The facility will bank on mRNA technology to produce vaccines for Malaria, COVID-19 and Tuberculosis.
It will be built on 30,000 square kilometers in Kigali Special Economic Zone. It will have two BioNTainers made up of assembled containers.
The six BioNTainers arrived in Kigali in the afternoon of Monday 13th March 2023.
They were received by government officials including the Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana; Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana and the Director General of Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority (Rwanda FDA, Dr. Emile Bienvenu among others.
Also present at the event was Biopharmaceutical New Technologies (BioNTech) Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Sierk Poetting and diplomats accredited to Rwanda from Germany, France and the European Union.
Rwanda was the first African country to host such facility.
Minister Nsanzimana has said that reaching the milestone is a fruit of good leadership and developed partnership between Rwanda and other countries.
He explained that the project is relevant for the country to bring solutions expected to tackle emerging diseases.
Dr. Nsanzimana said that the vaccine manufacturing facility is expected to contribute to education and research where students will be capacitated to bring solutions in the area of vaccine manufacturing in Africa.
He expressed optimism that the partnership will help Africa to increase its contribution in scientific output from 2% to 10% globally.
Dr. Sierk Poetting said that the facility being set up in Rwanda will have the capacity to produce 50 million vaccine doses per year but the production will be based on demand.
BioNTech is a next generation immunotherapy company pioneering novel therapies for cancer and other serious diseases.
The company exploits a wide array of computational discovery and therapeutic drug platforms for the rapid development of novel biopharmaceuticals.
Its broad portfolio of oncology product candidates includes individualized and off-the-shelf mRNA-based therapies, innovative chimeric antigen receptor T cells, bi-specific checkpoint immuno-modulators, targeted cancer antibodies and small molecules.
Based on its deep expertise in mRNA vaccine development and in-house manufacturing capabilities, BioNTech and its collaborators are developing multiple mRNA vaccine candidates for a range of infectious diseases alongside its diverse oncology pipeline.
BioNTech has established a broad set of relationships with multiple global pharmaceutical collaborators, including Genmab, Sanofi, Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, Regeneron, Genevant, Fosun Pharma, and Pfizer.
Gen Kabarebe made the disclosure as he delivered a talk on values the youth can pull from the Liberation Struggle.
He was addressing over 600 young people representing their colleagues in the City of Kigali during dialogues dubbed ‘’Rubyiruko Menya Amateka yawe’ aimed at helping them to get deep understanding of the country’s history and learn how they can learn from it to build the nation.
The youth visited Kigali Genocide Memorial in Gisozi and the Campaign Against Genocide Museum in Kimihurura.
These include porters, commercial cyclists and motorcyclists, bartenders, hotel employees, airtime vendors and banks’ agents among others.
Gen Kabarebe told the youth that tragic history witnessed at the memorial and the Campaign Against Genocide Museum in Kimihurura is a product of bad leadership.
“You may have learnt a lot beyond what you already knew in this country. There are people, Rwandans in this country whose actions led to the dreadful history you have witnessed,” he said.
“The tragic history pushed RPF Inkotanyi to take action to change the situation for Rwandans to live in peace and rest assured of in their country,” added Gen Kabarebe,” added Gen Kabarebe.
29 years after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi was stopped, Gen Kabarebe said, the country is safe and Rwandans live in harmony.
“All these achievements stem from the youth’s values instilled during the struggle to liberate our country. […] Military action was not enough. It required values and foundational principles,” he disclosed.
“Today, the country still banks on values instilled among Inkotanyi soldiers during the Liberation Struggle to make progress,” he added Gen Kabarebe.
{{Values instilled by President Paul Kagame}}
When Maj Gen Paul Kagame (current President of Rwanda) joined RPA soldiers during the Liberation Struggle, Gen Kabarebe disclosed, they were tired and had withdrawn from captured areas.
As he explained, Maj Gen Paul Kagame took over as the commander and advised them not to give up until they claimed victory because they were fighting for a noble cause.
“The situation was difficult to manage by the time he joined. He realized that the fighting against the enemy, former government which committed the wrongdoings, was not enough. He found it necessary to introduce new tactics,” said Gen Kabarebe.
Values that characterized RPA soldiers played a critical role during the Liberation Struggle and the country continues to build on them to meet its development aspirations.
Gen Kabarebe said that the first value is ‘patriotism’.
