On Wednesday, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, announced the commencement of operations for the Ukrainian embassy in Ghana. He conveyed that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had directed the Ukrainian diplomatic service to initiate new embassies in Africa, and the first one in Ghana is now operational.
Kuleba mentioned that permits have been obtained for embassies to open embassies in different African countries such as Rwanda, Mozambique, Mauritania, Botswana, Ivory Coast, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Sudan.
Emphasizing the strategic importance of these initiatives, Kuleba stated that it aligns with Ukraine’s strategy to enhance relationships with African nations, contribute to the Ukrainian-African renaissance, and counteract Russian influence globally. He highlighted that expanding diplomatic presence would create new opportunities for the Ukrainian government, businesses, and citizens.
Regarding the functioning of the embassy in Accra, Ghana, Kuleba mentioned that it would operate at the level of chargé d’affaires until an ambassador is appointed. The embassy’s role will involve developing political contacts, strengthening economic ties, and providing consular services for both Ukrainians and Ghanaians. Kuleba also disclosed plans to open ten new embassies in Africa in the near future.
In a column written in May, Kuleba outlined Ukraine’s diplomatic efforts to regain global influence and economic strength.
He emphasized the ongoing “political counteroffensive” aimed at reinforcing Ukraine’s position across continents, particularly in the Global South. Additionally, Kuleba visited Rwanda in May, signing an agreement with the Rwandan Foreign Minister to facilitate political consultations between the two countries.
In August 2020, there was widespread surprise when the residents of Rukamba in the Mashyuza cell, Nyakabuye sector, discovered the drying up of these thermal springs. This news brought sadness and astonishment, especially among those who had experienced the benefits of these waters, well-known for their healing properties.
These springs, present for generations, seemed inexhaustible. The elders, even those aged 70 years and above, claim to have always known them.
The sudden drying up raised many questions. While some speculated about possible earthquakes as the cause, Rwanda Mines, Petroleum And Gas Board (RMB) clarified the situation: this phenomenon was not related to earthquakes but rather to the geological nature of the source and the impacts of human activities, notably the use of dynamite.
Nyiraneza Pétronille, encountered on-site by IGIHE, expresses her joy at this unexpected return. She attests to the benefits of these waters, both for the healing of external and internal wounds, such as renal disorders.
Rwema Emmanuel, another resident, provides additional insight into the drying up of the springs. According to him, a large open channel had disrupted the natural flow of water, leading to its depletion. Fortunately, thanks to the intervention of the CIMERWA administration, this opening was blocked, allowing for a gradual return of the water.
The therapeutic virtues of these waters are widely praised. They are believed to be effective against back pain, renal problems, and even certain digestive disorders.
Facing this challenge, Louis Munyemanzi Ndagijimana, Vice Mayor of the Rusizi district for economic development, emphasizes the importance of sustainable management of this resource.
Discussions are underway with CIMERWA to develop a strategy for the preservation and development of surrounding infrastructure.
The challenge lies in reconciling industrial activities, including necessary dynamiting, with the preservation of the hot springs. The stability of the springs remains uncertain if disruptive activities persist.
Thus, the revival of Rusizi hot springs brings hope and relief. However, it also raises crucial questions about the sustainable and responsible management of this precious natural resource, at the heart of the identity and well-being of the Rusizi community.
On Wednesday morning, on Kinshasa’s Triumphal Boulevard, where the parliament is located, heavy presence of the DRC police has been deployed ahead of the protest attempt launched by five of the incumbent President Felix Tshisekedi’s challengers in the race on Dec. 20.
The five opposition candidates demanded a re-run as the general elections suffered from major logistic problems, leading to delay and extension of polling across the country.
On Tuesday, a day before the planned protest, the DRC government banned the protest, claiming that the protest was against the “game rules” and undermined the electoral process as the vote counting has not finished.
“I can reassure you, there will not be this march. It violates the legal provisions that the contestation of the (election) results takes place at the Constitutional Court,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior Peter Kazadi at a press briefing.
