Nyusi was last in Rwanda in April last year seeking support to fight terrorists in his country.
Following the request, Rwanda started deploying the joint troops of Rwanda National Police and Rwanda Defence Force that have so far reached nearly 2000.
Rwanda’s Presidency has via Twitter handle revealed that both Heads of State have discussed the good progress that has been made between Rwanda and Mozambique in the ongoing cooperation towards securing Cabo Delgado as well as other areas of bilateral collaboration.
President Kagame’s latest visit to Mozambique was in September 2021 where he interacted with Rwandan troops deployed to fight insurgents in the country.
Nyusi comes to Rwanda following his visit to European countries where he requested the European Union to support joint operations conducted by Rwandan soldiers and SADC forces to fight insurgents in Cabo Delgado.
The Ambassador of the European Union (EU) delegation to Rwanda, Nicola Bellomo recently said that the bloc is holding discussions with Rwanda to determine needed support to its interventions to fight insurgents in Mozambique.
He made the revelation on Tuesday 25th January 2022, during the annual Article 8 Dialogue that took place at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in Kimihurura.
Amb. Nicola Bellomo said that such dialogue is a good platform to share ideas on areas of cooperation between Rwanda and EU including trade and investment, governance, unity and reconciliation among others.
He also reminisced on cooperation with EU and the African continent, integration efforts and foreign policy.
“In this context, I will refer to operations in Mozambique. I am confident this dialogue will provide additional elements to inform the ongoing discussion on possible EU support to Rwanda and to identify new avenues to promote and preserve peace and security on the continent,” he said.
He was speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of recently appointed leaders including the Minister of Infrastructure, Dr. Ernest Nsabimana.
The Head of State also reminisced on various issues including Rwanda’s security and state of relations with neighbouring countries among others.
He particularly singled out security matters and armed groups including FDLR which has been roaming in DRC.
“Our enemy who has been there for the last 25 years is still there. What was put in place to address this issue, instead looks like it is being used to nurture the problem and helping it to continue to grow. It seems like it is being used as a way to keep some people employed and paid under the pretext that they are addressing this problem.” He said.
“I cannot understand how this issue can last for over 20 years, costs billions of dollars but never gets solved. There is something incomprehensible here,” Kagame added.
UN deployed peacekeeping troops to Eastern DRC in 1999 under the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) which was later changed to the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).
23 years on, peace has not yet been restored in the region but armed groups continue to increase despite the huge budget of more than Rwf1000 billion spent annually.
President Kagame said, Rwanda is ready to deal with the issue that lingered for several years.
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Last year, Rwanda National Police (RNP) in collaboration with Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) paraded before the media, 13 people who were arrested for planning to conduct terrorist attacks in different parts of the City of Kigali.
At the time, RNP revealed that the suspects were arrested with different improvised explosive devices (IEDs) materials that include; wires, nails, phones, explosives and videos for radicalization.
They were arrested at different times in Kigali City, Rusizi and Nyabihu districts.
The suspects disclosed that they were assigned to shatter different buildings including Kigali City Tower, Downtown and others in Nyabugogo.
Investigation report proved that arrested suspects worked with a terrorist group known as Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) linked to the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
ADF operates in the Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in North Kivu.
The suspects revealed that the attacks were plotted in revenge for Rwanda’s intervention in Cabo Delgado.
As he delivered remarks recently, President Kagame said that Rwanda closely follows up on security issues in DRC because armed groups operating there have started plans to destabilize Rwanda.
He revealed that it is possible for ADF to work with FDLR as terror outfits sharing plans to threaten Rwanda.
Kagame said that Rwanda is following up what is happening in DRC due to the presence of FDLR and other armed groups that might cooperate with ADF. The Head of State underscored that the country will play its part to fix these issues conveniently.
“We consider several mechanisms including negotiations, there are times we plead, there are times we ask, but if need be, there are instances when we don’t do neither and instead act on the matter accordingly,” he noted.
The President said that currently, leaders have come together to negotiate for common ground, but should the issue turn out to be a threat to Rwanda, “We are ready to step up, and defend our territory. Our main priority which is security for Rwandans.”
The speech made members of the public wonder if Rwandan soldiers might enter DRC territory to fight armed groups as the case in 1997 when remnants of the genocidal forces plotted attacks to Rwanda.
Gatete Nyiringabo Ruhumuriza, one of political analysts following up regional issues has told IGIHE there should be no reasons hindering Rwanda’s intervention in DRC in case MONUSCO fails.