“The first value was about patriotism and pay sacrifice so that, when you succumb to gunshots, the other survivor will recognize that you died fighting for the right cause,” he noted.
“When you love a country you die for it. The opposite is betrayal. So, he instilled the value of patriotism among Inkotanyi soldiers who understood him well,” added Gen Kabarebe.
He revealed that RPA soldiers were in a small number at the onset of the Liberation Struggle with inadequate resources.
“Soldiers of the government which committed the wrongdoings were strong. A government has an established army and is backed by partners. That is why partner countries of Rwanda came for reinforcement at the time. These include Belgians, French soldiers and others from Zaire who came and attacked Inkotanyi,” noted Gen Kabarebe.
“Inkotanyi soldiers would not win the battle alone. They drew strength from core values. When the President of the Republic came, Inkotanyi soldiers were exhausted. They had withdrawn and abandoned captured areas.
When he arrived, he said that it is not possible. He told us that the enemy cannot defeat us because we are fighting for a noble cause to liberate the country, change history, and regime in Rwanda, eliminate refugee status, oppression, promote Rwandans’ unity and national development. These reasons do not qualify us for a defeat. We have to fight until we win the battle,” he added.
Gen Kabarebe disclosed that selflessness was another helpful value that characterized soldiers.
“There is no consideration of individual gains. He also instilled among soldiers the spirit of sacrifice and selflessness where you understand that you are fighting for something beyond individual benefits,” he said.
The other value is heroism. According to Gen Kabarebe, someone can be trained on heroism as is the case for cowardice.
“Everyone can become a hero. A well-trained individual can become a hero and another trained to be coward can be so. Those who committed what you witnessed, killing babies, children […] and more, exhibited cowardice and they were trained for that,” he noted.
“Leaders sat in front on the youth like we are seated here, brought machetes and gave them instructions on what to do. The youth digested the ideology and put into action. So, patriotism, sacrifice and heroism were instilled. Inkotanyi soldiers were trained on heroism. Those who joined the Liberation Struggle were people like you,” he stated.
Hadn’t it been the heroism, Gen Kabarebe disclosed, young people would not have left their families to join the battle.
“It was a mix of people with diverse backgrounds including commercial cyclists, students, casual workers harvesting tea and coffee and herdsmen. It was not an easy task to bring together those people and convince them that they have to embrace patriotism and sacrifice themselves,” he affirmed.
Endurance was another important value because the struggle lasted long from 1st October 1990 to July 1994.
“Four years on battle are very long counting Christmas festivities passing, living in a forest, trenches, eating cons, vulnerability to attacks, getting sick and enduring rain among others,” he said.
“All these challenges required the value of endurance, day and night and to remain dedicated to goals despite spending many restless days. Somebody with those attributes is assured that he/she is stronger than those with ammunition and large number of soldiers,” added Gen Kabarebe.
He highlighted that they would spend three to four days without food but never gave up and kept soldiering on.
“Everything is about mindsets. Endurance goes hand in hand with the value of perseverance and developing patience for whatever happening to you. Those values can be helpful throughout your life. […] You also need them today,” advised Gen Kabarebe.
He also told the youth that RPA soldiers were characterized by the value of consistency.
“Spending the first and second year on battle should not change your mindsets. You have to remain committed to your goals. If you are committed to a noble cause, do not give up,” he noted.
Gen Kabarebe said that there are other values the youth can learn from the Liberation Struggle including making the right choice, setting goals, developing positive mindsets and discipline among others.
Rwanda’s Minister of Defence, Maj Gen Albert Murasira, Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) General, senior officers and family members received the body at Kigali International Airport on Sunday 12th March 2023.
RDF has via Twitter handle revealed that burial arrangements will be communicated later.
Gen (Rtd) Marcel Gatsinzi breathed the last on Monday 6th March 2023. He succumbed to natural at a hospital in Belgium where he was receiving treatment.
Gen Marcel Gatsinzi served in various leadership roles for the army and the country including serving as Rwanda’s Minister of Defence from 2002 to 2010, and as the Minister of Disaster Preparedness and Refugee Affairs from 2010 to 2013.
Following his death, a source told IGIHE ‘that Gatsinzi was not critically ill’ but felt unhealthy and went to a hospital where he died shortly after arrival as doctors prepared to attend to him.
He has been living in Rwanda but traveled to Belgium for medical attention.
Gen Marcel Gatsinzi was born in Muhima, Nyarugenge District in 1948.
