Mr Bensaid spoke at the just-ended African Ministerial Conference hosted by the Kingdom of Morocco this week.
The Ministerial Conference was attended by 100 young leaders, representatives of National Youth Councils, civil society and African youth platforms.
In attendance were several African Ministers of Youth from Burkina Faso, Botswana, Niger, Namibia, Mali, Somalia, Malawi, Ghana, and Senegal, as well as officials from Cameroon and Togo, among others.
The Charter is meant to provide young people with a political and legal framework intended to support the development of youth activities at the continental, regional and national levels in Africa.
In accordance with the edict of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the North African country aims to strengthen cooperation with fellow African countries to foster the emergence of African youth.
Mr Bensaid, whose Ministry also encompasses Culture and Communication, said they desired to strengthen and consolidate the empowerment efforts of African youth.
He said this could be done by promoting significant participation in the continent’s social, economic and political development agenda.
He also reiterated his country’s commitment to strengthening South-South cooperation, saying it was at the centre of the Kingdom’s foreign policy under the leadership of King Mohammed VI.
He stressed the need to reposition the Pan-African Youth Union as a continental decision-making body to carry the voice of African youth and provide real solutions to their problems.
The President of the Pan-African Youth Union, Moumouni Dialla, said the African Youth Charter “aims to protect young people against discrimination and guarantees them freedom of movement, speech, association, religion, property and other human rights while committing to promote their participation in society.”
He hailed His Majesty King Mohammed VI for the warm welcome given to the participating delegations.
Mr Dialla paid tribute to the Sovereign for his leadership favouring African youth and stressed the importance of projects initiated with the African child in mind.
He further highlighted the importance of the Pan African Youth Union as a continental body advocating for the establishment of sound public policies for African youth.
The African Ministers participating in this ministerial conference and the heads of the delegation stressed the need to preserve this institution and enhance its contribution to continental decision-making further.
The delegates expressed their gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI for his unfailing royal commitment to promoting the conditions of African youth.
In 2018, insurers announced the adjustment of vehicle insurance premiums, claiming they were facing losses.
According to figures from BNR, the cost incurred by compensations for accident damages rose by 18% in 2022.
Tragically, vehicle-related accidents resulted in the loss of 729 lives in 2022, compared to 655 and 687 deaths registered in 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Despite public outcry regarding the disputed vehicle insurance premiums, BNR emphasized that the increase was necessary due to the rising number of accidents.
For instance, the annual premium for motorbike taxis increased from Rwf140,000 to Rwf180,000.
Similarly, the premium for trucks like HOWO, which carry construction equipment, rose from around Rwf300,000 to over Rwf700,000 per year. Taxi cab insurance premiums increased from Rwf179,992 to more than Rwf350,000, while premiums for other vehicles increased from Rwf100,000 to Rwf160,000.
During a press conference on Thursday 11th May 2023, Governor Rwangombwa attributed the higher prices to the increased amount paid in compensation for road accident damages.
He revealed that accidents had been on the rise over the past two years, leading to an increase in losses incurred through compensation.
Vehicle damage-related losses alone rose from Rwf2.6 billion to Rwf4.7 billion. In response to the situation, insurers sought alternative measures to address the issue.
Rwangombwa further explained that the depreciation of currencies on a global scale had also contributed to the elevated prices of spare parts for vehicles.
The incident happened in Duwane Village, Burashi Cell of Kibilizi Sector on Wednesday night.
Neighbours have told IGIHE that they heard a child of the deceased crying around 1:00 a.m. and rushed to intervene but found the mother dead upon arrival.
Previously, Nyiracumi had foiled thieves who wanted to steal his livestock including cows and pigs.
It is said that the woman stepped outside her house when the thieves returned and struck her forcefully on the head with a solid object.
One of his children became suspicious and stepped out where he found her mother bleeding on the head and screaming in distress.
He alerted neighbours who rushed to the scene but unfortunately found her dead upon arrival.
The executive secretary of Kibilizi Sector, Solange Mumararungu has told IGIHE that they alerted law enforces as soon as they learnt about the incident.
“She died around 1:03 a.m. Her body was taken to Kibilizi Hospital for postmortem. Relevant authorities have launched investigation to establish the cause of her death. There are prime suspects who have been arrested including her husband because they had been experiencing clashes,” she said.