“Should MONUSCO fail to solve the issue, Rwanda will intervene in DRC if it turns out to be necessary. Rwanda cannot keep quiet on people disturbing us as they groan nearby our bed yet it has restored peace in Mozambique,” he said.
However, Gatete observed, President Kagame did not affirm that Rwandan soldiers are set to enter DRC territory.
Commenting on whether Rwandan and Uganda soldiers might work together to decimate ADF as they have entered a new area of normalizing ties, Gatete explained that Rwanda does not need to heavily rely on bilateral relations to solve its problems.
“Having started to normalize relations with Uganda is a commendable step that might ease the work but failure to reach common ground cannot prevent us from solving issues,” he said.
Tite Gatabazi, a journalist and political analyst observed that Rwanda needs discussions with DRC before entering its territory to maintain existing cordial relations between the two countries.
“It requires DRC’s consent. Otherwise, it can trigger conflicts,” he noted.
Taking into account the current situation, Gatabazi also explained that Rwandan soldiers are not likely to return to DRC given that FDLR is on the brink of defeat following the death of top commanders.
Rwanda and DRC enjoy cooperation agreements in different areas including security.
The Head of State hosted the legends on Wednesday 9th February 2022 at Village Urugwiro.
They were accompanied by their families and different officials including the CEO of Rwanda Development Board (RDB), Clare Akamanzi and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sports, Shema Maboko Didier.
Kagame is a prominent fan of Arsenal FC.
The two Arsenal legends have been in Rwanda for five-day visit related to agreements signed between RDB and Arsenal to promote Rwanda’s visibility through Visit Rwanda campaign.
During their stay in Rwanda, they visited different touristic attractions of the country including Nyungwe and Virunga National Parks.
Before meeting with President Kagame, Robert Pires and Ray Parlour interacted with Arsenal fans in Rwanda at Kigali Serena Hotel on the same day.
As they met with fans, the duo revealed that they enjoyed memorable experience in Rwanda particularly hiking, visiting gorillas and other parts of the country being with friends and families.
Arsenal and RDB initially teamed up back in 2018 with Visit Rwanda becoming the Gunners’ official tourism partner, as well as the club’s first sleeve sponsor. That contract was reportedly worth US$30 million over three years.
By the end of the first year of the partnership, Rwanda’s tourism revenue increased by 17% to US$498 million in 2019 from US$425 million in 2018.
Leisure tourists from Europe increased by 22% and by 17% from the UK.
In 2021, RDB announced that the partnership with Arsenal Football Club was extended whereby the ‘Visit Rwanda’ logo will continue to feature on the Premier League club’s left sleeve.
At the time, RDB announced that the renewed partnership will build on the gains made over the last 3 years and ‘contribute towards Rwanda’s economic recovery strategy following the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the tourism sector’.
The inauguration ceremony held on Wednesday 9th February 2022, was attended by the Ambassador of Israel to Rwanda, Dr. Ron Adam, the Governor of Western Province, Francois Habitegeko, the Vice-Chancellor of Kibogora Polytechnic, Dr. Dariya Mukamusoni, teachers and students of the university and neighbouring secondary schools among others.
The center is composed of computers, 3D printer and a soon to be completed electronic laboratory. The facility is the third of its kind set-up in Rwanda by STEMpower- a partner of the Israel Embassy in Rwanda that established alike centers across Africa.
The other two facilities were established at Ines-Ruhengeri and University of Rwanda College of Science and Technology (UR-CST).
In his remarks, Ambassador Dr. Adam underscored that the idea behind establishing STEM Centers is to promote quality education.
“I find education very important and regard it as a prerequisite to achieve everything else. It is through quality education that we get skilled human resource that come up with problem-solving innovations. This STEM Center comes to serve that purpose and it will benefit students at this university, those in high school, and the surrounding community,” he said.
Ambassador Dr. Adam went on to reveal that there is another STEM center which will be inaugurated soon at University of Rwanda College of Education (UR-CE) located in Rukara, Kayonza District. He added that four more centers will also be established across the country before the end of this year.
According to the Vice-Chancellor of the higher-learning institution, the facility will greatly benefit students pursuing STEM studies.
“Among 2,500 students we have at Kibogora Polytechnic, 900 are studying STEM-related faculties. These are the number of students to benefit hands-on skills from this facility, not to mention neighbouring high schools and members of the community who will use it,” she said, adding that “We are grateful to STEMpower and the Israel Embassy in Rwanda.”
