CP Bahizi visited Malakal Field Office in the wake of the violent inter-communal conflicts in the Protection of Civilians Camp (PoC), which broke out on June 8, and left 19 people dead and some 64 others injured.
The PoC is under the protection of Rwanda FPU-1. The two platoons of Rwanda FPU-3, which operates in the capital Juba, were deployed in Malakal to reinforce FPU-3 in the volatile region.
CP Bahizi thanked the peacekeepers for their professional response to contain the situation in the camp.
“You are required to act professionally as laid down in the UNMISS mandate in order to minimize the risks while executing your tasks. Whatever you do reflects on the United Nations, your contingent and your country, Rwanda,” CP Bahizi told the Rwandan Police peacekeepers.
Rwanda FPU-1 contingent of 240 peacekeepers, is also charged with providing conducive environment for humanitarian activities, escort duties and crowd control, among others.
Their meeting with Kagame on Friday 9th June, discussed ongoing projects as well as the recently signed MoU to establish the Gen-Farm project in Bugesera.
“The project will provide farmers with access to VW electric tractors as part of an effort to establish a holistic ecosystem of e-powered mechanised farming services,” the Presidency stated.
The GenFarm project aims to create a holistic ecosystem of e-powered mechanized farming services in Rwanda. One of its key components involves providing farmers with access to VW electric tractors, with the goal of promoting sustainable and environmentally friendly farming practices. This initiative aligns with Rwanda’s commitment to carbon neutrality and reducing carbon emissions through climate action.
On the same day, the Government of Rwanda signed an MoU with Volkswagen to implement the GenFarm Project, which will establish a modern farm utilizing electric tractors.
The MoU, was signed by the Rwandan Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Dr. Ildephonse Musafiri, CEO of Volkswagen Mobility Solutions Rwanda, Serge Kamuhinda and Chairperson and Managing Director of Volkswagen, South Africa, Martina Biene, in the presence of Imelda Labbé, member of the Brand Board of Management of Volkswagen for Marketing, Sales and After Sales.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI) made the announcement on Friday, highlighting the project’s objective of generating carbon-neutral business opportunities and fostering sustainable socio-economic development within the community. As part of the agreement, the Rwandan government will provide land in Gashora, Bugesera District, for the project, as well as assist with permitting and licensing requirements.
The GenFarm Project envisions a sustainable and inclusive business ecosystem that benefits rural areas in Africa. Through the partnership between Volkswagen Group Innovation and Volkswagen Mobility Solutions Rwanda, the pilot project in Rwanda seeks to provide reliable and environmentally friendly mechanized farming services. An interesting aspect of the initiative is that excess energy used to charge the electric tractors will be harnessed to power post-harvest handling and storage processes.
Rwanda’s commitment to mechanized technologies in agriculture is emphasized in the Ministry of Agriculture’s Annual Report for 2021-2022. The report highlights the importance of adapted mechanized technologies in enhancing farm yields, minimizing harvest and post-harvest losses, and optimizing resource utilization. Collaboration with various stakeholders has resulted in a 13.7 percent increase in mechanized land from over 62,200 hectares in 2020/2021 to 70,740 hectares in 2021/2022. The goal is to achieve 50 percent mechanized farm operations by 2023/2024, with the current figure standing at 36 percent.
By embracing electric tractors and promoting environmentally friendly farming practices, Rwanda aims to make a positive socio-economic and environmental impact on its communities. The GenFarm project represents a significant step towards achieving these goals and creating a greener and more prosperous future for Rwanda.
The senior officers acquired professional military knowledge designed to help them in their future command and leadership management responsibilities.
During his remarks, Marizamunda urged the graduates to lead by example, uphold the principles of justice, and ensure that their actions are guided by a commitment to the greater good as respective countries look up to them as the future guardians of peace and stability.
“As you move forward in your careers, you will face countless tests and trials. But I have faith in your ability to overcome them and to emerge stronger, for you have been equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary to tackle any challenge head-on. I believe that the experience gained from your time here, through interactions with your instructors, colleagues will contribute to our national and regional security,” he said.
All 48 graduates were awarded with the ‘Passed Staff College’ symbol and course certificate while 36 were awarded a Master of Arts degree in Security studies by the University of Rwanda.
