The tragedy was caused by explosive remnants of war like bombs and landmines that children were playing with in an open field in a village, said Abdi Ahmed Ali, deputy district commissioner of Qoryoley town.
The hospital in Qoryoley received 22 bodies of the children and two of the wounded died after they were sent to the hospital, Ahmed said on the phone, adding that another child died on the way to hospital in the capital Mogadishu.
He said the minors were boys between 10 and 15 years old.
In the presence of Mr.Mohamed Bassatne, CEO of BB Energy Group and Mr. Bashir Bassatne, CEO of BB Energy Downstream, the inaugural opening took place on Friday 9th June 2023 with a ribbon cutting ceremony by Mr. Baha Bassatne, Chairman of BB Energy Group and Mr. Egide Gatera, founding shareholder of Société Pétrolière Limited.
Commenting on the launch, Gatera stated: “We are very proud to continue to strengthen our partnership with the BB Energy group. Today is an important day for the Société Pétrolière brand as it marks the opening of our network in the country, while demonstrating the attractiveness of Morocco as a key market for investment. In collaboration with BB Energy, we plan to open 20 more service stations over the next few years. We look forward to exploring future investment opportunities in Morocco as the country seeks to transform its energy system in the years to come.”
Bassatne, CEO of BB Energy Group, said that their continued investment in Morocco demonstrates commitment to be a long-term partner in the country’s energy system.
“Over the past 12 months, we have actively expanded our business across the value chain, particularly in the downstream and renewable energy sectors. Morocco continues to be a very attractive investment market for companies like BB Energy, and I look forward to working closely with our partners within a very dynamic ecosystem to participate in the transition of the countries towards more environmentally friendly forms of energy, from electric vehicle charging infrastructure to green hydrogen production,” he noted.
With a long experience in energy trading, the partnership seeks to add value to its Moroccan customers by helping them import, store and sell fuel from several locations across the country.
Leveraging the group’s expertise and scale, SP Morocco is working to reduce working capital requirements while helping current and future clients navigate and overcome the price volatility experienced in recent years their strategic investments to develop green and clean energy sources in Morocco.
The group is currently planning to invest in solar energy, electric mobility infrastructure, green hydrogen and ammonia, thus contributing to Morocco’s ambition to become one of the largest producers of hydrogen in the world.
{{About Societe Petroliere and BB Energy}}
Societe Petroliere Limited (SP) is the largest integrated petroleum marketing company in Rwanda with a 35% market share and sourcing capabilities in Kenya and Tanzania. SP sells approximately 150,000 m3 of refined products per year through its retail network and wholesale customers. SP operate the largest a network of service station in Rwanda with over 60 nationwide and is a key supplier of petroleum products to commercial and industrial customers. In 2019, SP increased its storage capacity at the Rusororo Depot to 60,000 m3 to meet the market demands. In addition, SP Ltd continues its commitment and core value to support Rwanda’ s transition to environmentally friendly energy solutions such as the supply of Liquified Petroleum Gas.
BB Energy Group is one of the world’s leading independent energy trading companies, with over 50 years of experience in the energy sector and a growing division in renewable energy and emissions reduction. The group has around 500 employees in 12 offices on five continents, with key trading centers in London, Dubai, Singapore and Houston. The group’s growth strategy is focused on sustainable energy products and projects, implemented through geographic expansion into new markets, product diversification and acquisitions.
In 2018, BB Energy Group acquired 70% of Société Pétrolière au Rwanda. The group further strengthened its partnership by launching the network of service stations under the SP brand in Morocco.
The practical training conducted by Rwanda National Police (RNP) in partnership with the Regional Centre for Small Arms (RECSA), focused on arms handling and storage, physical security, arms marking, stockpile inventory, and emergency response.
The PTS Commandant, Commissioner of Police (CP) Robert Niyonshuti, while closing the training, said that it enhances stockpile management capacity for Rwanda security agencies.
“The stockpile management of weapons is very important as it helps to improve security, safety and accountability. Unsafe storage can result in the explosion of ordinance stocks killing and injuring many people as well as destroying costly facilities and equipment,” CP Niyonshuti said.
He urged the trainees to put the acquired skills and knowledge to effective use to add value to stockpile management.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Damas Gatare, the Director of Operations and Programmes at RECSA, said that one of the strategies to address the persisting proliferation of small arms in the region is to ensure the safety and security of stockpiles by setting a well-functioning management system of physical security and stockpiles of government weapons.
