The decision to deploy Burundian soldiers to the DRC was based on an agreement between the presidents of the two countries in August 2023, valued at five billion dollars.
These soldiers were sent to North Kivu province. In the Masisi territory, M23 killed many Burundian soldiers and captured others from November 2023 to May 2024.
After being overpowered by M23 starting in November 2023, when Burundian soldiers launched an attack on the militia’s positions in Kitshanga, some soldiers began refusing to return to the front lines, explaining that they did not understand what they were fighting for. Some also complained about being forced to wear DRC military uniforms and not being provided with adequate equipment.
The Burundi government decided to repatriate the soldiers who refused to fight from November 2023 to February 2024, using planes and Lake Kivu. In total, around 274 soldiers were detained in the provinces of Rumonge, Ngozi, Ruyigi, and Bururi.
In the trial that began in May 2024, these soldiers were charged with disobeying the orders of the Head of State, mutiny, and treason. None of them had legal representation.
The court acquitted two of them, sentenced others to 30 years, 25 years, and 20 years in prison. All 272 soldiers were fined in US dollars.
During the trial in Rutana province, the soldiers, including Colonels and Majors, told the court that their actions were based on orders from their superiors. They asked the government to acquit them and reinstate them in their positions.
After being sentenced, they claimed they were unjustly convicted and announced plans to appeal the court’s decision.
In a State of the Nation Address on Wednesday afternoon, the Kenyan Head of State stated that the people of Kenya had spoken, and he had “conceded” and agreed with lawmakers to withdraw the contentious Bill.
“Having reflected on continuing the conversation around the Finance Bill, and listening to the Kenyan people who say they want nothing to do with this Bill, I concede.
“Therefore, I will not sign the Finance Bill 2024 and it shall be subsequently withdrawn and I have agreed with these members, that shall become our position,” President Ruto stated.
He announced several austerity measures to contain government expenditure, starting with the Office of the President and the Executive. These include reduced spending on travel, hospitality, the purchase of motor vehicles, and renovations.
“I direct that operational expenditure in the Presidency be reduced to remove allocations for the confidential vote, reduce travel budget, hospitality and purchase of motor vehicles, renovations and other expenditures,” President Ruto stated.
The Finance Bill 2024 sought to raise $2.7 billion in additional taxes for the government.
At least five people were shot dead by the police and a dozen others were injured in the violent confrontation in and outside parliament precincts, according to Amnesty International.
The international community, led by the United Nations (UN) and the African Union (AU), condemned the violent protests and called on the authorities to exercise restraint while also urging peaceful demonstrations.
Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga also pressured Ruto’s administration to listen to the people, especially the young people “Gen Z” who comprised the majority of the protesters.
In the spirit of the proposed dialogue, President Ruto has pledged to engage Kenyan youth to hear their perspectives and concerns.
“I propose an engagement with young people of our nation to listen to their issues and agree with them on their priority areas of concern,” he added.
The Kenyan Head of State also emphasized the need for a multi-sectoral conversation about the public debt and the country’s future.
“I also propose that within the next 14 days, a multi-sectoral, multistakeholder engagement be held with a view to charting the way forward on matters relating to the content of the Bill as well as auxiliary issues raised in recent days on the need for austerity measures and strengthening our fight against corruption.”
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In his address on Wednesday, President Ruto acknowledged that the Finance Bill 2024 is among the painful measures the government has had to take since assuming office in September 2022 to maintain Kenya’s creditworthiness in international markets.
Currently, the country’s debt burden stands at 68% of GDP, which exceeds the World Bank and International Monetary Fund’s recommended threshold of 55% of GDP.
Pressure from Kenyans last week saw the Head of State allow several amendments. These included the withdrawal of proposed 16% VAT on bread, a 2.5% motor vehicle tax increase, and a hike in the tax on mobile money transfers from 15% to 20%.
Additionally, the proposal to introduce a Ksh150 per kilogram eco-tax on plastic packaging materials, batteries, and hygiene products such as diapers and sanitary pads was dropped.
This, however, did not stop the demonstrations as protesters demanded the withdrawal of the entire Bill.
Rwanda’s presence in the ABH competition has been remarkable.The distinguished Rwandan entrepreneurs who have emerged as top 10 finalists include Francine Munyaneza, founder of Munyax Eco, who was recognized for her innovative approach to solar energy solutions; Yvette Ishimwe, founder and CEO of IRIBA Water Group, who made it to the top 10 in 2021 for her work in providing clean water solutions; Christelle Kwizera, founder of Water Access Rwanda, who secured third place in 2019 for her efforts in ensuring water access; Kevine Kagirimpundu, co-founder and CEO of UZURI K&Y, a top 10 finalist in 2019 for her sustainable fashion brand; and Albert Munyabugingo, co-founder and CEO of Vuba Vuba Africa Ltd, a top 10 finalist in 2023 for his innovative logistics solutions.
