Kagame was speaking Thursday in an interactive session with members of the African Union Broadcasting (AUB) gathered in a General Assembly in Kigali.
The Head of State said that African Union has been there for sometime and is about how countries can work together to achieve what they have to do.
“This time we actually have to pay our bills. If you don’t pay your bills you actually end up paying even more than you would had paid directly. The one who pays for you in the end owns you,” he said.
He said that some initiatives of the African Union are not new.
“The 0.2% levy has been defended, argued about and is now very clear as one of the ways forward in being able to pay for our activities. Maybe with time we will realize that we are wasting our own opportunities. We have to do something for ourselves as a continent. African leaders now think it is time to do what we ought to,” he said.
Kagame said that Africans should learn from their past failures and apply lessons learnt.
In Rwanda, he said, having learnt a lot of lessons the hard way, Rwandans are very realistic about their situation and the global issues that affect them.
“We understood that we have to do what is good for us and find out what works. The model we have is as simple as what we want as Rwandans. We want peace, prosperity and security for everybody,” he noted.
Speaking about African refugees, Kagame said that Africans have to confront the issue as it is happening and figure out how to manage it.
“As African countries, we collectively need to find root causes to why our people are leaving to go die or be sold as slaves elsewhere,” he said.
He said that Public policies, however good they may be, if they are still producing people wanting to leave their countries, those policies need to be rethought and fine-tuned.
President Paul Kagame said this as at Kigali Convention Centre while attending the General Assembly of African Union Broadcasting (AUC) that has been underway since Monday, March 12, 2018.
He illustrated the chances of Africa setting new milestones and changes relayed in the adoption of the Continental Free Trade Area.
“If Africans find ways of dealing with the fear of the Continental Free Trade Area; when adopted, it will be the best thing to ever happen to our continent. The benefits will be enormous. Broadcasters need to be out there explaining this to our citizens.”, he said
The Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) was adopted during the 30th African Union Summit that was held in Kigali.
It will bring together the Africa’s fragmented three main organisations;the Common Market for Eastern and Southern African countries (COMESA), the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
It is a combined market of over 1.2 billion people, the largest in the world but which, unfortunately has not transformed into intra-African trade as is the case of the European which is half of the market.
A free trade area that encompasses the whole continent will be a great turnabout in an area that has a combined GDP of over $3 billion that is lying to waste.
Problems in diplomatic relations between Rwanda and France take roots from the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi where French Government sponsored genocidal government and some French soldiers who were in the country under Opération Turquoise, a French-led military operation in Rwanda in 1994 under the mandate of the United Nations participated in the execution of the genocide.
While speaking to the Media on Tuesday, Mushikiwabo said that President Macron has proven the will to restore the relationships.
Mushikiwabo was referring to how Macron met with President Paul Kagame twice since he took office in May last year.
Macron met with Kagame in New York in September 2017 on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. Both Heads of States also met last week in New Delhi, India on the sidelines of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Founding Summit.
Mushikiwabo said that under Macron’s leadership, there is a need to restore the relations between both countries, contrary to previous leadership which needed to run their relations on the condition that Rwanda keep quiet on France and soldiers’ role in the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, things which she says is impossible.
She said that Rwanda continued to seek good relationship with France; however, they were given conditions that they should neglect history which the country passed through.
“Countries’ relationships can’t go forward by neglecting the vital part of our history, which is why we always disagree. As you there are people wanting to falsify history by involving in genocide denial and involving in the politics of this country,” she said.
Alain Juppé who was France Foreign Affairs Minister since 1993 to 1995 and Prime Minister since 1995 to 1997 is among French politicians who continue to deny the genocide against the Tutsi due to their role when he was in high ranking positions of France during the genocide.
The most terrible case is that of Saturday 10th March lightning that killed 16 worshipers of the Seventh Adventist Church in Nyaruguru District of Southern Province leaving many injured and hospitalized. The previous day, also in the same district, it had struck 18 students leaving one dead.
On March 5th in Ngoma District of Eastern Province, lightning struck and killed ten cows in Kazo sector as was confirmed by Ngoma District mayor, Aphrodise Nambaje.
On March 3rd in Rubavu District, five people were injured, 26 houses were totally destroyed, 924 houses partially destroyed and 138.5 hectares of crops were damaged following the downpour in the district.
That’s a peek from statistics from the Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs (MIDIMAR) which show that from January to March this year, disasters killed 33 people from across the country, leaving 143 injured.
{{Why a spate of disasters? }}
Speaking to IGIHE, the Acting Director for Risk Reduction and Disaster Preparedness at MIDIMAR, Alphonse Hishamunda said that the disasters continue to increase due to the rain season and rainstorm.
He, however, observes that behind this spate of disasters are a combination of nature and human activities. Floods and landslides are caused by a combination of the results of climate change and poor use of land.