Article 6 of the Nairobi protocol stipulates that “parties undertake to establish and maintain complete inventories of small arms and light weapons held by security forces and other state bodies; to enhance their capacity to manage and maintain secure storage of state owned small arms and light weapons as well as ensuring strict national accountability and the effective tracing of all small arms and light weapons owned and distributed by the state.”
The 62-year-old former Rwandan police officer was arrested recently in South Africa after being on the run for 22 years.
During proceedings on Friday, Prosecutors told the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court that Kayishema faces 54 counts which include contravention of the Immigration Act as well fraud charges among others.
According to media reports, prosecutors allege the Rwandan national lied while applying for asylum in South Africa by using a false identity. Kayishema’s case has been postponed to June 20.
Kayishema, who had been one of the world’s most wanted genocide fugitives, was arrested on Wednesday May 24th, 2023, in Paarl, South Africa, as a result of a joint operation involving the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT) Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) Fugitive Tracking Team and South African authorities.
He stands accused of orchestrating the massacre of approximately 2,000 Tutsis, including women, men, children, and the elderly, at Nyange Catholic Church during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. It is alleged that Kayishema directly participated in the planning and execution of this atrocity, including the procurement and distribution of petrol to set the church on fire while the victims were inside.
When this initial attempt failed, Kayishema and others reportedly used a bulldozer to collapse the church, burying and killing those seeking refuge. Over the following two days, Kayishema and accomplices supervised the transfer of bodies from the church grounds to mass graves.
The investigation leading to Kayishema’s arrest spanned multiple countries across Africa and elsewhere, in strong cooperation with many national law enforcement and immigration agencies.
During his flight from justice, Kayishema utilized many aliases and false documents to conceal his identity and presence. He further relied upon a network of trusted supporters, including family members and members of the ex-Forces Armées Rwandaises and ex-Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda.
Kayishema was located and arrested through an analysis-driven investigation exploiting multi-source evidence with both traditional and leading-edge methodologies.
He has been at large since 2001.
With technology becoming increasingly pervasive, it is disconcerting that only a minority of individuals possess the knowledge to protect themselves against cyber-attacks.
Research conducted in 2022 reveals that a staggering 90% of businesses operating in Africa lack adequate protection against such threats.
As a result, South African companies suffer losses of $570 million annually, Nigerian companies lose $500 million, and Kenyan companies lose $36 million due to inadequate cyber security measures.
During a recent training session held on June 8, 2023, for IT staff working in banks and financial institutions in collaboration with Vuba Technologies, Srimal Shamida, the Managing Director of Vuba Tech in Rwanda, emphasized the critical importance of protecting sensitive banking information.
Shamida asserts that by training their employees, banks can effectively mitigate cyber risks and fortify their security measures.
“We have observed that some IT managers are unfamiliar with the latest techniques for preventing cyber-attacks or lack awareness of how they manifest. Our aim is to alleviate these concerns for our clients, enabling them to operate confidently and adopt secure technology practices,” stated Shamida.
Shamida further explained, “There are individuals with academic degrees but possess limited technological skills. Therefore, we are equipping them with practical skills to enhance their expertise in this field.”
Cyber security expert, Abel Lawrence, emphasized the need for continuous education to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the latest technologies.
Lawrence insists that staying updated with technological advancements should be accompanied by selecting appropriate security measures to safeguard sensitive data.
“Hackers frequently target large corporations that house vital information. Therefore, these institutions must implement advanced protective measures,” emphasized Lawrence. “They must establish robust infrastructures, employ the most effective security solutions, and recruit competent staff, as banks often face internal fraud from current or former employees.”
The specialized security system utilized in this training program is known as Palo Alto, which the participants believe will significantly enhance the operational efficiency of their respective companies.
Rwanyenieri Jackson, an employee at the Bank of Kigali, expressed his appreciation for the training, stating that it equips him with the necessary skills to prevent cyber-attacks effectively.
“Palo Alto incorporates cutting-edge technology that detects and thwarts fraudulent attempts to breach our systems,” shared Jackson. “While I was already familiar with its usage, the training provided me with valuable insights into new features. I intend to apply these newly acquired skills to bolster our defenses.”
Research indicates that 60% of small businesses are forced to shut down within six months after experiencing cyber-attack.
