Rwanda’s Presidency has revealed that Kagame received Lourenço on Friday 11th November 2022.
Lourenço is the mediator on escalating tensions between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
He comes to Rwanda amidst deteriorating relations between the two neighbouring countries where DRC has been accusing Rwanda of supporting M23 rebel group which continues to capture different areas in eastern part of the country.
Rwanda repeatedly refuted the allegations and advised DRC to solve internal problems instead of blame games.
Rwanda also accuses Congo of supporting the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a terrorist group with intentions to destabilize its security.
Lourenço’s is welcomed in Rwanda after the visit of Angolan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Téte António who arrived in the Country of Thousand Hills on Thursday.
António arrived in Rwanda from Goma where he met with military officers from the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism (EJVM).
The EJVM is a mechanism of the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) composed of military officers from the 12 member countries that is charged with monitoring and verification of border violations between DRC and neighbouring countries.
He was in the country to introduce Lieutenant General Nassone João from Angola as the new coordinator of EJVM.
All the visits align with Luanda Process to restore peace in the region, particularly to mend tensions between Rwanda and DRC.
The decision will take effect beginning with the month of January 2023. Normally, employees in government’s institutions would work from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Apart from work, school hours have been also adjusted where they will begin from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
According to the cabinet statement, the decisions to adjust school and working hours in Rwanda is aimed at promoting quality education, as well as improving both workplace productivity and family wellbeing.
“School hours will be from 5:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Official working hours will be eight hours, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (excluding one hour lunch break), including a flexible one hour between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., where an employee may work remotely,” reads the statement in part.
It is expected that essential public services will remain available throughout the day.
The decision will take effect beginning with the month of January 2023 while further details will be provided by respective ministries.
As a high impact entrepreneurship development program, Jasiri’s partnership with GEW aims to further strengthen the creation of a collaborative entrepreneurship ecosystem in Rwanda. This builds on Jasiri’s mission to attack poverty by investing in, nurturing and empowering a generation of value-driven entrepreneurs who are creating homegrown solutions, impacting their communities and Africa at large.
“To empower entrepreneurs, we must create a collaborative ecosystem in which they can thrive. Jasiri is proud to host this year’s Global Entrepreneurship Week in Kigali and we look forward to having the critical conversations with partners that foster home-grown solutions to better support entrepreneurs,” said Aline Kabanda, Country Director of Allan & Gill Gray Philanthropy.
Jasiri nurtures and invests through introducing entrepreneurship development programs at the two stages of the entrepreneurial journey, from the pre-business phase to the accelerator phase of market-creating innovations. Through Jasiri’s programmes, aspiring entrepreneurs are given the opportunity to harness their innovations with sufficient support and investment.
“Rwanda is one of the best places to do business and an attractive destination for entrepreneurs. Global Entrepreneurship Week offers the chance to reflect on how to support entrepreneurs in granting guarantees, linking them to the regional and continental market and create a vibrant and collaborative entrepreneurial ecosystem. We look forward to working with Jasiri to make the week a success and encourage everyone to attend events during the week,” shared Richard Niwenshuti, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
This year, Global Entrepreneurship Week in Rwanda will be held under the theme, “Unleashing a Collaborative Ecosystem.” The theme aims to inspire communities to work together to create and share networks and markets to help rising startups thrive. It also seeks to celebrate the triumphs and learn from other entrepreneurial communities around the world.
The 2022 Global Entrepreneurship Week will feature events, discussions and panels hosted by Jasiri and partner organizations including Inkomoko, Carnegie Mellon University, Africa Leadership University, Business Professionals Network, Westerwelle Startup Haus Kigali, and the Segal Family Foundation.
Interested individuals are invited to be part of the collaborative ecosystem agenda to attend.
For more information on the 2022 Global Entrepreneurship Week in Rwanda and to explore events taking place throughout the week, visit: www.genglobal.org/rwanda.
To learn more about Jasiri Africa, visit www.jasiri.org
For any media enquiries, please contact Sherry Uwase: Sherryu@jasiri.org
As he presided over the ceremony held at Urugwiro Village, the head of state said responsibilities entrusted to Musabyimana are not new but highlighted that they are more demanding.
Musabyimana who succeeds Gatabazi has over 15 years of working experience as a Lecturer and local Government Agent.
He has been serving as the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI).
Musabyimana had previously worked as the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Lands and Forestry (MINILAF) between 2017 and 2018.
In 2016-2017, he was appointed as Governor for the Northern Province after serving as the Mayor for Musanze District, Northern Province and Deputy Mayor in Charge of Economic Development of the same district between 2015 and 2016.
As he officiated the ceremony, President Kagame said that leaders should always keep in their mind that serving citizens is their priority.
“The duty of ministers and other officials is to serve Rwandans and the nation, by walking their talks. The duties are clearly defined in the oath he has just taken,” he said.
Kagame expressed optimism that Musabyimana understands well the responsibilities entrusted to him and ready to discharge them.
