About 100 female Police officers from different departments and units across the country came together in a one day meeting to share and harmonize experiences and to ensure timely intervention.
The dialogue provided a platform for the female RNP officers to share knowledge and ideas for proper interventions; to strengthen the Regional Centre of Excellence’s capacity to build the skills of security organs; and to enhance networking and collaboration with other service providers to jointly address the the vice.
The Deputy Inspector General of Police DIGP in charge of Administration and Personnel, Jeanne Chantal Ujeneza, while opening the meeting, said that RNP is committed to fight all forms of GBV.
She pointed out that gender desks, training, awareness and seminars are some of the means through which GBV and child abuse issues are addressed.
The Deputy Police Chief commended the role of different partners in tackling these human rights violations.
She appealed to the women police officers give it due attention in their policing tasks.
Clement Kirenga from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), said that achieving sustainable development goal goes with tackling violations still faced by women and children.
“No country can achieve sustainable development goals while women and girls are still facing gender based violence challenges,” Kirenga said.
Situated in Gasabo District and spanning 300,000 square meters, the state-of-the-art facility is hailed as one of the most advanced in the world. President Kagame commended the project, emphasizing its potential to democratize vaccine technology. He expressed pride in the facility’s diverse African workforce, highlighting its capability to produce vaccines of equivalent quality to those produced elsewhere.
President Kagame acknowledged the challenges of vaccine inequity faced by Africa during the pandemic and emphasized the collective commitment of Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, and Ghana to spearhead vaccine manufacturing on the continent. BioNTech aims to produce mRNA-based vaccines, including potential solutions for diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria.
The President extended gratitude to various partners, including the European Commission, the World Health Organization (WHO), the African Development Bank (AfDB), and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), for their pivotal roles in supporting Rwanda’s pharmaceutical initiatives.
He announced a new phase of collaboration with the IFC to ensure sustained investment in Rwanda’s pharmaceutical ecosystem.
President Kagame underscored the importance of trust and cooperation in achieving the milestone, praising the swift mobilization of global support. He cited the presence of Barbados Prime Minister Mia Motley as an example of broader collaboration, emphasizing the need for deeper cooperation between Africa and the Caribbean.
The facility’s launch coincides with the initiative to increase Africa’s vaccine self-sufficiency, with the goal of producing 60 times more vaccine doses on the continent by 2040. President Kagame’s remarks showcased a shared commitment to global health equity and resilience in the face of future challenges.
During the inauguration event, Ugur Sahin, BioNTech’s co-founder and CEO, outlined the company’s plans for the newly launched facility. He stated that construction will be completed by 2024, with local personnel training commencing, and mRNA validation testing initiated in 2025.
Initially, the facility will be equipped with two BioNTainers, one dedicated to mRNA production and the other for the formulated bulk drug product. These BioNTainers are designed to manufacture various mRNA-based vaccines tailored to the needs of African Union member states. Potential vaccines include the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine, as well as investigational malaria and tuberculosis vaccines, pending regulatory approval.
Sahin emphasized the facility’s advanced capabilities, with BioNTainers capable of producing over 50 million doses annually for public supply or pandemic response, or alternatively, 10,000 doses for clinical trials. While acknowledging the work ahead, Sahin outlined the goal to operate the facility on global standards.
The quantity of BioNTech’s production will vary based on the mRNA product’s characteristics, such as dose size and composition. The company aims to bridge the accessibility gap for medicines and make them more affordable, as highlighted by Barbados Prime Minister Mia Motley.
Ursula Von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, underscored the challenges in global vaccine production capacities and emphasized the collaborative effort between Africa and Europe to bring both vaccines and mRNA technology to the continent.
The event was attended by other leaders, including Presidents Macky Sall of Senegal and Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana. BioNTech also revealed plans to conduct clinical trials in Africa for malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV vaccines in 2024, aiming to provide these vaccines to lower-income countries at a not-for-profit price upon regulatory approval.
At a press conference in the capital Cairo, the NEA said the turnout reached 66.8 percent of the total 67 million eligible voters.
Voting in Egypt took place on Dec. 10-12, while Egyptians abroad cast their vote from Dec. 1 to Dec. 3 in 121 countries.
Four candidates ran for the presidency, namely Sisi, the Social Democratic Party’s Farid Zahran, Al-Wafd Party’s Abdel-Sanad Yamama, and Hazem Omar from the People’s Republican Party.
The panel of five judges led by Deputy Chief Justice Richard Buteera received written submission and arguments from gay rights activists and civil society organizations seeking to declare the new legislation, which President Yoweri Museveni signed into law in May 2023, “null and void.”
Buteera said in court that the judges will deliver the court’s judgment on notice to the petitioners and government Attorney General defense lawyers.
At the court’s direction, all the parties filed written submissions and agreed not to introduce any new documents or pleadings during the hearings.
“The court will notify us when they are ready. The court has an opportunity to decide whether the constitution of Uganda affords all Ugandans, including LGBTQI+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex) individuals, equal protection under the law,” Nicholas Opiyo, one of the petitioners’ lawyers, told the press after submission of the written statements.
