During the national mourning period, the Guinean flag will be at half-mast throughout the country and in Guinea’s embassies and diplomatic representations abroad, Doumbouya said in an address on public television on Wednesday.
“In these moments of pain and sadness, my thoughts are with the bereaved families affected by these unbearable losses,” he said, assuring the injured and homeless of all his support and that of the people of Guinea.
At least 18 people were killed and more than 200 others were injured in a major fire that broke out Sunday night at a large fuel depot in the commune of Kaloum, the Guinean capital of Conakry, authorities said.
Al-Burhan, also the chairman of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereign Council, made the remarks when addressing officers and soldiers in eastern Sudan’s Red Sea State, the sovereign council said in a statement.
“We will not sign a peace agreement that embodies humiliation for the armed forces and the Sudanese people,” Al-Burhan said.
“Any agreement must include a ceasefire and withdrawal of the rebels from public facilities, hospitals, and citizens’ homes,” he noted, adding that the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) would keep fighting to defeat the “rebel militia.”
Sudan has been witnessing deadly clashes between the SAF and the RSF since April 15. More than 12,000 people have been killed in the fighting, according to a statement by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in early December.
As the end of year comes to a close, the cityscape undergoes a transformation with vibrant decorations in various colors and designs. This tradition, now deeply embedded in Kigali’s neighborhoods, signifies the collective celebration of the year’s end and the anticipation of a new, promising year. The streets are adorned with an array of lights, depicting scenes from the birth of Jesus, Christmas trees, and a variety of other festive decorations.
For those who observe the religious aspect of Christmas, the decorations hold a deeper meaning. The lights symbolize the belief that the birth of Jesus brought light to the world, representing hope and kindness. It is a celebration of moving from darkness to light, and the entire city joins in this jubilation through the illumination of its streets and buildings.
The City of Kigali takes the lead in enhancing the festive atmosphere by beautifying key areas. Numerous companies, including banks, insurance firms, businesses, and universities, actively contribute to this tradition, making it a collaborative effort to bring joy to the community.
A recent tour by IGIHE revealed the extent of these preparations in various parts of Kigali. As the days tick down to the Christmas and New Year celebrations, the entire city is aglow with a captivating mix of lights and decorations. The result is a picturesque scene that captivates onlookers and adds to the overall festive ambiance.
In the evenings, Kigali comes alive with a flurry of activity as families, couples, and enthusiasts traverse the beautifully adorned streets. The joy of capturing the enchanting decorations in photos and videos has become a cherished part of the holiday experience. Walking through the city at night, one can witness a lively procession of people, all immersed in the delight of these festive displays.
This statement was made through an announcement released on December 21, seemingly at odds with the content of a letter titled “Fiducia supplicans” (Faith to Pray to God), issued by the Office of Pope Francis on December 18, 2023. The Pope’s document emphasizes that when a priest offers a blessing, there should be no scrutiny of sexual relationships, as everyone is seeking God’s love and mercy, and exclusion should be avoided.
Pope Francis acknowledges that those in non-traditional families, including homosexual couples, may be in a state of sin but should not be denied God’s love and compassion. The Rwandan Catholic Bishops’ Conference acknowledged the controversy surrounding blessings for cohabiting couples and same-sex individuals.
In their announcement, the bishops clarified that the letter does not alter the Church’s teachings on the sacrament of Holy Matrimony, reserved for a man and a woman joined in love and with the purpose of procreation, without separation.
The statement underscores the nature of blessings as prayers to God, seeking his sanctification, healing, and assistance for personal transformation. It firmly distinguishes the blessing of cohabiting couples from the sacrament of marriage, emphasizing that homosexuality is incompatible with God’s law and cultural values.
The epicopal conference in Rwanda urges priests, clerics, and all faithful to uphold the unchanged teachings of the Church on Christian marriage. They encourage support for young people and married couples who cherish the sacrament of marriage and its sacred significance.