The head of state reminded him that the Ministry of Local Government holds a great significance for national development which has to be centered on citizens by responding to their needs and enhancing their participation.
Kagame assured Musabyimana of collaboration and urged him to work with colleagues to deliver on expectation.
Musabyimana was named Minister of Local Government on Thursday 10th November 2022.
He holds Master’s degree in Agricultural Hydrology obtained from the University of Agronomic Sciences and Biological Engineering in Gembloux, Belgium.
His predecessor, Gatabazi had assumed the duties since March 2021 replacing Prof. Anastase Shyaka who was later appointed as Rwanda’s envoy to Poland.
[{{Related story: Minister of Local Government, Gatabazi relieved of his duties}}->https://en.igihe.com/news/article/minister-of-local-government-gatabazi-relieved-of-his-duties]
His arrival has been confirmed by Urugwiro Village, according to The New Times.
Angolan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Téte António arrived in Rwanda on Thursday evening ahead of the visit of Lourenço.
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, António was welcomed by Shakilla Umutoni Kazimbaya, the Director General for Africa at Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
“I arrived in Kigali this evening ahead of the visit of H. E. João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola to meet his Brother, H. E. Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda ; always delighted to be here,” he tweeted.
António arrived in Rwanda from Goma where he met with military officers from the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism (EJVM).
The EJVM is a mechanism of the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) composed of military officers from the 12 member countries that is charged with monitoring and verification of border violations between DRC and neighbouring countries.
He was in the country to introduce Lieutenant General Nassone João from Angola as the new coordinator of EJVM.
All the visits align with Luanda Process to restore peace in the region, particularly to mend tensions between Rwanda and DRC.
DRC has been accusing Rwanda of supporting M23 rebel group which continues to capture different areas in eastern part of the country.
Rwanda repeatedly refuted the allegations and advised DRC to solve internal problems instead of blame games.
Rwanda also accuses Congo of supporting the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a terrorist group with intentions to destabilize its security.
On Saturday last week, Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and his counterpart of DRC Christophe Lutundula held talks in Angola.
They also met with Angolan President, Angola, João Lourenço who is the mediator of both countries’ tensions.
At the time, concerned parties released a joint statement indicating it was meant to restore trust between the two neighbouring countries.
The meeting was preceded by another one between military intelligence chiefs from both countries aimed at resuming the implementation of Luanda Roadmap laid out on 6th July 2022.
As per resolutions of the meeting, both ministers of foreign affairs agreed on the necessity to maintain political dialogue between leaders of DRC and Rwanda as way to end tensions between the two brother countries.
Among others, the meeting resolved on the deployment of troops under the Mechanism EJVM to assess the situation in Goma.
It was also resolved that heads of military intelligence will maintain discussions as meetings to mediate both countries through Nairobi and Luanda processes go on.
The meetings are taking place following DRC’ expulsion of Rwanda’s envoy and speeches alluding to a war against where President Tshisekedi recently disclosed that he had two options to solve problems with Rwanda: diplomacy and war.
He explained that the first option did not yield good results and requested for mass recruitment of the youth into the military to deal with the enemy.
In the past few days, Congolese Army’s fighter jet Sukhoi 25 violated Rwanda’s airspace, an action which Rwanda described as a serious provocation.
Rwanda did not take any military action but disclosed that it is closely monitoring the situation in DRC.
The head of state made the disclosure in the evening of Thursday 10th November 2022 as he hosted a reception at Kigali Convention Centre in honour of the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley and her delegation on their visit to Rwanda.
The event was also attended by officials including the CEO of RwandAir, Yvonne Makolo; Prof. Manasseh Nshuti, Rwanda’s State Minister for EAC Affairs and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of ICT and Innovation, Yves Iradukunda.
Speaking at the occasion, Kagame said that seeing RwandAir connecting Rwanda and the Caribbean is among expected outcomes from cordial relations.
“I hope RwandAir person is here or listening to us from wherever she is. We want to see RwandAir taking us back and forth from Barbados to Rwanda and to the wider region; connecting Africa and Caribbean in addition to Barbados and Rwanda,” said Kagame.
The president makes the revelation following the signing of agreements between Rwanda and Barbados in the areas of sports and bilateral air services during a ceremony held on Wednesday 9th November 2022.
Rwanda was represented by the Minister of Infrastructure, Dr. Ernest Nsabimana while Barbados was represented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kerrie Symmonds.
Minister Kerrie Symmonds said that his country wants to see RwandAir commencing flights to Barbados in the near future.
It is expected that RwandAir will operate direct flights to Barbados, once the agreement goes into implementation.
Discussions for strengthened cooperation between Rwanda and Barbados took formal shape following President Kagame’s visit to the country in April this year.
The head of state made the remarks during a joint press conference with the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley on his visit to Rwanda on Thursday 10th November 2022.
Mottley comes to Rwanda following the visit of President Kagame in April this year.
Premier Mottley said that her country’s relations with Rwanda are at a high speed noting that both leaders want to keep the pace.
