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As betPawa extends its reach into Sierra Leone, it not only brings exciting gaming opportunities but also a commitment to responsible gaming practices, economic growth, and community development. With its focus on customer satisfaction and social impact, betPawa’s presence in Sierra Leone holds promise for both gamers and the nation as a whole.
The elections to determine the new head of the AU Commission, replacing the current Chadian politician Moussa Faki Mahamat, are scheduled for February 2025.
The 78-year-old politician, who leads the Kenyan opposition coalition Azimio, declared his candidacy for the AU chairmanship in February.
On March 8, Kagame welcomed Odinga to his office for discussions on regional and continental matters, as reported by Rwanda’s Presidency.
“It’s no secret. I told him Rwanda would support him. I wish him well,” Kagame said in an interview with NTV, broadcasted on Tuesday, March 12.
Kagame also commended Odinga’s performance during his tenure as the AU High Representative for Infrastructure Development, a position he held from 2018 to 2023.
“He [Mr Odinga] did a good job at that. He had a full grasp of it,” he said.
“Not only will we support him to be there, but also when he is there, we will support him for Africa to succeed,” he added Kagame.
In late February, Odinga, a trained mechanical engineer, had already secured endorsements from Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu, Salva Kiir of South Sudan, as well as William Ruto of Kenya, and Yoweri Museveni of Uganda.
A new chairperson of the continental body will be elected in 2025 to succeed Mahamat.
Former Somali Foreign Minister Fawzia Yusuf Adam has also announced her candidacy for the AU Commission presidency, aiming to become the second woman to lead the continental body after South Africa’s Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.
So far, Odinga and Adam are the only ones to have declared their candidacy for the leadership of the continental body.
Ricard arrived in Rwanda on March 10, 2024, for a four-day visit, during which he held various meetings with the Chief Prosecutor of Rwanda and officials from the IRMCT to discuss investigating evidence related to the complicity of France in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsis.
On this 12th of March 2024, he visited the Murambi Genocide Memorial located in Nyamagabe District.
This memorial was established on the grounds where bodies of Tutsi victims were initially buried in mass graves but later exhumed, and it now holds the remains of over 50,000 Tutsi victims killed in 1994.
Among the atrocities documented are the actions of French soldiers who arrived at Murambi between July 21, 1994, and August 21, 1994.
These soldiers encountered Tutsi refugees who sought shelter there, but instead of protecting them, over 50,000 were massacred, and their bodies disposed of in mass graves.
French soldiers used the classrooms of a nearby school to hold Tutsi women and girls they had abducted, turning them into sex slaves, as evidenced by the materials found on site.
Chief Prosecutor Jean-François Ricard sought to further explore the historical context of the Tutsi Genocide and its execution but was confronted with the sight of the classrooms where French soldiers raped women
He also visited a volleyball court where French soldiers played Volleyball and the ball falling on human heads.
This memorial bears witness to the genocide in a visceral and tangible way, allowing visitors to witness the extent of the horror.
Ricard expressed his inability to comprehend the scale of the atrocities witnessed, estimating that over 50,000 Tutsis were massacred at this site alone, making it difficult for him to provide a detailed account to the media due to the overwhelming nature of what he saw.
However, in a brief interview with French students who visited the Murambi Genocide Memorial, he emphasized the need for acknowledging the truth and ensuring accountability for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsis, suggesting that justice must be served to those who participated in the genocide.
In a message left in the memorial’s guestbook, he wrote, “For the first time, I came to Murambi to witness firsthand the profound suffering inflicted during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsis in Rwanda, but the horror is beyond comprehension.”
“I wish to emphasize the importance of ensuring justice for the victims of this genocide so that we may prevent such atrocities from happening again, as we strive to promote a culture of reconciliation.”
The testimony provided by a survivor of sexual violence named Oliva corroborated the systemic rape and sexual abuse perpetrated by French soldiers at Murambi. She recounted how French soldiers stationed in the area would raise the French national flag at their base, and then systematically rape and abuse women and girls on a daily basis.
She stated, “French soldiers would wait at the gates. Every evening, they would come to the camps and take girls, sometimes in groups of ten would all rape one girl , . Every evening, we feared for our lives. It was like a ritual for them.”
The atrocities committed at the Murambi site were led by four senior military officers who commanded troops stationed there, including Col Didier Tauzin, the overall commander of Operation Turquoise in Gikongoro, Col Jacques Rosier, who was a subordinate of Col Didier Tauzin and led the troops in Murambi.
