Dr. Mihigo lost to Tanzanian Dr. Faustine Engelbert Ndugulile in a vote conducted by African member states during the 74th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa, held in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo.
In a heartfelt message shared on his X account on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, Dr. Mihigo described the opportunity to represent Rwanda in the race as a “lifetime experience”.
He further extended his deep appreciation to President Paul Kagame for his unwavering support throughout the process that culminated in the elections on Tuesday.
“It was a lifetime experience to run for the election of @WHOAFRO Regional Director position. The outcome is not what was expected; however, I’d like to sincerely thank HE @PaulKagame for his full support throughout this process,” Dr. Mihigo wrote.
Other candidates in the race included Dr. Boureima Hama Sambo, fronted by Niger, and Dr. Ibrahima Socé Fall of Senegal.
Dr. Ndugulile’s nomination will be submitted for appointment by the 156th session of the WHO Executive Board, scheduled for February 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland. The newly appointed Regional Director will replace Dr. Matshidiso Moeti. He will serve a five-year term and be eligible for reappointment once.
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Dr. Mihigo was considered a strong candidate for the post due to his rich career profile and extensive education in the medical field.
The 57-year-old has held numerous positions, including advisor roles at WHO, UNICEF, and GAVI (the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization). He also served as an advisor at USAID-Rwanda, working in various health sectors.
He currently serves as the Senior Director of Programmatic and Strategic Engagement at the African Union/Africa CDC. He has held this position at GAVI, The Vaccine Alliance, in Geneva, Switzerland, since March 2024.
Dr. Ndugulile was nominated for the coveted role during the 74th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa, held in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo, on Tuesday, August 27, 2024.
The vote was taken by all the African member states. Other candidates included Dr. Richard Mihigo, proposed by Rwanda; Niger’s Dr. Boureima Hama Sambo; and Dr. Ibrahima Socé Fall of Senegal.
Dr. Ndugulile’s nomination will be submitted for appointment by the 156th session of the WHO Executive Board, scheduled for February 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland. The newly appointed Regional Director will replace Dr. Matshidiso Moeti. He will serve a five-year term and be eligible for reappointment once.
Ahead of his formal appointment, Dr. Ndugulile expressed commitment to advancing the health of the people in the region.
“I’m truly honoured and humbled to be elected to the position of WHO Regional Director for Africa. I thank Member States for the trust shown in me. I promise to work with you, and I believe that together we can build a healthier Africa,” Dr. Ndugulile said.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, congratulated Dr. Ndugulile on his election as Regional Director for Africa and praised Dr. Sambo, Dr. Fall, and Dr. Mihigo for their campaigns.
“Dr. Ndugulile has earned the confidence and trust of the Member States of the region to be elected the next Regional Director for WHO Africa. This is a great privilege and a very great responsibility,” said Dr. Tedros. “I and the entire WHO family in Africa and around the world will support you every step of the way.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Mihigo congratulated his Tanzanian counterpart on the victory and wished him success in his role.
“Warm congratulations to @DocFaustine on being elected as the new @WHOAFRO Regional Director. Wishing you great success in your new role. Hongera sana!” Dr. Mihigo said in a post on X.
He added, “I wish to thank also all partners and supporters of my campaign—your trust and commitment were greatly appreciated.”
Warm congratulations to @DocFaustine on being elected as the new @WHOAFRO Regional Director. Wishing you great success in your new role. Hongera sana!
I wish to thank also all partners and supporters of my campaign – your trust and commitment were greatly appreciated. pic.twitter.com/vEekp2sPHP
This comes in the wake of complaints that a local contractor recently failed to fulfil waste collection duties, allowing garbage to pile up on the roadside in Nyamirambo Sector, Nyarugenge District.
In a notice to all garbage collection companies on Wednesday, August 28, the City of Kigali urged the companies to adhere to the regulations outlined in their contracts or risk penalties.
“Any company that fails to comply with these regulations, and all other waste management regulations in the City of Kigali, will face penalties,” the notice reads.
The companies are required to adhere to waste collection schedules, avoid piling waste or scattering it on roadsides, and are prohibited from disposing of waste in unauthorized locations.