UNICEF also sounded the alarm on a looming climate-induced humanitarian crisis that it said is also taking a toll on the health of children in the region.
Etleva Kadilli, UNICEF’s regional director for eastern and southern Africa, said in a statement issued in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, that the climate crisis is not a distant threat but an immediate danger to the well-being of children in the region.
“The impact of climate change on children is a stark reminder that urgent action is needed to address the root causes of the crisis and facilitate sustainable solutions to help children through this,” she said. “Our collective responsibility is to protect the most vulnerable and build a sustainable future for all.”
According to UNICEF, needs are escalated by projections indicating a strong likelihood of robust El Nino impacts such as floods lasting through early 2024 and drought that is forecasted to persist through most of 2024.
It said the strength of El Nino is expected to be comparable to the top six strongest events in recorded history, increasing the likelihood of extreme weather and climate hazards.
UNICEF said the 1.4 billion dollars will enable it to continue funding its humanitarian response in 2024, which includes preventing and treating waste through a continuum of care of children and mothers, and prevention, early detection and treatment of diseases through health facilities.
It said droughts, erratic rainfall, and water scarcity are compromising water sources, leading to inadequate sanitation facilities and hygiene practices.
“The time to act is now. As the climate crisis intensifies, it threatens the well-being and survival of children and young people,” Kadilli said.
UNICEF said the region is grappling with decreased crop yields, affecting the availability and affordability of nutritious food.
“Children face an increased risk of malnutrition, stunting, and developmental issues, further perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality,” UNICEF said.
Between January and September this year, 24 percent more children were treated for severe wasting compared to the same period in 2022, according to UNICEF.
ATMIS said the handover took place Sunday afternoon in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, marking the resumption of Phase Two of the troops’ drawdown from the country.
“The handover of these State institutions, previously central to the ATMIS mandate, is a critical move in the transition process. This is a significant milestone that is a testament to the collective progress made over the years,” ATMIS said in a statement issued in Mogadishu Sunday evening.
The handover of the two facilities, which had been under the command of Ugandan troops under ATMIS since 2007, symbolizes the government’s commitment and preparedness to assume full security responsibilities for Somalia, the AU mission said.
The drawdown is in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2710, which mandates the withdrawal of 3,000 ATMIS troops by Dec. 31.
“This significant step marks progress in Somalia’s journey toward self-reliance and stability,” the Somali presidency said in a statement posted on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.
In the first phase of the drawdown, which concluded in June, ATMIS withdrew 2,000 troops and transferred control of seven militaries to Somali security forces, as mandated by UN Security Council Resolutions 2687 and 2670.
In response, the Congolese government demanded the arrest of these individuals. However, Kenya declined to comply, leading to the recall of the Congolese Ambassador, John Nyakeru, from Nairobi.
President Ruto, addressing the situation on Sunday, emphasized that Kenya, as a democracy, does not arrest individuals for making statements.
He stated, “Kenya is a democracy; we cannot arrest anybody who has issued a statement. We don’t arrest people who have made a statement; we arrest criminals. If anybody has committed any crime, we will go out of our way to deal with them.” Ruto highlighted the essence of freedom of expression within a democratic framework.
In response to DR Congo’s recall of its ambassador, Ruto acknowledged it as their right but reiterated Kenya’s commitment to upholding democratic principles, maintaining that the country cannot arrest individuals for expressing their opinions.
The APTF is a pan-African agency with the primary objective of promoting technological advancement within the medical ecosystem across the continent.
Established and approved by the African Development Bank (AfDB) Board of Directors in June 2022, the institution emerged in response to the collective request from African Union member states. It serves as a dedicated entity to enhance Africa’s access to technology for the comprehensive manufacturing of pharmaceutical products.
The genesis of the foundation can be traced back to the challenges faced by African countries in accessing vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic. In an effort to address this issue, the APTF was conceived, recognizing the critical need for technological solutions in the medical field.
According to data provided by the AfDB, Africa currently relies on imports for over 70 percent of its required medications, incurring an annual cost of up to $14 billion. Surprisingly, the continent manufactures only one percent of the necessary vaccines. The APTF aims to significantly bridge this gap, fostering self-sufficiency and technological empowerment in pharmaceutical production across Africa.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs of Rwanda, Dr. Vincent Biruta, highlighted the significance of the agreement and emphasized the cooperative effort to advance pharmaceutical technology in Africa and improve healthcare on the continent.
Dr. Biruta stated, “This agreement is a sign of cooperation, innovation, and technological development in medicine for the benefit of our people and the entire continent.”
Furthermore, Dr. Biruta underscored the broader implications of the collaboration, stating, “It is a sign and shows the will to produce knowledge and technology that promotes innovation and research, knowledge sharing.” He also acknowledged the pivotal role of technology in enhancing healthcare in Rwanda and Africa at large.
Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), provided insights into the establishment of the APTF, emphasizing its role in supporting the African pharmaceutical industry.
He remarked, “This center will help the pharmaceutical industry to access and share technology and engage in dialogue with intellectual property rights holders in the pharmaceutical industry to develop the pharmaceutical industry in Africa.”