Nyiracumi,42, had been experiencing estranged relations with her husband who cohabited with another woman.
She is survived by two children aged 4 and 12 respectively
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks as he inspected Xiong’an in north China’s Hebei Province and presided over a meeting on promoting its development.
Xi was accompanied by Premier Li Qiang, Cai Qi, who is director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, and Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang. Li, Cai and Ding are all members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.
In April 2017, China announced the plan to set up the Xiong’an New Area, which is situated approximately 100 km southwest of Beijing. The goal, according to authorities, is to develop it to a level comparable to that of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone and the Shanghai Pudong New Area.
Xi has been personally involved in making decisions and plans to develop Xiong’an. In the past six years, he paid two visits to the area.
During Wednesday’s inspection, Xi said Xiong’an has entered a phase of advancing large-scale construction and at the same time taking on functions nonessential to Beijing’s role as China’s capital.
On Wednesday morning, Xi took a high-speed train to Xiong’an where he first inspected the Xiong’an Railway Station, a key infrastructure project of the area with great symbolic importance.
The railway station is designed as a transportation hub, Xi said, emphasizing the need to improve the connectivity of the station with various places.
He stressed developing the zone of Zan’gang, where the railway station is located, into a high-end and high-tech industry cluster area.
In addition to the railway station, Xi also visited a residential community that is home to 5,000-plus relocated residents. There, Xi chatted with community workers and residents, expressing his satisfaction with the good living conditions of the residents.
He also highlighted the importance of ensuring the relocated residents live well and have satisfactory jobs.
Promoting equal access to basic public services is crucial in building a people’s city that is both livable and conducive to doing business, Xi noted.
He visited the home of resident Li Jinghe. Xi said building the Xiong’an New Area is a major strategic decision made by the Party’s central authorities and the relocated residents had made their contributions.
{{Miraculous transformation}}
The development of the Xiong’an New Area is a national project of millennial significance and should be pushed forward with concrete actions and sustained efforts, Xi said.
At the construction sites of an inter-city railway station and an international trade center, he learned about the development of key infrastructure projects and major projects launched for the purpose of relieving Beijing of functions nonessential to its role as the capital.
Xi said more efforts should be made to develop a multifaceted and integrated transportation network and make full use of underground space so as to build a “city of the future” free of urban maladies.
At a convention center, Xi was briefed about the progress of the overall design and development of the Xiong’an New Area and efforts to restore and conserve the eco-environment of Baiyangdian Lake.
At the convention center, Xi convened a meeting on advancing the high-quality construction of the Xiong’an New Area to a high standard.
Xi remarked that the transformation of the Xiong’an New Area from ground zero to an emerging sophisticated modern city within a mere six years is miraculous.
{{Mapping out future of Xiong’An }}
It has been demonstrated that the major decision of the CPC Central Committee to construct the Xiong’an New Area is entirely correct, Xi said.
He stressed efforts to fully, faithfully and comprehensively carry out the CPC Central Committee’s strategic plans for building the Xiong’an New Area and to make sure the area is built and developed in the right direction.
Xi called for the solid implementation of tasks related to relieving Beijing of functions nonessential to its role as the national capital.
He urged the planning of another round of transfers of the headquarters of state-owned enterprises directly under the central government in Beijing as well as their subsidiary companies.
The planning of the transfer of financial institutions, research institutes and public institutions should also begin, Xi said.
The integration of market mechanisms and the government’s guidance should be strengthened to add to the internal impetus for the transfer, Xi said.
He noted that pioneering policies and measures in reform and opening up, as well as forward-looking trial and demonstration innovation projects shall be carried out in the Xiong’an New Area, so that it can become a fertile ground for innovation and business ventures.
Xi underlined efforts to build a world-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based and internationalized and widely apply advanced science and technology, in a bid to make smart, green and innovative development the trademark of the Xiong’an New Area.
He stressed the need to give the people a more concrete sense of fulfillment and happiness through the development of the new area. He also called for enhancing policies that guide employment and entrepreneurship, as well as bolstering employment training programs.
He encouraged the area to blaze a new path in narrowing the gap between urban and rural areas, advancing integrated urban-rural development, and promoting common prosperity for all.
