During the trial, Twagirayezu maintained his innocence, claiming to have been in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) at the time of the genocide. However, the court, while acquitting him, took into consideration contradictory statements by witnesses accusing him of involvement in the genocide in the former Gisenyi Prefecture.
Following Thursday’s verdict, the NPPA officially expressed its dissatisfaction with the judgment and signaled its intention to appeal. Twagirayezu, aged 56, faced serious charges of participating in mass killings and the extermination of Tutsis in the former Commune Rwerere, now part of the Rubavu District in the Western Province.
Extradited from Denmark in December 2018, where he had been a naturalized citizen since 2004, Twagirayezu faced a potential life sentence, as requested by the prosecution.
Twagirayezu was accused of orchestrating attacks at the Catholic Parish of Busasamana, where over 1,000 out of more than 3,000 Tutsis who sought refuge there lost their lives.
Before the Genocide against the Tutsi, Twagirayezu, who headed the Dutabarane Foundation in Denmark, worked as a teacher at Majyambere Primary School in Busasamana.
Professor Ogechi Adeola holds a Doctorate in Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration from Alliance Manchester Business School, United Kingdom.
She earned a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Nigeria and obtained a Barrister at Law certificate from the Nigerian Law School, after which she was called to the Nigerian bar.
Professor Adeola is the immediate past Head of Department of Operations, Marketing and Information Systems at the Lagos Business School (LBS), Pan-Atlantic University, Nigeria and the Academic Director of LBS Sales Academy. She previously held the position of Associate Dean of Business Administration at the University of the People, California, USA, where she currently serves as a Business Administration Advisory Board member.
She is an Independent Non-Executive Director at Cornerstone Insurance Plc, Nigeria, and she served as a member of the Board of Directors at the University of Kigali until her appointment as Deputy Vice Chancellor-Academic. She possesses over 28 years of relevant work experience in industry and academia. Before transitioning to academia, she had spent over a decade in various roles within Nigeria’s financial sector, starting her career at Citibank Nigeria.
Professor Adeola’s pursuit of professional excellence is evident in her completion of executive education programs at globally renowned institutions, including Harvard Business School, The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business, London Business School, and Cranfield School of Management.
She further enhanced her pedagogical skills through specialised training in case teaching and teaching innovation programs of Harvard Business Publishing Education, IESE Business School, Spain, the Global Business School Network (GBSN), and Teaching the Practice of Management joint program of the Association of African Business Schools and the Gordon Institute of Business Science, University of Pretoria, South Africa.
Her interdisciplinary research interests span marketing strategy, sustainability, tourism, and gender studies, with a particular focus on projecting the dynamics of African business concepts and practices. She has authored, co-authored, edited and co-edited over 120 academic and practitioner articles, books, conference papers, and business and marketing case studies.
Her scholarly contributions have been published in top-tier journals with ABS 3, 4, and 4* rankings from the Chartered Association of Business Schools (ABS), including the Industrial Marketing Management, Tourism Management, Annals of Tourism Research and Journal of International Business Studies. Her co-authored papers also won Best Paper Awards at international conferences in 2016-2019, consecutively, and the prestigious Emerald Literati Award for Outstanding Paper in 2022.
The January 2024 Alper-Doger Scientific Index ranks her as the No. 1 scientist in Nigeria for Marketing, No. 6 scientist for Business and Management in Nigeria, and among the top scholars in Africa for both fields. SciVal (Elsevier) also ranks her among the top 100 authors in Nigeria across all subject areas from 2020 to 2023.
Beyond research, Professor Adeola is renowned for her teaching and mentoring. She has led Marketing sessions on the full-time and Executive MBA programs, the Owner Managers Program, and customised and open enrollment seminars at Lagos Business School, since 2010.
Additionally, she has delivered marketing sessions for the Women Entrepreneurship & Leadership for Africa (WELA) program by the China Europe International Business School (CEIBS) in Lagos, the MSc program at the University of Ghana Business School, and the PhD program at the University of Professional Studies Accra (UPSA).