In addition to the AfDB’s commitment, Dr. Bärbel Kofler, Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development in Germany, expressed the country’s dedication to collaboration with Rwanda and Africa in the production of medicines and vaccines.
Dr. Kofler stated, “The cooperation between the German Government and APTF is based on our shared values, to ensure that the people of the African continent have a better life.”
Among others, the Minister of Foreign Affairs acknowledged the importance of distributing such critical infrastructure across various African countries, particularly mentioning the opening of BionTech Africa, the first vaccine manufacturer in Rwanda, dedicated to combating Malaria and Tuberculosis.
Dr. Biruta stressed the need for capacity building and noted that APTF should play a pivotal role in this regard.
The signing of a cooperation agreement between APTF and the European Investment Bank was also highlighted, indicating the bank’s commitment to providing technical assistance and facilitating funding for innovative healthcare initiatives. This collaborative effort aligns with the shared goal of enhancing health services and medication availability in Africa.
In a meeting between President Kagame and Adesina in September 2023, discussions centered on AfDB’s assistance in developing the pharmaceutical sector in Africa through the establishment of APTF’s headquarters in Rwanda. This meeting emphasized the ongoing commitment to cooperation and development in the pharmaceutical field.
Having lived in Cabo Delgado for a year, Jacqueline, a Burundian woman, and her fellow entrepreneurs sustained themselves by offering essential services in the post-war scenario. She emphasized the improved security in Palma since her arrival and expressed her intention to leave once Rwandan security forces depart, citing concerns about her safety.
Kwifera Claudine, another woman residing in Mozambique for five years, shared positive experiences about her business in Palma, which she initiated in November 2022.
Aside from Burundians engaged in business in the city, there are Rwandans undertaking diverse businesses, particularly wholesaling. Many foreign traders, including Indians, also contribute to the economic landscape.
Residents, such as a 63-year-old man, conveyed gratitude for the Rwandan intervention, attributing their newfound peace and prosperity to the assistance provided.
The narrative continued with a man’s account of reuniting with his wife after fleeing during the conflict. He highlighted the positive changes in their lives and acknowledged the role played by the Rwandan Security Forces in ensuring their safety.
Abdallah Ali, a food trader, credited the Rwandan soldiers for restoring security, enabling business operations to flourish. He expressed a sense of security in Palma and emphasized the resumption of daily activities without fear.
Ismail Lichemba praised the collaboration between Rwanda and Mozambique but lamented the abduction of his child, expressing hope for their reunion. He called for continued support from the Rwandans.
Overall, the residents of Cabo Delgado credited Rwanda’s Security Forces for instilling hope and optimism for the future, marking a significant shift from the despair that once enveloped their lives. Some have ventured into entrepreneurship, while others remain hopeful about the promising prospects ahead.
Reflecting on the events since the province’s attachment, the initial stage did not label the attached individuals as terrorists. However, the situation evolved significantly. In October 2017, the situation was manageable despite insurgent attacks, but two years later, instability struck. Reports of killings and kidnappings emerged, causing concern among the populace.
As Mozambican troops sought to address the situation, it became apparent that these individuals were not mere civilians but terrorists.
As Tauabo said, their motives remained unclear, adding to the complexity of the issue. Despite the challenges, the troops committed themselves to protecting the people.
In 2020, the governor, previously a district administrator, became the elected governor. Drawing from his experience in Palma, he extended efforts to secure all attached provinces, relocating people from vulnerable areas to the south. While the circumstances were far from ideal, the government’s presence provided solace to the affected population.
Currently, the province’s inhabitants are experiencing a sense of well-being. Those who temporarily relocated are returning, indicating confidence in the efforts of Rwandan, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM), and other Mozambican troops.
Progress may be gradual, but collective determination assures a better future.
Tauabo acknowledges the devastating impact of terrorist attacks in 2021, resulting in 3,000 deaths and displacing over 800,000 individuals. Critical infrastructure was destroyed, hindering development activities and necessitating reconstruction.
Following the expulsion of terrorists from different regions, the collaboration between Rwandan and Mozambican forces has been instrumental. However, Tauabo emphasizes the prolonged journey to lasting peace and the need for individuals to feel secure in pursuing their projects.
TotalEnergies, a vital contributor to Cabo Delgado’s prosperity, invested significantly in a gas processing project. Unfortunately, this project, along with many others, was halted due to the prevailing conditions. The governor remains optimistic about its eventual resumption.
Despite the challenges, Tauabo expresses satisfaction with the synergy between Rwandan and Mozambican soldiers. He underscores the importance of their collaboration in daily activities, especially considering the extensive regions that must be traversed for essential connections between Pemba and Palma.
After Rwandan troops intervened, terrorists were dislodged and sought refuge in areas controlled by SADC forces, particularly in districts like Macomia. Currently, regions under the control of the Rwanda Security Forces include Palma, Mocimboa da Praia, Quionga, Afungi, Mbau, Pundanhar, and others.
The governor highlights that residents are pleased with the collaborative efforts between Rwandan and Mozambican troops, as it enables the resumption of daily activities.
