Upon arrival, Sulayem engaged with young girls at the BK Arena for the “Girls on Track” program welcoming over 100 young women from schools across Kigali to a packed schedule of exciting and inspiring events at the BK Arena.
Joined by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem and racing driver, F1 analyst, and presenter Naomi Schiff, the girls took to the track in karts for the first time as well challenging themselves on the simulators, trying their hands at different sporting challenges.
Besides, they had the chance to meet with and hear from inspiring experts from across the world of motorsport who shared their advice and experiences with the girls.
Participants also had the unique opportunity to connect online with FIA Women in Motorsport Chairperson Burcu Çetinkaya who joined them remotely from the Women in Motorsport North America summit in Indianapolis, fostering an inspiring international dialogue.
The participants, involved in karting and e-sport activities, are set to play a role in the upcoming General Assembly events.
Key figures at the program included Minister of Sports Nyirishema Richard, Permanent Secretary Nelly Mukazayire, State Minister of Education Irere Claudette, and Rwanda Automobile Club (RAC) President Gakwaya Christian.
The week-long General Assembly, coinciding with the FIA’s 120th anniversary, will feature ten major activities. These include a tree-planting initiative at Nyandungu Eco-Park, a session for university students on motorsport career opportunities, and visits to the Zipline facility in Muhanga District.
Additionally, there will be a meet-and-greet for motorsport enthusiasts and displays of iconic race cars, including the Toyota Gazoo Racing WRC, Porsche 99X Electric (GEN3 Evo), and Red Bull RB13.
On Thursday, December 12, a session will focus on the role of technology in reducing environmental damage.
The General Assembly and awards ceremony will take place on Friday, December 13, at the BK Arena, recognizing achievements across various motorsport disciplines including Formula One, Rally, and Karting.
Kagame was warmly welcomed by his Mauritania counterpart Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, who is also the Chairperson of the African Union.
The forum will focus on transforming Africa’s education systems to meet the demands of the 21st century. Key discussions will cover curriculum reform, teacher development, digital technologies in education, inclusive education, and financing mechanisms for educational transformation.
The conference aims to identify best practices, strengthen partnerships, and explore sustainable solutions to reduce the number of out-of-school children and improve overall learning outcomes.
Held under the theme, “Educating and Qualifying Our Youth for a Prosperous, Integrated, and Dynamic Africa,” the forum will run between December 9-11, 2024.
With the African Union’s theme for 2024 focused on education, the forum will also explore strategies to build resilient education systems that prepare African youth to tackle the continent’s challenges and seize its economic potential.
This forum underscores the importance of collaboration and innovation in transforming education to meet the needs of a rapidly evolving global economy.
It comes at a time when Africa has made significant strides in expanding access to education but still faces challenges in ensuring quality, inclusive, and equitable education for all.
The continent struggles with high numbers of out-of-school children, poor infrastructure, a shortage of qualified teachers, and the impact of crises such as climate change and conflict.
During the International Conference on Genocide prevention held in Kigali on December 9, Dr. Jean Damascène Bizimana, the Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement, the center will focus on conducting research on genocide prevention worldwide, a role previously handled by Western international organizations.
The conference brought together diverse participants, including researchers, university professors, representatives of international organizations and other global stakeholders.
It was highlighted the global community lacks full engagement in addressing conflicts that could potentially lead to further genocides if left unchecked. Examples were cited of hate speech and violence targeting the Kinyarwanda speaking Congolese in eastern DRC, the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the war in South Sudan.
Minister Bizimana emphasized that as a country that experienced genocide, Rwanda strongly opposes and actively works to prevent any actions that could lead to division or discrimination, which are the root causes of violence and loss of life.
He explained that Rwanda, in collaboration with the African Union, has established the African Centre for the Prevention of Genocide to serve as a global platform for research and training.
“The center aims to prevent genocide wherever it may arise globally. It will offer training programs for various groups, including diplomats, researchers, teachers, business people, youth, and others. While the center will primarily focus on Africans, it will also engage international participants in efforts to prevent genocide and its ideologies,” he elaborated.
He also noted that while international organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch produce reports on these issues, Rwanda wants the new center to conduct in-depth research that goes beyond the actions of Western nations.