The graduates are from Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.
Kenya hosted the June 6-9 assembly themed “A sustainable urban future through inclusive and effective multilateralism: achieving the sustainable development goals in times of global crises.”
The five-day assembly, which also featured high-level dialogues, panel discussions, themed side events and exhibitions, sought to recalibrate the new global urban agenda amid multiple global challenges like the climate crises, negative impacts of COVID-19 pandemic, conflicts, economic slowdown and geopolitical tensions.
Maimunah Mohd Sharif, executive director of the United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat) disclosed that 3,416 participants from 137 member states attended the assembly in person.
In addition, 1,000 virtual participants attended the assembly, Sharif said, adding that compared to the first UN-Habitat assembly held in 2019, the second edition had more participants from the private sector and local governments.
“The second session of the UN-Habitat assembly was a true demonstration of effective and efficient multilateralism in action,” Sharif remarked at a media briefing.
She said that a resolution on affordable housing that was endorsed by all delegates was a landmark achievement of the assembly, adding that governments will now embed access to decent shelter in their human rights charters.
According to Sharif, UN member states will be obligated to set up mechanisms for accelerating the implementation of universal access to the shelter by leveraging innovative financing as well as policy and regulatory incentives.
During the assembly, it was announced that the 12th session of the World Urban Forum, a premier conference on fostering sustainable urbanization, will take place in Cairo, Egypt, from Nov. 4 to 8, 2024.
Additionally, it was announced during the assembly that the city of Baku, Azerbaijan, will host the 2023 World Habitat Day on the first Monday of October.
Martin Kwaku Adjei-Mensah Korsah, vice president of the second session of the UN-Habitat assembly, said that delegates including ministers, city mayors, urban planners and entrepreneurs reached a consensus on revitalizing the new urban agenda through cooperation, knowledge sharing and targeted financing.
Mensah Korsah added that the commitment by UN member states to implement key resolutions aimed at hastening urban renewal was demonstrated at the assembly.
Rafael Tuts, the director of UN-Habitat’s Global Solutions Division, said the assembly set the momentum for reengineering global metropolises to make them liveable, greener, inclusive and resilient.
The tragedy was caused by explosive remnants of war like bombs and landmines that children were playing with in an open field in a village, said Abdi Ahmed Ali, deputy district commissioner of Qoryoley town.
The hospital in Qoryoley received 22 bodies of the children and two of the wounded died after they were sent to the hospital, Ahmed said on the phone, adding that another child died on the way to hospital in the capital Mogadishu.
He said the minors were boys between 10 and 15 years old.
In the presence of Mr.Mohamed Bassatne, CEO of BB Energy Group and Mr. Bashir Bassatne, CEO of BB Energy Downstream, the inaugural opening took place on Friday 9th June 2023 with a ribbon cutting ceremony by Mr. Baha Bassatne, Chairman of BB Energy Group and Mr. Egide Gatera, founding shareholder of Société Pétrolière Limited.
Commenting on the launch, Gatera stated: “We are very proud to continue to strengthen our partnership with the BB Energy group. Today is an important day for the Société Pétrolière brand as it marks the opening of our network in the country, while demonstrating the attractiveness of Morocco as a key market for investment. In collaboration with BB Energy, we plan to open 20 more service stations over the next few years. We look forward to exploring future investment opportunities in Morocco as the country seeks to transform its energy system in the years to come.”
Bassatne, CEO of BB Energy Group, said that their continued investment in Morocco demonstrates commitment to be a long-term partner in the country’s energy system.
“Over the past 12 months, we have actively expanded our business across the value chain, particularly in the downstream and renewable energy sectors. Morocco continues to be a very attractive investment market for companies like BB Energy, and I look forward to working closely with our partners within a very dynamic ecosystem to participate in the transition of the countries towards more environmentally friendly forms of energy, from electric vehicle charging infrastructure to green hydrogen production,” he noted.
With a long experience in energy trading, the partnership seeks to add value to its Moroccan customers by helping them import, store and sell fuel from several locations across the country.
Leveraging the group’s expertise and scale, SP Morocco is working to reduce working capital requirements while helping current and future clients navigate and overcome the price volatility experienced in recent years their strategic investments to develop green and clean energy sources in Morocco.
