Speaking during the inaugural Korea-Africa Summit in Seoul on Tuesday, June 4, President Kagame said “the moment was long overdue”, praising Korea as a strategic partner for Africa.
“Korea is a global pivotal state and Africa is a pivotal continent. It’s only natural for us to draw closer together in the years ahead for many reasons. First, Korea knows the value of sovereignty and independence as well as the struggle required to achieve accountable and inclusive politics. Those experiences allow us to look at each other eye to eye with mutual respect and admiration,” President Kagame said in his address.
President Kagame noted that Africa has much to learn from Korea’s rapid economic transformation over the past few decades, emphasizing the need to invest in political stability, health, education, and technology.
“Korea’s experience shows that a country can be radically transformed in the course of a generation. Is there any explanation why Africa has not become a high-income continent? Africa can go much faster and there is no better way than focusing on stability, health, education and technology. All of these are possible depending on how we address our security and governance challenges. Africa’s young people need these opportunities. It’s possible,” the Head of State said.
Africa, President Kagame explained, stands to benefit from cutting-edge innovations from Korea to boost advancements in various sectors, including Artificial Intelligence (AI).
“Partnerships with Korea have focused on the cutting edge of innovation, helping bring the latest technologies to Rwanda and Africa more quickly. This summit serves to remind us that even more can be done. From artificial intelligence and robotics to small model nuclear reactors to driving the energy transition with critical raw materials, Africa and Korea should be working side by side.”
He insisted that Africa, on the other hand, has much to offer in its partnerships with Korea, especially in ongoing efforts to create a single continental market for goods and services in Africa through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“Notably, by taking advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA) connecting with Africa, particularly with our very capable young people will pay dividends for decades to come. Africa will be a central driver of global trade before too long so long as we don’t take our future for granted. We have to keep on the path of partnerships such as these one between Africa and Korea. In doing so we may also enhance our cooperation on other matters of mature concern in the global arena.”
During the summit attended by 48 African leaders, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol pledged to expand development aid to Africa and pursue deeper cooperation with the region on critical minerals and technology.
Yoon said South Korea plans to expand its cumulative development aid contributions to Africa to around $10 billion by 2030 and separately provide $14 billion in export financing to encourage South Korean investment in the region.
Prime Minister Édouard Ngirente announced President Paul Kagame’s decision to drop Munyeshuli from the Cabinet on Monday evening, citing Article 116 of the Rwandan Constitution regarding the appointment of Cabinet members.
“Pursuant to the Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda, especially in its Article 116, today, 3 June 2024, Ms. Jeanine Munyeshuli has been dismissed from her position as Minister of State for Public Investment and Resource Mobilization in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN),” Ngirente announced.
However, the Prime Minister did not disclose the reason for Munyeshuli’s sacking.
Communiqué from the Office of the Prime Minister | Itangazo riturutse mu Biro bya Minisitiri w'Intebe pic.twitter.com/T9HCZp4rmi
— Office of the PM | Rwanda (@PrimatureRwanda) June 3, 2024
Munyeshuli joined the Cabinet in August last year. She was the first person to occupy the new ministerial portfolio following the dissolution of the Ministry of Public Investments and Privatisation and the transfer of its functions to the Finance docket.
Previously, the economist and yoga teacher served as a board member of the AZAHAR Foundation.
Cabinet members in Rwanda are appointed by the President in consultation with the Prime Minister.
Today, driving and logistic mobility are more convenient and efficient in Rwanda, the landlocked country of a thousand hills. In 2023, this economic powerhouse in East Africa reached a significant economic growth of 8.2%.
One of the main reasons behind its robust economic growth is a well-connected and efficient national highway system. Chinese companies are good partners for these projects, such as the upgrading of urban roads in Rwanda’s capital, Kigali, by the China Road & Bridge Corporation (CRBC) under China Communications Construction Company Limited (CCCC).
The Kigali City Council even awarded the project for its distinguished contribution to the beautification of the city in 2011.
Back in 1974, then Foreign Aid Office under the Chinese Ministry of Communications – the predecessor of China Road & Bridge Corporation (CRBC) – entered Rwanda’s engineering market.
The 160-kilometer Kigali-Rusumo road completed in 1977 became the main artery connecting Kigali with neighboring Tanzania.
Four decades later, the road remains in good condition, and has even garnered the reputation of the “African Model Road.”
With over 40 years of sound cooperation, Chinese companies have become household names in Rwanda as they undertake 70 percent of the country’s national highway construction. All of the projects have provided secondary benefits such as job creation, knowledge transfer and capacity building.
