Ministry records indicate that out of the 5,000 individuals intended for transfer, only about 700 can be located at present.
Officials estimate that the first flight could carry between 100 and 150 people, depending on the whereabouts of those still unaccounted for.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced that transfers are scheduled to commence early this year, pending legislative approval.
The proposed bill seeks to eliminate specific legal barriers related to the UK’s policy with Rwanda and make amendments to aspects of human rights law. This would grant ministers the authority to override judgments from European courts.
However, the bill faced criticism last week from 50 MPs, who called for a reassessment and reforms to strengthen it.
Initially planned for June 2022, the transfer was halted by the European Court of Human Rights.
The primary challenge faced by the ministry remains locating the majority of the concerned migrants. Additionally, the transportation process from reception centers to planes is complicated by various obstacles, including protests, adverse weather conditions, and resistance from those responsible for monitoring and escorting migrants.
Suggestions have arisen that the Home Office could use Ministry of Defence aircraft to expedite the process, but the military has declined involvement in this plan.
Concerns have been raised about Rwanda’s preparedness, especially regarding the availability of lawyers to assist migrants. However, a recent agreement between the two countries aims to address these shortcomings by strengthening Rwanda’s judicial system.
The increasing influx of migrants to the UK and their disappearance before placement in transit centers further complicates the situation, potentially delaying transfers due to insufficient numbers.
Speaking to The Telegraph; Yvette Cooper, a political analyst at the Home Office highlighted numerous challenges in the transfer process. Although 17,000 people were initially expected, many remain unaccounted for.
In December last year, the UK proposed legislation facilitating the sending of migrants to Rwanda, a day after the British Home Secretary signed a new agreement in Kigali.
This agreement, initially signed in 2022, was revised following concerns from the UK Supreme Court regarding the legality of the approach and the risks of returning migrants to their home countries.
The new agreement and the bill aim to address the concerns expressed by the British Supreme Court.
The incident occurred on Saturday, January 13, 2023, at Gicumbi District Stadium during a match between Rambura WFC and Inyemera WFC. In the 65th minute of the game, moderate rain accompanied by lightning struck eight individuals, including players and coaches from both teams.
The Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) confirmed on Sunday that all the affected players had been released from the hospital and were showing signs of improvement.
“We are pleased to inform you that the six players who spent the night in Byumba Hospital and the two who spent the night in King Faisal Hospital have all been discharged as they have started to recover,” announced the federation.
The Rambura WFC players undergoing treatment were Uwimaniduhaye Diane, Isubirizihe Jeannine, Uwayisaba Olive, Kaze Deline, Gisubizo Umulisa, and Uwiduhaye Valentine. The Inyemera WFC players involved in the incident were Niyokwizerwa Devotha and Mutuyimana Clarisse, along with coaches Niragire Jean de Dieu and Umutoniwase Marie Gisèle.
It remains unclear whether the interrupted game would be restarted or continued from the 65th minute.
However, according to regulations, if there is a compelling reason for the game not to conclude, it may be restarted and continue from the minute it reached.
The much-anticipated tournament kicked off with a spectacular opening ceremony on Saturday night in Abidjan, the commercial capital of Cote d’Ivoire, where the spotlight is on the continent’s premier football talents.
The event, spanning a month, will witness the participation of 24 national teams vying for glory at six stadiums across five cities as they seek to claim the AFCON title.
Many Chinese football fans, wearing orange, white and green T-shirts — colors of the national flag of Cote d’Ivoire — joined passionate crowds singing and dancing to afrobeat and rap. Together with hundreds of thousands of Chinese people living in Africa, they share the joy and pride of the locals about the grand event.
Beyond the realm of sports, the tournament is viewed as a golden opportunity to stimulate the local economy, foster international cooperation, and showcase African culture on a global stage. As the country sets the stage for this grand event, all eyes are on the unfolding drama and excitement that AFCON 2023 promises to deliver.