The group is currently planning to invest in solar energy, electric mobility infrastructure, green hydrogen and ammonia, thus contributing to Morocco’s ambition to become one of the largest producers of hydrogen in the world.
{{About Societe Petroliere and BB Energy}}
Societe Petroliere Limited (SP) is the largest integrated petroleum marketing company in Rwanda with a 35% market share and sourcing capabilities in Kenya and Tanzania. SP sells approximately 150,000 m3 of refined products per year through its retail network and wholesale customers. SP operate the largest a network of service station in Rwanda with over 60 nationwide and is a key supplier of petroleum products to commercial and industrial customers. In 2019, SP increased its storage capacity at the Rusororo Depot to 60,000 m3 to meet the market demands. In addition, SP Ltd continues its commitment and core value to support Rwanda’ s transition to environmentally friendly energy solutions such as the supply of Liquified Petroleum Gas.
BB Energy Group is one of the world’s leading independent energy trading companies, with over 50 years of experience in the energy sector and a growing division in renewable energy and emissions reduction. The group has around 500 employees in 12 offices on five continents, with key trading centers in London, Dubai, Singapore and Houston. The group’s growth strategy is focused on sustainable energy products and projects, implemented through geographic expansion into new markets, product diversification and acquisitions.
In 2018, BB Energy Group acquired 70% of Société Pétrolière au Rwanda. The group further strengthened its partnership by launching the network of service stations under the SP brand in Morocco.
The practical training conducted by Rwanda National Police (RNP) in partnership with the Regional Centre for Small Arms (RECSA), focused on arms handling and storage, physical security, arms marking, stockpile inventory, and emergency response.
The PTS Commandant, Commissioner of Police (CP) Robert Niyonshuti, while closing the training, said that it enhances stockpile management capacity for Rwanda security agencies.
“The stockpile management of weapons is very important as it helps to improve security, safety and accountability. Unsafe storage can result in the explosion of ordinance stocks killing and injuring many people as well as destroying costly facilities and equipment,” CP Niyonshuti said.
He urged the trainees to put the acquired skills and knowledge to effective use to add value to stockpile management.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Damas Gatare, the Director of Operations and Programmes at RECSA, said that one of the strategies to address the persisting proliferation of small arms in the region is to ensure the safety and security of stockpiles by setting a well-functioning management system of physical security and stockpiles of government weapons.
Article 6 of the Nairobi protocol stipulates that “parties undertake to establish and maintain complete inventories of small arms and light weapons held by security forces and other state bodies; to enhance their capacity to manage and maintain secure storage of state owned small arms and light weapons as well as ensuring strict national accountability and the effective tracing of all small arms and light weapons owned and distributed by the state.”
With technology becoming increasingly pervasive, it is disconcerting that only a minority of individuals possess the knowledge to protect themselves against cyber-attacks.
Research conducted in 2022 reveals that a staggering 90% of businesses operating in Africa lack adequate protection against such threats.
As a result, South African companies suffer losses of $570 million annually, Nigerian companies lose $500 million, and Kenyan companies lose $36 million due to inadequate cyber security measures.
During a recent training session held on June 8, 2023, for IT staff working in banks and financial institutions in collaboration with Vuba Technologies, Srimal Shamida, the Managing Director of Vuba Tech in Rwanda, emphasized the critical importance of protecting sensitive banking information.
Shamida asserts that by training their employees, banks can effectively mitigate cyber risks and fortify their security measures.
“We have observed that some IT managers are unfamiliar with the latest techniques for preventing cyber-attacks or lack awareness of how they manifest. Our aim is to alleviate these concerns for our clients, enabling them to operate confidently and adopt secure technology practices,” stated Shamida.
Shamida further explained, “There are individuals with academic degrees but possess limited technological skills. Therefore, we are equipping them with practical skills to enhance their expertise in this field.”
Cyber security expert, Abel Lawrence, emphasized the need for continuous education to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the latest technologies.
Lawrence insists that staying updated with technological advancements should be accompanied by selecting appropriate security measures to safeguard sensitive data.