The highway system is not only connecting Rwanda’s provinces and villages, but also integrating itself with neighboring Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Finally, it is enhancing regional integration as well as stimulating trade among these countries, especially those who are members of the East African Community (EAC).
{{A road carries mushrooms, a road creates hope}}
For a long time, mushrooms were not on the menu for many Rwandan families, primarily due to old superstitious claims that a farmer who eats a mushroom will lose a cow. Today, mushrooms are not only a staple source of protein and other nutrients, but also generate cash.
Chinese experts in Rwanda say that mushrooms turn a profit quicker than traditional crops grown in the country, earning as much as 80,500 Rwandan francs (about 100 US dollars) per square meter after just eight days, compared to six months needed for sorghum or maize.
At the China-Rwanda Agricultural Technology Demonstration Centers (ATDCs), Chinese agronomists are sharing an efficient mushroom-growing method called “Juncao” or “mushroom grass,” invented by Professor Lin Zhanxi at Fujian Agricultural University in southeastern China in the 1980s.
With this method, mushrooms can grow quickly in agricultural waste and Juncao instead of traditional sawdust, helping preserve Rwanda’s forests.
So far, the Chinese have trained more than 1,000 Rwandans in the method, though it’s still a small and slow-growing industry. But some entrepreneurs in Rwanda and neighboring countries see the potential.
{{A path of pan-Africa rejuvenation}}
Rwandan President Paul Kagame has demonstrated effective leadership and zero tolerance for corruption while strengthening good governance and contributing significantly to global peace and order under the UN and the AU peacekeeping missions. All this shows Rwanda’s strong intentions to boost pan-Africa integration, especially after the historic African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement was signed in Kigali.
For decades, China has worked alongside African countries to contribute to many peacekeeping and humanitarian missions in many parts of the world, including on the continent itself. They’ve also worked together by exchanging experiences on poverty alleviation, infrastructure construction, medical assistance and the development of human resources.
As the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) will host new meetings in Beijing this year, China and Rwanda will strengthen the common idea in preserving Africa’s unity, promoting common development and letting African countries play a larger role in the international arena.
The prestigious Atelier du Vin was the perfect setting for an evening dedicated to the nostalgic sounds of R&B and soul classics. The venue buzzed with excitement as music lovers gathered, ready to be transported back in time by the soulful beats and melodies that defined generations.
As the night unfolded, DJ Akio took to the decks, spinning a masterful selection of soul tracks that had everyone swaying and dancing. His seamless transitions and deep cuts from the golden eras of soul music created an atmosphere that was both electric and intimate. Each track seemed to resonate with the crowd, evoking memories and emotions tied to the timeless genre.
Adding to the evening’s enchantment, the charismatic host Anita engaged the audience with her warm and infectious energy. She effortlessly connected with the crowd, sharing anecdotes and insights about the music, making everyone feel like part of a soulful community. Her presence elevated the night, turning it into more than just a concert, but a shared journey through music history.
The vibes were unbeatable, with people singing along to their favorite tracks, couples dancing closely, and groups of friends enjoying the infectious rhythm. The combination of impeccable music, a stunning venue, and a lively crowd made for an unforgettable experience.
Heineken’s sponsorship played a crucial role in bringing “Strictly Soul” to Kigali, showcasing their commitment to celebrating and promoting cultural events that bring people together. The night was a testament to the power of music to unite, uplift, and transport us to another time and place.
The inaugural summit scheduled for 4-5 June will draw delegations from African countries and related international organizations, key figures from Korean and international business communities, academia, civil society groups, and the press, among others.
The summit, themed ‘The future we make together: Shared growth, sustainability, and solidarity,’ will be hosted by the Korean government. It will be co-chaired by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and his Mauritanian counterpart, Mohamed El Ghazouani, who is also the African Union Chairman.
According to the organizers, the summit marks Korea and Africa’s strong commitment to enhancing their cooperation.
The summit aims to explore cooperative strategies to foster collective resilience and unity for sustainable development. It will prioritize addressing global issues such as climate change, food security, supply chain stability, and health security.
The Summit will feature a session for the heads of state and international organizations and a series of conference sessions across a wide range of topics, including business, agriculture, ICT, forestry and desertification, vaccine and health security, tourism and energy.
When she presented her letters of credence to President Paul Kagame on March 26, the High Commissioner committed to strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries as well as helping Kenya retain its position as one of Rwanda’s top three trade partners.
Notably, Kenya exports foodstuffs, beverages, pharmaceutical products, cement, iron, and skin products to Rwanda, while Rwanda exports coffee, tea, horticultural foods, and raw hides and skins to Kenya. Kenya is also the main route for Rwanda’s exports and imports through the Port of Mombasa.
