Tuyishime attributes the low numbers of Malaria patients to sensitization that has been made to inform Nyanza residents about the transmission and prevention of Malaria. All residents also received free insecticide-treated mosquito nets and houses sprayed with residual insecticides.
“In 2015, we welcomed at least 180,000 Malaria patients but in 2019, the number reduced to 50,000. In 2019, there were no cases of death by Malaria and it is an incredible step given that we used to record at least 44 deaths annually.”
Tuyishime said that apart from spraying Nyanza residents’ houses with insecticides and distributing mosquito nets, most stagnant waters were removed as they are a breeding ground for the mosquitoes that transmit Malaria.
Nyanza residents who were interviewed by IGIHE confirmed they had not contracted Malaria in the past 3 years.
Ntihinyuzwa said “Ever since I received a mosquito net and my house was sprayed I haven’t had Malaria. I have also cut bushes around my house as well as stagnant waters.”
Nyirakamana Francoise, a resident of Kigoma sector, Nyanza district said “We have been instructed about all the preventive measures against Malaria and my family and I have been safe ever since.”
Ntazinda Erasme, Nyanza district Mayor said that the district has expanded access to vector control interventions and applied effective insecticide resistance management strategies.
2020 is the fourth year since Nyanza district started spraying insecticides inside residents houses. This year, at least 80,000 houses will be sprayed.
In 2019, statistics from Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC) showed that 80% of Malaria cases were reported in the Southern and Western Provinces and that residents from Nyanza, Gisagara and Huye districts were at a considerably higher risk of contracting malaria.
The album, which is the worship team’s first, is titled Ndakwihaye and has 10 songs; the entrance will be free.
The album title is adopted from Romans 12:1-2 where Christians are asked to offer bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, true and proper worship, also, these words are part of the mission of the Evangelical Restoration Church, led by the Apostle Ndagijimana Yoshua Masasu.
The inauguration of Evangelical Restoration Church Remera Parish, formerly called Casa Bonita, in 2003, saw the birth of the Shekinah Worship Team Masoro. Back then, the team faced a rough time as singers had to move from Kimisagara Parish to Remera.
As time moved on, the team expanded and saw the entrance of new members to the level that currently, thanks to God, it has become established and sings in such gospel concerts as Gentil Misigaro’s, Nice Ndatabaye’s, Patient Bizimana’s, Gaby Kamanzi’s, and Serge Iyamuremye’s.
One of this team’s chorists, Pastor Lysette had this to say about this album launch.
“Offering our bodies, lives, and all our possessions to God is what pleases Him. We have come to an understanding that true worship, true service to God is not only talents and intelligence, instead is voluntarily giving Him all our things, letting him lead us day by day. The idea of an album launch came long ago. However, it officially started in 2017 and the main album was finalized in 2019.”
Shekinah Worship Team Masoro is one of a kind, having a huge number of renowned gospel singers like Serge Iyamuremye, Arsene Tuyi, Patient Bizimana, Justin Cubaka, and Christian Irimbere.
Other gospel singers who will perform in the overnight are Rene Clever, Yvan Ngenzi, and such teams as Alarm Ministries, Choeur d’adoration from Goma, RDC, and Shining Stars that is already part of Evangelical Restoration Church Masoro. Also, both Apostle Ndagijimana Yoshua Masasu and his wife Pastor Lydia Masasu will be present in the overnight.
The victim was a resident of Ndera sector, Gasabo district and the injured victims are from Gasabo, Rulindo, and Rutsiro districts.
The rain also destroyed 16 houses and barns in Rutsiro district.
MINEMA announced that citizens whose houses were damaged will be compensated and that they have sought shelter with their neighbors in the meantime.
IGIHE sources confirmed the death of a 44-year-old resident of Musenyi sector, Bugesera district. Reports state that the victim’s house crumbled on him and that he died on the spot.
Meteo Rwanda predicted torrential rains in March, April, and May. The heavy rainfalls are attributed to the change in the distribution of heat and wind across the Pacific which alter rainfall patterns.
In Ngoma, Kayonza, Kirehe, parts of Rwamagana and Bugesera districts, Meteo Rwanda predicts heavy rainfalls between 320 and 400 millimeters per day.
