As he interacted with the youth in December last year, Tshisekedi commented on Kagame’s previous statement that DRC crisis emanates from the country’s leadership which always seeks to externalize its problems.
Instead of proving him wrong, Tshisekedi overlooked the presence of over 120 armed groups in his country and weak army that failed to annihilate them but started blaming Rwanda.
“Rwandans are our brothers and sisters. They need our help to liberate […] They are brothers and need our support to liberate them against leaders holding them back,” he said.
During a press conference held on Wednesday 1st March 2023, following the 18th edition of National Dialogue Council (Umushyikirano), President Kagame reminisced on Congo’s problems noting that the country continues to retain FDLR under plans to threaten Rwanda’s security.
“FDLR is actually welcome in the eastern Congo. But the rest should go back to Rwanda. The reason why they retain FDLR is because they think they can build around it for so long. They have been trying to do that for a force that would come and destabilize Rwanda,” he stated.
“I think the president of Congo, at one point, it must have escaped from his thoughts. Remember when he said he was going to bring regime change in Rwanda, of course I didn’t take that seriously. He must have been joking and he is allowed to make those jokes,” noted Kagame.
The Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) is a terrorist group formed by individuals responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The Head of State said that the problem of FDLR has existed for long but was overlooked many times yet it is an armed group being supplied with more weapons.
He also recollected attacks plotted by the terrorist group on Rwandan territory in Kinigi in 2019 noting that attackers used weapons received from Congolese government.
Kagame has however disclosed that Rwanda has reinforced security at its border with the neighbouring country and assured citizens that their security is guaranteed.
He made the disclosure during a press conference with members of local, regional and international media following the conclusion of the 18th edition of National Dialogue Council (Umushyikirano).
Kagame highlighted that eastern DRC is not a country where crisis in the area is Congo’s problem, which in turn, affects neighbours.
“In my view there is nothing like eastern Congo’s problem. […] It is actually Congo’s problem and a regional problem, meaning it affects even neighbours. If we are referring to Rwanda, you wouldn’t say Northern Rwanda problem because it is neighbouring with eastern Congo and the spillovers of problems mainly come to the north of the country. That doesn’t make it a northern Rwanda problem. It makes Rwanda’s problem. I want us to understand that eastern Congo’s problem is Congo’s problem,” he said.
“This problem has a very long history in terms of the cause of that. But it also has a long history of how it has been mismanaged from the beginning. That is why it was there for over 20 years. If you look at the attention that has been paid to this so-called eastern Congo’s problem, it is so much that one would think we should have got a solution. So, it has been there for long and has been mismanaged for very long,” added Kagame.
The Head of State further said that the issue was discussed for long during meetings of the African Union, others held in Kenya, Angola and at the level of the United Nations.
“The other day we were supposed to go and meet in Qatar over the same problem. That didn’t happen but, may be, it is going to happen in the near future,” he noted.
Kagame said that the discussions are taking place because the problem was not solved while efforts to handle it were channeled through the wrong way.
“People who want shortcuts, blame it all on Rwanda. But I have not found how it becomes a shortcut because we are still there with the problem,” he stated.
Kagame disclosed that the issue in eastern Congo has roots from colonization given that Rwanda and DRC share colonial history where some people found themselves in another country.
“If there is any country in Africa that does not have people on one side of the border, similar or related to people on the other side of the country, I don’t think there is any,” he said.
Meanwhile, the President said that M23 seems to have become a scarecrow supposed to dramatize the story when people talk about Congo’s problems.
“The so-called M23 is the product of a lot of things mismanaged […] How Rwanda can be blamed for the refugees we have here for over 20 years associated with people in M23. M23 problem started in 2012, when they used some military force to try and resolve problem, some fled to Uganda and others fled here. We have them here in camps,” he noted.
Kagame recalled different agreements that were signed to resolve the problem but ended to no avail until the fighting resumed. The latter is an addition to the presence of over 120 armed groups in Congo.
“How were the 120 groups formed? They are accusing us supporting M23 but who formed over 120 groups? I would suggest to people that they simply need to focus on what should be looked at. The root cause of what we have to deal with is clear. The agreements on how to resolve that were from 2012. How could they not have been implemented? It can’t be because of Rwanda,” he stated.
The Head of State also emphasized that Rwanda was not involved when the rebel group resumed fighting.
“This fighting that started a couple of years ago, had no involvement of Rwanda at all. May be, the ones who started it or wanted it to be there, designed it in such a way that they would blame it on Rwanda. And it’s simple to do that. You just have to distort history. They are saying these are people from Rwanda, meaning the M23 and people we are having here as refugees, who have been here for over 20 years are all called Rwandans. It’s like they are sending them back to where they came from the beginning,” he revealed.