The ABH competition is more than just a grant opportunity; it offers participants a plethora of benefits that extend far beyond the monetary prize. Participants gain profound insights into their businesses and themselves through the rigorous competition process. They receive invaluable feedback from seasoned entrepreneurs and industry experts, which helps refine their business strategies. Additionally, being part of ABH means joining a vibrant community of like-minded entrepreneurs, investors, mentors, and service providers. Participants also have access to top-tier mentorship and training programs tailored to their needs and gain international recognition and exposure, helping them connect with global markets.
Jack Ma, the founder of Alibaba and the Jack Ma Foundation, encapsulates the vision of ABH, stating, “This is the hope of Africa. If we can enable the entrepreneurs there, they may change Africa. Africa’s Business Heroes is giving inspiration and courage to all entrepreneurs in Africa.”
This past April, the top 10 heroes from the past five years, along with judges and ABH partners, embarked on an exchange program to Hangzhou, China. This visit included interactions with various business units of Alibaba Group, offering invaluable learning experiences and insights. Albert Munyabugingo, founder of Vuba Vuba Africa Ltd and a 2023 top 10 finalist, shared his reflections on the trip. He highlighted three main takeaways: building strong networks with other African entrepreneurs to foster collaborations, understanding the strategies that shapedAlibaba’s development over the years and exploring ways to establish partnerships that connect Chinese and African markets.
Albert’s engagement with Cainiao, Alibaba Group’s logistics arm, provided him with critical insights into enhancing the logistics sector in Africa. He envisions Vuba Vuba as a transformative logistics company that meets the community’s needs effectively. Albert emphasized the importance of connecting with fellow ABH heroes, learning from Alibaba’s journey, and exploring partnership opportunities to forge long-lasting relationships between Chinese and African markets.
Adding to Rwanda’s prominence in the ABH initiative, last year’s final judges included Diane Karusisi, CEO of the Bank of Kigali. Her presence as a judge underscores the high regard in which Rwandan business leaders are held within the African entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The ABH initiative continues to open doors for African entrepreneurs, providing them with tools, knowledge, and networks to thrive. As part of this dynamic community, Rwandan entrepreneurs are not only gaining recognition but also driving impactful changes within their industries. The journey of empowering Africa’s entrepreneurial spirit continues, fostering a future where African entrepreneurs lead the way to sustainable development and innovation.
For more information about the ongoing ABH 2024 edition, please visit https://africabusinessheroes.org/en/ and follow ABH on X (https://apo-opa.info/3KY3OQs), LinkedIn (https://apo-opa.info/3L1Cgda), Instagram (https://apo-opa.info/3KZTXKa), Facebook (https://apo-opa.info/3ylgNE9) and YouTube (https://apo-opa.info/3YDG5bH).
On behalf of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, the State Council and the Central Military Commission (CMC), Xi, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the CMC, extended warm congratulations and sincere greetings to the Chang’e-6 mission headquarters and all those who participated in the mission in a congratulatory message.
The return capsule of the Chang’e-6 probe, carrying the moon samples, landed precisely in its designated area in Siziwang Banner, north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, at 2:07 p.m. (Beijing Time) on Tuesday.
Xi noted that Chang’e-6, for the first time in human history, collected samples from the moon’s far side and returned to Earth, marking another landmark achievement in China’s endeavor to build a strong country in space as well as in science and technology.
Over the past 20 years, all those involved in the lunar exploration project have scaled the heights of science and technology, and made remarkable accomplishments that have captured worldwide attention, Xi said.
“The outstanding contributions you have made will always be remembered by the country and the people,” he said.
Xi called for meticulous research on the lunar samples, the continued implementation of the country’s major space projects, including deep space exploration, and enhancement of international exchanges and cooperation.
He also urged efforts to make new contributions to revealing the mysteries of the universe, to promoting the well-being of humanity, and to building a great country and advancing national rejuvenation on all fronts through Chinese modernization.
Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, observed the landing and recovery of the Chang’e-6 returner at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center.
Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, read out Xi’s congratulatory message at the center.
Launched on May 3, the Chang’e-6 mission went through 11 flight stages in 53 days. It made key-technology breakthroughs in such areas as lunar retrograde orbit design and flight control, intelligent and rapid sampling, and takeoff and ascent from the far side of the moon.