The biannual training sessions offered by Vuba Technologies empower employees of partnering companies to adapt to the latest technological advancements, enabling them to effectively counter cyber threats.
The project, funded by the Government of Japan through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), involves the construction of a 900-millimeter diameter pipe to replace the existing 600-millimeter pipe.
The size of the pipe, which is being built by JICA in collaboration with Water and Sanitation Corporation (WASAC) , will increase the quantity of distributed water from 40,000 cubic meters to 62,000.
Eng Umuhumuza Gisèle, the CEO of WASAC, has stated that the remaining 1% of the project involves connecting existing pipelines with newly constructed ones, cleaning them, and testing pumping stations.
Apart from the construction of new 900 mm pipe, she said, existing ones will be considered to facilitate the distribution of water from the Ntora site to various areas, including Runda in Kamonyi District.
Umuhumuza further mentioned that with all the necessary equipment in place, WASAC will be able to distribute 145,000 cubic meters of water per day.
In addition to the pipeline, WASAC has constructed a new water distribution station in Nzove, installed machinery for water distribution, renovated the Ntora reservoir, upgraded pipes supplying water to different parts of Kigali and beyond, and built a new water reservoir with a capacity of 200 cubic meters.
Minako Shiotsuka, the JICA Chief Representative to Rwanda, highlighted their collaboration with WASAC to enhance the capacity of local employees in pipeline maintenance.
Abimana Fidèle, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Infrastructure, expressed that the pipeline will significantly increase water supply to different parts of the country, particularly in Kigali City.
Abimana further acknowledged that the current small pipes limited the efficient distribution of the large quantity of water produced. Among others, he stated, the upgraded pipeline will help provide a consistent water supply to Gasanze, Bumbogo, Bweramvura, Remera, Kimironko, and other areas, contributing to the achievement of universal access to water.
During the process of connecting the new pipes to the existing ones and transitioning from the 600 mm to the 900 mm pipe, there may be a temporary reduction in the quantity of supplied water.
This work, scheduled to begin on June 8, 2023, is expected to last for two weeks. However, Abimana assured that water availability will not be completely disrupted during this period.
In addition to the Nzove-Ntora network rehabilitation and construction project, JICA is assisting WASAC in problem-solving through the ‘KAIZEN’ approach, promoting positive and sustainable change. This initiative enables WASAC employees to maintain infrastructure, improve services, and reduce losses by utilizing available resources effectively.
The project, aimed at increasing the amount of clean water supplied in Kigali, is estimated to cost approximately Rwf26.7 billion. Another project involves the expansion of water reservoirs and pipes along a 568-kilometer network in Kigali City.
The Ambassador of Japan to Rwanda, Isao Fukushima, emphasized Japan’s commitment to providing sufficient and clean water to Rwandans through development cooperation, financial assistance, and capacity-building initiatives.
WASAC currently uses four treatment plants to distribute water to different parts of Kigali City.
These plants include Nzove, Kanzenze which supplies 30,000 cubic meters, Kimisagara, which supplies 20,000 cubic meters, and Karenge which distributes between 10,000 and 11,000 cubic meters to Kigali on a daily basis.
The lawsuit was filed at the Gasabo Intermediate Court on Thursday 8th June 2023.
IBUKA is represented by lawyer Bayingana Janvier, who also serves as a commissioner at the organization. The court was scheduled to begin proceedings with a request to withhold Kabuga’s properties as a guarantee for compensation once a ruling is made in favor of IBUKA.
Bayingana informed the court that IBUKA had written to the chief clerk at IRMCT. However, they had not received any feedback at the time of appearance in court.
When asked about contacting IRMCT, Bayingana stated that they were informed the clerk had a busy schedule. As they contacted IRMCT office in Kigali, they realized that their request falls under the responsibilities of the chief clerk. Consequently, Bayingana requested the Gasabo Intermediate Court to set another date for the case.
According to a letter seen by IGIHE, compensation cannot correspond to the value of the victims or the worth of the damaged and looted properties due to Kabuga’s involvement. However, IBUKA has demanded compensation worth Rwf50,658,800,000,000 on behalf of the represented Genocide survivors for endured suffering due to effects of his actions.
The individuals seeking compensation include Genocide survivors represented by IBUKA from various areas such as Bisesero, Mugina, Kimironko, Muhima, Musave, Nyamirambo, Mudende, Commune Rouge in Rubavu, and Vunga.
