people have been displaced within or outside Sudan as of October 29.