Despite the situation, the President said that what is more interesting is that the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) are being retained. FDLR is a terrorist group formed by individuals responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
“FDLR is actually welcome in the eastern Congo. But the rest should go back to Rwanda. The reason why they retain FDLR is because they think they can build around it for so long. They have been trying to do that for a force that would come and destabilize Rwanda,” he stated.
Kagame emphasized that there is no reason that can push Rwanda to storm Congo’s territory or support M23.
His dismissal was announced through a statement released by the Office of Prime Minister released on Wednesday 1st March 2023 which did not disclose details about alleged gross misconduct and indiscipline.
The 2020/2021 Auditor General’s report indicated that the school was mired by funds mismanagement issues including the purchase of sewing machines for Nyabihu TVET at higher prices above usual market prices.
Had the school bought the machines at normal price, it would have saved Rwf57.6 million. The latter is an addition to purchased sub-standard equipment whose price was not proportional to their value.
Other pointed out issues include the delayed construction of premises for Hospitality Management Institute- Kigali.
The project’s implementation was transferred from WDA to Rwanda Polytechnic in May 2021. It was initially expected to begin in 2016.
In April 2022, construction of the institute was ongoing where the government had already spent Rwf3.1 billion on it.
Equipment worth Rwf790 million used during the construction had been kept in store for 15 months raising fears that they would get damaged.
The suspect was arrested shortly after the rightful owner reported the alleged theft, said Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Sylvestre Twajamahoro, the Police spokesperson for the City of Kigali.
“The motorcycle TVS registration number RC 953T was stolen at about 9p.m, from Kagasa trading centre in Gahanga sector where it was parked.
The motorcycle was recovered shortly after the Police and Irondo personnel (local night security personnel) intervened, and the suspect arrested as he attempted to flee,” CIP Twajamahoro said.
He appealed to the public to always be quick to report any theft to facilitate swift response to recover what was stolen and to bring culprits to justice.
Article 166 of law determining offences and penalties in general states that; any person convicted of theft is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than one (1) year and not more than two (2) years and a fine of not less than Frw1 million and not more than Frw2 million, community service in a period of six (6) months or only one of these penalties.
In article 167, the penalty for theft doubles if the offender committed the crime through burglary, climbing or possession of keys other than the owner; the theft is carried out during the night or the theft is carried out by more than one (1) person.
Amb. Nkulikiyimfura made the call on 28th February 2023 as he interacted with ten Rwandan entrepreneurs participating in the trade show.
Rwanda is participating in the trade fair for the second time and received an award known as ‘Trophée des agricultures du monde’.
Amb. Nkulikiyimfura told them that investors need to expend much effort in exhibitions and bring their products in large quantities to meet the demand of diverse clientele.
Speaking to IGIHE, Amb. Nkulikiyimfura disclosed that the embassy is delighted with Rwanda’s participation noting that Rwandan companies made sales in large quantities, which gives optimism for an expanded market.
“You are showcasing today but this market will need your products in the future. France has a large market promising to help investors win clientele of the entire European market,” he noted.
“They have to make possible effort because their products gained popularity. The remaining thing is to increase the supply of products because they meet standards,” added Amb. Nkulikiyimfura.
He commended the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB) for tireless efforts to market Rwanda’s visibility and promote the country’s brands at different exhibitions.
Products being showcased in Paris include coffee, avocadoes, honey, French beans, chili and vegetables of different varieties among others.
One of Rwandans participating in the exhibition, Nadege Uwamahoro representing coffee processing company dubbed Brampire Ltd, said that her participation is of great significance because she learnt a lot of best practices that will help her business to thrive.
“I got chance to interact with entrepreneurs from different countries involved in the same business and learnt from their innovations. It was an amazing experience to share each other’s expertise,” she disclosed.
Uwamahoro explained that the sharing of expertise is an addition to interactions with customers in the country where they were taken through market conditions and tipped on needed efforts to upgrade Rwanda’s market to the international level.
The Paris International Agricultural Show will run for eight days from 25th February to 5th March 2023.
The trade fair attracts players from the agriculture sector across the world to showcase their products and share expertise.
Other Rwandans participating in the trade show include Guershom Niyondorera from Aubin Produce International, Maggie Kagimbanyi Uwimbabazi representing COOPAC Ltd, Latifah Umugwaneza from High and Lum, Solange Murekezi Geantox, Uwingabiye from Aux Délices Honey Ltd, Ritha Umutoni from CGB ltd/Raphi coffee and zulaih Gatera representing zatoms.
The rise in prices has been alarming where the inflation increased by 20.7% in urban areas in January 2023 while the country had registered an increase by 21.6% in December 2022.
The rise in January 2023 was mainly attributed to the prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages which increased by 41%. Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels increased by 8.3 percent on annual basis and increased by 0.1 percent on monthly basis while transport increased by 12.6 percent on annual basis and increased by 0.5 percent on monthly basis.