In the Northern Province, the City of Kigali, all districts of the Southern Province except Nyamagabe and parts of Nyaruguru district, there will be heavy rainfalls between 400 and 500 millimeters per day. The same applies to Nyagatare, Gatsibo, and parts of Rwamagana and Bugesera districts.
In the Eastern Province, Nyamagabe district and parts of Nyaruguru district bordering Rusizi district, rains will range between 500 and 600 millimeters.
Marie Michelle Umuhoza, Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) spokesperson confirmed the arrest and said that further investigation is being conducted.
“The suspect is currently held at RIB Gisenyi station in Rubavu district while investigation proceeds.”
Article 133 in the Rwandan Constitution states that “any person who is convicted of rape shall be liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than ten years and not more than fifteen years, and a fine of not less than one million Rwandan Francs and not more than two million Rwandan Francs.”
The penal code stipulates 20 to 25 years of imprisonment to defilement convicts. When rape or defilement is done on a minor of less than 14 years old, the penalty is life sentence.
Last week, the National Commission for the Fight Against Genocide (CNLG) published a book titled ‘Jenoside yakorewe Abatutsi mu cyahoze ari commune Cyangugu’ loosely translating to ‘The genocide against Tutsi in former commune Cyangugu.’
The book was released as a result of a research which was conducted by Donatien Nikuze, a genocide scholar under the supervision of Dr. Gasanabo Jean Damascène, Director General of the National Research and Documentation Centre on Genocide at CNLG.
It elaborates on allegations that French military forces worked closely with Interahamwe militia during the genocide, supplied them with weapons and offered them cover, under the United Nations (UN) auspices.
The book also shows that France was not in Rwanda to rescue thousands of Tutsi families who were trapped amidst ruthless and brutal massacres but that they were sent to halt FPR Inkotanyi soldiers which had outstripped the Armed Forces of Rwanda (FAR), the army of the ethnic Hutu-dominated Rwandan regime which executed the genocide.
{{Rape allegations}}
The book shows that French soldiers who were sent in Rwanda for ‘Operation Turquoise’ a French-led military operation in Rwanda in 1994 under the mandate of the United Nations reached former Cyangugu Prefecture and divided into two units.
One unit stayed at Kamembe airport in Cyangugu while the other unit went to Nyarushishi, Bugarama, Ntendenzi and Kirambo sectors. In Nyarushishi, French soldiers patrolled through the camps and a few days later knew which tents sheltered women and girls.
The soldiers then started a rape spree, dragging women and girls from their tents to rape them every day while they were supposed to protect them.
Kambongo Constance who witnessed the atrocities committed by French soldiers in Nyarushishi said “French soldiers would come in the morning, pick women and girls in their tanks and raped them. Later on, we learned that the women and girls were not picked to clean French soldiers’ houses as they lied about but that they were violently raped once they reached French camps.”
Claudine who survived the rape spree in Nyarushishi was 14 years old at the time. She developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of rape. Other rape survivors include Mukayiranga Mado, Mukayeze Pascasie, Mukayitesi Jacqueline, Umulisa and girls from Ecole Agricole Et Veterinaire (EAV) Ntedezi.
Page 360 of the book reads “Women and girls were subjected to unimaginable atrocities where French soldiers would insert pepper in their genital parts, force them into oral and anal sex and take naked pictures of their victims. The soldiers would then offer them portions of their field ration to buy their silence.”
The book also shows facts that French soldiers raped women at Kamembe Airport and Kamarampaka stadium.
Habimana Jean Bosco, a genocide convict and former member of the Interahamwe militia worked closely with French soldiers. He said that French soldiers asked him to collect Tutsi women for raping and that he executed their orders because they had supplied him with firearms.
The first time, he brought them Beata, a 15-year old Tutsi girl from Mururu. After they raped her, they ordered the Interahamwe militia not to kill her.
The second victim Habimana brought was 14-year-old Mukasine Florence from Winteko sector, former Bugayi cell whom he found hiding after her entire family was decimated.
On page 361, the book reads “At Kamarampaka stadium, Mukasine was gang-raped to a point she was unable to walk. The soldiers then ordered that she shall not be killed as well.” Habimana said that the soldiers would reward him with food.