“We want this center to become a hub for expert, comprehensive research that is not limited to Western narratives,” he said.
Dr. Bizimana further stressed the need for collective efforts to combat the ideology of genocide, as the spread of such ideologies remains pervasive across various social groups, including youth.
Ismael Buchanan, a political science and international relations lecturer at the University of Rwanda, stated that hosting this center provides Rwanda with an important platform to contribute to global genocide prevention.
“Having this center in Rwanda would serve as a global lesson, enabling us to exchange knowledge on how to tackle issues like genocide, which often arise from deep-seated conflicts and hate speech, as seen in places like the DRC,” he said.
Adama Dieng, the African Union’s Special Envoy for the Prevention of Genocide, called the center vital not only for Rwanda, a nation that lived through the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, but also for the entire continent.
“This center will serve as a platform for dialogue and reconciliation, promoting peace and healing not only within Rwanda but across Africa,” he said.
“Remembering the painful history of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi is crucial for building a resilient society. This center will help Rwanda and the region to not only heal but also educate the current and future generations about Rwanda’s and Africa’s history,” he added.
Women in the workforce are trained and supported in competing for leadership positions. Graduates are prepared to compete in the job market while women with small businesses are empowered on how to expand their ventures.
“Lift Her Up” was launched in 2022 by Salma Habib Nkusi, the CEO of Gate Consulting Group, a company that offers business and leadership consulting services.
“A woman has many responsibilities that make her encounter difficult to rise in leadership as a man would. You can see this even with children just finishing school, where the confidence of girl low, even if she has completed her education,” Nkusi said.
The “Lift Her Up” program has three main interventions; the first prepares female graduates to compete in the job market, the second helps women or girls ambitious to start their own businesses while the third supports women and girls in the workforce who seek to advance in their careers. Each year, about 100 women and girls are facilitated through this training.
Gate Consulting Group first assesses the gaps in the development of women and girls and what they want to learn, then connects them with relevant training on a monthly basis.
Successful women in decision-making positions are invited to share their experiences and guide others on the paths they took and what they need to focus on to advance.
At the close of the third phase of “Lift Her Up,” which had lasted nine months, the CEO of the Rwanda Development Bank (BRD), Pitchette Kampeta Sayinzoga, and the CEO of Canal+ Rwanda, Sophie Tchatchoua, shared their journeys with participants, discussing how they reached leadership positions.
Marie Aimée Ingabire, who works at Bralirwa and has been receiving training for nine months also shared her experience.
“I have received valuable knowledge, including personal development, professional growth, and leadership. It’s a great program, and we wish it would continue to expand so more women can benefit. You get to know yourself, understand the people around you, work towards goals, and more,” she said.
Rwanda has made significant strides in advancing women across various sectors. For instance, the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament has 63.75% women, the Senate has 53.8% women, and Rwanda has allocated 30% of parliamentary seats to women, with the possibility for them to compete for the remaining positions. This is also the case in government sectors.
“We want to promote this initiative, increasing the number of women in all sectors. Additionally, if an opportunity arises, a woman should be given the chance not because she is a woman, but because she is capable. It’s a journey, but we are on the right track,” Nkusi said.
In the first phase for graduates, Gate Consulting Group works with universities to support their alumni. For those wishing to become entrepreneurs, the program has a registration process for those who want to be trained.
For women already working, Gate Consulting Group collaborates with their employers to arrange the necessary training.
His trial began on October 7, 2024, and lasted four days. It was based on a complaint filed by three organizations namely; CPCR, Survie, and IBUKA France. Through his book, Onana argued that there was no plan for the Genocide against the Tutsi.
The key issue in the trial was whether the French military’s Opération Turquoise had been conducted with the intention of furthering the genocide against the Tutsi or whether such a plan did not exist.
The trial was attended by many people, including Rwandans on the side of the plaintiffs and the defendant. There were also people from the Democratic Republic of Congo supporting Onana.
Legal expert, Professor Thomas Hochmann, was one of the witnesses for the plaintiffs. Contrary to Onana’s arguments, Hochmann explained that the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), established for the prosecution of crimes committed in Rwanda, had confirmed the existence of a Genocidal plan against the Tutsi.