He attended Primary School at Sainte Famille and pursued secondary education at Saint André where he studied Latin and Science courses.
He later joined the military at the age of 20.
Gatsinzi spent two years undergoing military training at “Ecole Supérieure d’Officiers Militaires (ESM)” where he graduated with the rank of Lieutenant in 1970.
He served as an instructor, and attended different professional training in Belgium between 1971 and 1976 at “Institut Royale Supérieure de Défense”.
During the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, Gtsinzi was at the rank of Colonel and was the commander of Non-Commissioned Officers School in Ngoma Commune, current Huye District.
Following the shooting down of former President Juvénal Habyarimana’s airplane on 6th April 1994, Gen Gatsinzi was named Defence Chief Staff replacing Gen Maj Augustin Nsabimana who died with Habyarimana.
He assumed the duties for ten days before dismissal by the then interim government and was replaced by Col Augustin Bizimungu.
By the time RPA soldiers captured Kigali, Gatsinzi had the rank of Brigadier General and was living in Kigeme camp along with other soldiers.
He left the camp for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) through Rusizi.
Gatsinzi stayed in DRC for one month before returning to Rwanda where he joined RDF. Upon joining the army, he was given the rank of Colonel.
Gatsinzi served as the Deputy Army Chief of Staff, Commander of Military Police and Headed the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS).
He held the rank of Major General at the time.
In 2004, Gatsinzi was promoted to General and became the first soldier to rise to to the rank.
He served as the Minister of Defence between 2022 and 2010.
In October 2013, Gen Gatsinzi was sent to retirement along with five other generals.
The deal signed in April 2022 paves the way for deportation to Rwanda of migrants and asylum seekers staying in the UK illegally.
The UK made the decision to discourage people crossing to the country illegally and reduce the budget spent on them every year.
It is said that Braverman will visit Rwanda towards the end of next week between 18th and 19th March and meet with Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vincent Biruta.
Sources have been disclosing that Andrew Mitchell, UK Minister for International Development and Africa is also planning to visit Rwanda.
Braverman is visiting Rwanda at a time when the country is facing criticisms for the deal to deport migrants to Rwanda.
UK explains that Rwanda is a safe country where migrants and asylum seekers can enjoy a dignified life.
The assessment conducted by the United Kingdom indicated that the first batch of migrants might be deported to Rwanda in 2024.
Through the deal signed between Rwanda and UK in April last year, the latter will provide an upfront investment of £120 million to fund invaluable opportunities for Rwandans and migrants including secondary qualifications, vocational and skills training, language lessons and higher education.
These asylum seekers from African countries and others outside the continent will be treated decently like Rwandans upon arrival. It is expected that those willing to return to their mother lands will be helped to do so.
Last year, over 45,000 illegal migrants crossed into the UK. The number is expected to increase to 80,000 this year.
With the expansion, clients can follow up on or pick up their licenses and permits at the One Stop Centre. All licenses and permits required for business setup or import and export operations will be issued at the RDB One Stop Centre.
Since its inception in 2008, the One Stop Centre has been processing licenses and permits for investors during the business setup phase. Currently, the expanded One Stop Centre offers over 23 licensing services.
According to Clare Akamanzi, CEO of RDB, the expansion is a significant milestone in improving the ease of doing business in Rwanda.
“The One Stop Centre will reduce the time spent moving between institutions for licensing and enhance the investor experience. RDB encourages investors to take advantage of the services provided at the centre,” says Akamanzi.
{{Licensing and permit services offered at the RDB One Stop Centre include:}}
{{● Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Desk:}} Here, investors can get information on navigating the AfCFTA agreement and how to take advantage of the benefits it provides. They are also facilitated to apply and collect all licences and permits required for exporting products under the AfCFTA.
{{● Agriculture (Export) Licensing: }} At this desk, investors get information and are facilitated to apply for and collect licences and permits from the National Agricultural Exports Board (NAEB), including certificates of origin, certificates of quality, export operation licences, and other permits for opening industries.
{{● Aviation and Drone Permits:}} At this desk, investors get information and are facilitated to apply for and collect licences and permits to operate manned and unmanned aircrafts, such as UA registration, pilot certificates/licences, Unmanned Operator Certificates, activity permits, and de-registration certificates for unmanned aircrafts (drones).