Lt Col Erik De Stabenrath also served under Col Rosier, along with Capt Marc Zwilling, who was the commander of the Murambi base.
The official announcement of the subsidy removal came on the morning of Tuesday, March 12, signaling a significant shift in the financial responsibility for public transportation.
The subsidy, which previously shouldered between 40% and 50% of the total transportation costs, will no longer cushion travelers.
RURA’s newly established tariffs surpass the previously applicable rates.
For instance, a trip from the city center to Nyamirambo, terminating at Kuryanyuma, is now priced at Rwf243. Similarly, a journey from the city center to a location known as ‘Kuryanyuma’ in Nyamirambo, via Nyabugogo, will cost Rwf307.
Several other routes have experienced price hikes as well. The fare from Nyabugogo to the city center has risen to Rwf205, from Kimironko to the city center at Rwf355, from the city center to Kacyiru at Rwf371, city center to Kinyinya at Rwf402, and from Kabuga to Kimironko at Rwf420.
Tariffs exhibit variability based on destinations. For instance, the fare from Nyabugogo to Gasanze is set at Rwf462, while a passenger heading from Nyabugogo to Kinyinya will need to pay Rwf342.
In addition to intra-city routes, new tariffs have been announced for inter-provincial trips. Notably, Nyabugogo-Base is priced at Rwf1593, Nyabugogo-Musanze at Rwf2811, Nyabugogo-Kayonza at Rwf2310, and Nyabugogo-Kiramuruzi at Rwf3070.
These revised tariffs are slated to come into effect on March 16, 2024. The government underscores that while these tariffs have recently been revised, they were initially established in 2020 but underwent temporary reduction due to a subsidy granted to travelers in response to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Dr. Jimmy Gasore, the Minister of Infrastructure, provided rationale for the withdrawal of the government subsidy.
He highlighted ongoing reforms, including an increase in the number of public transport vehicles and the sector’s opening to anyone with the necessary qualifications.
Presently, 14 agencies are authorized to transport passengers in the City of Kigali, in addition to four others operating independently.
The one week study tour commenced on Monday, March 11, under the theme: “Fostering crime prevention through community policing structures.”
The ongoing academic programme is attended by 34 law enforcement officers from nine African countries, namely; Botswana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania and Rwanda.
The one year course offers five main components; a Master’s in Peace Studies and Conflict Transformation, operational and routine staff work, strategic leadership and management, international computer driving license, and peace support operations.
The Commandant of the NPC, Commissioner of Police (CP) Rafiki Mujiji, said that during the week-long study tour, students will visit different community policing structures in provinces to understand their contribution to crime prevention and security in general.
He said: “The students will interact with provincial, district and sector officials; law enforcement officers, community policing groups such as Community Policing Committees, Youth Volunteers in Crime Prevention, community night patrols, Agents of Change, anti-crime clubs in schools, among others.”
He added: “The aim of the study tour is to enable course participants to link the theories learnt in class with the practice in the field…to enhance their ability to understand national policies on crime prevention and reduction.”
The summit, which opened on Tuesday with a focus on harnessing private sector green investments, highlighted the need to mobilize such investments to address global financial challenges and mitigate the negative impacts of climate change in Africa, according to Claudine Uwera, Rwanda’s minister of state for the environment.
Uwera said it is important to integrate climate change adaptation strategies into broader national policies and planning processes, noting that the summit provides opportunities for collaboration and collective efforts to bridge the gap between climate financing needs and availability.
Delegates at the summit underscored the critical role of private sector green investments in the face of global financial challenges, identifying effective policies and programs that can be replicated and scaled up across multiple African countries to enhance adaptation and resilience efforts.
Speaking at the summit, Sahr Kpundeh, World Bank country manager for Rwanda, commended Rwanda’s efforts to enhance climate resilience amidst global financial challenges.
“We should focus more on exploring how green investments, particularly from the private sector, will play a key role in propelling sustainable climate commitments across Africa,” he said.
The summit, themed “Advancing Adaptation in Africa,” runs through Wednesday and aims to strengthen the capacity of institutions and the private sector to plan, design and implement investments for resilience to climate change. It brings together government officials, climate experts and industry leaders to discuss innovative approaches and best practices to support African countries’ transition toward greener and more resilient economies.
This appeal was articulated on Saturday, March 9, during the celebration of International Women’s Day by the Rwandan community in Belgium, known as DRB-Rugali, in collaboration with the Rwandan Embassy.