{{Glory of African Football }}
In the first match, Cote d’Ivoire secured a 2-0 victory over Guinea-Bissau at the Alassane Ouattara stadium, following an opening celebration of African culture with the participation of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, African football chief Patrice Motsepe, and Cote d’Ivoire’s President Alassane Ouattara, who proudly declared his country “a land of football.”
In the last few decades, African football has made remarkable progress, with notable achievements on the global stage. Cameroon, Senegal and Ghana made their mark by reaching the quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup, while Morocco’s remarkable journey led them to the semifinals of the 2022 tournament.
The influence of African players worldwide is growing, with many top clubs boasting talents from the continent in their ranks. Icons like Liverpool’s “Egyptian King” Mohamed Salah, West Ham’s dynamic Ghana midfielder Mohammed Kudus and Stuttgart’s Guinea striker Serhou Guirassy have become integral to the success of their respective teams.
Those players, many of whom honed their skills on grassless pitches or sandy beaches during their childhood, now serve as inspirational figures for youth across Africa.
“This is fantastic,” said Serges Deble, a player from Cote d’Ivoire. “After everything we have been through, AFCON marks good progression for development in our country and the whole of Africa.” Born in Abidjan and embarking on his football journey at the age of 16, Deble has represented his country at U20 and U23 levels and has pursued his profession in both Europe and Asia. He spent two years playing for China’s Meizhou Hakka, which he called “a fantastic memory.”
Commenting on the progress in the football industry in Africa, he said, “Things are turning better for African football players.” However, he added, there is still room for increased investment to fortify the industry across the continent, and China is a natural partner in this regard.
“China already started. Not only in football but in many markets, and many people want to work with China. Our government is working closely with China. It is good collaboration. Maybe after football, I will go to China to make my business,” Deble said.
{{Long-term legacy}}
Cooperation between China and Africa in the football industry dates back more than a decade. Chinese companies assisted African countries in constructing stadiums used for AFCON 2012, 2017 and 2021. This year, China has helped Cote d’Ivoire build key infrastructure to facilitate the matches.
The president of Cote d’Ivoire’s Football Federation, Idriss Diallo, said that the country has committed investments in infrastructure linked to the competition, including the construction of four new stadiums, road improvements, as well as the renovation of hospitals and airports. Among these, the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, situated in Ebimpe on the outskirts of Abidjan, stands as a long-term legacy for the nation.
The stadium, with a seating capacity of 60,000, is scheduled to host the opening and final matches of AFCON 2023. Completed by the Beijing Construction Engineering Group (BCEG) and handed over to the local government in 2020, this stadium is now recognized as one of the most modern in Africa. Complemented by ancillary facilities like Olympic City, it is part of a broader plan to develop the northern outskirts of Abidjan.
Even before the tournament’s opening, the stadium had become a point of interest for football fans. Taxi driver Kone Adama said, “I am as busy as a bee these two weeks. I have been taking fans in various jerseys from the airport, and they always want to make a stop first at the national stadium.”
When President Alassane Ouattara attended the stadium’s inauguration in October 2020, he recalled that the first president of the country, Felix Houphouet-Boigny, planned to build an Olympic city in Epimbe. More than 40 years later, the completion of the stadium fulfilled the wishes of several generations of leaders and tens of millions of people in Cote d’Ivoire, Ouattara said.
In addition to the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Chinese companies have also constructed two additional arenas and several key roads, addressing the potential congestion on Abidjan’s thoroughfares as tens of thousands of football enthusiasts are coming to the country for the tournament.
Moreover, the Chinese technological firm TECNO, also the official sponsor of the tournament, has embarked on a campaign to renovate 100 football fields in underprivileged communities across 12 African countries to make football accessible to everyone and unleash the potential of young football enthusiasts.
“It is all about empowering African children in the sports sector by providing them the joy of playing on lush fields,” said Guo Lei, TECNO’s general manager.
{{Long-lasting friendship}}
The connection between China and Africa, as exemplified in AFCON 2023, is part of broader ties nurtured by generations on both sides.