“Cutting down trees and razing down entire forests, lack of radical terraces and lack of proper drainage systems all feed into deepening the problem,” he said.
From the beginning of this year, disasters have destroyed 1674 houses and 13 classrooms and damaged 541.1 hectares of crops. They killed 27 livestock and destroyed 11 bridges.
Among 33 deaths recorded since this year started, lightning occupy the big number with 27, rainstorms and five landslides.
A total of 143 people were injured by disasters. Among them, lightning injured 124, rainstorms injured eleven, floods injured five and landslides injured three.
In 2017, disasters killed 67 people leaving 133 and destroyed 5768 houses and 198 classrooms. They also damaged 5251.1 hectares of crops and killed 587 livestock.
The same year, disasters also destroyed three health centers, damaged 13 roads, destroyed 37 churches, 49 bridges, 17 administrative bureau, ten water supplies and 79 transmission lines.
{{Why lightning continue to claim many lives }}
As has been observed, from January to March this year, among 33 people killed by disasters, 27 were killed by lightning.
Also in 2017, among 67 people killed by disasters, 24 of them were killed by lightning followed by rainstorms which killed 21.
MIDIMAR’s Hishamunda said that when it rains, affected people are likely to be in conditions which attract lightning.
“Nowadays, there are heavy rains followed by lightnings people who are outside their homes, close to water areas are likely to be struck by lightning; it is rare to see people struck from inside their houses,” he explained.
He explained that from inside the houses lightning struck those who don’t disconnect electronic gadgets and without lightning arresters.
He urged people to avoid using electronic sets like mobile phones when it is raining as they attract lightning.
He said that people should avoid going close to towers and metallic fences when it is raining. He added that people should avoid seeking shelter under trees.
“It doesn’t rain abruptly, people should consider seeking shelter at good places and avoid any contact with water,” he added.
Hishamunda said that MIDIMAR encourages owners of big structures and public places to install lightning arresters so as to avoid the risks.
“Regulations indicate that owners of public places like churches, hospitals, markets, administrative offices should install lightning arresters,” he said.
On the case Nyaruguru lightning that struck worshipers from inside the church, Hishamunda said that MIDIMAR has learnt that the church had no lightning arrestors and had connected electronic gadgets from inside and outside the church, some of which were directly exposed to the rain.
“If they had disconnected these equipment earlier or if they had lightning arrester, that tragedy would have been avoided,” he added.
He said that last year, MIDIMAR wrote to all districts and the Ministry of Local Government requesting them to conduct inspection of big structures to establish whether they have lightning arresters.
The Government has intervened in supporting the victims.
For the case of Nyaruguru lightning, the district promised to foot all medical bills for survivors as they also met all cost for burial of deceased.
The government provides roofing to people whose houses were destroyed and neighbors support them through community works (umuganda) to construct or rehabilitate their houses and other relief.
A total of $77,958 will go to construct new maternity ward and purchase one open care warmer, two medical cupboards and 17 beds. The grant is also expected to improve reproductive health for more than 58,000 people.
$81,109 of the grant will go to construct new school buildings of the JOC Vocational Training Center including five classrooms, one administrative block, one sanitary facility and one workshop. With the aim to improve the quality of the training, the grant is also expected to allow JOCA Rwanda to accept over 100 more students.
The signing of the grant took place yesterday in Kigali between the Ambassador of Japan to Rwanda, Takayuki Miyashita and Executive Director of Association Rwandaise pour le Développement Rural (ARDR) Jean Munyurangabo and JOC Rwanda President Jean Bosco Harerimana.
Speaking at the event, Ambassador Miyashita said that the new maternity ward will provide pregnant women with proper labor, delivery and maternity rooms.
He added that the project will reduce the number of pregnant women who have to give birth without having appropriate health facilities.
“Most pregnant women have to lie on the floor because of a lack of beds in the maternity ward of Nyacyonga Health Center. Moreover, the maternity ward does not have a water tank to clean the delivery room after child birth,” he said.
He said that the project is expected to lower the health risk for newborn babies and pregnant women and improve reproductive health for more than 58,000 people in Jabana and Nduba sectors, Gasabo District.
On school, Ambassador Miyashita said that the grant will provide a proper educational facility to students and enhance their school environment.
“This grant will allow JOC Rwanda to have enough work space for vocational trainings including welding, tailoring and hairdressing. The school can also accept over 100 more students who were put on a wait-list,” he said.
Nyacyonga Health Center Director, Clementine Mukagasana welcomed the grant saying that previously they had a room with five beds only and was a problem to manage them due to the number of pregnant women they receive.
ARDR’s Munyurangabo said that during the implementation of the project, they will partner with residents through community works, and the district will provide with them experts to supervise construction works.
Joc Rwanda’s Harerimana said that the grant will help them save the amount of money they used to spend in renting classrooms. The school was launched in 2014.