Beata and Mukasine were captured as they moved out of Nyarushishi camp to look for food. They were brought to French camps, raped and sent back to Nyarushishi where they fortunately survived the genocide.
Another victim was an unidentified 19-year-old girl whom Habimana brought to a French soldier. After raping her, the soldier denied Habimana a portion of his field ration as it had become the routine. He got angry and threatened he was going to kill the girl. The French soldier was indifferent to the threat and said he did not care at all. Habimana then killed the girl in front of the soldiers and left her corpse lying there.
{{Complicity with killers}}
Bisengimana Elisée who was a teacher at Groupe Scolaire de Gihundwe at the time of the genocide said that the French government was a close ally of the Rwandan regime that planned and perpetrated the mass slaughter of more than a million Tutsi.
In Rusizi, French soldiers collaborated with Interahamwe militia at roadblocks and barricades.
They verified identity cards and those who were identified Tutsi were sent to Interahamwe to be killed. The soldiers also provided firearms and grenades to the killers.
On page 355, the book reads “soldiers sent in the United Nations-sanctioned humanitarian mission in Rwanda in 1994 only offered back up to the killers and pushed further their agenda of totally wiping out the Tutsi minority in complete impunity.”
Sinzabakwira Straton explained that French soldiers also joined the killing spree. In Gasare, former Karengera commune, French soldiers killed Tutsi, packed the corpses inside bags and dumped them in the middle of the Nyungwe forest.
The victims were accused of supporting FPR Inkotanyi. The soldiers helped genocide perpetrators erase evidence of the genocide by picking corpses of Tutsi in Kamembe and dumping them in the Nyungwe forest.
{{Erasing evidence}}
The French government thought the Interahamwe militia to erase all evidence of the genocide. In Cyangugu, French soldiers saw corpses floating in Lake Kivu and alerted the killers that if anyone took a photo of it, it would cost them a lot. Habimana said, “the soldiers instructed us to incise the victims’ bellies and fill them with stones so that they could sink into the lake.” The killers used bayonets to execute the evil plan.
Kayitsinga Abdallah who lived in Kamembe during the genocide explained that not only did the French soldiers participate in the genocide, they also looted processed tea from Shagasha and Gisakura tea factories and exported it to be sold in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Ndikubwabo Jean who admitted having been a broker for French soldiers said they also looted cars and sold them in DRC. He was paid between $20 and $30 for each car they sold.
FPR Inkotanyi victory was disadvantageous to the French Government
By July 17th, 1994, FPR Inkotanyi had conquered almost all the country with the exception of the ‘zone humanitaire sure’ (ZHS), a safety zone spreading over former Gikongoro, Cyangugu and Kibuye prefectures where French soldiers had established camps.
The book explains that after realizing that FAR forces were outnumbered on all fronts, French soldiers in ‘Operation Turquoise’ urged génocidaires in Cyangugu to flee the country. French soldiers and government officials patrolled through Cyangugu calling killers to flee Rwanda as soon as they could
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Bisengimana Elisée said, “they used microphones to call upon all génocidaires in Kamembe to leave the country.”
The message was informing génocidaires that the next day, French soldiers would leave the country and that they would have no protection. “Tomorrow, FPR Inkotanyi will conquer Cyangugu and will kill every Hutu on their way. We urge you all to flee to DRC before the last French soldier leaves Rwanda. You are warned!”
Upon realizing that they would be killed, génocidaires destroyed their houses and moved to Congo in search of permanent asylum.
Surwumwe Bernard, an ex-FAR soldier said that as they fled to Congo, they were shielded all the way by French soldiers.
“When we reached DRC, French soldiers helped us move our weapons across Lake Kivu to Panzi military camp. General Bizimungu and Minister Kambanda later came to see us accompanied by two French soldiers.”
In Panzi Military Camp, FAR soldiers and other génocidaires conspired to come back in Rwanda to finish the ‘job’ they had started and destabilize its security.
Despite independent reports released by the Government of Rwanda and accusing French officials of complicity in the 1994 genocide, France continuously denied playing any role.