Lu Lu, the manager of BCEG’s Cote d’Ivoire branch, said she was impressed by the China-Africa friendship and felt “the warmth of the African people toward the Chinese” while working in several African countries since 2010.
In Togo, local patients expressed their gratitude by sending fruits to Chinese doctors, while in Mali, appreciation for Chinese assistance in constructing a university was shown as locals filled pick-up trucks with oranges, delivering them to Chinese workers on the construction site. Even during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in China, African businessmen extended their support by donating money at the Chinese embassies, she recalled.
“People often say that with my experiences, I am considered an African now and should stay on the continent forever,” Lu said.
Her connection to Africa is deeply rooted and shaped by her father’s experiences. As a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine, Lu’s father arrived in Gabon in 1995 as part of a cooperative agreement between the governments of the two countries. He was among the medical staff dedicated to advancing healthcare in Africa over the past 60 years.
Since the deployment of the first Chinese medical team to Algeria in 1963, China has sent 30,000 medical personnel to 76 countries and regions across five continents, with a primary focus on Africa, providing 290 million diagnoses and treatments for local communities.
Over the past decades, China-Africa cooperation, with joint efforts, has yielded fruitful results. The two sides have built railways, highways, airports and seaports, improving connectivity both within the continent and with the rest of the world. They have also constructed renewable energy power plants, providing local populations with access to electricity without causing environmental damage.
After AFCON 2023 kicked off on Saturday, people living in remote areas in Cote d’Ivoire and other African countries were able to watch the matches at home, thanks to broadcast services provided by StarTimes, a Chinese digital TV operator. The satellite TV project was announced at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation held in 2015 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Since then, the project has helped nearly 10,000 villages in more than 20 African countries receive digital TV signals.
The ninth forum is expected to be held in China later this year, during which Chinese and African leaders will discuss new initiatives to bring benefits to people on both sides.
Reflecting on China-Africa cooperation, Deble said “I know the Chinese people are here to help, not only in football but in so many industries … We are together on the path to development.”
“Prior to our arrival in Africa, our predecessors had dedicated their lives to fostering China-Africa friendship, and we deeply admire their accomplishments. Their efforts have left an invaluable legacy that serves as both inspiration and guidance for our mission today,” Lu said.
The discussions between the two officials, as reported by Rwanda’s embassy in Saudi Arabia, primarily focused on exploring investment opportunities between Rwanda and Saudi Arabia. The talks also delved into broader aspects of bilateral relations and cooperation.
Diplomatic ties between Rwanda and Saudi Arabia were established in 2018 with the signing of a cooperation agreement. Despite differences in natural resources, the two nations engage in various forms of business, including the trade of oil, a significant resource for Saudi Arabia.
The embassy highlighted the positive relations between Rwanda and Saudi Arabia in fields such as medicine, education, energy, and infrastructure. Moreover, both nations see potential for increased collaboration in technology, finance, tourism, trade, and general investment.
This meeting underscores the commitment of both countries to strengthening their diplomatic ties and exploring new avenues for mutually beneficial cooperation.
Embarking on a new venture can be daunting in today’s dynamic business landscape. Acknowledging the challenges that aspiring entrepreneurs encounter, the Jasiri Talent Investor stands out as a unique program – operating under Allan and Gill Gray Philanthropies – with a firm commitment to supporting entrepreneurs in developing high-impact, marketing-creating, and value-based ventures for the common good. Jasiri Talent Investor strives to remove barriers that hinder the success of new businesses. The program guides the Fellows from Ideation to Venture Creation, by providing funding, coaching, strategic advisory, and guidance in the complex space of innovation.
“Jasiri draws inspiration from three Entrepreneurial Imperatives: alchemy, ambition, and attitude. Our work, akin to alchemy, guides aspiring entrepreneurs from ground zero. We introduce Marketing Creating Innovations as a blueprint to shape the future prosperity of Africa. The intentional choice of our program name, Jasiri—a Swahili word for bravery—reflects our commitment. Thinking big, thinking long-term, and embodying responsible, ethical entrepreneurship demand courage.” Anthony Farr, CEO Africa of Allan and Gill Gray Philanthropies.