They are also required to keep waste collection points clean and use insecticides to eliminate pests and foul odours.
Other measures include providing employees with protective equipment such as aprons, gloves, and masks, as well as ensuring that waste collection vehicles are in good condition and meet police technical controls.
“Let’s unite our efforts to maintain a clean and safe Kigali,” the management said.
Kigali is widely recognised as the cleanest city in Africa due to the exceptional levels of hygiene and cleanliness that the city continues to display.
The government of Rwanda and city leadership have implemented regulations and public awareness campaigns to maintain cleanliness and environmental standards. This includes initiatives such as Umuganda, a type of community work where residents engage in various activities to clean the city.
In 2018, Eric Solheim, who served as Executive Director of UN Environment Programme between May 2016 and November 2018, referred to Kigali as the “cleanest city on the planet”, both in terms of lack of street rubbish and its adorable green initiatives.
Many other cities in the region continue to grapple with the garbage problem.
Early this month, more than 30 people lost their lives after a mountain of garbage collapsed in Kampala, Uganda.
The accident occurred on Friday, August 9, 2024, when a large chunk broke off the mound of trash at the Kiteezi landfill on the northern outskirts of Kampala. Dozens of homes near the dumpsite were buried as residents slept.
The incident is believed to have been triggered by heavy rainfall.
According to the ministry, some of these churches are located in areas that make them unfit for holding prayer activities.
This was established during a recent nationwide inspection that led to the closure of more than 9,000 places of worship due to non-compliance with various regulations.
The Minister of Local Government, Jean Claude Musabyimana, revealed during an interview on RBA’s *Imboni* program that around 600 churches were found to be unfit for reopening, including those that must be demolished because they pose a threat to public safety.
He stated, “There are buildings with serious issues. Among them, 336 are unsuitable for any activity; they are in locations where they should not be, and even their owners acknowledge this. We are not doing this in secret; their owners have discussed it with us and admitted that the best solution is to abandon or demolish these buildings and wait until they can carry out a proper construction project.”
He emphasized that if a church is built in an area where people cannot live, “you cannot expect to renovate it and resume activities there the next day; it’s just not possible.”
Minister Musabyimana also pointed out that some churches will remain closed because they were found to be mere front organizations with no permanent locations. “You cannot claim to have a church with no permanent location, carrying its papers around, and then rent a space meant for other purposes,” he added.
Minister Musabyimana clarified that closing a church does not equate to closing a religion, as a single denomination may have multiple places of worship, allowing for the closure of one while others continue to operate.
The Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) recently announced that in December 2023, it met with representatives of faith-based organizations at the district level, reminding them that the grace period given by the law for those who lacked the required qualifications ended in September 2023. This law provided a five-year window to meet other requirements, including obtaining necessary academic qualifications, as there was a need for time to study and fulfill these obligations, which concluded in September 2023.
In May 2024, RGB also sent a letter to all religious leaders requesting documentation on the locations of their branches, information on those in charge, and their educational qualifications, but not all were able to provide the required documents.
**110 ‘Wilderness’ Sites Permanently Closed**
Minister Musabyimana noted that during the church inspections, they found over 110 locations where people were worshipping in mountains, caves, water springs, pits, and other dangerous places, with some even struck by lightning.
“You are aware that many Rwandans were worshipping in various remote locations, such as mountains with water springs, caves, and what we referred to as wilderness sites, often without any form of safety. We heard of incidents where lightning struck and killed people in trees, only to find out that these were people who had gone to pray in such hazardous places,” he explained.
“We agreed to close those sites because there is no reason for people to conduct prayer activities in such dangerous locations. There are no buildings there; it’s just places where people gather, like pits.”
The 2022 national census revealed that at least 390,000 Rwandans do not adhere to any religion. Catholics constitute over 5 million, accounting for 40% of the population, while ADEPR has 21%, Protestants 15%, Adventists 12%, Muslims 2%, and those practicing traditional beliefs less than 1%.
Odinga stated that the introduction of an AU visa would significantly enhance the free movement of people and goods across the continent, thereby promoting intra-Africa trade.