In Africa, there is disagreement with the Vatican’s announcement, reflecting the Church’s conservative stance. Various bishops’ conferences in African countries, including Nigeria, Zambia, Côte d’Ivoire, and Kenya, have issued statements expressing their cultural disapproval of blessings for homosexual individuals.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Africa has solicited comments from its members regarding the Vatican’s document, anticipating submissions by the second week of January.
Opinions on the Vatican’s decision to bless homosexuals vary even among monks in Europe. The sensitive nature of the issue is heightened in European societies, where any dissent may pose risks, whether one is religious or not.
The document Fiducia supplicans raises concerns about potential divisions within the Catholic Church, akin to the schisms seen in other denominations over issues like homosexuality.
The Catholic Church, with over 1.3 billion members worldwide, has a history of making controversial decisions, with disagreements arising in the past over language changes in Mass, the role of women in the Church, the Virgin Mary’s innocence, and other issues.
Despite global growth, the Church faces declining membership in certain regions, leading to the closure of some temples.
Recent social media speculation suggested that Gasana might have received a presidential pardon, potentially exempting him from further court proceedings during his 30-day remand.
However, IGIHE has learned that Gasana was not pardoned but was granted temporary permission to leave prison, with the obligation to return afterward.
Gasana is not the only individual to have received such permission, as another inmate was recently granted a similar opportunity to bury relatives who fell victim to gang violence.
This authorization aligns with Article 27 of the Law governing correctional services, which allows inmates to leave detention under specific circumstances. These circumstances include appearing before the court or responding to summonses from relevant authorities.
The article concludes by stating that inmates may be given permission to leave prison when the prison’s management determines that it cannot interfere with the legal process.
Gasana currently faces two charges: soliciting and receiving bribes for services within his responsibilities and abusing his power for personal gain. He is currently serving a 30-day remand at Mageragere prison.
The ceremony was officiated by the RDF Chief of Defence Staff, Gen MK Mubarakh on behalf of the commander- in- chief President Paul Kagame.
The CDS congratulated the Special Forces for upgrading the level of training and welcomed the graduates into the Special Force Unit. He also thanked instructors for their role in shaping the trainees.
“You have undergone significant training, as demonstrated here, the skills acquired will enhance your performance, you need to prioritise discipline before everything; we are an army that values discipline, ethics and values,” he told the graduates.
The ceremony was also attended by RDF senior commanders including generals and senior officers.
This decision, as outlined in the Ministerial Order published in the Official Gazette on December 20, 2023, encompasses the long-awaited Mukoto-Nyacyonga road, among others. The Prime Minister’s decree, following a Cabinet meeting on November 29, 2023, directed the relocation in alignment with the overarching goal of enhancing public infrastructure.
Under the law governing the relocation of individuals for public interest, only the state possesses the authority to mandate such relocations, ensuring compensation is provided to affected parties. The law defines public interest activities as those undertaken by the State, local authorities, or public institutions for the collective benefit and well-being of the people.
The Mukoto-Nyacyonga road, a crucial 36-kilometer link connecting Kigali City to the Northern Province, received an Rwf18 billion agreement between the Government of Rwanda and the Fund of the International Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OFID) in May 2022. This strategic thoroughfare aims to foster improved connectivity, reduce travel costs, and bolster business and community interactions.
Upon completion, the Nyacyonga-Mukoto road is expected to alleviate traffic congestion, particularly along the Kigali-Musanze-Rubavu route. Rwanda estimates a budget exceeding $41 million for the comprehensive construction of this vital artery.
Speaking to IGIHE, Mayor Judith Mukanyirigira of Rulindo District emphasized the meticulous inspection of construction impacts on local communities. Despite covering two districts, the Rulindo segment of the road spans 30 kilometers. Valuation processes will soon ascertain the number of residents to be relocated.
Additionally, the Base-Butaro-Kidaho road, spanning 63 kilometers, aims to connect Rulindo, Burera, and Musanze districts. This project, envisioned by the President of the Republic, promises improved connectivity, linking key healthcare facilities, tourist attractions, cross-border trade, and the University of Global Health Equity (UGHE).
An agreement signed in September 2022 involves the Government of Rwanda, the National Transport Development Agency (RTDA), the Chinese road construction company ‘China Road,’ and NPD, a Rwandan company engaged in roads construction, for the construction of the Base-Butaro-Kidaho road.