Violence has been reported and the police fired tear gas as some protesters burnt the tires on the Triumphal Boulevard, the planned starting point of the protest and right next to the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) in downtown Kinshasa.
According to local media, the police have stepped up security around the CENI headquarters.
The Congolese National Police (PNC), the national police force, accused the opposition of having minors during the protest. According to Blaise Kilimba Limba, police commissioner of Kinshasa, some minors were present at the protest and two police officers were injured.
“The organizers have put minors who are not supervised by their parents at the forefront. At some point, they will be arrested to justify the presence of children at the demonstration site,” he told the press.
According to partial results announced by CENI late Tuesday, Tshisekedi was leading the race with 78.98 percent of the vote counted, while Katumbi ranked in second place with 14.27 percent of the vote.
The results announced by CENI so far account for more than 6.1 million ballots out of around 44 million voters registered.
Full provisional election results are expected by Dec. 31. CENI has started to publish daily updates since Dec. 24.
Col. Deo Akiiki, Uganda’s military spokesperson, identified the dead cell leader as Musa Kamusi in a recorded statement Wednesday.
“Our troops hunting down ADF elements in Kibale National Park managed to kill one of the ADF leaders who has been terrorizing civilians in Kamwenge,” Akiiki said.
“One PK gun was found on him and one AK-47 gun with several rounds of ammunition were recovered,” he added.
The development comes a day after ADF rebels attacked and killed three civilians, including two children in Kamwenge.
Last week, the same rebels killed 10 people in the same district.
The army has kicked off the process of recruiting local defense units’ personnel to reinforce security in the area.
“Our forces are continuing to hunt down the ADF rebels who killed people in Kamwenge so that they are wiped out and other civilians can live in peace,” Akiiki said.
In her new role, Akamanzi will oversee the NBA’s business and basketball development efforts in Africa, focusing on growing the sport’s popularity and the impact of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) across the continent. This includes grassroots basketball development, media distribution, corporate partnerships, and social responsibility initiatives benefiting African youth and families.
As the former CEO of Rwanda Development Board (RDB) from 2017 to September 2023, Akamanzi played a pivotal role in spearheading Rwanda’s economic development through private sector growth.
Under her leadership, RDB implemented business policy reforms and initiatives that attracted significant investments, including partnerships with entities such as the BAL, Arsenal FC, Paris Saint-Germain FC, FC Bayern Munich, and TIME Magazine.
Mark Tatum, NBA Deputy Commissioner, expressed confidence in Akamanzi’s ability, stating, “Clare’s business acumen, international experience, and familiarity with basketball and the NBA make her the ideal executive to lead our business in Africa.”
He envisions that under Akamanzi’s leadership, NBA Africa and the BAL will continue to contribute to economic transformation across the continent.
Akamanzi, an accomplished business executive and international trade and investment lawyer, has a rich background in international trade, business, and diplomacy.
She holds a master’s degree in public administration from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government and a Master of Laws degree in international trade and investments from the University of Pretoria in South Africa. She was recognized by Forbes as one of Africa’s Top 50 Powerful Women in 2020.
Expressing her excitement for the role, Akamanzi highlighted the positive impact sports, particularly the NBA and the BAL, can have on businesses, families, and communities in Africa. She looks forward to building on the momentum and contributing to the growth of basketball and its associated economies across the continent.
A number of people have also been arrested in these environmental degradation activities.
On Sunday, December 24, a 40-year old man was apprehended in Kayonza District for allegedly destroying part of a gazetted forest located in Sabasengo in Kageyo Cell, Mwiri Sector.
At the time, he was found with 174 trees, which he cut from the same protected forest.
On Christmas Day, at about 9a.m, Police intercepted a woman in Rutsiro District, who was at the time trafficking 30,000 pieces of non-biodegradable polythene bags.
The outlawed plastic bags packed in 150 cartons, were being transported in a passenger service vehicle. The woman, one of the suspected dealers in the banned polythene bags, was headed to Karongi District to supply her clients.
Similarly, three men were also apprehended on Tuesday, December 26, in Rutsiro District, where they were conducting illegal mining activities.