She has served as an External Moderator (MBA Program) at the University of Free State Business School, South Africa, and as an External Examiner (PhD program) at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology (KNUST), Ghana; Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), South Africa; and Strathmore University, Kenya. She was a 2016 Visiting International Fellow at the Open University Business School, UK, a 2017 Paul R. Lawrence Fellow, USA, and serves as a Series Editor for the Palgrave Series on Marketing in Emerging Economies.
In consultancy, Professor Adeola has offered her expertise in strategic marketing and brand management, intra-regional advisory, and gender equity services to numerous organisations. As part of the Alpha Team at the Centre for Global Enterprise, USA, she provided virtual consultancy to international companies, including the London Taxi Company, UK (2015); Texas Capital Bank, USA (2018); and Dusit International (Dusit Thani), Thailand (2021).
She is a Consultant for Afreximbank, focusing on the African Sub-Sovereign Governments Network (AfSNET) Initiative, and also provided consulting services to the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) on the 2022 ‘Building Africa Report’ focused on women’s inclusion in the Cement, Concrete & Construction industry. In 2022, she served as the National Consultant for an International Labour Organization project promoting women’s economic empowerment in Nigeria. Additionally, she is the founder of the Digital Business Tutelage for Women Empowerment in Africa Initiative (DBTWEAi), a non-profit platform designed to enable young African women to unlock their potential.
Her contributions to women’s empowerment were recognised with the prestigious Female Achievers Recognition Award in March 2022, co-hosted by American Corner in Lagos and in June 2023, she was honored with The Peak Performing Woman of the Year 2023 Award in the Super Achievers category for Executive Education by The Peak Performer. Professor Adeola is a Fellow of both the Institute of Strategic Management, Nigeria and the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria.
University of Kigali is still admitting new students for the January 2024 Intake! Apply now! Please call +250 788303386 /+250 789009221 /+ 250 788669642 or apply online via: mis.uok.ac.rw/apply
Thirty-four health zones and more than 2,200 hectares of cultivated land were impacted by the floods, said the WHO Regional Office for Africa based in Brazzaville, the Congolese capital, noting that it had allocated 100,000 U.S. dollars for the deployment of first responders.
According to the press release published in late December 2023 by Congolese Prime Minister Anatole Collinet Makosso, the number of affected people by the floods far exceeded those of past years.
According to experts cited by local media, the precipitation recorded is twice the usual average. The water level of the Oubangui River, a major tributary of the Congo River, reached a record-high water level in the 2022-2023 period.
The water level of the Congo River, which separates Brazzaville and Kinshasa, the capital of the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), has reached 6.2 meters above sea level, just below the 1961 record of 6.26 meters, according to the DRC authorities cited by local media.
In the DRC, at least 300 people were killed in recent deadly floods caused by heavy rains, the DRC government said last Friday.
News about Burundi’s decision to close borders with Rwanda started circulating on the evening of Thursday 11th January 2023.
The Government of Rwanda has through a statement indicated that it learnt about the decision through the media and condemned the decision which hinders regional cooperation and integration.
“The Government of Rwanda has learned through media reports of the unilateral decision by the Government of Burundi to again close its borders with Rwanda,” reads part of the statement.
“This unfortunate decision will restrict the free movement of people and goods between the two countries, and violates the principles of regional cooperation and integration of the East African Community,” concludes the statement.
Rwanda-Burundi borders were last closed between 2015 and 2022.
Since then, both countries embarked on a new journey to normalize ties , even though Burundi insisted that it needs coup plot suspects who fled to Rwanda returned home.
However, Rwanda indicated that it would be against ratified international refugee convention.
Speaking at the opening of the Sober Club Competition at the University of Rwanda, a project aimed at supporting youth initiatives discouraging drug use, he disclosed that on November 11, 2023, a Friday, he spent over 14 hours hopping between bars and drinking with friends.
Formerly a parliamentarian, Dr. Mbonimana mentioned that he typically refrained from alcohol on working days but indulged on weekends, keeping it discreet. On the mentioned Friday, not being invited to a meeting of senior officials and deputies, he took the opportunity to drink excessively.
In the evening, around midnight, he and his friends contemplated heading home after a day of bar-hopping in Kigali.