Furthermore, the Ministerial Order outlines plans for another road in the Western Province, connecting Rulindo and Rubavu Districts through Sashwara, Rega, Mutovu, Kabuhanga, Busasamana, and Muhato.
Additionally, residents alongside the Kigali Logistics Platform (Kicukiro) road leading to Bugesera are slated for relocation, marking a comprehensive strategic initiative to enhance Rwanda’s road infrastructure.
According to the Rwanda National Police (RNP) spokesperson in the Southern Province, SP Emmanuel Habiyaremye, the tragic incident occurred during the maintenance work on the solar-powered water drilling machine. The workers, equipped with a generator for repairs, were overcome by smoke emanating from the machine, leading to their suffocation.
As reported to IGIHE, the victims were discovered after an extensive ten-hour search by the Police, culminating in the retrieval of their lifeless bodies at 3:00 am. Among the employees, one who was situated at a higher level managed to survive and was promptly taken to a health center for medical attention.
SP Habiyaremye explained that the smoke-induced suffocation affected the workers, causing them to faint. The investigation revealed that the fatal incident occurred as the team worked on the machine, signaling a tragic outcome.
The bodies of the deceased RAB employees have been transported to Nyanza District Hospital for postmortem examinations. Authorities are diligently investigating to determine whether the incident resulted from any negligence or oversight during the maintenance work.
This unfortunate event serves as a poignant reminder of the inherent risks associated with manual labor and the critical importance of safety measures in all work environments.
Bugesera district, identified as having one of the lowest access rates to improved drinking water, serves as a vivid example of the localized nature of these challenges. Insufficient access to safe water sources and inadequate sanitation facilities in Bugesera directly threaten community health and well-being.
In consideration of this situation, a two-day training program unfolded at the Palast Rock Hotel in Bugesera District, commencing on December 20, 2023.
Organized by Rwanda Young Water Professionals (RYWP) and WaterAid, the event aimed to bolster the capacity of journalists in addressing Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) challenges.
The focus was particularly on gender sensitivity and climate resilience, seeking to foster a more informed and responsible media landscape capable of contributing to sustainable solutions.
The training recognized the interconnected dynamics of gender, climate change, and WASH issues. Women and marginalized communities bear disproportionate impacts from climate change, heightening the challenges faced by women traditionally responsible for water collection and management.
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Acknowledging the pivotal role of journalists in shaping public opinion and awareness, the training concentrated on gender-sensitive and climate-resilient reporting. Journalists were viewed as essential advocates for informed and responsible journalism, capable of raising awareness, advocating for policy changes, and contributing to sustainable solutions.
The “Gender-Sensitive and Climate-Resilience WASH Planning Training for Rwandan Journalists” sought to equip journalists with the knowledge and skills necessary for effective reporting on WASH issues. The specific focus on gender dynamics and climate resilience aimed to foster a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding water accessibility, sanitation, and hygiene.
Through this training, journalists gained insights into localized challenges, particularly those faced by communities in Bugesera district with the ultimate goal to empower them to communicate these issues accurately, ethically, and in a manner that drives positive change.
The training represented a crucial step toward building a more informed and engaged media landscape that contributes to the resilience and well-being of Rwandan communities.
No reason was given for the dismissal announced in a presidential decree.
Martins was reappointed as prime minister on Dec. 12. He was first appointed prime minister in August this year. As a former senior executive at the World Bank, he served as minister of finance under former President Jose Mario Vaz. His reappointment last week came after the president dissolved the parliament, following armed clashes that broke out on Dec. 1 in the capital of Bissau between elements of the National Guard and the Presidential Guard.
Embalo described those clashes as an “attempted coup.”
A few hours after the dismission, Embalo appointed Rui Duarte Barros as Prime Minister by a presidential decree.
Rui Duarte Barros, who is the leader of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC), a political party in Guinea-Bissau, served as transitional prime minister from May 2012 to July 2014 and minister of Economy and Finance in 2002. He was also commissioner of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA).