Such illegal mining activities are also dangerous to those involved and in some cases, they have ended fatal as a result of lack of knowledge and skills, when conducted at night, and in dangerous concessions.
Cutting trees especially in protected forests, illegal mining and trafficking, sell or use of plastic bags are some of the activities that undermine the national environment policy.
{{What the law says}}
Article 44 of Law No.48/2018 of 13/08/2018 on environment prohibits the following acts in order to protect biodiversity: burning forests, national parks and reserved areas, burning swamps, grazing land, bushes, grass with the aim of agriculture or organising grazing land, killing, injuring and capturing animals of endangered species, destroying or damaging habitats, larvae, pupae or the young animals of the endangered species, causing death or burning protected plants, harvesting or destroying them, transporting or selling the remains of a whole or part of an animal and plants of endangered species, and cutting trees in forests or protected areas or in national parks.
In article 59; any person who causes death, destroys protected plants, harvests or damages them, commits an offence. Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than three years and not more than five years and a fine of not less than Rwf1 million and not more than Rwf3 million.
Manufacturing, use, importation or sale of plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items are prohibited under article 3 of law N° 17/2019 of 10/08/2019 relating to the prohibition of manufacturing, importation, use, and sale of plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items in Rwanda.
In article 10, any person, who imports plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items is liable to the dispossession of those plastic carry bags and such items, and to an administrative fine equivalent to ten times the value of those plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items.
In article 11, a wholesaler of plastic carry bags and single use plastic items is liable to an administrative fine of Rwf700, 000 and dispossession of those plastic carry bags and such items.
In article 12, a retailer of plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items is liable to an administrative fine of Rwf300,000 and dispossession of those plastic carry bags and such items.
Anyone convicted for illegal mining or illegal mineral trade faces an imprisonment for a term of between two and six months and a fine of not less than Rwf1 million and not more than Rwf5 million or only one of these penalties.
The court also orders confiscation of any seized minerals or quarry in storage, trading or processing without a license.
{{Impact of community policing}}
Many people have been apprehended over similar environmental crimes, which have far reaching effects on the ecosystem.
These successful operations to protect the environment are largely attributed to the ownership of the public working with the Police and local leaders to implement the national environmental protection programmes to ensure that those involved environmental degradation activities are arrested.
The public is further urged to keep sharing information on people, who violate policies and the law, to engage in such environmental crimes.
The event, conducted via online Zoom meeting, saw the participation of approximately 15 Rwandan legal professionals, including current and former judges, lawyers, and former Supreme Court justices and former dean of the University of Rwanda Law School, HPDO, PEI civic group leaders, and a party member of the House of Representatives. They engaged in discussions on methods to promote peace activities in Rwanda.
Rwanda experienced setbacks that led to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi that claimed lives of over 1 million victims.
After the Genocide against, ongoing efforts have been made for reconciliation between Rwandans and the development of the nation.
In this webinar, titled ‘Seminar for Enhancing Global Citizenship Awareness,’ with the subtitle ‘For the Continuous Development of Rwanda,’ HWPL emphasized the significance of global citizenship education targeting Rwandan people in the global era for the sustainable development of the nation.
The discussion also highlighted the necessity of institutionalizing peace to address new societal conflicts arising from increased possibilities of tension due to diverse racial, cultural, and religious exchanges.
Dennis Bikesha, former Dean of the Law School at the University of Rwanda, presented Rwanda’s case of peace institutionalization, citing the positive impact on regional community development and stability in Gacaca and Umuganda.
HWPL underscored the need for more examples of institutions positively influencing societal development and introduced its efforts in peace institutionalization. Additionally, the webinar delved into detailed explanations of Article 10, Paragraph 38 of the DPCW, focusing on religious freedom (Article 8), the rights of religious and ethnic identity (Article 9), and the pursuit of peace.
Through this webinar, participants gained awareness of the necessity of peace institutionalization and explored the potential of recognizing ethnic diversity through the peace international law, DPCW, contributing to broadening perspectives and supporting the development of their own countries.