André Bucyana, the Chargé d’affaires at the Rwandan Embassy in Belgium, expressed gratitude towards President Paul Kagame for his relentless efforts in promoting women’s development in Rwanda and across Africa.
Acknowledging the leaders championing gender equality in the diaspora, Bucyana urged the Rwandan community in Belgium to embrace the advice given by President Kagame. He emphasized the pivotal role of women in the diaspora, urging them to be pillars in both administrative bodies and participatory activities.
Highlighting Rwanda’s achievements in women’s empowerment, Bucyana showcased the country’s legislative framework and institutional reforms that have positioned Rwanda at the forefront of nations with a significant number of women in parliamentary and decision-making roles.
This year’s International Women’s Day theme, “30 Years: Women in the Country’s Development,” resonated with the progress made in advancing women’s roles in Rwanda.
Bucyana emphasized President Kagame’s acknowledgment of women as the pillars of family and national development.
Encouraging Rwandans in Belgium to build on this foundation, Bucyana commended the efforts invested in girls’ education, especially in science, mathematics, technology (STEM) courses, and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
The emphasis on education and the establishment of gender equality policies has accelerated Rwanda’s development, evident in various indicators.
Currently, women hold significant positions in decision-making bodies, with 61% in the Chamber of Deputies, 42% in the Government, 49.6% in the judiciary, and 40% in the Executive Committee of local authorities.
Bucyana extended gratitude to the women members of Bamutimawurugo ballet for their commitment and urged them to serve as role models in teaching Ikinyarwanda language and Rwandan culture to their families and young children.
President of the Belgian diaspora, Gilbert Dushimimana, joined in extending wishes for a happy Women’s Day, pledging the cooperation of their male counterparts in all national development programs.
The celebration featured performances by children from various ballets, including “Amaliza” and “Itetero.”
Olga Umugwaneza, the head of the Gender unit at DRB-Rugali, highlighted the event as an opportune moment to celebrate the power, resilience, and extraordinary achievements of women worldwide.
She emphasized the legacy carried by Rwandan women in Belgium, shaped by 30 years of struggle, resistance, and reconstruction.
Umugwaneza underlined the diaspora’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and the preservation of Rwandan traditions and identity. She celebrated the strength of Rwandan women in the diaspora, transforming challenges into opportunities and dreams into realities.
Pledging to continue the struggle for gender equality, social justice, and human rights, Umugwaneza urged women to be agents of change in their communities, advocating against injustice and supporting sisters in need.
She emphasized the collective power of women to drive progress and change, committing to a future where every woman can fulfill her potential, regardless of background or circumstances.
In an interview with Top Congo, Minister Nzangi stated that while people focus on the conflict between the FARDC and the M23 rebel group, they should recognize the historical context of the wars that have occurred in the DRC.
He said, “It’s a war that started in 1996 and has not stopped. It continues to this day. It is also important to note that until now, in terms of historical context, the military and security forces have not been able to protect our territorial integrity.”
This leader demonstrated that the FARDC faces challenges due to the reasons for its establishment and the terms of the agreements between the DRC government and the previously rebellious groups, some of whom have become part of the national army.
“We are at a point where our military cannot just focus on security reasons. It’s not just the military, but all security agencies; entry and exit control, intelligence, especially in the eastern border, where people say they collaborate with us but work on the other side.”
Minister Nzangi mentioned that while the FARDC is fighting against the M23, considered an “external enemy,” on the other hand, it is fighting against another group that it once fought against. He aimed to highlight the complexity involved, beyond what people perceive.
He clarified that another challenge the FARDC faces is the persistence of conflict on the fifth front, which includes areas such as Shasha-Sake-Minova road, the Ngungu area, Mweso, Kishishe-Nyanzale, and Kibumba.
Nzangi stated that the FARDC collaborates with other forces including those from Burundi, the East African Community, Tanzania, Malawi, MONUSCO, and local militias, but emphasized that it should not continue to be embroiled in conflicts.
Regarding Rwanda, he noted that the DRC’s military possesses advanced weapons such as Sukhoi-25 and CH-4 drones but mentioned that they may not be able to match the capabilities of the Rwandan Defense Force (RDF) due to its advanced weaponry.
“We have acquired CH-4 drones, which work very well today on Earth in terms of surveillance and combat, we also have Sukhoi which works very well, but Rwanda has managed to acquire anti-missile defense capabilities that can neutralize them.”