{{● Building Permits:}} At this desk, investors get information on building regulations, housing projects, and the rules and guidelines to follow when building and renovating. They are also facilitated to apply and collect all necessary building permits, both in the City of Kigali and other districts.
{{● Capital Market Licensing:}} At this desk, investors get information and are facilitated to apply for and collect licences essential for the regulation of the financial industry and ensuring investor protection. These include, but not limited to licences for investment management, investment advisory service, set up investment funds, security exchange licence, commodity exchange trading licence, depositary licence, credit rating among others.
{{● Consumer Protection, Inspection and Registration Licensing:}} Here, investors get information and are facilitated to apply and collect import permits for items such as agricultural commodities, general purpose chemicals, and construction materials; and export permits and phytosanitary certificates for plants and animal products, as well as international veterinary health certificates.
{{● Customs Tax Exemption Services:}} At this desk, investors get information on Rwanda Revenue Authority’s customs services and facilitation to apply for and collect necessary licences, such as tax stamps, import and export permits and licences, among others.
{{● Domestic Taxes Services:}} Here, investors get information on Rwanda Revenue Authority’s domestic taxes services and facilitation to comply with all tax requirements and apply for tax exemptions.
{{● Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): }} Here, investors receive information and facilitation to apply for and collect the EIA certificate. EIA is used to prevent and mitigate adverse impacts, enhance positive impacts and assist the rational use of natural resources to maximise the benefit of socio-economic development projects and ensure sustainable development.
{{● Financial Center Services: }} Here, investors can interact with Rwanda Finance Limited (RFL), which works to develop and promote the Kigali International Financial Centre (KIFC), with the aim of transforming Rwanda into an international financial destination for investors seeking opportunities across the African continent.
{{● Financial Services Licensing: }} Here, investors receive guidance and support on licensing and regulatory compliance, as well as information on the financial sector and legal and administrative requirements to operate in the sector.
{{● Food and Drugs Inspection, Registration and Licensing:}} At this desk, investors receive information and facilitation on how to apply for and collect licences and certification of various products and services related to the medical and food industries, premise licenses and registration certificates for all medical products, manufacturing licences and good manufacturing practice certificates, as well as import-export licences and approvals for advertisements related to medical products.
{{● Forestry Permits:}} At this desk, investors receive information and facilitation to apply and collect forest harvesting permits and forest exploration licences. These licences are critical for the forestry industry as they allow for the extraction and exportation of products, while ensuring sustainable harvesting.
{{● Immigration Business Permits:}} This desk offers information and facilitation to apply for and collect work permits and visas for registered investors, expatriates and their dependents.
{{● Incentives Management Services:}} At this desk, you will receive information on and facilitation to apply for incentives offered in Rwanda’s Investment Code, Manufacture and Building to Recover Program and other incentives offered to businesses.
{{● Investment Registration Services:}} This desk facilitates the registration of domestic, foreign, and joint venture investments in Rwanda and application and collection of the investment certificate. Visitors receive information on investment opportunities and Rwanda’s business environment. Together with Aftercare services, this desk guides investors on expansion plans, resolves investment-related issues, and addresses any concerns related to investment in Rwanda.
{{● Mining Licensing:}} At this desk, investors receive information on the mining sector laws and regulations and are facilitated to apply for and collect mining and quarry licences, and licences related to mineral exploration, trading, processing, and industrial quarry operations.
{{● Private Education Facility Licensing:}} This desk shares information on the accreditation process and requirements to set up a private institution for higher education, as well as facilitation to apply for and collect all required licences and authorizations.
{{● Private Health Facility Licensing:}} This desk shares information on the application and registration process to open and operate a private health facility, as well as facilitation to apply for and collect all required licences, permits and authorizations.
{{● Public Utilities Licensing:}} At this desk, investors get information on and facilitation to apply for and collect all licences, permits and authorizations issued by the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA), which include those required for transport services, ICT services, electricity, gas & petroleum, postal services and e-commerce, water and sanitation, e-waste, and nuclear and radiation protection.
{{● Standards Services:}} Here, investors receive information on standardisation, as mandated by the Rwanda Standards Board, as well as facilitation to apply for and collect all necessary certification for their businesses. Support may also include site visits for quality assurance and guidance on international standards, to ensure Rwandan exports are compliant and ready for international markets.