In 2024, HWPL plans to continue its ongoing collaboration with local community stakeholders not only in Rwanda but also throughout Africa to achieve peace in the region.
During a talk show on the national broadcaster on December 26, 2023, Dr. Ngabitsinze explained that the government issued an order to cultivate all unused land to increase crop production.
He stated, “We have been directed to ensure that all pieces of arable land should be cultivated, and then make sure we make appropriate storage of produce. This is what we are working on with the Ministry of Agriculture and other relevant ministries.”
This increased production is expected to eliminate food shortages, with local trade sustaining communities during the off-season (March, June, and July) rather than relying on imports.
Minister Ngabitsinze further noted that if petroleum and fertilizer prices continue to drop, food prices will follow suit. Regarding fertilizers, he expressed optimism for relief following the launch of a mixing plant in Rwanda with the capacity to produce over 100 thousand tons per year.
In November, there was a notable decrease in market prices, with inflation increasing by 9.2%, marking the first time it increased by less than 10% since the previous months of the year.
The industry plays a pivotal role in accelerating the overall development of the country and the well-being of its people. In Nyamasheke District, various factories, particularly those processing agricultural products such as coffee and tea, are vital contributors to the national economy.
Existing tea factories, including the three in Nyamasheke and others in different parts of the country, are constrained by insufficient tea leaf production, leading to their utilization at only 50% capacity.
Emmanuel Gasarabwe, the Director General of Gatare Tea Factory, has told IGIHE that the factory’s operational limitation is strategic. The factory was designed with ample capacity to accommodate future production increases, eliminating the need for additional construction every time production rises.
Gasarabwe emphasized, “While the current 50% utilization poses a challenge, it is also a forward-looking solution. Rwanda Mountain Tea constructed this factory with a long-term perspective, anticipating sustained production growth without the necessity of building another facility.” He added, “Our large-capacity factory ensures we can handle the increased production expected in the next decade.”
Athanasie Mukankusi, the Vice Mayor of Nyamasheke District in charge of social affairs, highlighted the district’s commitment to industry development in alignment with national policies. Recognizing the symbiotic relationship between farmers and the industry, Mukankusi stressed the importance of coordination. “It is our role to encourage farmers to cultivate tea effectively, ensuring a robust supply chain for the industry to operate at its full 100% capacity.
“Our plan involves planting over 4,000 hectares along the Nyungwe belt to boost overall production in Gatare and Gisakura factories, elevating them from 50% to a higher operational level,” she stated.
Despite Gatare Tea Factory’s capacity to process 4000 tons of tea annually, its actual production is limited to 2000 tons, primarily due to farmers not meeting the demand for raw tea leaves.
In a statement, President Biden emphasized that these actions are designed to turn the “promise of equal justice” into a tangible reality.
He expressed concern about the unnecessary barriers to employment, housing, and education created by criminal records related to marijuana use and possession. Biden underscored the need to rectify the repercussions of the nation’s past approach to marijuana, stating, “Too many lives have been disrupted. It’s time that we correct these injustices.”
It’s important to note that Biden’s order specifically pertains to marijuana, a substance that has been decriminalized or legalized in many states for various uses. However, it continues to be classified as a controlled substance under federal law. The federal government is currently exploring the possibility of reclassifying marijuana from “Schedule I” (deemed to have “no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse”) to the less restrictive “Schedule III.”
Notably, this pardon does not extend to individuals who were unlawfully present in the U.S. at the time of their marijuana-related offense. While Biden’s proclamation effectively pardons those covered by the executive order, individuals will need to submit applications to the Justice Department’s pardon attorney office to receive official certificates of pardon. These certificates can be utilized for housing and employment purposes.
President Biden also took the opportunity on Friday to reiterate his call to governors and local leaders to follow suit and take measures to expunge marijuana convictions. He emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach, stating, “Just as no one should be in a federal prison solely due to the use or possession of marijuana, no one should be in a local jail or state prison for that reason, either.”