Addressing participants of the second day of the National Dialogue Council, Dr. Ngirente expressed optimism that prices will continue to fall in this year.
“I would like to reassure Rwandans that we did not forget them. The government did not ignore Rwandans’ concerns in this situation,” he said.
Premier Ngirente explained that the government has done a lot and subsidized prices in different ways.
“Hadn’t it been the subsidies, the current prices would have doubled. Even the current state is a result of the government’s great intervention,” he noted.
Dr. Ngirente disclosed that petroleum products were also subsidized.
“The prices would have soared further. Possibly, they could have doubled of increased three times, hadn’t it been the subsidy,” he said.
The major drivers for inflation include low agricultural produce amidst increased cost of growing crops. For instance, the prices of agro-inputs increased two times.
The latter pushes farmers to sell their produce at higher prices to prevent losses.
The second reason is the increase in prices of petroleum products which affected transport.
The issues are also related to the war between Russia and Ukraine and the economic recovery from effects of COVID-19.
Premier Ngirente said that the subsidy for petroleum products slightly reduced the cost of transport and expressed optimism that the recent subsidy in the Agriculture Season A is expected to increase produce and result in prices’ drop.
“Considering the agricultural yields in the Season A, we are optimistic that maize produce doubled as is the case for Irish potatoes. Beans’ produce decreased slightly due to experienced drought in Southern Province and part of Eastern Province,” he noted.
“As a result, the price of maize has fallen from Rwf800 to Rwf400. This means, the prices for other crops including Irish potatoes will continue to drop,” added Dr. Ngirente.
His death has been confirmed by his family which announced that the mourning is being held at his home in Nyarutarama.
Rusera is the owner of Gorilla Hotels in Rwanda. In 2012, he opened Gorilla Golf in Nyarutarama, Kigali City.
At the time, Rusera disclosed that he drew investment’s inspiration from advises of President Paul Kagame who urges Rwandans and Africans to strive for self-reliance without waiting for foreign support.
The results were announced on Tuesday 28th February 2023 during the closing ceremony of the 18th edition of National Dialogue Council (Umushyikirano).
During the ceremony, ministries, public institutions including Rwanda Governance Board (RGB), Rwanda Development Board (RDB) as well as Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board (RMB) signed new performance contracts (imihigo).
Prime Minister, Dr. Edouard Ngirente explained that the first six districts namely; Nyagatare, Huye, Nyaruguru, Rwamagana and Rusizi did not register a difference of more than 2.5 points
Meanwhile, the last six districts including Nyamagabe, Gakenke, Gicumbi, Musanze, Rutsiro and Burera scored below the average.
Premier Ngirente urged leaders to fill the remaining gap to achieve intended results.
He disclosed that the grading considered full implementation of different projects because it was not agreed to achieve performance contracts halfway.
At provincial level, the Eastern Province emerged the best with 79% points followed by Southern Province with 78%.
The Western Province took the third place with 76% followed by Kigali City with 75% while the Northern Province tailed with 70%.
President Paul Kagame blamed the least performing districts and observed that they share the same problems that should be assessed.
“The first possible reason in Burera, is the abundance of Kanyanga [illicit gin]. Please, follow up and prove me wrong. […] Besides, Nyagatare’s best performance might be a result of reduced consumption of Kanyanga. It also used to face the same problem,” he said.
“Leadership is the other likely reason. There might be leadership problems. You also need to assess this issue,” added Kagame.
Kagame has also criticized leaders who choose to turn a blind eye, finding comfort in perpetuating wrongs.
He underscored that it is the same as choosing to sit in dirt, and ‘waiting for someone to come and tell you that you are seated in it’.
M23 sounds the alarm after rights group in North Kivu of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) indicated that over 100 women have been raped within four months in the territory while more than 180 women were killed since the rebel group resumed fighting in November 2021.
The Voice of America has reported that the crimes were committed in Kishishe, Bunagana, Jomba, Kinyandonyi, Bambo and Rugari.
Even though M23 is blamed for the crimes; the rebel group claims that it is part of Congo’s plans to tarnish its image.
The group’s military spokesperson, Major Willy Ngoma has told the media that it was never involved in rape cases.
He explained that its soldiers came from Ugandan cantonments where they were surrounded by beautiful girls in Ankole but ‘the country never accused us of rape’.
Maj Ngoma said that the rebel group lives in harmony with citizens in captured areas noting that Congolese government’s acts to cover rape crimes committed by its army and allies including Nyatura and Mai Mai are ridiculous.
The UNMISS Force Commander, Lt Gen Mohan Subramanian presided over the medal parade awarding ceremony. He congratulated the Rwanbatt2 peacekeepers for the exceptional services provided in Upper Nile State.
“As UNMISS, we recognize your excellent service in accomplishing the UNMISS mandate,” said the UNMISS Force.