Other senior leaders also spoke at the meeting.
Li Qiang urged the Xiong’an New Area to accelerate efforts to help relieve Beijing of functions nonessential to its role as China’s capital, steadily advance infrastructure construction and modernize the industrial system.
Ding Xuexiang said scientific and technological innovation should be the foundation of the high-quality development of the Xiong’an New Area, calling for carrying out high-standard scientific and technological innovation.
The warring parties stressed that the interests of the Sudanese people are a priority, agreeing to allow all civilians to leave the besieged areas, according to the report.
The agreement affirmed Sudan’s sovereignty and unity and welcomed the mediation efforts of other countries. It also called for a stop to all attacks that would harm civilians, the report noted.
The two parties began talks on Saturday in Jeddah over reaching a cease-fire to facilitate emergency humanitarian assistance to the conflict-ravaged country.
On Thursday, Saudi Arabia sent its fourth relief plane to Port Sudan, carrying more than 10 tons of food and medical materials, among other relief items, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Sudan has been witnessing deadly armed clashes between the Sudanese army and the RSF in the capital city of Khartoum and other areas since April 15, with the two sides accusing each other of initiating the conflict.
The deadly clashes have left at least 550 people dead and 4,926 others wounded, according to the figures released by the Sudanese health ministry in early May.
It is the eighth rotation since the maiden contingent was deployed in Malakal, Upper Nile State in 2015.
Rwanda FPU1-8 contingent of 240 officers commanded by Senior Superintendent of Police Mudathir Twebaze left early in the morning to replace FPU1-7, which returned home later in the afternoon after a successful one-year tour-of-duty.
Commissioner of Police (CP) Bruce Munyambo saluted off the deployed officers and received the replaced contingent at Kigali International Airport (KIA).
The FPU is charged with ensuring the security of civilians in Protection of Civilians (PoC) camps in Malakal as well as escort duties, among others.
The replaced contingent, during its peacekeeping mission, also engaged in humanitarian activities to support the welfare of civilians, including communal work (Umuganda), tree planting to protect the environment, donated scholastic materials to the displaced pupils, and gumboots to teachers and community watch group in the PoC.
The decision to implement this rental assistance program comes in response to recent devastating landslides and floods that resulted in the loss of 131 lives and the destruction of numerous houses, schools, roads, and other vital infrastructure in Rwanda’s Western, Northern, and Southern provinces.
As part of the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of its citizens, an assessment conducted by Kigali City has revealed that 5,812 families currently reside in high-risk zones, with 2,332 of them occupying rented accommodations.
Kigali City Mayor Pudence Rubingisa has expressed the city’s dedication to identifying and encouraging more families living in vulnerable areas to relocate.
“For those who have rented properties in high-risk zones, we are providing one month’s rental payment to support their relocation to safer locations. Additionally, we are offering three months’ rental payment to house owners to save their lives,” he noted.
Among others, Rubingisa explained that city authorities are actively conducting regular assessments to identify residents living in areas with rising ground surface.
In such cases, relocation plans will be put in place if it is determined that buildings do not adhere to proper structural guidelines or if people are situated near water drainage channels or marshlands, posing potential threats.
Currently, 361 families have already been relocated through this ongoing campaign.
In a recent press conference held on April 17th, 2023, Dr. Merard Mpabwanamaguru, Kigali City’s Vice Mayor in charge of Urbanisation and Infrastructure, revealed that approximately 27,000 families reside in disaster-prone areas across 35 sectors.
Kigali City officials have issued reminders to residents, urging them not to dispose of garbage in water drainage channels to prevent environmental damage and the destruction of essential infrastructure.
Discovered in Bushushu and Nyamukubi, the hardest-hit areas, the survival of these babies has amazed and touched the community, still grieving the loss of over 400 lives. However, the scale of the tragedy is immense, with over 5,255 people still missing and around 200 injured individuals receiving treatment.
According to News Central, the floods caused extensive damage, destroying 1,300 homes and ravaging schools, health facilities, churches, and water infrastructure.
The affected community faces the daunting task of rebuilding and recovering from this catastrophe.
The floods, accompanied by landslides, wreaked havoc on South Kivu province, particularly the Kalehe region. Entire villages have been wiped out, leaving communities in shock. Around 5,500 individuals remain missing, and survivors are without shelter.