Professor Hochmann clarified that the tribunal, which operated in Arusha, convicted individuals for committing genocide and for planning it, which serves as evidence that the Genocide took place and was premeditated.
He pointed out that denial of Genocide includes distorting the term in publications, rejecting the findings of courts like the ICTR, as Onana had done.
Lawyer Bernard Maingain explained to the court that it would be impossible for genocide to occur without prior planning.
“How is it possible for 10,000 people to be killed in one day without preparation? How could machetes and other weapons be distributed to people to carry out the killings if it wasn’t planned? Could they have identified and killed all Tutsis, knowing where they lived and their identity, without any preparation?” he wondered.
Maingain, from Belgium, further argued that before the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi began, lists had already been made of the Tutsis who were to be killed, emphasizing that this is evidence of premeditation.
Onana arrived in court stating that he had never denied the genocide but had linked it to the shooting down of President Juvénal Habyarimana’s plane. He also claimed that the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA) Inkotanyi had blocked Opération Turquoise from proceeding as planned by France.
The researcher used testimonies from witnesses including General (Retd) Jean-Claude Lafourcade, who led Opération Turquoise, Johan Swinenn, former Belgian Ambassador to Rwanda, and Christian Quesnot, former Chief of Staff for François Mitterrand who led France’s operations.
These witnesses stated that Onana’s book aimed to reveal the truth about Rwanda’s history, but they emphasized that the 1994 Tutsi Genocide was not planned.
Quesnot stated that Onana is an honest person who could not deny the genocide, adding that the ICTR never confirmed the existence of a genocide plan. However, he acknowledged that the genocide occurred and blamed the RPA forces for committing crimes against humanity and war crimes.
For his conviction, Onana has been ordered to pay a fine of 1,400Euros with the risk of 115 days in detention if the fine is not paid on time while his publisher, Damien Serieyx, was fined 5,000Euros.
However, Dr. Habineza who serves as the chairperson of DGPR was notably excluded from the parliamentary list—a decision he describes as carefully considered.
He recently spoke to IGIHE about his political journey, the challenges of the election, and his plans for the future of the Green Party.
{{Electoral defeat and party realignment}}
After the election, Dr. Habineza withdrew from the public eye, a move he attributes to his focus on restructuring his party internally.
“When you don’t win, some people feel discouraged, and it’s the leader’s responsibility to reunite and motivate the team,” he explained.
Despite the electoral loss, the DGPR remained resolute in realigning and reorganizing its structures to face future challenges.
Dr. Habineza briefly visited Sweden but returned quickly, to continue with his law studies and party responsibilities.
“During my time in Parliament, I learned a lot, but I hadn’t studied law yet. There were areas where I felt I lacked expertise, particularly in advocating for the Rwandan people. I started studying law while in Parliament, and I’m happy to say that I’m in my second year now. I’ll be finishing next year,” he shared.
{{Decision to run for president again}}
Dr. Habineza’s decision to run for president again in 2024, despite his previous defeat in 2017, was a thoughtful one.
He emphasizes that it was not driven by personal ambition but by a desire to contribute to Rwanda’s democratic development.
“We realized that although I ran in 2017 and didn’t succeed, we gained valuable insights,” he noted.
According to the 47-year-old, the DGPR’s participation in the election was about presenting a platform for their vision of national leadership.
Reflecting on the 2024 elections, Dr. Habineza observed significant improvements in the election environment.
“In 2024, the security situation was excellent,” he said, noting that local leaders were more receptive and the police provided necessary protection throughout the campaign.
{{The future}}
Despite two electoral defeats, Dr. Habineza remains committed to the political process.
“What could prevent me from running again?” he asked, emphasizing that the party’s confidence in him is a strong motivator.
He also draws inspiration from leaders like Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal, who ran for president four times before eventually succeeding.
“Running once or twice doesn’t mean giving up; it means correcting past mistakes through continued effort,” he explained.
Dr. Habineza also indicated that he is open to stepping aside if the party identifies a more capable candidate.
For now, he is focused on strengthening the party’s election strategy, particularly by increasing its representation at polling stations.
“We had plans for this, but our resources fell short,” he admitted. Improving election monitoring will be a key priority moving forward.