Mottley explained that small countries like Rwanda and Barbados have the uniqueness of hearing citizens’ concerns and bring humanizing impact in different perspectives of development.
“That is why in many instances, the perspectives that we take whether in climate change, financial reform, and whatever aspect with the international relations, it is about propelling our people to the next stage of development. Regrettably as I said, we face the consequences of colonialism in the same way, face the aspects of the climate change in the same way, chronicle and communicable diseases […] but because we have humanistic approach, we deal with them,” she said.
President Kagame said that the smallness of Rwanda and Barbados mostly refers to geographical coverage and the number of populations compared to other big countries.
With 287,708 people, Barbados covers the land area of 430 and is smaller than the City of Kigali.
Meanwhile, Rwanda covers the land area of 26,338 square kilometers and is populated by approximately 13 million people.
Kagame said that the smallness does not matter because Rwanda and Barbados have far-sighted people.
“In any case, we are part of the global ecosystem. One thing we sure have is that we have the brain and think big. We are not impaired by geography and we think together with others. So, we seek to make the impact using the thoughts that we bring on the table. We are able to speak, we can raise issues as they need to be raised, and may be understood as they should be. On that one, there is no smallness here,” he noted.
The head of state underscored that acting together brings a great impact regardless of the sizes.
Kagame said that the COVID-19 pandemic has shown people that they are equal because it affected all countries together.
“What is also interesting and reminded by the pandemic, we are reminded at one point or another that we are equal. When COVID-19 pandemic struck, there was no issue about big or small countries in any sense. Everyone was affected equally and therefore, it would only make sense to act together to deal with common challenges. When it comes to climate change, it affects everybody, every country irrespective of its size or populations,” he stated.
During the visit, both countries signed two agreements in the areas of sports and bilateral air services.
Kagame also disclosed that Rwanda and Barbados are set to work together in pharmaceutical manufacturing where they will share knowledge through collaboration with partners.
“Terrorists and violent extremists including Da’esh, Al-Qaida and their affiliates have exploited instability and conflict to increase their activities and intensify attacks across the continent,” the UN deputy chief told the Security Council high-level debate on “Counter-Terrorism in Africa – an Imperative for Peace, Security and Development” on behalf of Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
“Their senseless, terror-fueled violence has killed and wounded thousands and many more continue to suffer from the broader impact of terrorism on their lives and livelihoods,” she said.
“Terrorist and violent extremist groups aggravate instability and human suffering. And they can plunge a country emerging from war back into the depths of conflict,” Mohammed said.
Meanwhile, terrorists, non-state armed groups and criminal networks often pursue different agendas and strategies, fueled by smuggling, human trafficking, and other methods of illicit financing – sometimes impersonating legitimate armed forces, said the UN deputy chief.
And as digital tools spread hate and disinformation, terrorists and other criminal groups are exploiting inter-communal tensions and food insecurity triggered by climate change, she added.
In today’s hyper-connected world, Mohammed said, the spread of terrorism in Africa is “not a concern for African member states alone.”
“The challenge belongs to us all. Countering international terrorism requires effective multilateral responses,” she added.
Outlining five suggestions to advance counter-terrorism efforts in Africa, Mohammed reminded that “prevention remains our best response.”
“We must address the instability and conflict that can lead to terrorism in the first place, as well as the conditions exploited by terrorists in pursuit of their agendas.”
The UN deputy chief called for community-based, and gender-sensitive “whole-of-society” approaches.
Other suggestions include calling for “sustained and predictable funding” to prevent and counter terrorism.
The CIIE “gives us the platform to showcase what we have” to Chinese consumers, said Aaron Rutayisire, sales and marketing manager of Rwanda Farmers Coffee.
The company, based in Rwanda’s capital Kigali, has already participated twice in the CIIE with its brand Gorilla’s Coffee.
This year, it has added a new type of instant coffee to its list of products as it wrestles for a share of the Chinese market with other companies.
The new product on display is developed in line with the needs of Chinese consumers, the manager said, adding that the company hopes to further boost its sales in China given the high quality of its coffee beans and the convenience of instant coffee.
He voiced expectations that the company will get more orders from existing and new partners who can buy their products directly or indirectly through the trade fair.
The African company currently gets its high-end coffee beans from coffee farmers’ cooperatives and can process about 9,000 kg of coffee beans a day.
As for specialty coffee, beans are only accepted when they have a cupping score of at least 84 points.
Being selective about its coffee products, the company is now looking to China as a significant market in the future, Rutayisire said. “It’s a major market in terms of size, purchasing capacity, online development platforms and e-commerce.”
Moreover, he said that China has set up mechanisms to facilitate businesses as long as one presents certificates of origin and complies with the requirements of regulators.
Currently, the company has customers in more than 35 countries that buy its products online and in physical shops.
“We shall be supplying the most preferred coffee products during the exhibition with the same quality, and we can still do much better,” said Rutayisire.