We continue to make a significant impact. Since the program’s inception, we have incubated 144 Fellows across 4 Cohorts, facilitated the creation of 61 Ventures that would otherwise not have existed in the Eastern Africa ecosystem.
Application for this 6th cohort will open on January 15, 2024, and close on April 5, 2024. Jasiri will host various virtual information sessions to assist interested applicants in navigating the application process and addressing any inquiries they might have. Detailed information about these virtual sessions can be found on Jasiri’s social media platforms.
Visit https://jasiri.org/application/ to apply.
{{About Jasiri}}
Jasiri invests in, nurtures, and empowers entrepreneurs who benefit society and attack poverty by creating high-impact businesses, creating new markets on the African continent. Jasiri believes that entrepreneurial teams are at the heart of new venture creation and provides the entrepreneur with access to a diverse group of potential co-founders. The program supports new ventures from idea generation to venture creation and takes a long-term approach to developing exceptional, responsible entrepreneurs on the African continent.
In light of strained relations between Rwanda and the DRC, primarily fueled by insecurity in the eastern part of the DRC, where armed groups, including the M23, clash with the Congolese army, accusations of Rwandan support for the M23 persist. However, the country refutes these allegations and urges the neighbor to solve internal problems without seeking excuses for failure through blame games.
Dr. Awazi, in an interview with IGIHE, underscored the prevailing sense of security felt by the Congolese diaspora in Rwanda.
“I am a free man. If I did not feel at peace, if I did not have the freedom to work, or if I did not feel safe here, [speaking here as a representative of the Congolese community], the over 100,000 Congolese living in Rwanda would not be here,” he explained.
The doctor further stated, “I am a doctor. I would have left here and returned home if it were not for the fact that Rwanda has offered us a favorable business environment, provided us with security, and treats us on an equal footing with its citizens. That’s why we continue to stay here.”
Dr. Awazi expressed the desire for Congolese and Rwandan leaders to engage in negotiations for peace, urging a shift away from the current war rhetoric. Acknowledging political interests, he emphasized the need for dialogue between the two neighboring countries.
Referring to President Tshisekedi’s recent remarks about a potential attack on Rwanda, Dr. Awazi highlighted the potential impact on both Rwandans and Congolese residing in Rwanda. He observed an improvement in diplomatic relations, indicating positive signs for dialogue between the two nations.
“I am optimistic that positive developments are underway as evidenced by the effective functioning of the diplomatic mission of Congo in Rwanda. We observed a temporary withdrawal of some diplomats at one point, but today we witness their return, along with the arrival of others. This indicates a significant shift towards fostering dialogue between the two nations.”
Concluding his statements, Dr. Awazi called on the region’s residents to unite for peace, addressing Burundians, Rwandans, Ugandans, and Congolese as brothers. Emphasizing the role of the diaspora in promoting peace, cohesion, and reconciliation, he stated, “We are an essential tool in the fight against ethnic and tribal divisions, and we strive to teach peace and cooperation.”
The DRC diaspora in Rwanda, numbering over 100,000, actively engages in education, health, and social well-being. Bokanga Kyassa Peter, the executive secretary of the diaspora, commended the outgoing committee’s accomplishments, particularly in education, highlighting teacher and student training, educational support for underprivileged children, and the renovation of damaged schools.
In the social domain, initiatives such as subscribing needy individuals for community-based health insurance and distributing food to families during the Covid-19 pandemic showcase the diaspora’s commitment to social welfare.
The statue, crafted in clay, is situated on the hill known as the ‘Secret of Peace’ in Gihundwe Sector, Rusizi District. It was unveiled on January 7, 2024, commemorating three years since Father Ubald’s passing.
