During their visit on On Wednesday 15th February 2023, they received a briefing on the security situation in Rwandan Security Forces Area of Responsibility.
Gen admiral, Herve Blejean appreciated the great achievement recorded by the joint forces in Cabo Delgado (Mozambique armed forces, RSF and SAMIM) that has registered positive outcomes such as the return of a large number of IDPs to their homes.
He added that the EU appreciates and pledges their continued support to ongoing joint operations to bring about lasting peace in Cabo Delgado.
Towards the end of 2022, the EU Council approved €20 million (over Rwf20 billion) funding to support the continued deployment of Rwandan troops to fight terrorists in Cabo Delgado province of Mozambique.
The assistance measure is expected to enable the acquisition of collective and personal equipment, and cover costs related to the strategic airlift needed to sustain the Rwandan deployment in Cabo Delgado.
The funding to Rwanda’s intervention in Mozambique was part of assistance measures adopted by the council in support of the armed forces of five countries. These include Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Lebanon, Mauritania and Rwanda.
At the time, the Government of Rwanda welcomed the support of European Peace Facility to joint operations in Cabo Delgado and reiterated continued commitment to work with partners to fight terrorism.
Rwanda deployed army and police personnel to Cabo Delgado in July 2021 at the request of the Government of Mozambique. As at December 2022, Rwanda had around 2,500 troops engaged in joint operations with Mozambican forces while additional troops were being deployed in areas that experienced new terrorist attacks.
Before the announced assistance, Rwandan contingent was fully funded by the Government of Rwanda.
Since 2021, the joint force has dislodged insurgents from their strongholds, allowing civilians to return to their homes, and also collaborated with SADC’s SAMIM force to pursue terrorists in other sectors.
The statement released by RDF reads that the intruders have been dealt with and assured that the situation is calm at the border.
“On Wednesday morning at 4h30, FARDC forces estimated to be about one section (12 to 14 soldiers) entered the No Man’s Land between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) bordering Rusizi District in Western Province, and opened fire at our border post. Our security forces responded and FARDC soldiers withdrew,” reads the statement in part.
“At 0554hrs, FARDC forces visited the scene and cleaned up the area. There were no casualties on the Rwanda side and the situation is calm,” adds the statement.
RDF has requested the Expanded Joint verification Mechanism and the Ad Hoq Verification Mechanism ‘to investigate this act of provocation’.
Congo’s provocation to Rwanda is not happening for the first time. In June last year, the country’s soldier stormed Rwandan territory through the small border in Rubavu.
He was shot dead after opening rapid fire on civilians crossing the border and police officers on patrol.
In November 2022, another soldier of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was shot dead after crossing to Rwanda.
The incident occurred in Gasutamo Village, Mbugangari Cell of Gisenyi Sector in Rubavu District in the night of Friday leading to Saturday 19th November 2022.
At the time, RDF released a statement indicating that the soldier had crossed through the small border between the two countries in Rubavu District and started shooting at Rwandan soldiers on patrol, which prompted them to shot him dead.
Commenting on the incident; Congolese Army spokesman in Northern Kivu, Lt Col Guillaume Ndjike Kaiko confirmed to the media that the soldier shot dead was from FARDC.
“Following an investigation, we have established that he is a soldier of Congo who was recently deployed to Northern Kivu. He knew well border demarcations between Rwanda and Congo,” he said.
He further stated that the soldier was on patrol along with colleagues and mistakenly crossed the border between Rwanda and DRC.
The Congolese soldier killed in November last year in 50 meters from no man’s land, was the third shot dead at the border between the two countries in 2022.
Apart from soldiers reported to have stormed Rwandan territory, DRC’s fighter jets have also violated Rwanda’s airspace at different times. Similar incident recently saw Rwandan soldiers firing at the country’s warplane which returned to Goma burning on its left wing.
The disclosure was made on Wednesday 15th February 2023 by the new NEC Chairperson, Oda Gasinzigwa after swearing-in before the President of Supreme Court, Faustin Ntezilyayo.
Gasinzigwa told the media that NEC has been undergoing process to overhaul elections’ preparations in consideration of other countries best practices.
Normally, presidential and parliamentary elections in Rwanda are held in different years given that the duration of their terms were not equal. The President would run office for seven years while parliamentarians had to stay in office for the duration of five years.
However, the presidential term will be reduced from seven to five years effective next year as per revised Constitution in 2015.
“Synchronizing the elections is important […] Following senate’s approval, I took time, approached the National Electoral Commission and other partners for discussions on synchronization of those events,” said Gasinzigwa.
One of pointed out reasons for the proposal is related to financial constraints as elections require huge budget.
“It would be a good move. There have been consultations on the possible synchronization of presidential with parliamentary elections. It will be very helpful because the budget for elections is not only a serious challenge to all countries but also to political parties,” noted Gasinzigwa.