He lamented that traders and businesspeople in Africa are required to obtain numerous visas to travel across the continent, while their foreign counterparts can do so freely.
“My friend Aliko Dangote says that to travel across the continent, he needs 35 visas. His French competitor does not need a visa to travel with a French visa in Africa. What a shame. In Europe, you only need a Schengen visa to travel across the entire continent without a problem,” Odinga said.
He pledged to introduce the AU visa to remove the bottlenecks that have hindered free movement for decades.
“We will also ensure that we reach a stage where we can issue an AU visa and allow people to travel across the continent without much difficulty,” Odinga stated.
Odinga was speaking during the official launch of his campaign for the top continental role at State House Nairobi. The ceremony was attended by five heads of state and high-ranking dignitaries from various countries.
If elected AU Commissioner Chair, Odinga also promised to pursue a Continental Air Control System to streamline air travel by reducing bureaucratic hurdles, improving efficiency, and enhancing coordination between countries.
“Air transport is a major challenge in Africa. Today, travelling across the continent is too expensive. You have to obtain permits to fly over countries, which delays movement. Flying over Europe is much easier than in Africa. We need to have a Continental Air Control System within the continent so that people can travel from East to West and North to South without a problem,” Odinga said during the launch.
“I will make the African Union more people-centered to align with the vision of Your Excellencies if elected to this position,” he added.
He also emphasized the need to address constraints in infrastructure development across the continent to facilitate trade between African countries, stating that greater efforts should be dedicated to building highways that link the continent.
The launch of Odinga’s AUC bid was presided over by Kenya’s President William Ruto, who expressed confidence in his ability to lead the AUC due to his illustrious leadership career.
“I present to you a visionary Pan-African, a bold and wise leader, a professional and technocrat, as well as a towering statesman and veteran mobilizer for positive change. I am confident that he will give his utmost and do all it takes to make Africa proud and powerful,” President Ruto said.
Also present were Presidents Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, Salva Kiir of South Sudan, Samia Suluhu of Tanzania, and former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria and Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania.
The heads of state vowed to support Odinga’s bid during the polls scheduled for February 2025, saying he was the best fit.
Rwanda’s Minister of State in charge of Regional Cooperation, James Kabarebe, represented President Paul Kagame at the event.
A statement released by the justice ministry on Monday indicated that police were among a group of individuals who raided the site in an attempt to “oust” a French diplomat.
Diplomatic sources told the media that during the scuffle, an embassy cultural cooperation diplomat was struck and held for nearly three hours, while two other diplomats were “shoved around but not wounded.”
The justice ministry stated that police officers and officials from the prosecutor’s office involved in the assault on Saturday, August 24, 2024, have been apprehended.
Earlier, Foreign Minister Therese Wagner Kayikwamba expressed “deep regret” over the incident, which she said “violated international conventions.”
Meanwhile, France’s ambassador, Bruno Aubert, reportedly met with President Felix Tshisekedi on Monday to discuss the matter.
“We discussed this situation and the measures that will be taken, some already, by the Congolese authorities to ensure such an incident does not happen again,” Aubert was quoted as saying in a statement released by Kayikwamba’s office.
The ownership of the site where the incident occurred has been contested for many years. The French embassy has occupied the site since 1972, and last year, a court ruled in favor of France in the dispute.
The event, presided over by Kenyan President William Ruto, will mark the official launch of Odinga’s campaign for the seat.
The East African Community (EAC) chairperson and President of South Sudan, Salva Kiir, arrived in the Kenyan capital for the event on Monday evening.
President Samia Suluhu of Tanzania arrived this morning and is expected to be joined by two other heads of state, including Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, and Somalia’s Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
Rwanda’s Minister of State in charge of Regional Cooperation, James Kabarebe, will represent President Paul Kagame at the event, while Burundi’s Head of State, Évariste Ndayishimiye, will be represented by Prime Minister Gervais Ndirakobuca.
IGIHE understands that all eight heads of state from the region, including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), were invited to attend the event.
Also expected to grace the occasion is former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, who endorsed Odinga’s AUC bid earlier this year.