{{Financial challenges}}
Dr. Habineza discussed the financial challenges his party faced, explaining that five political parties contested the 2018 parliamentary elections and received about Frw100 million each.
“We used those funds to purchase a party house, which we later sold to finance the campaign,” he said.
While the sale of the property came with additional debt, he confirmed that the debts have now been settled.
Looking ahead, Dr. Habineza is hopeful that the party will be reimbursed for campaign expenses, as the law allows political parties that garner more than 5% of the vote to recover part of their costs.
“We are optimistic that we’ll receive reimbursement, which we can use to buy another property,” he said.
Dr. Habineza revealed that the party spent over Frw300 million during the 2024 election campaign.
{{Exclusion of party member from parliamentary list}}
A recent development that attracted attention was the removal of one of the DGPR’s candidate from the parliamentary list just before swearing-in.
Carine Maombi, who was second on the party’s list, was unexpectedly replaced by Jacqueline Masozera Icyizanye after issues arose regarding her candidacy.
Dr. Habineza explained, “At the last minute, the Rwanda Investigation Bureau informed us that there were issues with her candidacy.”
While the matter is under investigation, he clarified that it has not yet reached the courts, and the party considers the issue resolved for now.
According to Karua, the council rejected her application citing incomplete documentation and questioning the necessity of her involvement, sparking a strong protest from the seasoned lawyer.
In a detailed response dated December 9, 2024, Karua expressed dismay over the council’s decision, calling it an attack on her integrity and a disregard for Besigye’s constitutional right to legal representation of his choice. She criticized the council for failing to request additional documentation rather than outright rejecting her application.
“The issues raised in your letter could have been addressed if you had asked for any additional documents you required,” Karua wrote. “Instead, this decision undermines the spirit of regional cooperation and the principle of justice.”
Karua also dismissed allegations that she misrepresented herself as a practising advocate in Uganda during a December 2, 2024, court appearance. She clarified that she attended the session as a visiting jurist alongside Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, who introduced her to the court as awaiting approval for her temporary licence.
The rejection comes at a critical moment in Besigye’s trial, where he and his ally, Obeid Lutale, face charges related to alleged activities undermining Uganda’s security and the illegal possession of firearms. They were controversially apprehended in Nairobi, Kenya, on November 16, 2024, while attending the launch of a book by Karua.
The duo’s trial has drawn widespread attention, with rights groups and legal experts questioning the jurisdiction of the military court over civilians and the political motivations behind the charges.
The next hearing is scheduled for December 10, 2024, following a request by Besigye’s defence team for an adjournment to allow time for Karua’s application to be processed.
Karua’s protest letter also highlighted what she described as “disparaging and personalized aspersions” on her character by the council. She urged the council to exercise its discretion under the Advocates Act judiciously and to respect regional cooperation principles, particularly within the East African Community.
Dr. Besigye, a four-time presidential candidate and long-time critic of President Yoweri Museveni, has faced numerous arrests and trials over his activism. His current trial has further heightened tensions in Uganda’s political landscape.
Karua, a former Kenyan Justice Minister, was seen as a significant boost to the defence team, which includes over 50 lawyers and representatives from the Pan-African Lawyers Union (PALU) and the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ).
This decision was made as part of efforts to strengthen and unify the work of organizations representing the survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
According to information obtained by IGIHE, these changes had been under discussion for over five years, and the most recent meeting of the leaders of these organizations resulted in this resolution.
In a statement released to the public, IBUKA emphasized its continued commitment to ensuring that the history of the Genocide against the Tutsi is never forgotten.
“After 30 years since the Genocide was halted, the effects of the Genocide are still visible both in Rwanda and abroad. IBUKA continues to take measures to confront and address these challenges. IBUKA, in collaboration with all Rwandans and friends of Rwanda, will ensure that the history of the Genocide against the Tutsi is not forgotten, and will continue to refute those who deny or downplay the Genocide,” reads the statement in part.
“IBUKA will also continue working with the Rwandan government on the important programs of unity and reconciliation as part of efforts to build a Rwanda free from any form of discrimination,” it says.