Despite his friend’s suggestion to sleep off the alcohol where they were, Dr. Mbonimana, who possessed an service card, decided to drive home at 2 o’clock in the morning. This reckless decision could have proved fatal due to the difficult conditions of the dirt roads, even for a sober person.
His friend’s concerns materialized when Dr. Mbonimana’s car overturned, leaving him stranded in a trench. Some passing motorists ignored him, while others came to his aid and alerted the National Police. When the police arrived, he was disoriented and unable to use his service card, leading to an argument with the officers.
Subsequently, he was handcuffed, taken to Busanza Police Station, and later transferred to the Road Safety Department headquarters. ACP Gerard Mpayimana, the Commissioner for Traffic and Road Safety, informed him about a fine of Rwf150,000, but the investigation into the accident kept him detained for approximately eight hours. Videos and photos of the incident circulated on social media, prompting various leaders to comment on his behavior.
In response to the public scrutiny, Dr. Mbonimana decided to quit drinking. He wrote a resignation letter to fellow parliamentarians, which he submitted on November 14, 2023. Despite suggestions to embrace his last days of drinking, he pledged to President Kagame that he would never repeat such actions. Determined to turn his life around, he committed to sharing his story and highlighting the negative impact of alcohol.
Dr. Nzabonimana emphasized that his decision to quit drinking was solidified after a message addressed to him by President Kagame during ‘Unity Club Intwararumuri’ meeting, where he provided comfort and advice.
He now advocates for young people to avoid relying on alcohol as a solution to problems, urging them to focus on education, set goals, choose positive friendships, take care of their health, and work towards a better future.
The Democratic Alliance, in a statement on January 10, labeled the deployment as “reckless,” expressing concerns about the South African National Defence Force’s (SANDF) capability to effectively combat insurgency. The Democratic Alliance’s Kobus Marais, who is the Shadow Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development, emphasized that the SANDF lacks the necessary capacity and prime mission equipment for anti-insurgency operations.
Marais called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to rescind the decision and recall the troops, citing potential risks to the lives of uniformed forces. The SADC mission, led by South Africa and supported by troops from Malawi and Tanzania, aims to counter the M23 rebels, whom the Congolese government views as a terrorist movement.
Military experts have raised concerns about the intervention brigade’s effectiveness, pointing out the need for proper air cover, transport, and air elements. The familiarity of the M23 rebels with the challenging terrain in eastern DR Congo poses additional risks. Marais noted that the withdrawal of the United Nations mission after more than 20 years in the region highlights the difficulties faced in hostile terrain.
Accusing President Ramaphosa of a political decision without considering the military’s technical capabilities, Marais criticized the African National Congress (ANC) for misplaced priorities. The SADC mission was initiated in May 2023 following accusations by President Felix Tshisekedi that the East African Community (EAC) mission was passive in addressing the rebels. The EAC mission withdrew its troops in December 2023, leading to criticism of Tshisekedi for undermining peaceful regional initiatives through political dialogue.
The announcement was made during a meeting on the program’s implementation in Karongi District on January 10, 2024. Officials and development partners from Karongi District attended the event.
This Cabinet-approved program, established in November 2022, seeks to expedite the process of lifting individuals out of poverty. The decision to revamp the system arose from concerns that the previous approach led some recipients to become dependent on continuous support, hindering their efforts to improve their lives independently.
Under this new program, citizens not only receive assistance but also actively engage in defining their role. They are required to sign a performance contract outlining how the aid will be efficiently utilized to propel them toward a brighter future.
One significant change is the collaboration between government institutions and non-governmental organizations. This partnership aims to prioritize vulnerable residents identified by the government, ensuring a more coordinated and impactful approach.
According to Nyinawagaga, the monitoring process has been strengthened to prevent the abuse of support. The government will assess factors such as children’s school attendance, potential conflicts at home, and help resolve disagreements within households.
Théophile Niragire, the Vice Mayor of Karongi District in charge of economic development, stated that while 36,000 households in the district require assistance, the program will initially focus on 9,184 households. The district engaged with these households individually to understand their specific needs for poverty alleviation.