In an exclusive interview with IGIHE, the Rwandan ambassador discusses, among others, her efforts to strengthen ties between Kenya and Rwanda, ongoing economic and social cooperation, and the crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, which poses a significant security threat to the Great Lakes region.
{{You have been in Rwanda for a few months now. How has your experience been so far?}}
Before my posting here, I had not been to Rwanda, but I had heard a lot about Rwanda. Rwanda is one of the countries that Kenyans speak a lot about. I was really looking forward to coming to Rwanda, and when I got this posting, I was quite excited.
Having landed in Rwanda, the first thing that struck me was the reception that Rwanda gave me as a Kenyan ambassador. It was very warm, and that spoke to the relationship that Rwanda has had with Kenya ever since they began bilateral relations. I had a very warm welcome here. Very cordial relations between Kenya and Rwanda are evident because, although I have been here for a short period, we have hosted quite a number of high-level dignitaries.
We have had Cabinet Secretaries (CSs) here in a span of two to three months. We had the CS for Sports, who came to attend the late Gervais Hakizimana’s burial. We had our CS for Transport, and then we had our Deputy President attending Kwibuka, representing our President. Then, just last week, we had our Head of State attending the CEO forum. That just shows how cordial we are with Rwanda. That is one of the areas that really impresses me as a new High Commissioner here.
Another thing I must say about Rwanda is it has beautiful and receptive people. We share a lot in terms of traditions, culture, and customs. When they speak Kinyarwanda, I understand it, being Bantu. We have a shared history and customs that make it very easy for a Kenyan to assimilate in Rwanda.
I will not finish this without talking about how organized Kigali is. I have not yet been able to move to other parts of Rwanda. I intend to do that within a short period of time, but I can speak about Kigali. The infrastructure is just amazing, with a very organized way of doing things. It has been a great experience.
{{Did you ever envision being an ambassador?}}
Not at all, actually. It was a surprise, but it’s something that I received with a lot of gratitude. I’ve worked with UNON and UNEP before, so I am not completely new to bilateral and international relations. That background gives me a good backdrop to deliver on this posting. It was a very exciting appointment, and what better country than Rwanda?
{{Kenya and Rwanda enjoy strong bilateral relations. What will be your key priorities in strengthening this partnership?}}
My main priority is to strengthen the already existing very good relations. My second priority would be trade and investment. We have many Kenyan companies doing business here, and there is a lot of trade between Rwanda and Kenya that I would love to see strengthened. Of great importance is the Northern Corridor, with Rwanda being a strategic country for Kenya that I want to see strengthened.
We have had a couple of engagements. Just last week, Kenya Pipeline and Kenya Ports Authority paid us a courtesy visit, and we had quite a number of engagements with the Rwandan authorities in the Ministry of Trade to see how we can enhance our use of the Northern Corridor. We also had MoUs signed when the President came here last year in April for a state visit, invited by His Excellency Paul Kagame. A few have been implemented, while others are still awaiting a mid-term review sometime in June. It’s very important for me to see that the MoUs are implemented and to take care of our large diaspora presence. We have about 8,000 Kenyans living in Rwanda, and I want to ensure that their concerns are addressed.
{{During President Ruto’s visit to Rwanda in April last year, Kenya and Rwanda signed 10 MoUs aimed at enhancing cooperation in several areas, including education, ICT, health, gender and child development, youth and capacity development for the public service, as well as correctional services. What is the progress in the implementation of the agreements?}}
We have two of them actualized. We have a couple going for midterm review, and we are in touch with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here. We are looking at June to fast track implementation, with a few still waiting for signatures. We are actively working to push the MoUs to fruition.
{{Early May, Transport Minister Kipchumba Murkomen met with his counterparts from Uganda, DRC, South Sudan, and Rwanda to discuss plans to extend the railway network to these four countries. Previous plans to extend the railway network to Uganda faced financial challenges. For someone hearing this for the first time, how is the new plan different?}}
What they agreed upon is that Kenya is going to work together with Uganda to build a railway from Naivasha, where it has currently reached, to Kisumu and Malaba. I am aware that Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya are collaborating to finance the railway network.
If actualized, Rwanda will pay less for products. Using the SGR has been a challenging area for them because their products come to Naivasha, where they have to store them and then use the road. So, they end up paying twice: once for the road and once for the SGR. This will be a win for both Kenya and Rwanda once actualized.