On March 8, 2024, Rusizi District Council asked Mayor Dr. Kibiriga for clarification regarding the content of his letter sent to members of the Ibuka committees inviting them to a meeting to confirm the dates for the commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi in Nyarushishi, Kamembe, and Mururu.
In the second paragraph of the correspondence, the Mayor wrote, “I write to you requesting to confirm the dates we set for remembering yours, the victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi in 1994.”
“This document of yours dated March 1, 2024 shows that it does not concern you, it continues to hurt all Rwandans, most especially the survivors of the Genocide against the Tutsi in 1994. It is the leader who should set an example in strengthening the unity of Rwandans.”
The District Council noted that in Mayor Kibiriga’s letter dated March 6, he apologized, acknowledging errors in his communication and the use of inappropriate language.
The Council reminded the Mayor that this was not the first time he had made such mistakes.
The Council requested clarification from the Mayor, expressing concern about his reluctance to condemn inappropriate behavior during the commemoration period.
They highlighted his inconsistency with his letter and other public statements, which hinder efforts to uplift Rwandans who rely on his guidance and leadership.
Wang, who is visually impaired, was reviewing the report during the annual session of China’s people’s congress, which together with the political advisory body meeting is known as “two sessions.” For this year’s session, he submitted suggestions regarding retirement services for the disabled people.
The “two sessions” offer the world an important window to observe China’s democracy. Thousands of deputies to the National People’s Congress (NPC) and members of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) gathered in Beijing to discuss and plan for future development.
In a country with about one-fifth of the world’s population, people are actively participating in democratic practices, ranging from state legislation to local matters.
Scenarios of democracy manifest in diverse ways. In tea lounges in east China’s Fujian Province, people engage with lawmakers, expressing their opinions and contributing to decision-making processes. In another instance, thanks to a political advisor’s diligent investigation, more than 230,000 ancient trees in central China’s Hunan Province were granted legal protection.
“Whole-process people’s democracy is the defining feature of socialist democracy,” said Chinese President Xi Jinping. “It is democracy in its broadest, most genuine, and most effective form.”
The thoughts and aspirations of over 1.4 billion people have been incorporated into the top-level design of national development through China’s unique and distinctive whole-process people’s democracy.
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Wang Yongcheng, 57, is the first visually impaired deputy to the NPC since the establishment of the People’s Republic of China 75 years ago. Fulfilling his duties as a national lawmaker since last year, Wang has been approached by many visually impaired people requesting him to voice their concerns.
Last year, Wang submitted four suggestions, one of which suggested publishing textbooks with large font sizes for low-vision students attending regular classes. He received Braille responses to the suggestions from the relevant government departments. “The blind community is ‘seen’ by more people,” Wang said.
Mandated with state power by the Constitution, NPC deputies include Chinese leaders, entrepreneurs, scientists and university presidents as well as couriers, farmers and welders, etc.
As the fundamental political system in China, the people’s congress system entails that individuals can be elected as NPC deputies regardless of ethnic group, occupation, gender, or financial status. At no point has the “democracy for the few,” as seen in some countries — “democracy of the 1 percent, by the 1 percent, for the 1 percent” — been seen in China.
In 1954, the people’s congress system was officially established in China. Over the past 70 years, democracy in China has become even more vigorous.
By last year, China had over 2.77 million deputies to people’s congresses at all levels nationwide. Every ethnic group in the country has its own deputies to the NPC and members of the CPPCC National Committee.
Liu Lei, a 40-year-old NPC deputy, has been championing the cause of the Hezhe ethnic group, which boasts a population of over 5,000 in China and mostly resides in the northernmost province of Heilongjiang.
This ethnic group previously relied on fishing and hunting but has now transitioned to selling traditional Hezhe fish-skin paintings on e-commerce platforms. During this year’s “two sessions,” Liu called for increasing support for industries in remote regions to provide better development opportunities for the group.
In Western countries such as the United States, it is rare to see a high representation of rural people, blue-collar workers and ethnic minority individuals at the highest level of state power, said columnist Iara Vidal of the Brazilian magazine Revista Forum, adding that diverse voices are heard and respected in China’s annual “two sessions.”
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In the ancient town of Wufu, Liu Jizhang, a deputy to the municipal people’s congress of Nanping in Fujian, regularly gathers suggestions from neighborhood residents. Following suggestions to improve the local landscape, flowers were promptly planted along footpaths.
“I push for immediate action on matters I can address. For those requiring further coordination, I direct them to relevant authorities and follow through,” Liu said.