Carrying four international payloads, the Chang’e-6 probe also facilitated practical and efficient international cooperation.
She knew that it was a place in China where her husband, an American physics professor, had spent his childhood, but she was unsure of its exact location. Despite this hurdle, following his passing in 1986, Elizabeth sought to honor Milton’s long-held wish to return to his childhood home.
Her quest to find this elusive place led her on several fruitless journeys to China, until a Chinese student in the United States finally decoded the mystery. Kuliang, or “Guling” in Mandarin, was a hillside resort among foreign expatriates in the suburbs of Fuzhou, capital of east China’s Fujian Province.
The student penned the American couple’s story and published it in the People’s Daily in April 1992. The article was noticed by Xi Jinping, then Fuzhou’s Party chief.
Touched by the story, Xi decided to help. He asked his subordinates to contact Elizabeth and invite her to Fuzhou, particularly Kuliang, where her husband had spent his childhood for 10 years in the 1900s.
Kuliang’s beautiful landscape and fresh mountain air etched themselves into Milton’s memory. Throughout the decades after returning to the United States in 1911, he longed to revisit this childhood home, but never got the chance.
In August 1992, Elizabeth, at the age of 72, finally arrived in Fuzhou. Xi welcomed Elizabeth on the evening of her arrival. He said he was moved by her husband’s attachment and longing for Fuzhou and Kuliang, and that was the reason for inviting her there.
“You can see for him the place he had missed all his life,” Xi told Elizabeth.
During her stay in Fuzhou, Elizabeth, with the help of the municipal government, went to Kuliang and met nine of Milton’s childhood friends. They shared memories of Milton and his family with Elizabeth.
Elizabeth said the trip allowed her to understand why her husband had missed China so much, and she was determined to continue to pass on the friendship between the two peoples.
For decades, Xi kept the American couple’s story close to his heart. In 2012, Xi, as China’s vice president, shared this story when addressing a welcoming luncheon in Washington. “I believe there are a lot of touching stories like this between Chinese and American people,” he said.
It isn’t just the Gardners who have a profound bond with Kuliang. Many American families share a profound connection with China through the hillside resort. Their descendants have formed the “Kuliang Friends” group to remember and maintain this enduring friendship. In 2023, they wrote a letter to Xi, now Chinese president, sharing their ties to the place.
Impressed by the efforts of the group’s members to bolster China-U.S. people-to-people exchanges, Xi said their stories once again highlight that “the Chinese and American peoples can transcend differences in system, culture and language to forge deep friendships.”
Xi has made more efforts to enhance exchanges between the two peoples, particularly among the youth. In November 2023, during his trip to San Francisco, Xi announced an initiative to invite 50,000 young Americans to China for exchange and study programs over the next five years.
On Monday, as part of the initiative, hundreds of young people from both China and the United States gathered in Fuzhou to launch the “Bond with Kuliang: 2024 China-U.S. Youth Festival.” Together, they planted saplings in Kuliang as a symbolic gesture of friendship.
“I am pleased to see young people from all walks of life in China and the United States gather in Fuzhou to relive the story of Kuliang, pass on the love of Kuliang, and help enhance exchanges and understanding between the two peoples,” Xi said in a letter to the event.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks in a reply letter to people in Jingning She Autonomous County in Zhejiang Province.
Established in 1984, Jingning is the country’s sole autonomous county of the She ethnic group.
Xi’an, a city with over 3,100 years of history, served as the capital for 13 dynasties. The discovery of the Terracotta Warriors in 1974 was a remarkable archaeological find, unveiling a vast underground army that has captivated the world ever since.
The Mausoleum Site Museum, a UNESCO-protected masterpiece, is one of China’s top attractions. This large-scale underground military museum, showcasing the buried army replica of Emperor Qin Shihuang, is recognized as one of the most significant archaeological excavations of the 20th century.
Representing the Qin Dynasty’s military power, these thousands of life-size figures are impressive by their size, number, and detailed craftsmanship. Today, over 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses, and 150 cavalry horses can be seen at the site.
As one of China’s most famous attractions, alongside the Great Wall and the Forbidden City, the Terracotta Army scenic spot attracts thousands of people from around the world with estimated daily visitors reaching 10,000.
The site, discovered in 1974 by a farmer digging a well, has been ranked as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987 for its marvel and need for preservation for future generations.
The Terracotta Army’s history began in 246 BC when Emperor Qin Shi Huang, at age 13, ascended to the throne. Known for unifying China, large-scale constructions including the Great Wall and more than 700 palaces around and outside central Shaanxi Province, Qin Shihuang ordered the construction of the Terracotta Army and Horses to protect him in the afterlife.