{{Instability in the eastern DRC poses a significant security threat to the Great Lakes region. President Ruto said recently that dialogue is the only solution to the problem in Congo. Beyond the TV remarks, what are some of the steps Kenya has taken to ensure there is peace in the region?}}
We already have the Nairobi-led peace process for the DRC and the Luanda process. We are depending heavily on those two processes to deliver a solution. He [President William Ruto] is very committed to both processes.
The students and some leaders from the Wharton School of Business are in Rwanda to study a course on conflict, governance, and transformation.
The President’s Office, Village Urugwiro, announced that on May 30, 2024, President Kagame received these students from the Wharton School of Business, led by the Deputy Director of the Wharton School’s Transformation Program, Professor Katherine Klein, and a member of the Wharton School’s Executive Board for Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, Eric Kacou.
“This group is studying the international perspective on Rwanda for the 10th time, focusing on ‘conflict, governance, and transformation: lessons learned from Rwanda.’”
In 2023, some students from this school also visited Rwanda and were received by the President in his office.
At that time, President Kagame had discussed Rwanda’s development journey and reconstruction over the past 25 years.
Wharton School of Business is one of the world’s leading schools for finance and business education.
He made the disclosure at the opening ceremony of the 10th Ministerial Conference of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum at Diaoyutai State Guest House in Beijing on May 30, 2024.
As he delivered remarks, President Xi highlighted the historical ties and ongoing partnership between China and Arab nations, rooted in the ancient Silk Road and shared struggles for national development.
“The friendship between the Chinese and Arab peoples is deeply rooted in our friendly exchanges along the ancient Silk Road, in our joint struggles for national liberation, and in our win-win cooperation in promoting national development,” he stated.
Reflecting on the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli conflict, President Xi reiterated China’s steadfast support for the establishment of an independent State of Palestine “that enjoys full sovereignty based on the 1967 borders and with East Jerusalem as its capital.”
“War should not continue indefinitely. Justice should not be absent forever. Commitment to the two-state solution should not waver at will,” he asserted.
In a significant move, he announced additional financial support to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. “On top of the previous RMB 100 million yuan of emergency humanitarian assistance, China will provide an additional RMB 500 million yuan [approximately US$70 million] of assistance to help ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and support post-conflict reconstruction,” President Xi declared.
President Xi further committed to donating US$3 million to the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.
The Israel-Palestine conflict resurfaced last year after Hamas attacks on October 7 killed about 1,200 Israelis. Despite over 70 years of unresolved conflict and more than 130 UN resolutions, the war has reignited international divisions. China and Arab states support Palestinians, while Israel faces growing criticism, especially after striking Rafah in southern Gaza. On Monday, the Gaza Health Ministry reported the death toll from Israeli attacks since last October has reached 36,050.
The opening ceremony of the ministerial conference saw the participation of Arab leaders, including King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa of Bahrain, Egyptian President Abdul Fatah El-Sisi, Tunisian President Kais Saied, President Mohamed Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates, and Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit of the League of Arab States.
The leaders reaffirmed their stance on legitimizing Palestinian rights and establishing an independent Palestinian state. They also called for continued efforts to coordinate for lasting peace.
Among others, President Xi highlighted broader themes of cooperation and a shared future between China and Arab states. He shed light on the progress made since the first China-Arab States Summit in 2022 and announced plans for the second summit in China in 2026.
“China is satisfied with the progress we have made in delivering on the Summit’s outcomes. It will work with the Arab side to enhance the role of the Summit in providing strategic guidance for continued leapfrog growth of China-Arab relations,” he said.
Emphasizing mutual respect and shared goals, President Xi outlined five cooperation frameworks to build a China-Arab community with a shared future. These frameworks include innovation, investment and finance, energy cooperation, economic and trade ties, and people-to-people exchanges.
“Building a China-Arab community with a shared future is a strong statement of our common desire for a new era of China-Arab relations and a better future for the world,” he remarked.
President Xi also addressed the importance of global governance and multipolarity.
“The entire humanity shares one common future, which has become an inevitable trend. But deficits in governance, trust, peace, and development are getting wider. This calls on us to improve global governance under the principle of ‘planning together, building together, and benefiting together,’” he stated, expressing China’s readiness to work with Arab nations to champion an equal and inclusive global order.
Speaking during Kenya’s National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday, May 30, President Ruto said that as a “responsible steward,” there was no way he could spend the colossal amount on the trip, insisting, “I am not a madman”.
According to the Kenyan Head of State, his friends offered the plane after he decided to travel on Kenya Airways (KQ) to the US upon learning that it would cost the taxpayers at least Ksh70 million on a chartered flight.
“I am a very responsible steward believe you me. There is no way I can spend Ksh200 million in fact it cost the republic of Kenya less than Ksh10 million because I am not a madman,” President Ruto defended himself.