Odinga is seeking to succeed Chad’s Moussa Faki in elections slated for February 2025.
The former Kenyan Prime Minister and opposition leader received a major boost in March after the African Union Executive Council unanimously resolved that candidates for the position of the next chairperson of the AU Commission would be nominated by the Eastern African regional States.
Early this month, Odinga also received another boost after former Somalia Foreign Affairs Minister Fawzia Yusuf Adam withdrew from the race to back the former Kenyan premier.
Odinga will now battle it out with Djibouti candidate Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, former Mauritius Foreign Minister Anil Kumarsingh Gayan and his former Madagascar counterpart Richard James Randrianmandrato.
Manzi, who has been in detention since his arrest on July 30, first appeared before the court on August 19, when his trial was postponed after the defence said they were not ready for trial.
The prosecution presented three charges against him: obtaining something of value by deception, illegal currency exchange, and money laundering. It is alleged that Manzi, together with his wife, founded Billion Traders FX and encouraged people to invest their money with a promise to return their capital along with the profits.
Preliminary information from Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) indicated that at least 500 people had invested up to $10 million in the company.
The prosecution explained that Manzi received large sums of money, some directly to him and others through his wife, but failed to fulfil the promises he made to investors. Frustrated investors eventually turned to the justice system for help.
Under the law, anyone engaged in currency trading must obtain authorization from the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR), which Manzi did not have. It is also alleged that when Manzi registered his company with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), he claimed he would trade currency but instead conducted illegal online currency exchanges not permitted in Rwanda.
The prosecution presented evidence that Manzi promised investors lucrative returns, such as a “double profit package” where a $10,000 investment could yield $20,000 in just five months. Another scheme promised 0.8% monthly returns on a $30,000 investment, with the principal returned after five months.
It is understood that the invested funds are still unaccounted for because the suspect claims that the money was frozen abroad.
In November 2022, the Capital Markets Authority alerted RIB that Manzi was operating without a license, posing a risk to investors. The prosecution further explained that inspections conducted on January 2, 2024, and December 28, 2023, found that neither Manzi’s nor his wife’s accounts had any funds, suggesting money laundering by transferring the money elsewhere.
Given these serious submissions, the prosecution requested the court to order his detention while the case is under preparation for trial arguing that his detention would prevent him from evading justice fleeing.
In response, the suspect denied all charges, stating that the prosecution’s claims differed from the operations of his company, which he launched in 2020. He explained that before starting the company, he sought authorization from BNR and was told there was no existing law permitting such a business but was allowed to operate as regulations were being developed.
He claimed that in 2022, BNR and Capital Markets staff visited his company and praised its operations, but shortly after, they issued a public notice on television, warning people against investing in it.
Manzi stated that in November 2022, RIB froze the company’s bank accounts, blocking over $990,000 and causing significant losses. He asked the public to file complaints to address emerging issues related to the frozen funds.
He later communicated with RIB to return the frozen funds to the rightful owners, which he said was done. Manzi insisted that his business was neither fraudulent nor deceptive, as it had been running for ten years, and asked for justice so that he could return the money owed to Rwandans.
He mentioned that he worked with a company called Ice Markets in Australia, which also froze over $2.5 million of his funds after the investigation began.
“The Rwandans’ money is available, and we know where it is. I ask for a chance to recover and return it to the rightful owners,” he said.
Manzi argued that if released, he could continue to recover his frozen funds and pay back those he owes. He indicated that by December 2023, he had already repaid over 70% of the capital received from the public.
Manzi explained that promising seemingly exaggerated profits was based on what he believed was possible. “This business is not widely understood; people often misinterpret it. I saw it as feasible, and I still believe it is. I made a profit, and so did the Rwandans. If this is properly understood in Rwanda, it could benefit the country,” he said.
He revealed that he had 559 clients at the time. Manzi argued that continued detention would not benefit anyone, as the Australian company holding his funds would only release them once his legal issues in Rwanda were resolved.
His lawyer, Me Zawadi Sylvere, emphasized that Manzi would not flee justice and requested the court to allow him to be followed up while out of detention.
The court’s decision will be announced on August 28, 2024.