Meanwhile, the Governor of Western Province, Francois Habitegeko, noted that promoting STEM is one of the priorities of Rwanda’s education sector.
“It is in our country’s vision to promote STEM studies and to become a knowledge-based economy. This can’t be achieved if students do not receive hands-on skills of what they learn in theory. This STEM Center is an essential contribution to this cause,” he said.
They were arrested in separate coordinated operations conducted on Monday and Tuesday in Gasabo and Nyarugenge districts.
They are Therese Nyirankundakwizera, 40, and Vestine Dukuzumuremyi, 22, both arrested on Monday, February 8, in Kinyinya Sector of Gasabo District with 300 pellets of cannabis.
One Seraphine Muhawenimana, 26, was apprehended on Tuesday, February 9, in Kimisagara Sector, Nyarugenge District in possession of 2,546 pellets of cannabis.
The District Police Commander (DPC) for Gasabo, Superintendent of Police (SP) Octave Mutembe said that the suspects were arrested due to a tip off by local residents.
“Residents of Kinyinya reported on Monday, that Nyirankundakwizera is a dealer in narcotic drugs. Police rushed to her home, took her into custody, and disclosed her supplier as Vestine Dukuzumuremyi, who hails from Kimironko sector, who was at the time on her way to bring more narcotics,” SP Mutembe said.
“Dukuzumuremyi arrived shortly after with 300 pellets of cannabis to supply them to Nyirankundakwizera, she was also taken into custody and the narcotics seized,” he added.
After her arrest, Dukuzumuremyi also revealed that she got the narcotics from one Seraphine Muhawenimana, who hails from Musanze District.
ANU got credible information that Muhawenimana was to bring more consignments of cannabis on the next day, Tuesday, February 8, to supply Dukuzumuremyi.
ANU trailed Muhawenimana to Nyabugogo in Nyarugenge District, where she was arrested on arrival with 2,546 pellets of cannabis.
Muhawenimana also disclosed that she sneaks the narcotics into Rwanda from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The successful act comes on heels of increasing operations in different parts of the country where major drug dealers have been arrested, an impact attributed to the growing ownership of the public through community policing.
The suspects and exhibits were handed over to RIB for further legal process.
Cannabis is listed among very severe drugs in Rwanda.
Article 263 of law No 68/2018 of 30/08/2018 determining offenses and penalties in general states that any person, who unlawfully produces, transforms, transports, stores, gives to another or who sells narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, commits an offence.
Upon conviction for “very severe narcotics,” the offender faces between 20 years and life imprisonment, and a fine of between Rwf20 million and Rwf30 million.
DIG Nayame and her delegation were received at PTS by the commandant, Commissioner of Police (CP) Robert Niyonshuti.
The Zambia Police Service delegation is in Rwanda since Sunday for a six-day working visit particularly to get deep understanding on the feasibility management of private security service providers.
At PTS, DIG Nayame was showed different training disciplines given to private security personnel selected by their respective firms as well as other policing programmes for RNP officers.
She was also given a guided tour of different wings of the school.
Private Security Service Providers in Rwanda are regulated by Rwanda National Police. Currently, there are 16 registered private security firms in Rwanda.
DIG Nayame commended the training offered to private security personnel, which she said will help to redefine private security service providers back home.
“The facilities and quality training programmes offered at this school speaks volume and it is always good for institutions to learn from each other,” DIG Nayame said.
Rwanda and Zambia Police institutions signed the cooperation pact in 2015, which was reinforced in December 2020 to strengthen cooperation and communication in combating transnational organized crime as well as exchange of information on wanted persons, property and exhibits, crime intelligence and training, among others.
Since its inception in 2010, Mobile Money has evolved in the financial technology space in Rwanda and has The Biva MoMotima Promo will reward MoMo customers and MoMoPay merchants for using MoMoPay as a digital payment solution. The 7-week long Promo allows both MoMo customers and merchants to participate.
MoMo customers and MoMoPay merchants with the highest and most unique payments made using MoMoPay services will be eligible to win various prizes on a weekly basis. The prizes to be won range from airtime, smartphones, shopping and fuel vouchers, motorbikes, television screens among others, every week, while only one winner will be selected for the grand prize of a brand-new Toyota Rush.