Over 5,000 households expressed a desire for cattle, while more than 900 households identified their need for livestock. Additionally, 643 households highlighted their interest in vocational training, and 294 households specified a need for vocational training along with the related equipment.
Partnerships with non-profit organizations and faith-based organizations are being sought to support the initiative.
Nyinawagaga highlighted that nationally, 900,000 households require support, with the initial plan to assist 315,000 households. The program will be implemented across 30 districts in the country.
With an annual expenditure of Rwf67 billion on households’ poverty alleviation, Rwanda is set to invest over Rwf130 billion in two years to lift these households out of poverty. This figure excludes interest-free loans and guarantees provided to beneficiaries, as well as the contributions from development partners.
During end-of-year 2023 address, Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye said that his country would close borders with Rwanda , accusing the neighbouring country of supporting RED Tabara rebel group .
Rwanda vehemently rejected the allegations as unfounded, given that the areas where RED Tabara maneuvered through to attack Burundi , are not connected to Rwanda.
IGIHE has learnt from credible sources that all borders with Rwanda were closed from 13:00 p.m. on Thursday 11th January 2024.
The decision was taken by Burundian government but has not yet released a statement explaining reasons for the closure.
Some Rwandans who tried to cross to Burundi have told IGIHE that they were immediately forced to return to Rwanda.
IGIHE has, for instance, learnt that Ruhwa border connecting Rwanda through Bugarama sector in Rusizi District to Burundi, has been closed at 13:15 p.m.
During these hours, 35 Rwandans who tried to cross were handed back.
The fate of Rwandans running businesses in Burundi remains amidst the closure.
Rwanda-Burundi borders were last closed between 2015 and 2022.
Since then, both countries embarked on a new journey to normalize ties , even though Burundi insisted that it needs coup plot suspects who fled to Rwanda returned home.
However, Rwanda indicated that it would be against ratified international refugee convention.
This highly anticipated annual exhibition attracts over 100 countries and commenced on January 10, concluding on January 14, 2024. With an expected attendance of more than 100,000 visitors, 12,000 tourism companies, and over 1,100 exhibitors, the fair serves as a global platform for promoting tourism initiatives.
Representatives from Rwanda, including the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), RwandAir (the national carrier), Wanderlux Safaris, Blue Monkey Tours, Palast Tours & Travels and Mist Rwanda Safaris, are showcasing the country’s offerings at the event.
Olivier Nduhungirehe, Rwanda’s Ambassador in the Netherlands, expressed his delight at Rwanda’s continued participation in the fair, emphasizing the significance of promoting the Visit Rwanda brand.
He stated, “Rwanda has participated in this fair for the 12th time, showcasing the Visit Rwanda brand and other attractions that residents of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg can explore.”
Highlighting the progress made in the tourism sector over the past 30 years since the Genocide against the Tutsi, Amb. Nduhungirehe underscored the importance of not just having appealing attractions but also effectively promoting them.
He credited the government’s efforts through RDB, citing the successful Visit Rwanda campaign that engaged major European football clubs like Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal, and Bayern Munich to raise awareness about Rwanda.
Amb. Nduhungirehe noted the positive outcomes of these initiatives, with increased cooperation between Rwanda and major football teams since 2018, resulting in a significant rise in tourism revenue and heightened international interest in visiting Rwanda.
Ariella Kageruka, Head of Tourism and Conservation at RDB, expressed satisfaction with Rwanda’s participation in the exhibition, describing it as a valuable opportunity to showcase the nation’s rich tourism resources.
She emphasized the chance for tourism service providers to strengthen collaborations within the joint market of Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg—a region that contributes significantly to Rwanda’s tourist influx.
The previous Vakantiebeurs fair attracted over 65,000 visitors in its five days, and organizers anticipate a strong return rate of at least 65% for the 2024 edition.
Rwanda’s presence at this international platform continues to play a pivotal role in attracting global attention to its diverse and captivating tourist destinations.
The Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center launched the commercial rocket from waters off the coast of Haiyang, east China’s Shandong Province, at 1:30 p.m. (Beijing Time).
It was the first flight mission of the YL-1 commercial carrier rocket.