Following the decision to merge the organizations, the General Assembly elected IBUKA’s leadership. Dr. Philbert Gakwenzire was chosen as President, Christine Muhongayire as First Vice President, Blaise Ndizihiwe as Second Vice President, and Louis de Montfort Mujyambere as General Secretary.
Aline Mpinganzima became Commissioner for youth, education, and culture, while Janvier Bayingana took on as Commissioner for remembrance, reconciliation, justice and peace building.
Monique Gahongayire was appointed Commissioner for health, social Welfare, and gender promoting whereas Evode Ndatsikira was elected Commissioner for research, development, capacity building, and investment.
IBUKA was founded in 1995 to advocate for the rights of survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, preserve its history, and ensure that such a tragedy never happens again. The organization operates in Rwanda and with other independent similar groups based abroad.
These changes affect IBUKA in Rwanda, as the IBUKA organizations in other countries will independently continue their operations as usual, while aligning their efforts with the newly merged organization in Rwanda.
AERG was established by 12 students at what was then the National University of Rwanda in 1996, and it has since expanded its reach.
GAERG was founded in 2003 with the goal of empowering organizations of Genocide survivors, collaborating with other Rwandans to fight against Genocide and other conflicts, and contributing to the development of Rwanda.
The finds, which include statues, coins, and pottery, shed new light on the history of the site during the late Ptolemaic period, the ministry said in a statement.
The mission, led by Kathleen Martinez, discovered foundation deposits beneath the southern wall of the temple’s outer enclosure.
Among the most significant finds are a small white marble statue of a woman wearing a royal crown and a limestone bust of a king wearing a “nemes” headdress.
Martinez said the female statue may depict Queen Cleopatra VII, although other archaeologists have suggested it could represent a princess due to differences in facial features, according to the statement.
The team also unearthed 337 coins, many bearing the image of Cleopatra VII, along with a variety of pottery, oil lamps, limestone vessels for storing food and cosmetics, bronze figurines, and an amulet in the shape of a scarab inscribed with the phrase “The justice of Ra has shone.”
A bronze ring dedicated to the goddess Hathor was also found.
These discoveries, along with pottery shards dating back to the late Ptolemaic period, indicate that the temple walls were constructed in the first century BC.
Martinez also announced the discovery of the remains of a Greek temple dating back to the fourth century BC, which was destroyed between the second century BC and the beginning of the AD era.
This temple is located near a deep tunnel system that runs from Lake Mariut in Alexandria to the Mediterranean Sea.
In addition, the mission uncovered a large cemetery containing 20 burial chambers, as well as a tomb with three chambers beneath the ancient Taposiris Magna lighthouse.
Inside one of these chambers, nine white marble busts and several other artifacts were found, the statement said.
Preliminary underwater excavations near the remains of the Taposiris Magna temple have also yielded human skeletal remains and a large quantity of pottery, further underscoring the historical and cultural significance of the site, according to the statement.
Guterres made the remarks through a statement released on Sunday, where he called this a historic opportunity to build a peaceful and stable future for the nation.
“The future of Syria is a matter for the Syrians to determine,” Guterres declared, highlighting the UN’s role in supporting the transition. He stated that the UN Special Envoy would work closely with all parties involved to guide Syria toward a lasting political solution.
Guterres also urged calm and restraint, stressing the importance of an orderly political transition.
“Syria’s sovereignty, unity, independence, and territorial integrity must be restored,” he asserted and called for upholding the rights of all Syrians. He emphasized the need to avoid violence during this critical period.
The Secretary-General underscored the necessity of an inclusive political transition that respects the aspirations of all ethnic and religious groups within Syria. He pointed out that international support must be both comprehensive and sustainable for the process to succeed.
Guterres also paid tribute to the suffering of millions of Syrians, vowing that the UN would honor the memory of those who endured the conflict. He reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to helping Syrians rebuild their nation and chart a new course.
The situation in Syria has been one of the most complex and devastating in modern history.
The conflict, which began in 2011 as part of the wider wave of Arab Spring uprisings, saw Assad’s government engage in severe repression of peaceful protests, leading to violent escalation.
Over the years, the war has involved numerous international actors, including Russia and Iran supporting the regime, and the United States and Turkey backing various opposition groups. The result has been a fractured country, with millions displaced, a humanitarian crisis, and widespread destruction.