Sources indicate that the site was under construction for 38 years, requiring around 700,000 workers. The buried treasures and sacrificial objects accompanying the Emperor in his afterlife have provided significant insights for today’s archaeologists.
The Mausoleum Site Museum covers an area of 16,300 m2 with three main pits filled with more than 8,000 terracotta warriors and horses and over 40,000 bronze weapons. Pit No.1, the largest and first discovered, showcases 6,000 terracotta warriors and 35 horse-drawn chariots. Pit No.2, discovered in 1976, contains over 1,300 warriors and 90 chariots. Pit No.3, the smallest, resembles the command headquarters of the armed forces. These pits, along with accessory pits, form the core of the museum.
Upon close inspection, one will notice that every three yards, a puddle wall divides the underground army into distinct columns.
To safeguard the site, a spacious arched hall has been constructed above the pit, ensuring excellent ventilation and natural light for its preservation.
Recently, the museum has embraced modern technology to enhance visitor accessibility. An online ticket platform now allows overseas tourists from 39 countries to make reservations using their local currencies, supporting 24 languages and 29 different currencies.
With its rich history, immense scale, and continuous discoveries, the Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum remains a testament to China’s enduring legacy and a beacon of its cultural heritage. The Terracotta Warriors stand as a silent yet powerful reminder of the ancient civilization that continues to fascinate and inspire people around the world.
For the first time in Kenya’s 61 years of independence, angry protesters stormed Parliament in Nairobi yesterday, causing massive destruction after lawmakers defied calls to reject the Finance Bill 2024, which seeks to raise $2.7 billion in additional taxes for the government.
At least five people were shot dead by the police and more than 31 others were injured in the violent confrontation, according to Amnesty International.
Uhuru said he was deeply saddened by the loss of lives, calling on the current administration to listen to the people to avert more loss of life.
“I come to you with a heavy heart. Saddened by the loss of lives occasioned by the current situation prevailing in our country. It is the right of every Kenyan to protest as determined as determined by the constitution we all promulgated in 2010. It is also the duty of leaders to listen to those they lead,” the former Kenyan Head of State stated.
“Leaders must know that power and authority they have is donated to them by the people. I therefore call for calm and for the leadership to show restraint and do the right thing by listening to the people and not be antagonistic to them. Violence on either side is not the answer,” he added.
As a former president, Uhuru said he had felt the weight and the difficulty of leading Kenya and called for wisdom and civility to navigate the current crisis.
“Dear Kenyans, I stand with you and I ask our leadership to embrace dialogue and speak to the people and not at the people. I pray for peace and understanding on the part of each and every Kenyan and for all of us to remember that Kenya is bigger than one of us; there is nothing cast in stone that cannot be changed,” Uhuru added.
Odinga, on his part, urged the state to “stop murdering Kenya’s children.”
He said Ruto’s administration had refused to listen to the cries of Kenyans on high taxation and is instead pushing through additional taxes amid the high cost of living.
“Matters that should have been resolved through dialogue and humility have degenerated into developments that have never been witnessed in the 61-year history of our country since Independence,” Odinga stated.
“I am deeply troubled by the violent and deadly crackdown on young, peaceful protesters exercising their right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.”
The former Kenyan Prime Minister called on Ruto’s government to suspend the Finance Bill and pave the way for dialogue with the young people, “Gen Z,” who comprised the majority of the protesters.
“Kenya cannot afford to kill its children just because the children are asking for food, jobs and a listening ear. This Bill is neither an emergency nor a life-and-death matter for the government and Kenyans,” he noted.
“Kenyans will recall that when there was a standoff in the last Parliament over calls for the reduction of tax on petroleum products from 16 per cent to 8 per cent, the then Jubilee government agreed to suspend that provision and fell back on the old Finance Act until a consensus was reached. The same can happen today, with the government suspending the current Finance Bill and continuing with the Finance Act of last year.”
He urged the East African Community, the African Union and the United Nations to immediately be seized of the unfolding situation in Kanya to save lives and the country.
“I mourn with the families that have lost loved ones and stand with them in the ongoing struggle for Justice and economic liberation,” he added.
President Ruto on Tuesday night termed the protests as treasonous and labelled the protesters as dangerous criminals. He vowed to crack down on the “organisers and financiers of the protests” to prevent a repeat of the same.
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The Finance Bill 2024 is the latest in a series of measures aimed at maintaining Kenya’s creditworthiness in international markets. Currently, the country’s debt burden stands at 68% of GDP, which exceeds the World Bank and International Monetary Fund’s recommended threshold of 55% of GDP.