“You know that political parties spend a lot of money during elections’ preparations […] the synchronization would help us a great deal in terms of saving time and the budget ,” she added.
Gasinzigwa appealed on concerned institutions to discuss the proposal and expressed optimism that it will be endorsed.
If the proposed changes go into force, the term for parliamentarians will be extended by one year to end in 2024.
The synchronization of presidential and parliamentary elections is common among Commonwealth countries.
NEC Executive Secretary, Charles Munyaneza has told journalists that spending much on elections would be addressed once the proposal is welcomed.
He explained that both elections can take up to Rwf14 billion when they are organized separately yet the cost can be reduced to Rwf8 billion when synchronized.
During the ceremony, Carine Umwari was also sworn-in as commissioner in NEC.
News about his demise went to the public in the morning of Wednesday 15th February 2023.
Rwanda’s Parliament has confirmed that MP Rwigamba ‘died of disease in the morning of 15th February 2023 at King Faisal Hospital’.
Rwigamba served as a parliamentarian since 2013. He was a clerk in the Chamber of Rwanda’s Senate from 2009 prior to the appointment.
He also held other positions as the State Minister in the Ministry of Public Service and Labour (MIFOTRA) in 2003 and Director in charge of coordination of governmental Actions in the Prime Minister’s Office in 2001.
Currently, coffee is considered one of the cash crops with good returns for Rwanda whereby its value is expected to increase as the years go by.
Every year, Rwanda sells between 16,000 and 21,000 tons of coffee grown on 42,000 hectares around the country. Bourbon and Arabica are among the most cultivated coffee varieties in Rwanda.
Currently, figures from NAEB show that Rwanda exported 24,000 tons of coffee that generated more than Rwf108 billion in 2022 while the target is to increase the country’s coffee exports to 27,000 tons in 2024.
In general, the value of Rwanda’s agricultural exports is projected to increase to US$1 billion by 2024. Of the revenues, coffee exports are expected to increase from US$61 million earned in the fiscal year 2017/2018 to US$120 million in 2024.
The target is likely to be achieved considering current figures where the crop generated US$2,796,579 (Rwf3 billion) last week.
{{Farmers’ concerns}}
Coffee began to be cultivated in Rwanda in the 1900s introduced by the German colonists. Today, more than 400,000 Rwandans grow this cash crop and force their meal upon it.
Despite the fact that the crop generates huge returns for the country, farmers have been claiming over meager payments that cannot help them to get rid of rudimentary farming practices.
The issue was brought up again on Monday, February 13, at the third edition of World Coffee Producers Forum (WCPF) bringing together coffee producers from 40 countries in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda.
More than 800 participants from 40 countries gathered at the conference to discuss how to improve coffee processing and turn it into a sustainable source of income.
As she officiated the opening of the forum, Rwanda’s Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Dr. Gérardine Mukeshimana hinted at this problem that is often raised by coffee farmers who sell their crops at a low price and stressed the need for all stakeholders in the coffee industry to ensure decent living for millions of coffee farmers worldwide.
“It is imperative that we secure increased revenues and enhance welfare for coffee producers. The sustainability of the coffee industry does require that coffee producers and those at the bottom level enjoy shared prosperity,” said Dr. Mukeshimana.
She also called on all key actors in the coffee sector value chain to recognize the role played by coffee producers in guaranteeing the sustainability of the industry and its long-term viability.
{{Meager payments}}
Coffee farmers in Rwanda say that the money earned per kilogram is still low depsite the fact that the amount has been increasing year by year. Last year, the price of a kilogram reached Rwf410.
Cassien Ndashimye is one of the coffee farmers working from Nyarusange Sector in the Muhanga District.
The man, who started growing coffee in 1997, says that the money earned from this crop does not correspond to expended efforts.
“I have been involved in coffee farming for a long time because I started it in 1997 with 1,340 coffee trees. The money we receive is not rewarding. We have earmarked substantial resources to improve quality and productivity of our coffee but the price is still low,” he says.
Ndashimye further expresses lamentations that received money cannot help them meet household expenses as per current market conditions.
“ Apparently, the amount we used to receive in the past was more helpful than today’s earnings due to the current inflation that worsened the situation. We demand advocacy for increased price and agro-inputs supplied to farmers,” he noted.
Landouard Musengimana, a coffee farmer from Muhanga District shares the same thoughts with Ndayishimiye.
“I have more than two hectares of land with 3,800 coffee trees. The price today is not compatible with what we do. This year they pay us Rwf410 per kilo, but this amount is not suitable for the farmer. They should pay us Rwf500Frw or Rwf600,” he noted.
The CEO of NAEB, Claude Bizimana, says the government is aware of low prices for coffee produce noting it is making possible efforts to handle the situation.
Bizimana said that they expect deliberations from this meeting to take into consideration the improvement of coffee farmers’ livelihoods.
It was disclosed on 10th February 2023 as the Minister of Sports, Aurore Munyangaju Mimosa hosted various leaders of sports associations, the Rwanda Olympic Committee and sports journalists.