“Hackers frequently target large corporations that house vital information. Therefore, these institutions must implement advanced protective measures,” emphasized Lawrence. “They must establish robust infrastructures, employ the most effective security solutions, and recruit competent staff, as banks often face internal fraud from current or former employees.”
The specialized security system utilized in this training program is known as Palo Alto, which the participants believe will significantly enhance the operational efficiency of their respective companies.
Rwanyenieri Jackson, an employee at the Bank of Kigali, expressed his appreciation for the training, stating that it equips him with the necessary skills to prevent cyber-attacks effectively.
“Palo Alto incorporates cutting-edge technology that detects and thwarts fraudulent attempts to breach our systems,” shared Jackson. “While I was already familiar with its usage, the training provided me with valuable insights into new features. I intend to apply these newly acquired skills to bolster our defenses.”
Research indicates that 60% of small businesses are forced to shut down within six months after experiencing cyber-attack.
The biannual training sessions offered by Vuba Technologies empower employees of partnering companies to adapt to the latest technological advancements, enabling them to effectively counter cyber threats.
The project, funded by the Government of Japan through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), involves the construction of a 900-millimeter diameter pipe to replace the existing 600-millimeter pipe.
The size of the pipe, which is being built by JICA in collaboration with Water and Sanitation Corporation (WASAC) , will increase the quantity of distributed water from 40,000 cubic meters to 62,000.
Eng Umuhumuza Gisèle, the CEO of WASAC, has stated that the remaining 1% of the project involves connecting existing pipelines with newly constructed ones, cleaning them, and testing pumping stations.
Apart from the construction of new 900 mm pipe, she said, existing ones will be considered to facilitate the distribution of water from the Ntora site to various areas, including Runda in Kamonyi District.
Umuhumuza further mentioned that with all the necessary equipment in place, WASAC will be able to distribute 145,000 cubic meters of water per day.
In addition to the pipeline, WASAC has constructed a new water distribution station in Nzove, installed machinery for water distribution, renovated the Ntora reservoir, upgraded pipes supplying water to different parts of Kigali and beyond, and built a new water reservoir with a capacity of 200 cubic meters.
Minako Shiotsuka, the JICA Chief Representative to Rwanda, highlighted their collaboration with WASAC to enhance the capacity of local employees in pipeline maintenance.
Abimana Fidèle, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Infrastructure, expressed that the pipeline will significantly increase water supply to different parts of the country, particularly in Kigali City.
Abimana further acknowledged that the current small pipes limited the efficient distribution of the large quantity of water produced. Among others, he stated, the upgraded pipeline will help provide a consistent water supply to Gasanze, Bumbogo, Bweramvura, Remera, Kimironko, and other areas, contributing to the achievement of universal access to water.
During the process of connecting the new pipes to the existing ones and transitioning from the 600 mm to the 900 mm pipe, there may be a temporary reduction in the quantity of supplied water.
This work, scheduled to begin on June 8, 2023, is expected to last for two weeks. However, Abimana assured that water availability will not be completely disrupted during this period.
In addition to the Nzove-Ntora network rehabilitation and construction project, JICA is assisting WASAC in problem-solving through the ‘KAIZEN’ approach, promoting positive and sustainable change. This initiative enables WASAC employees to maintain infrastructure, improve services, and reduce losses by utilizing available resources effectively.
The project, aimed at increasing the amount of clean water supplied in Kigali, is estimated to cost approximately Rwf26.7 billion. Another project involves the expansion of water reservoirs and pipes along a 568-kilometer network in Kigali City.
The Ambassador of Japan to Rwanda, Isao Fukushima, emphasized Japan’s commitment to providing sufficient and clean water to Rwandans through development cooperation, financial assistance, and capacity-building initiatives.
WASAC currently uses four treatment plants to distribute water to different parts of Kigali City.
These plants include Nzove, Kanzenze which supplies 30,000 cubic meters, Kimisagara, which supplies 20,000 cubic meters, and Karenge which distributes between 10,000 and 11,000 cubic meters to Kigali on a daily basis.
The delegation held consultations with RDF counterparts led by Brig Gen Patrick Karuretwa, Head of International Military Cooperation Department and paid a courtesy call to the CDS, Lt Gen Mubarakh Muganga.
Gen Kuzniak and his team also paid homage to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