Last year, President Macron appointed a panel of experts to investigate France’s actions in Rwanda during the 1994 genocide against Tutsi. He also announced the creation of a judicial unit in charge of prosecuting genocide suspects.
The meeting will be held at the French National Assembly, Palais Bourbon, in Paris under the pretext of studying issues Great Lakes countries are currently facing.
The agenda shows that genocide deniers and other researchers who in the past advanced the double-genocide theory will be invited to freely express their ideologies.
CRF and IBUKA France stated “It is highly inappropriate for a respectable government body to give a platform to genocide deniers and double-genocide theorists especially when France prepares to commemorate the 1994 genocide against Tutsi as stated in Decree No. 2019-435 of May 13th, 2019 that “The 1994 Genocide against Tutsi shall henceforth be observed and commemorated in France every year on April 7th.”
“We demand that senators and the French parliament condemn genocide ideologies and deny support to all forms of hate propaganda.”
The petition condemning the meeting and its agenda has so far been signed by 2693 people of 5000 needed and follows various social media posts urging the French Senate to cancel the meeting.
Some notorious genocide ideologists expected in the meeting include Charles Onana, Judi Rever, Hubert Vedrine, and Vincent Hervouët.
Vedrine is a French Socialist politician and was President Mitterand’s diplomatic and advisor, spokesperson and finally as Secretary General of the French Presidency from 1991 to 1995. Mitterand’s government vehemently supported the 1994 genocide against Tutsi.
Judi Rever is a Canadian freelance print and broadcast journalist. She is the author of many books denying the 1994 genocide against Tutsi as it is the case for Charles Onana.
Vincent Hervouët is a journalist on the LCI channel who is notorious for offering a platform to genocide perpetrators and ideologists.
At the beginning of 2020, Arthur Nation that organizes Seka Live announced that the performances will be happening on a monthly basis. February will see a Seka Live in which will perform the South African Ndumiso Lindi and the Nigerian Kenny BlaQ.
Kenny BlaQ was welcomed by Arthur Nkusi and the whole team of Arthur Nation.
Ndumiso Lindi is expected to arrive in Rwanda this Friday, February 28, 2020.
This month’s Seka Live is scheduled to take place on February 29, 2020, at Marriott Hotel, with entrance fees being Rwf 10,000 for ordinary seats and Rwf 20,000 for VIP.
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Beside these international comedians, Seka Live will see the performances of such Rwandan emerging comedians as Nimu Roger, Mercy, Patrick, Milly, and Captain Father.
Neptunez Band and Nep DJs will entertain the public with music.
Organized by Ithraa, Oman’s investment and export development agency, Oman Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Madayn, the high-profile four-day show is designed to boost trade relations between Rwanda and Oman.
The exhibition is expected to showcase a host of leading Omani businesses from food and beverage, plastics, textiles, metals and minerals, construction and logistics.
Mrs Maymuna Al Adawi, Ithraa’s Director for Export Facilitation said: “With its economy expanding by 8.6% in 2018, Rwanda has proven to be an economic role model for the continent, with leading business analysts singling it out as one of the emerging economies to watch for in terms of investment opportunities, value for money and economic growth.”
He added that while many African economies are known for distinct exports or income streams that have remained unchanged for years, Rwanda has chosen a different path by embarking on a concerted effort to diversify exports and revenue streams. “Indeed, this approach has seen services become the leading driver of GDP growth in the past few years, taking over from agriculture. Given the economy’s success, we see multiple opportunities in Rwanda for Omani exporters. It’s clearly an exciting time to be showcasing Oman-made products in this important African market.”
Mr. Ayman Al Hsani, OPEX Committee Head explained that Omani products have built a strong reputation internationally, and given Rwanda’s diversification plans “we’re looking to forge long-term and mutually beneficial trade ties. OPEX is an excellent opportunity for us initiate those connections and take trade partnerships forward. As we’ve seen at recent OPEX shows in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE I’m confident the Kigali event will deliver positive results for everyone involved.”
OPEX is a trade show designed to promote Omani products exported to over 140 countries. Since its launch in 2012 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, OPEX has seen a steady increase in the number of participating companies.