Speaking at the launch of the promo, Chantal Kagame, Mobile Money Rwanda Ltd Chief Executive Officer said: “We are pleased to see the growth of MoMoPay since it was introduced to the market in 2017. With currently around 50,000 merchants registered and over nine million transactions per month, MoMoPay continues to play its part in contributing to the Nation’s cashless agenda and in promoting digital financial education and inclusion.
During this month of love, all the way to April, we want to extend the love to our customers and merchants through this Impano Ziva MoMotima Promo, thanking them for their continued support on MoMoPay and what better way to show our gratitude than through prize-giving.”
To enter this Promo, MoMo customers can dial the short code *182*13# to opt-in and participate in the reward Promo. Upon successfully joining the Promo, the customers will receive a confirmation SMS that refers to customer’s consent to terms and conditions of the Promo. MoMoPay Merchants, on the other hand, automatically join the Promo by default if they are active.
The more customers and MoMoPay merchants transact via MoMoPay, the higher their chances of taking home any of the prizes up for grabs. Terms and Conditions can be found on www.mtn.co.rw/ and winners will be notified on a week-on-week basis by this MTN number 0788159000.
{{About Mobile Money Rwanda Ltd}}
Mobile Money Rwanda Ltd is MTN Rwanda’s FinTech subsidiary, established on 27th April 2021 to provide and manage Mobile Money services in Rwanda. The company has over 50,000 Mobile Money agents and 50,000 MoMoPay merchants across the country.
The penetration of Mobile Money has seen a continuous rise with the enhancement of existing offerings such as MoMoPay, MTN m-Ticketing as a digital user-friendly ticketing solution, Tap&Go payments for bus services, Bill Payments, Bulk Payments, Electricity purchase, Payment of Government services, Bank Push & Pull, MoKash Loans & Savings, and more.
The ex-convicts are Protais Zigiranyirazo, Maj Francois Nzuwonemeye, Capt Innocent Sagahutu, Col Alphonse Nteziryayo, Lt Col Tharcisse Muvunyi, André Ntagerura, Col Anatole Nsengiyumva and Prosper Mugiraneza.
They were transferred to Niger in December 2021 as per agreements signed with the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT).
Rwanda expressed concerns that it was not consulted for the transfer of its citizens to a third country.
Today, Niger has already returned these Rwandans to Arusha to the headquarters of IRMCT awaiting transfer to a third country.
The Deputy Spokesperson of the Government of Rwanda, Alain Mukurarinda has told IGIHE that Rwanda did not take part of discussions leading to returning these Rwandans to Arusha.
“Rwanda was not involved in agreements signed between Niger and the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals because signatories have total rights to do so. However, it would be better if Niger as a partner country informed Rwanda on the collaboration with Arusha court because it concerns Rwandans,” he said.
On 1st February 2022, Rwanda’s Minister of Justice wrote to the Chairperson of UN Security Council, Vasily Nebenzya which also oversees works of IRMCT expressing Rwanda’s concerns over the eight Rwandans transferred to Niger.
In the letter seen by IGIHE, the Minister of Justice, Dr. Emmanuel Ugirashebuja has said that Rwanda is ready to host these nationals if they are willing.
He said, Rwanda has experience in reintegrating Genocide convicts who finished their sentence noting that the eight Rwandans are welcome.
“There is no reason for IRMCT to continue carrying unnecessary load of people whose home country is willing to host them. It is against its mandate,” Mukuralinda revealed.
These Rwandans have been denying transfer to Rwanda claiming that their security would not be guaranteed. However, the Government of Rwanda says that there are other nationals deported after finishing their sentence.
In letter sent to UN Security Council, Minister Ugirashebuja also said that negotiating third parties for released convicts is not part of IRMCT‘s mandate.
He explained that it is unusual for courts to continue interfering with cases of released or acquitted convicts and demanded action to counter related negative impact to the international justice.
In 2014, Reuters reported that UN spends US$1500 every month on each of Rwandans tried by the court based in Arusha.
The money is used to cater for accommodation, communication, food and security among others.
Minister Ugirashebuja has said contributions raised by UN country members should not be spent to people whose countries accept to welcome them.
Rwanda has through the letter requested the UN Security Council to send these Rwandans home assuring their protection.
The Deputy Government Spokesperson, Mukuralinda has said that Rwanda is ready to welcome them.