He said that they used to spend over Rwf1.4 million in rent, but they will allocate them to improving the quality of education by buying new equipment.
The auction of unspecified tobacco quantity is set for 28th March, 2018 at the factory located in Gikondo industrial area in Kigali in order to recover tax arrears, according to an announcement by a bailiff, Mr. Védaste Habimana.
“As requested by RRA and after reviewing the tax-establishing decisions given to Premier Tobacco Company Ltd; with an intention to recover tax arrears, the professional bailiff announces to the general public that there will be an auction of tobacco stock of Premier Tobacco Company Ltd on Wednesday 28/03/2018,” reads part of the statement released yesterday and signed by lawyer Védaste Habimana.
Visiting the stocks will start next Tuesday, afternoon.
Details of the stock quantity and amount of arrears remain unrevealed but bailiff Habimana has referred IGIHE to RRA for further details which remained unavailable by press time.
{{IGIHE is trying to get the details from RRA and the factory’s management.}}
Suspects are Apostle Charles Rwandamura, Reverend Pastor Fred Nyamurangwa, Bishop Innocent Rugagi, Rev Emmanuel Ntambara, Pastor James Dura and Pastor Emmanuel Kalisa Shyaka.
Speaking to IGIHE, the Prosecutor General Jean Bosco Mutangana said that they received the case file on Monday 12th and currently, they are analyzing it.
Following their arrest, Police said that all pastors are suspected of having had plans to tamper with the exercise of clamping down on churches that do not meet structural standards across the country.
Police said that some church heads formed a group with the aim of impeding the exercise.
The two institutions share the spirit of “excellence” with GHA standing out in academic field as the sole school in Rwanda offering the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program while IGIHE boasts of standing out in media as the Rwanda’s leading online outlet.
The visit by 15 students and their two tutors was part of the school’s celebration of International Women Day (IWD) and the choice of IGIHE was inspired by the fact that it has a real team of journalists and is offering a special coverage of women during women’s month (March), according to teacher Lawoiri Riffi who, together with teacher Marie Guerin, led the visiting team.
“We wanted to visit a real team of journalists. So we chose the women’s day. In my point of view, teaching should be practical, motivating and funny. The objective of GHA is ‘Towards Excellence”, by this visit, we follow our goal to be excellent in everything,” said Riffi.
On the occasion, the students of a Kigali-based international school currently hosting 1650 students from 56 nationalities wrote accolades to women in recognition of their outstanding courage and determination in upbringing the humankind. Below are the accolades by three among the students:
{{Who is a Woman?}}
“Every man needs a woman when his life is a mess, because just like the game of chess- the queen protects the king.”
The greatest pleasure in a man’s life is to get somebody who is multitalented, loving, caring and has all the qualities needed in an angel, these are who we call women.
They are the stars and moon in our lives. They are the most beautiful creation invented by God who have landed up on earth like angels to make earth a heavenly place. Despite of all the kindness and care they have given us, women are abused all around the world without any terror which includes transgressions like- rapes, sexual assaults, acid attacks etc. to decrease the level of these felonies, the people have decided to appreciate women with love and gratitude by making it a special day known as the International Women’s Day (IWD).
IWD also known as international women’s working day is a day celebrated worldwide that mainly focuses on the attainment by the women in all fields like economic, political and social. It’s also a day for the UN attempting to resolve on the struggles women are suffering. The global women’s day is acknowledged on 8th March because women held rallies either to protest the war or to express solidarity with other activists in 1975, during {{International Women’s}} Year. The United Nations began {{celebrating International Women’s Day}} on {{8th March}}. It’s commemorated in most of the European countries and Asian countries- for example Denmark, Switzerland, china, India, Austria, etc.
Women are very important to our society. They have contributed a lot in every other branch- whether it’s sport or science, they have made themselves recognised to the whole world with their tremendous accomplishments. Some women like mother Teresa, Malala, Helen and others have even left their mark on earth and in the history. These stars of our lives have showed that women are no less than men including every simple housewife, mom and sister out there. They have the toughest job in their daily lives which is unrewarded and they receive no leave. Except for these our moms, wives and sisters seldom whine. Being a woman is not a piece of cake, it requires a lot of patience, love and courage. So, let this women’s day be memorable for your loved ones making an abundance of love flow through their nerves and appealing your prayers to the women al around the world who are currently suffering with horrendous abuses. Love them because they are W-wonderful, o-outstanding-motherly, a-ambitious and n-nurturing.
{{The love of a mother}}
Mothers, aunts and sisters. These women we see every day are truly the gems in a man’s life. The love of a mother is irreplaceable. The counsel of your aunt straightens your mind. And your sister is always there to give you advice and even a shoulder to cry on.