During the exhibition, Rwanda Development Board will organize a special session at the Kigali Convention Centre on Monday 2nd March to present the various business and investment opportunities in Rwanda to key business leaders from Oman.
Besides, B2B meetings between the Omani industries and the investors, business owners and commercial agencies in Rwanda will also take place ion Monday co-hosted and supported by the Rwanda Private Sector Federation (PSF)
Among the new ministers are Dr. Ngamije Daniel who was appointed Minister of Health, Dr. Uwamariya Valentine, Minister of Education, Dr. Bayisenge Jeannete, Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, and Mpambara Inès, Cabinet Affairs Minister.
Others sworn include Tushabe Richard, Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning in Charge of the National Treasury, Lt. Col. Dr. Mpunga Tharcisse, Minister of State in charge of Primary Health Care, Twagirayezu Gaspard, Minister of State in Ministry of Education in charge of Primary and Secondary Education and Irere Claudette, Minister of State in the Ministry of Education in Charge Technical and Vocational Education and Training.
Also sworn in are two members of parliament; Karemera Emmanuel and Mukabalisa Germaine.
{{Kagame emphasizes services above self}}
In his speech, President Kagame said that Rwanda is matching on well but needs to pragmatically face the current pressing challenges.
“We need to work better, to work with each other well. All sectors, people from other places, there is no problem in treating others well when they treat you the same. That’s how it should be all the time.”
“You’ve seen it, in the swearing-in, I’ve realized that all of you are young. Most of you are women. You should use those strengths. With them, nothing should be out of our reach. Otherwise, we will have failed ourselves since we have everything we need. We must maintain good practices, a good collaboration, without focusing on ourselves but on Rwandans. I’m not restricting anyone from focusing on themselves, but that needs to come second after the interest of the country.”
“The oath, maybe some read it merely speaking without thinking about what they are swearing. When they ask you, ‘Won’t you use the power you are given for your personal benefits,’ what does it mean? That is the part of the oath which is most difficult to implement. Because of weaknesses, I don’t think it is about being human since making mistakes is natural, but some get so weak that they focus their duties on their personal benefits. It’s not right when repeated a lot. … What’s good is the public’s interest. That’s what is crucial to us, giving the country a good future that we want.”
President Kagame thanked the sworn-in leaders and talked about why some of them change posts.
“The first thing is to thank those who have accepted new duties so that they can work with others in order to keep building our country. For those who changed their posts or left, there are reasons. The first reason, when they change your duties, it doesn’t mean they did not like your performance. It is for the sake of moving with the times or trying to do what we already do in a different way. There are others who leave their duties due to responsibilities that they failed to accomplish. I think we have spoken of this many times here. When people fulfill their duties well, they deserve thanks. When people fail to fulfill them, blame is normal.”
“Even a self-employed person has duties to do a good job so that his work gives out a good result. However, there is no profit when what produced that profit did bad to other people.”
The three, whose names have not yet been disclosed, were arrested early this week from their residence in Cyarwa Cell, Tumba Sector, Huye District.
RIB got the information from the neighbors, the executive administration, and the night watchmen who claimed that the men have sex with teens under 16.
Both suspects are aged 22, from Bugesera and Nyagatare districts respectively.
The executive officer of Tumba Sector, Migabo Vital, said that they also arrested a woman suspected of being a pimp and sex trafficker.
“We got information about three girls under 16 who are said to have had sex with two men who study at IPRC-Huye. We arrested them and handed them over to RIB. There is also a woman who was arrested for allegedly involving the girls into the sex trade.
She is also well known for being a sex worker. She had employed one of the girls as a house girl to take care of her child but with a hidden objective of trading her off in sex work.”
Some people from Cyarwa Cell have however said that the girls in question are known sex workers in the area.
“What I can say is that the boys are innocent because the girls were prostitutes even before. They are known in Butare Town. The girls are prostitutes. They always frequent pubs.”
Huye District is one of the districts with a lot of early pregnancies among teens under 18. In 2018, the district registered 338 which shot up to 669 early pregnancies.
The Southern Province police spokesperson, CIP Twajamahoro Sylvestre has said that both men are in custody of RIB, Ngoma Sector as investigations get underway.
CIP Twajamahoro said more people involved in sex trafficking are being investigated.