“Rwanda is ready to host them whenever they are willing to come. However, they have rights to refuse. Rwanda will not put pressure on anyone to return home but will not cease expressing its views on matters concerning its nationals,” he said.
Many countries, including those where their families live and those from where they were arrested, have denied residence to these individuals owing to their role in the Genocide.
After receiving them on 6th December 2021, the authorities of Niger later issued an order on December 27, 2021 requiring, for diplomatic reasons, that the eight leave the territory of Niger within seven days of notification of the expulsion order. A court filing indicated that Niger’s decision was that the presence of these men on its territory constituted a threat to public order and national security.
On 31st December 2021, a United Nations court ordered Niger to suspend its expulsion of eight Rwandans.
Bahati’s disappearance first reported towards the beginning of the year 2021.
It is reported that he went missing in Nyanza district, Southern Province.
CP John Bosco Kabera has told IGIHE that he learnt about Bahati’s disappearance upon information provided by Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB).
“Police followed up the issue after learning about the disappearance. Conducted investigation came up with details that will be communicated in coming days,” he said.
The Spokesperson of RIB, Dr. Murangira B. Thierry has told IGIHE that the disappearance was reported to Busasamana RIB Post in Nyanza district on 9th February 2021.
“RIB started investigation as soon as he was reported missing. I hope the investigation findings will be disseminated in one or two weeks,” he said.
Bahati’s disappearance is not the first case of a missing person reported to RIB.
He was mostly renowned for his poem dubbed ‘Rubebe’.
Kagame made the revelation as he officiated the swearing-in ceremony of recently appointed leaders including the Minister of Infrastructure, Dr. Erneste Nsanzimana and the State Minister in the same ministry, Patricia Uwase.
“Starting with Burundi, our leaders have been meeting with Burundian counterparts. Recently, the President of Burundi sent envoys with a message, all aimed at continuing to improve the relations between our two countries. There is good progress that we are happy about,” he said.
“As we move forward, our bilateral relationship will continue to improve. Burundians and Rwandans will be living together as it used to be and should be. What used to be a security issue at the border in Kibira and Nyungwe , people who cross to attack Rwanda and then disappear in Kibira; we are working with Burundi and are coming to an understanding to address this issue permanently,” Kagame added.
The Head of State further stated that those behind the issue will face even worse consequences.
On relations with Uganda, Kagame said that there are issues that triggered the closure of Gatuna border highlighting that his discussions with the envoy of President Museveni, Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba left both countries reaching consensus on the way forward.
“Rwanda closed the border. But there was a reason for closing it. People did not wake up one morning and decide the close the border. The problem has always been that the border cannot be reopened unless the root causes that led to this closure are resolved. he said. Recently, Uganda sent envoys. But there were other who used to come and it used to be arguments with no conclusions. The envoy from Uganda brought a message and in our conversation, we agreed that there is something we can all do,” he said.
“I maintained that opening the border would be good but opening the border without addressing the reason it was closed would be wrong and would not work. We agreed that reasons for the closure will be resolved.
The border has been reopened; Uganda has been taking steps to resolve the issues that led to the border’s closure. We are following it up closely, we are discussing it with them and I believe we are on a good path,” Kagame added.
Among cited reasons that led to the border’s closure, Kagame pointed arrests of Rwandans who were accused of being spies. He explained that it would be weird to conduct espionage using people all age groups including young people, middle-aged people and others in their advanced ages.
On the other hand, Kagame said that Rwandans claiming to have issues with their country were welcomed while those fond of Rwanda were easy preys.
“If you remember well, there are people who attacked Kinigi. The few remnant attackers [others were killed] crossed to Uganda where they were welcomed. They told us that the remnant assailants were imprisoned but we later heard that they returned to their hideouts in Congo. We discussed all these issues with Ugandan leaders,” he said.
The Head of State further stated that enemies of Rwanda living inside or outside the country ‘will end up in vain’.
He revealed that Gatuna border was reopened in adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures where health officials from both countries can agree on guidelines to prevent risks.
Kagame also said that Rwanda wishes peace for the country and the country noting that the country remains standby to defend its sovereignty.
“What we hope for is peace in our country, in the region and for everyone. We do not wish insecurity and lack of peace on anyone. But for those who wish us war, we are ready to fight. We have professionals who are trained to do it and who do it well, whether here or elsewhere,” he noted.
The President disclosed that Rwanda’s doctrine as a small country ‘is to meet the threat where it is coming from. We do not allow it to come to us’.