Bishop Sinayobye emphasized that the purpose of gazing upon the statue is to evoke memories of the spiritual connection Father Ubald shared with Jesus Christ. This reflection is intended to inspire gratitude towards God, the creator of Father Ubald.
He stated, “Contemplating his image will serve as a reminder to everyone of the unity they share in Christ, encouraging them to express gratitude to God who created, gave him to us, completed his earthly journey, and called him. It also serves as a reminder to pray for him so that God may embrace him with His right hand.”
The Bishop reminded the faithful that the statue should be treated with reverence, considering it a representation of a person created in the image of God. He declared, “Every human image reflects God, the creator of all things. It is, therefore, forbidden to show disrespect, destroy, or engage in any activities that would diminish its sacredness.”
“It is entirely inappropriate to bow down to this image or engage in any behavior that attributes glory, reserved for God alone, the creator of all things. The statue of Father Ubald is a symbolic reminder for us to remember and pray for him. It does not signify his canonization as a saint.”
Father Ubald gained renown for his healing prayers, with many attributing their recovery to his preachings. Bishop Sinayobye clarified that, despite his miraculous reputation, “He was not the one who saved them. Hence, it is not permissible to approach his image seeking miracles.”
The country’s shipbuilding output climbed 11.8 percent year on year to 42.32 million deadweight tonnes (dwt) in 2023, accounting for 50.2 percent of the world’s total, according to data from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.
New orders surged 56.4 percent year on year to 71.2 million dwt, taking up 66.6 percent of the world’s total during the period, figures from the ministry showed.
The sector’s holding orders totaled 139.39 million dwt at the end of December, expanding 32 percent year on year. The volume represented 55 percent of the global market share.
MONUSCO’S disengagement will take place in three phases, starting with a complete withdrawal of the military and police components of MONUSCO from the eastern province of South Kivu by April 30, according to a statement issued on Saturday after the joint press conference held by Lutundula and Bintou Keita, UN envoy in the DRC and head of the UN peacekeeping mission.
The second and third phases of the mission’s drawdown provide for withdrawal from North Kivu and Ituri, two provinces plagued by armed conflicts, with elaborated evaluation in between, reads the statement.
“We are fighting for the withdrawal to be effective at the end of December 2024,” said Lutundula.
“After 25 years of presence, MONUSCO will definitely leave the DRC no later than the end of 2024,” according to the statement.
On Dec. 19, 2023, the UN Security Council (UNSC) unanimously adopted Resolution 2717, setting out a comprehensive disengagement plan that includes three phases and the gradual handover of responsibility to the government. However, the UNSC has not yet set a final date for the complete withdrawal.
The UN peacekeeping mission has been present in the country since 1999. It is one of the largest and most expensive in the world, with an annual budget of around 1 billion U.S. dollars.
“For the first time, the UNSC adopts a mandate asking MONUSCO to begin its withdrawal from the DRC. This is a historic moment. We will spare no effort with our Congolese partners to bring this process to a successful conclusion. I welcome the desire of the Congolese authorities to make the disengagement of MONUSCO a model of successful transition of a UN peacekeeping operation,” said Keita.
“More than 7.4 million people have been displaced inside and outside Sudan since the fighting broke out between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on April 15, 2023,” OCHA said in its latest update on Sunday.
The number of people displaced in Sudan has increased by about 611,000 over the past month, with many newly displaced from Gezira and other states, it noted.
“The expansion of fighting between the SAF and the RSF into central and eastern Sudan – the country’s crop production regions – has driven a significant increase in humanitarian needs,” OCHA said.
“Insecurity, looting, bureaucratic impediments, poor network and phone connectivity, lack of cash, and limited technical and humanitarian staff are affecting the delivery of aid,” said the UN agency.
It added that the 2024 Sudan Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan appeal is only 3.1 percent funded as of Sunday.
Sudan has been witnessing deadly clashes between the SAF and the RSF since April 15, 2023, which have so far led to more than 12,000 people killed, according to earlier OCHA estimates.