“When I was told the cheapest plan was Ksh70 million I told my office, go and book Kenya Airways so when some friends of mine heard that I was going to travel Kenya Airways, and I have built a big reputation as a country, some friends told me how much are you willing to pay? I said I’m not willing to spend more than Ksh20 million they said bring Ksh10 million we give you the plane.”
He emphasized that as president, he was committed to leading from the front in implementing the government’s austerity measures to cut spending.
“Look at me Kenyans, look at me again. I must lead from the front as I tell others to tighten up their belt mine must be where to begin. So relax and the debate must end because I am that responsible and it is going to be that way,” Ruto added.
“My plan is that in 3 years we must have a balanced budget.”
President Ruto’s choice of a luxurious private jet for his trip to the US drew mixed reactions with a section of Kenyans questioning his commitment to cutting government spending by state officers.
Upon his return to the country after the four-day visit, he was forced to clear the air, explaining that travelling on the private jet was way cheaper than travelling on Kenya Airways, the country’s national carrier.
“Fellow Kenyans, I have noted concerns on my mode of transport to USA. As a responsible steward of public resources and in keeping with my determination for us to live within our means and that I should lead from the front in so doing, the cost was less than travelling on KQ,” President Ruto said in a post on X last Sunday.
The local media had reported that State House Kenya charted the luxurious aircraft from Dubai-owned RoyalJet company for the president and his delegation’s trip to the US. According to KTN News, the cost of hiring the jet is about $1.5 million (about Ksh200 million).
The US government had earlier denied reports that it paid for the aircraft the Kenyan delegation used for the US trip.
“Just to be clear: The United States of America did not pay for President Ruto’s jet to the US,” a spokesperson for the US embassy in Nairobi told the press.
Since assuming office in September 2022, President Ruto has imposed several austerity measures including banning non-essential travel by state officials over financial constraints.
The president has also introduced new taxes on various goods and services, even as he and his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, insist that they inherited a “dilapidated” economy from the former administration of President Uhuru Kenyatta.
President Ruto was accompanied by various government officials, members of the opposition, and representatives from the creative economy to the US on May 20. He was the first African leader to make a state visit to the White House in 16 years since Ghana’s John Kufuor visited in 2008.
But after winning election after election for 30 years, the ANC, now led by President Cyril Ramaphosa, is facing its biggest challenge since taking power in 1994. This potentially marks a watershed moment for one of Africa’s most powerful nations and a major test for South Africa’s still-fledgling democracy.
Polling ahead of Wednesday’s election shows that, for the first time, the ANC could fall below 50% of the vote. Although the party would still likely end up controlling the presidency, currently held by its leader Cyril Ramaphosa, it would be forced to enter into a coalition with smaller parties. These smaller parties blame the ANC’s current direction for the nation’s profound problems.
In the years after apartheid ended with the first free, democratic election in 1994, many voters credited the ANC with improving life for South Africans — especially for the black majority that gained basic rights. International sanctions that had hampered the economy were lifted, and the gross domestic product surged.
This year, a record 51 opposition parties are on the national ballot attempting to unseat the ANC. Some of them are new parties, while others are campaigning on specific issues like closing the borders, or appealing to specific ethnic groups. According to the Electoral Commission of South Africa, 27.79 million South Africans aged 18 and above have registered for the elections this year, up from 26.74 million in 2019.
According to the Electoral Commission of South Africa, 27.79 million South Africans aged 18 and above have registered to vote in this year’s elections, up from 26.74 million in 2019.
The Democratic Alliance, the second-largest party in the 2019 election, is campaigning on a platform of combating widespread corruption and revitalizing the economy. Party leader John Steenhuisen has urged voters to oust the ANC to “rescue” the country, calling this “South Africa’s most consequential election in post-democratic history.” However, the party faces the perception of being predominantly supported by white voters.
The ANC is also challenged by the Economic Freedom Fighters, a party founded about a decade ago. Its core supporters are young people, including many black university students concerned about racial inequality. With polls indicating around 11% support ahead of Wednesday’s election, EFF leader Julius Malema has criticized the ANC’s platform for lacking ambition.
A newcomer to the political scene is uMkhonto weSizwe, or the MK party, named after the ANC’s former paramilitary wing. Formed last year by former South African President Jacob Zuma as a breakaway from the ANC, the MK party faces the obstacle of Zuma’s ineligibility to run for office due to a criminal conviction for contempt of court. Nevertheless, his face will appear on the ballot alongside his party.
As the nation heads to the polls, the ANC faces unprecedented challenges, and the outcome of this election could reshape South Africa’s political landscape for years to come.