Pressure from Kenyans last week saw the Head of State allow several amendments. These included the withdrawal of proposed 16% VAT on bread, a 2.5% motor vehicle tax increase, and a hike in the tax on mobile money transfers from 15% to 20%.
Additionally, the proposal to introduce a Ksh150 per kilogram eco-tax on plastic packaging materials, batteries, and hygiene products such as diapers and sanitary pads was dropped.
Other taxes that remain untouched include proposals to increase import taxes from 2.5% to 3% of the item’s value, payable by the importer at the port, as well as a 16% tax on goods and services intended for the direct and exclusive use in the construction and equipping of specialized hospitals with a minimum bed capacity of 50. Kenyans have expressed concerns that the latter could lead to higher costs for accessing critical health services such as cancer treatment, diabetes care, kidney dialysis, and other chronic illnesses.
In separate statements, AU Secretary-General António Guterres and AU Commission Chairperson Mousa Faki urged the Kenyan authorities to exercise restraint, while also calling on peaceful demonstrations amid concerns over “punitive” taxes imposed on the citizenry by President William Ruto’s administration.
“I am deeply saddened by the reports of deaths and injuries – including of journalists and medical personnel – connected to protests and street demonstrations in Kenya.
“I urge the Kenyan authorities to exercise restraint, and call for all demonstrations to take place peacefully,” Guterres stated.
Faki, on his part, also called for constructive dialogue to address the issues raised by the protesters.
“The Chairperson urges all stakeholders to exercise calm and refrain from further violence. The Chairperson also appeals to national stakeholders to engage in constructive dialogue to address the contentious issues that led to the protests in the supreme interest of Kenya,” Faki said.
He added, “The Chairperson reiterates the total solidarity of the African Union with the Government and People of Kenya and exhorts them to maintain peace, security and stability in the country.”
Opposition leader Raila Odinga, who has expressed interest in heading the AU Commission next year, also condemned the killings reported on Tuesday, urging the state to “stop murdering Kenya’s children.”
Odinga called on Ruto’s government to suspend the Finance Bill and pave the way for dialogue with the young people, “Gen Z,” who comprised the majority of the protesters.
“I am deeply troubled by the violent and deadly crackdown on young, peaceful protesters exercising their right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression,” Odinga stated, adding, “Kenya cannot afford to kill its children just because the children are asking for food, jobs and a listening ear…This Bill is neither an emergency nor a life-and-death matter for the government and Kenyans.”
Angry protesters stormed the Kenyan parliament in Nairobi after lawmakers passed the bill seeking to raise $2.7 billion in additional taxes for the government.
The protesters overwhelmed a contingent of anti-riot police officers manning the parliament buildings, set police vehicles ablaze, and shattered the windows of some of the facilities.
At least five people died from gunshot wounds, and thirty-one others were injured during Tuesday’s protests, according to Amnesty International.
The human rights group said it documented 13 cases of people shot with live bullets, four with rubber bullets, and three people who were hit with launcher canisters.
The organization also revealed that 21 abductions and disappearances by uniformed and non-uniformed officers were reported ahead of Tuesday’s protests.
“We urge the State and all parties to de-escalate the situation and stop the use of lethal force to protect life,” the organisation appealed.
President Ruto on Tuesday night termed the protests as treasonous and labelled the protesters as dangerous criminals. He vowed to crack down on the “organisers and financiers of the protests” to prevent a repeat of the same.
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The Finance Bill 2024 is the latest in a series of measures aimed at maintaining Kenya’s creditworthiness in international markets. Currently, the country’s debt burden stands at 68% of GDP, which exceeds the World Bank and International Monetary Fund’s recommended threshold of 55% of GDP.
The opposition has in recent weeks faulted President Ruto’s proposed taxes, claiming he is under external pressure to overburn Kenyans struggling to make ends meet.
Pressure from Kenyans last week saw the Head of State allow several amendments. These included the withdrawal of proposed 16% VAT on bread, a 2.5% motor vehicle tax increase, and a hike in the tax on mobile money transfers from 15% to 20%.
Additionally, the proposal to introduce a Ksh150 per kilogram eco-tax on plastic packaging materials, batteries, and hygiene products such as diapers and sanitary pads was dropped.
Other taxes that remain untouched include proposals to increase import taxes from 2.5% to 3% of the item’s value, payable by the importer at the port, as well as a 16% tax on goods and services intended for the direct and exclusive use in the construction and equipping of specialized hospitals with a minimum bed capacity of 50. Kenyans have expressed concerns that the latter could lead to higher costs for accessing critical health services such as cancer treatment, diabetes care, kidney dialysis, and other chronic illnesses.