This follows a meeting between Gen (Rtd) James Kabarebe, Rwanda’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in Charge of Regional Cooperation, and his Japanese counterpart, Tsuji Kiyoto, on Sunday, August 25, 2024.
Kabarebe is in Japan to attend the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) Ministerial Meeting, ahead of TICAD 9, which will be held in Yokohama from August 20 to 22, 2025. TICAD was launched in 1993 to promote Africa’s development, peace and security, through the strengthening of relations in multilateral cooperation and partnership.
During the meeting, State Minister Tsuji congratulated President Paul Kagame on his re-election and paid tribute to Rwanda’s efforts toward national reconciliation, reconstruction, and stability over the 30 years since the Genocide against the Tutsi.
In turn, Kabarebe expressed his appreciation for Japan’s assistance and his hope to further strengthen the already strong bilateral relations between the two countries.
State Minister Tsuji, while referring to his recent visit to Rwanda in May this year, welcomed the momentum of Japanese companies developing new business in Rwanda. The two parties agreed to work together to increase investment from Japan to Rwanda by improving the business environment for Japanese companies.
“They confirmed the further development of Japan-Rwanda relations towards TICAD 9 next year,” Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. “They also exchanged views regarding cooperation in the international arena, including regional situations.”
Japan’s development cooperation in Rwanda currently includes loans, grants, and technical assistance, with a focus on enhancing infrastructure, agricultural development and education among others.
In March, the Government of Rwanda and Japan signed a long-term financing agreement worth 14 billion Japanese Yen (approximately Rwf118 billion to support transformation of the education sector.
Rwanda said the agreement in form of a concessional loan marked a pivotal step towards driving digital transformation within education, enhancing operational efficiency across primary and secondary levels, and fostering an enriched learning environment within technical colleges. The overarching objective is to ensure equitable access to quality education for all.
He said this during an exclusive interview with IGIHE where he highlighted Rwanda’s rapid progress under the leadership of President Paul Kagame.
“Rwanda’s transformation in the real estate sector is nothing short of remarkable,” Dr. Moses said.
“The strategic vision that has guided this nation’s development, particularly in infrastructure and urban planning, has not only attracted global attention but has also established Rwanda as a model for sustainable growth in Africa,” he emphasized.
Dr. Moses, originally from Edo State, Nigeria, and now based in London, has built a successful career in property investment and wealth creation. His recent focus on Rwanda signals his recognition of the country’s success in creating a stable and attractive environment for real estate development.
This follows his recent appearance on Rwanda’s National Broadcasting Network (RBA), where he first expressed his admiration for the country’s progress. However, his engagement with Rwanda extends beyond this.
On August 4, 2024, Dr. Moses was honoured as a keynote speaker at the 100 Most Notable Icons event held in Kigali, where he received the International Business and Property Developer of the Year award.
This recognition highlights his growing involvement in the African real estate market and his interest in contributing to Rwanda’s continued success.
Moses elaborated on his future plans in Rwanda, including a sensitization workshop scheduled for December 2024 in Kigali. The workshop aims to empower local real estate professionals and investors with insights and strategies for success in the sector.
“I see tremendous potential in Rwanda, and I am committed to contributing to the growth of its real estate market,” Moses stated. “This workshop is just one step in what I hope will be a long-term partnership with the country.”
Moses also expressed his admiration for Rwanda’s consistent policies that foster growth while ensuring that development benefits the broader population.
“Rwanda’s success in the real estate sector is a testament to what can be achieved with visionary leadership and strategic planning,” he noted.
Underscoring Moses’s deepening connection to Rwanda and his belief in the country’s potential, his plans for future investments and initiatives are seen as a vote of confidence in Rwanda’s economic stability and its prospects for continued development in the real estate sector.
As Rwanda continues to position itself as a leading destination for real estate investment in Africa, Moses’s involvement is an indication of a critical role in shaping the market’s future.
His upcoming workshop and potential investments are anticipated to not only enhance the local real estate industry but also contribute to the broader economic landscape.
This highlights the importance of Rwanda’s achievements in real estate and the growing interest from international experts who are eager to be part of the country’s success story.