The town is well-acquainted with China’s ancient people-centered philosophy. Confucian scholar Zhu Xi from the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279) lived and studied in Wufu for many years. He championed the philosophy that a nation is based on its people, and society is established for the benefit of its people.
The Communist Party of China (CPC) has elevated the people-oriented philosophy to the core principle of “putting the people at the center” in national governance.
Liu Ting, an NPC deputy, has been focusing on issues related to an aging society over the past years. He has traveled to over 20 cities in China to explore how to use intelligent services to serve the aged population.
The environment and resource sector of the CPPCC National Committee, established last year, put forth over 160 proposals in 2023. Huang Miansong, a political advisor of this sector, surveyed multiple places focusing on rural development, and suggested orderly construction of rural environmental facilities during this year’s session.
China has fostered a democratic framework that ensures the orderly and effective participation of its people in political affairs.
Venues and channels for consultation and discussion are available in various forms within neighborhoods. Online platforms ranging from forums to polls and surveys empower the people to contribute to policy discussions and the decision-making process.
At a legislation outreach in Shanghai’s Hongqiao Subdistrict, boards are used to display the number of legislative discussions, but numbers are marked with magnets so they can be replaced easily, said Sheng Hong, an NPC deputy and a local community Party official. Over the past six months, nearly 100 suggestions submitted from the outreach have been adopted in national legislation including China’s charity law and law on barrier-free environment creation.
Across the nation, the Legislative Affairs Commission of the NPC Standing Committee has established 45 such grassroots outreaches. Provincial and municipal legislative commissions have also set up over 6,500 grassroots outreaches across China, ensuring that the voices of the people are heard.
Simon Lichtenberg, a Danish entrepreneur who has lived in Shanghai for over three decades, has participated in multiple legislative consultations. He said that improving the laws by making suggestions gives people a sense of fulfillment and achievement.
Chinese democracy is not a formality, nor a “one-time” show. Deputies to various levels of people’s congresses are accountable to the public.
When taking a barrage of questions from voters several months ago, Wang Lihong, a deputy to a district congress in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province, was sweating in the palms of his hands even in winter chill.
In response to the problem of chaotic parking in the community, he promised to run it over with the property management and seek solutions. That day, among the 100 voters who participated in the evaluation, 99 expressed satisfaction with his performance.
Carlos Martinez, a British author and political commentator, believes that in the Chinese system, the people always enjoy democratic rights in all stages, not just during elections.
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During a trip to the countryside in Hunan Province, Lai Mingyong, a member of the CPPCC National Committee, found an ancient tree pummeled with iron nails serving as hangers for various items. Feeling the need to protect ages-old trees, Lai promptly submitted a proposal through the CPPCC Hunan Provincial Committee online platform.
Not long after, relevant trial schemes followed by regulations for ancient and renowned tree protection were implemented. Damaging such trees could now incur fines of up to 5,000 yuan (about 705 U.S. dollars).
“Chinese democracy has never been an ornament,” Lai said.
Chinese people believe that the efficacy of democracy holds greater significance than its form. In China, democracy aims at pooling of wisdom to promote growth and prosperity.
At the “two sessions” in 2019, Dong Caiyun, an NPC deputy from the rural area of Jishishan County, highlighted the need for a local highway linking surrounding areas. Her voice was well heard.
Construction of a highway began later that year after the discussions. When a 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck Jishishan last December, the road that had just opened to traffic emerged as a lifeline linking the affected regions, facilitating the transportation of rescue forces and supplies.
During the “two sessions” last year, all proposals and suggestions submitted by NPC deputies were later reviewed, processed and given replies.
Every year, the government work report undergoes thorough deliberation by deputies before approval at the NPC annual session. Subsequently, the State Council will specify key tasks based on the report, assign responsibilities and establish deadlines for implementation.
Jose Luis Centella, president of the Communist Party of Spain, said that China has always fostered a democracy that sees wide participation from the people, involving them in national governance.
Democracy serves as a solid foundation for China’s governance. A survey report released last year by the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies revealed that respondents from 23 countries expressed an average approval rating of nearly 90 percent for China’s governance capabilities.
The report to the 20th CPC National Congress emphasized that developing a whole-process people’s democracy is one of the essential requirements of Chinese modernization.
“When Chinese modernization offers a new option for human modernization, its unique perspective on democracy also becomes a new form of democracy,” said Zhou Hanmin, a member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the CPPCC and president of the Shanghai Public Diplomacy Association. “This is a significant contribution of China to the political civilization of humanity.”