Women are truly wonderful because of their beauty and approachable nature. A lady, the person who is willing to keep your secrets and sorrows. A woman who shares your hopes, dreams and passions. A lady is your special friend if you just listen to her.
Even though they rarely seem alone or out of home, women have taken a leap into the future. In the past we foolishly overlooked their abilities and we paid the price. Long ago a woman was seen as a source of dowry, money and children. Forced into marriages and other dishonourable deeds, their value was diminished.
But the new age is in their hands. Brave and inspiring women, such as Jeanette Kagame, our First Lady, who strives hard for the growth and education of the youth. And not to forget our Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Louise Mushikiwabo, who works very hard to represent the image of Rwanda in the world. And other remarkable ladies such as Ophrah Winfrey and Michelle Obama who paved the way to greatness for the next generation of women. Women are allowed to vote and some are currently the leaders of countries, far and wide in the world. Their works are remarkable and may they lead us into a new era.
My mother is one such woman. Her bravery and sacrifice inspires me every day. Honour the women and respect them because they gave us life.
{{Women’s day }}
As we know that women’s day is approaching that’s why I wrote an essay about it. Women’s day is not a new topic in this generation to talk about. Women’s day is on 8th of March every year and it is celebrated to value and tell them the achievements they have done. It is a day to appreciate them with love and gratitude. It is also known as the United Nations (UN) Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace. On this day many events are held by women’s group. Men give flowers and gifts to their wives, girlfriends, daughters and mothers. International women’s Day is all about feeling women realize their worth and giving them a boost to achieve as per their actual potential.
It is a very special day for women because they work so hard to make the family perfect. I think the women do the hardest work in the world because they even have to care for the family, make food and they do not get holidays on Saturdays and Sundays; they always work. I think the most important woman in your life will be your mother.
Everyone says that “behind a successful man there is a woman.” Some ways which you can make a woman special: respect them all the time not just because they are women but also because they are individuals and they have their own identity, do not think that men are better than women because everyone is equal.
They are wonderful daughters, amazing sisters, superior wives, caring mothers, and loving grannies. They are born as leaders, and fighters. They are the light of children and men’s live. Make this day special for women so, they can experience the same love that they give us every moment. As we celebrate the centenary of International Women’s Day this year, we are to take more advantage of the potentials and talents of half of the humanity, and not just seek to consecrate gender equality in principle. Indeed, women could greatly contribute to the upbringing and education. Let us show respect to all women in the world and wish them a HAPPY WOMEN’S DAY.
In a statement signed by the Sector Executive Secretary, Charles Havugimana released yesterday, the decision was taken following the findings from the monitoring exercise.
The monitoring was conducted on Churches and Mosques on February 19th 2018 and revealed that Mosques which use speakers installed above their buildings cause noise pollution.
“I write to you asking you to stop using these speakers and find other means to call followers for prayer,” reads the statement.
The decision was taken following the ongoing exercise by Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) and local government authorities to clampdown substandard churches from across the country.
The inauguration ceremony took place last week in Nyagatare and was attended by both MTN Rwanda and local government officials.
Groupe Scholaire Ndama is a newly constructed school that was launched in July 2017. It was constructed by Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) under ‘Army Week’, an yearly programme where Rwandan army conducts free activities that contribute to the development and well-being of the society.
The school had only six classrooms accommodating over 900 students.
MTN Rwanda’s Chief Sales and Distribution Officer, Annie Tabula told IGIHE that the company always conducts different activities to support welfare of Rwandan community.
“This is part of our yearly programme where employees help the community we operate from, last year our agents from this province told us that Rwanda’s army constructed the school, but had few classrooms, and we as MTN decided to provide our contribution so that children would not travel long distances to or from school,” she said.
She added that MTN has many activities that support well-being of the people and back government programmes in different sectors like health and women empowerment among others.
Evariste Kayumba, a parent whose child studies at the school welcomed the classrooms saying that their children are relieved from going to study away.
“We are very happy to have this school and classrooms close to us because our children would have to travel long distances going to study in other schools and sometimes they decide to drop out,” he said.
Eastern Province Governor, Fred Mufulukye affirmed that having the classes will help students concentrate in their studies.
“We thank Army and MTN which constructed these classrooms in this region, children used to travel long miles to school and this discouraged them. The first remarkable step is to have a school and children are no longer taken to their families living close to other schools, they will no longer travel long distances, we hope that they will raise the quality of education,” he said.
Mufulukye pledged to construct more classrooms in the school so as to solve congestion problem.
Currently, the school has over 900 students with primary school and one year of ‘twelve years basic education’.
As the ceremony to launch the classrooms was coincided with the celebration of ‘International Women Day’, MTN Rwanda supported a forum of Eastern Province women with Rwf6,5 million to use in development projects.
Construction activities for inaugurated classrooms started in June 2017 under MTN’s ‘21 Days of y’ello care’ promotion programme which focused on education and ICT.