Kabuga was arrested in France in 2020 and has since been detained in the Netherlands. He is accused of financing Genocide against the Tutsi and co-founding Radio Television Libre des Milles Collines (RTLM), a media outlet that propagated hatred and encouraged the killing of Tutsis.
Before the Genocide, Kabuga was an influential businessman and a member of the ruling political party, MRND.
Kabuga, believed to be in his late 80s, has been on trial at The Hague branch of the United Nations mechanism responsible for the operations of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda since September of the previous year.
The delegation held consultations with RDF counterparts led by Brig Gen Patrick Karuretwa, Head of International Military Cooperation Department and paid a courtesy call to the CDS, Lt Gen Mubarakh Muganga.
Gen Kuzniak and his team also paid homage to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Rwanda’s Presidency has revealed that discussions between the two heads of state on Thursday, June 8, centered around areas of ongoing bilateral cooperation including collaboration in addressing security challenges in CAR.
President Touadéra was received by Rwanda’s Minister of Interior, Alfred Gasana upon arrival at Kigali International Airport. He last visited Rwanda in October 2022.
Touadéra’s visit comes at a time when Rwanda and CAR maintain robust bilateral and multilateral cooperation, particularly in matters of security. Rwanda has played a crucial role in stabilizing the Central African nation, with its forces serving as one of the largest contributors to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) since 2014.
In 2020, Rwanda deployed “force protection troops” to CAR under an existing defense agreement.
This deployment was in response to rebel attacks supported by former President François Bozize, which targeted the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) contingent serving under the UN Peacekeeping force.
Touadéra expressed his gratitude, as well as that of the Central African Republic, for Rwanda’s technical and operational support to the Central African Armed Forces during his previous visit.
Both heads of state reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties, with a particular focus on promoting trade, finance, culture, and technical cooperation. In addition to their security collaboration, Rwanda and CAR have previously signed agreements in the areas of defense, mining, oil, and investment promotion.
The KIPM that has been attracting sports enthusiasts from the region consists of a full marathon (42km), half marathon (21km) and a fun run for Peace (10km) all commencing at differing times from 8:00 in the morning.
MTN Rwanda has been an anchor sponsor since 2016 and this year, the Company has handed over support amounting to fifty million five hundred thousand Rwandan Francs (Rwf 50,500,000).
Desire Ruhinguka, MTN Rwanda acting Chief Digital and Consumer Officer commented during the handover ceremony “The Kigali International Peace Marathon has been a successful sports event that has brought people from diverse walks of life together every year. At MTN Rwanda, we are happy to continue to support this great initiative that advocates for a healthier lifestyle and amplifies the need for peace.”
The first eight runners that finish the full and half marathon will be awarded various cash prizes that range from four hundred US dollars (400USD) to twenty thousand US dollars (20,000USD).
Lt. Col (Rtd) Lemuel Kayumba Federation president said “We thank MTN Rwanda for their continued support. MTN has been our trusted partner for nearly a decade, sharing our passion and dedication to the marathon. Their commitment to our federation has been instrumental in driving our success and elevating the standards of the events. Together, we welcome you all, irrespective of age or skill level to attend this Sunday. So, lace up your shoes, grab your water and let’s run for peace.”
For more information on the marathon and to register visit www.kigalimarathon.org. Participants can pay their entry fee via MoMoPay code 505050 (Rwanda Athletics Federation).
“We encourage everyone to come out on Sunday and take part. It is guaranteed to be a great day of fun and excitement,” Ruhinguka concluded.
{{About MTN Rwandacell Plc}}
MTN Rwandacell Plc (MTN Rwanda) is the market leader in mobile telecommunications in Rwanda. Since 1998, the telecom has continuously invested in expanding and modernising its network and leading digital solutions for Rwanda’s progress.
It also offers various services to subscribers, including innovative propositions such as personalised voice and data offers for individuals and corporates with a clear vision to lead the delivery of a bold, new digital world to our customers.
{{About Rwanda Athletics Federation}}
Rwanda Athletics Federation is the Leading Body of all athletics events in Rwanda including (Track and Field, Road running, Race walking and Cross-Country Running). Rwanda Athletics Federation has a major role of promoting all those athletics events in the country with the main target of playing ports. Athletics is the number one participation sport in schools, to educate kids into sport in general and athletics in particular and thus promoting a balanced and healthy lifestyle, and to attract and sustain the potential sporting stars of tomorrow.