Residents of Bushushu and Nyamukubi have been forced to undertake arduous journeys on foot to seek refuge in nearby villages, as roads have been severely damaged and rendered impassable. Immediate aid is essential to alleviate the suffering of the survivors.
Medical professionals from Baotou Central Hospital in north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region also joined the celebration via a video conference.
Speaking at the event, Zhao Shangjun, the chief of the Chinese medical team, expressed his appreciation for the hard work and dedication of nurses around the world, particularly the Rwandan nurses at Masaka Hospital.
“International Nurses Day is an opportunity for us to celebrate the contributions of nurses to global health. I thank the Rwandan nurses for their strong collaboration with the Chinese medical team to deliver professional and quality medical care to patients at Masaka Hospital,” he said.
Zhao highlighted the importance of collaboration between medical professionals from China and Rwanda to provide the best possible care for patients.
Fulgence Niyomugaba, the Quality Improvement officer at Masaka Hospital, who represented the hospital’s clinical director, expressed gratitude toward the nurses for their tireless efforts in providing quality healthcare services to patients. He said that the celebration of International Nurses Day was a reminder of the critical role that nurses and midwifery play in healthcare.
“We appreciate and recognize the invaluable contributions of our nurses towards healthcare. We sincerely thank the Chinese medical team for supporting our nurses to provide quality medical care here at Masaka Hospital,” Niyomugaba said.
He pointed out that the Chinese medical team has supported the local doctors and nurses at Masaka Hospital to handle and manage complicated medical cases like surgery, among others.
Speaking via video conference, Liang Lu, the deputy president of Baotou Central Hospital, highlighted the importance of sharing knowledge and best practices among medical professionals from different regions. He praised the joint celebration between Chinese and Rwandan medical professionals as a symbol of the growing collaboration between the two countries.
During the celebration, presentations were made on intravenous catheter and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The presentations aimed at sharing knowledge and improving the skills of the medical professionals in attendance.
Nursing students from the East African Christian University in Rwanda also attended the event and had the opportunity to learn from experienced medical professionals.
The nursing students conducted a CPR demonstration on a human dummy to assess the breathing and pulse rates.
The celebration, held under the theme “Our Nurses. Our Future.” was a reminder of the critical role that nurses play in healthcare and the importance of collaboration and knowledge-sharing among medical professionals from different countries.
Titled “Africa’s Resource Future,” the report suggests that African states should leverage rising demand for metals, hydrocarbons and precious minerals to finance social programs like health and education, diversify their economies and expand access to energy.
On average, African countries capture only 40 percent of the revenue they could potentially collect from natural resources, yet they are grappling with slow growth and high public debt, according to the World Bank report.
Governments in the continent could double revenue from natural assets by adopting a set of progressive legislation and policies, implementing reforms, promoting good governance and improving their fiscal administration, according to the report.
In addition, the report says that optimal taxation of natural resources is key to catering to the ecological and social impacts that are not fully covered by producers, including oil drilling companies, says the report.
James Cust, a senior economist in the Office of the Chief Economist for Africa Region of the World Bank and co-editor of the report, noted that harnessing revenue in the form of royalties and taxes paid by private natural resource industries will unleash multiple benefits for citizens and the environment in the continent.
Cust added that higher revenue from Africa’s abundant natural assets is welcomed in countries that are exploring ways to come out of ballooning debts and require new capital flows into strategic sectors of the economy.
The report says unprecedented demand for a host of minerals required to facilitate global green transition including cobalt, lithium, copper, nickel and rare earth elements, which are abundant in Africa, promises the continent an economic windfall.
It says Africa should avoid a resource curse and instead embark on prudent utilization of minerals, hydrocarbons and rare metals to support poverty alleviation and expand access to essential services such as education, health, clean water and decent shelter.
Albert Zeufack, the World Bank country director for Angola, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sao Tome and Principe and co-editor of the report, said that harmonization of regional policies and legislation is key to creating robust value chains in the extractive sector.
Zeufack stressed that seamless integration as enshrined in the African Continental Free Trade Area offers an opportunity for the continent to reap economic, social and ecological dividends linked to natural assets.