Apart from discussions sports development policy, participants were also taken through the sector’s contribution to national economy .
Minister Munyangaju said that Rwanda earned over US$6 billion during difficult times of COVID-19 pandemic noting that the amount is expected to triple in 2023.
“The US$6 million was generated during COVID-19. If we were able to earn that amount, we expect increased revenues this year that can increase threefold,” she said.
Minister Munyangaju disclosed that they are working with Rwanda Convention Bureau (RCB) to release figures for revenues generated in 2022.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sports, Zephanie Niyonkuru emphasized that tourism plays an important role in generating revenues noting that the amount recorded in the previous years is expected to increase.
“We talked about US$6 million in 2021 but that’s from purchases. We expect sports-based tourism to be an integral part of our tourism. This sector can help us earn more through various activities,” he said.
In August 2022, the Ministry of Sports announced that Rwanda earned Rwf30 billion from sporting activities out ofRwf6.7 billion investment in the last fiscal year (2021/2022).
Events that Rwanda will host this year include the FIFA Congress scheduled on March 16 during which the President of this world football governing body will be elected.
The country will also host the finals of the Basketball Africa League which will be held at the Kigali Arena for the third time at the end of May.
The Kigali International Marathon is planned in June while the Afrobasket 2023, which will bring together women’s teams is due in July.
Events scheduled for August include the FEASSSA Games, the Giants of Africa Festival, and the second edition of Ironman race.
The money and a smartphone, among other valuables, were recovered from the prime suspect on Tuesday, February 14, who was arrested in Tare Sector, Gasarenda Cell in Kagarama Village.
The theft was reported last Friday at a home in Remera Sector Gasabo District, where the suspect was working as a house-help.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Emmanuel Habiyaremye, the Police spokesperson for the Southern region, said that Police tracked the suspect to his home village in Nyamagabe District, where he was arrested.
“After the money and other valuables went missing from the bedroom, the victims suspected their domestic worker, who had escaped, to have stolen them.
Through information sharing between the Police and the public, the prime suspect was located in his home village of Kagarama, Gasarenda Cell in Tare Sector of Nyamagabe District, where he was arrested with all the money (Rwf400,000), which he had deposited on his mobile account, and a smartphone,” said CIP Habiyaremye.
He was handed over to RIB for further investigations.
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 Rwf1 million and not more than Rwf2 million, community service in a period of six (6) months or only one of these penalties.
The woman’s body was seen on Monday 13th February 2023 in Gasogororo Village, Kayonza Cell of Mukarange Sector, Kayonza District in Eastern Province.
Sources reveal that the woman had spent the previous day sharing drinks with porters in a bar and was found dead at home by neighbours in the following morning.
The executive secretary of Mukarange Sector, Patrick Kabandana has confirmed to IGIHE that the woman was found dead at home noting that the cause of his demise has not yet been established.
“It is true that the person died. We went there yesterday upon information provided by residents and found her dead inside the house in which she lived. Relevant security officials went to the scene for investigation while the body was taken to Rwinkwavu Hospital for postmortem,” he noted.
Kabandana said that the body did not carry any wounds but insisted further details will emerge from investigation.
The players in coffee value chain from 40 countries across the world visited coffee plantations located in Karenge of Rwamagana District and Musasa of Gaskenke District on Sunday.
They are in Rwanda to attend the third World Coffee Producers Forum taking place in Kigali from 13th to 15th February 2023.
At least 50 foreign delegates who went to Gakenke visited a coffee processing plant belonging to Dukunde Kawa Cooperative in Ruli Sector.
Eric Ruganintwali, Quality Assurance and Regulatory Division Manager at the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB) has said that they preferred to take guests to Gakenke because the cooperative has a lot of best practices to share.
The visit was also an opportunity for guests to witness the process of coffee production from the plantation to the packaging stage.
Musasa has unique taste that it is among the most preferred coffee brands on the market.
It is grown on high altitude hills of Gakenke District at 2,000 kilometers above sea level.
Dukunde Kawa Cooperative was established in 2000 by 300 members from 10 sectors in the former Commune Musasa, Kigali Ngali Prefecture.
The cooperative which grows coffee on 392 hectares, has four processing plants and one coffee dryer.
Members have increased to 1993 of whom women make up 80%. It to produces high quality coffee and seeks to put farmers’ livelihoods at the center of its operations.
In 2004, the cooperative was the first in Rwanda to acquire Trade Fair licensing.
Through Dukunde Kawa cooperative, farmers attest transformed livelihoods as they have 220 jersey cows that have served as a source of milk and compost used to fertilize their plantations.
The cooperative also provided members with interest-free loans, built two primary schools nearby its operations and help them subscribe for community based health insurance subscriptions on time.
Dukunde Kawa has also built a plant that processes milk, produces cheese and yogurt.