{{● Water Use Permits:}} At this desk, investors receive information on and facilitation to apply for and collect water use licences, for individuals and organisations that require the use of water for their activities. Rwanda Water Board is responsible for managing and regulating the use of water resources in a sustainable manner and this desk is equipped to provide all necessary information to ensure compliance.
{{● Public Notary Services:}} This office provides notary services required for land registration and requirements by businesses that are in the process of applying for licences, permits, authorizations, certificates and other services.
The One Stop Centre is located on the ground floor of the RDB Head Office, KN 5 Rd, KG 9 Ave, Gishushu. It operates from 9 am – 5 pm from Monday to Friday.
-* { {{In September 2022, Tshisekedi affirmed that the postponement of elections was not possible
-* On 26th October 2022; Patrick Muyaya, DR Congo’s Minister of Communication announced that provocations could disrupt elections
-* In January 2023, Speaker of Parliament, Christophe Mboso said that elections would not be possible amidst ongoing fighting
-* On 27th February 2023, President Tshisekedi reminisced on postponement of polls}} }
{It is obvious that there are people who succeed in finding an excuse for their flaws but others fail at the onset. This is what the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been trying as part of a broad plan that existed for long to postpone elections until the country dragged Rwanda into its mess under the cover of an ongoing fighting with M23 rebel group yet the reality is self-evidencing.}
Congolese government has been making utterances that elections cannot be held amidst insecurity facing the country ignoring evidences proving that it was the country’s long-term plan to blame neighbours, particularly Rwanda for the postponement.
DR Congo started declaring the adjournment of presidential polls early, but surprisingly, the country did not outline plans to address those challenges.
This proves how the goal was to find justification ahead of time to be proactive on mixed reactions that would emerge from the country’s President, Felix Tshisekedi’s prolonged stay in office.
Since September 2021, before M23 resumed fighting, there were plans to revise electoral law to hold polls in two phases in case the presidential aspirant on top did not secure above 50% of votes.
At the time, Parliamentarian André Claudel Lubaya who once served as cabinet member said that there was high possibility for postponement of elections in case all requirements were not met by 15th September 2023.
He explained that elections would hardly be held without disruptions in case the country was not fully prepared.
As he assumed duties in February 2022, the Chairperson of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Denis Kadima was fast to declare that there are reasons pushing for adjournment of elections.
Kadima outlined three reasons that might lead to the postponement of elections.
Among them, he cited insecurity in some parts of the country, financial constraints and political unrest.
At the time, the fighting with M23 and relations with Rwanda were not part of these reasons.
On 28th July 2022, Kadima told Jeune Afrique that he made the statement ahead of time lest he would be held accountable in case the date could be changed without prior notice.
He was raising concerns that the commission was faced with financial constraints and needed US$624 million to buy equipment to be used during elections including 29,000 machines for voters’ registration.
“[If it happens], the government will be responsible for the delay of elections.”
Congo turned back on all these concerns but considered tricks to find an excuse for postponement of elections.
Initially, Tshisekedi would not comment on these statements because he was busy making a thorough planning.
During an interview with RFI and France 24 in September 2022, Tshisekedi affirmed that the postponement of elections was not possible that ‘there was nothing to worry about’ but later fell for contradictory statements.
{{Open declarations}}
Presidential polls in DRC are scheduled on 20th December 2023. The date was confirmed on 26th November 2022.
Before the confirmation, DRC government had already found an excuse to postpone elections.
On 26th October 2022; Patrick Muyaya, DR Congo’s Minister of Communication and Government Spokesperson released a statement claiming that his country continues to face provocations from Rwanda, ‘which might disrupt elections’.
At the time, he sounded alarm to the international community noting that ‘peace and security in eastern DRC are paramount for smooth elections in 2023’.
Since then, intentions to adjourn elections were openly disclosed until the Speaker of Parliament, Christophe Mboso, held a visit to Belgium in January 2023 to demand support for a war against Rwanda.
Mboso elucidated that elections would not be possible in North Kivu Province when the fighting was going on.
DRC did not make efforts to address barriers hindering elections’ process but rather overlooked resolutions reached by regional heads of state to restore peace in eastern part of the country.
It continued to work with armed groups including the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), Mai Mai and made reactions that intensified violence against Kinyarwanda-speaking communities.
FDLR is a terrorist group formed by individuals responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Besides, Tshisekedi travelled to Geneva, Switzerland to attend the fifty-second session United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council on 27th February 2023 that is normally attended by ambassadors, where he hinted at the postponement of polls.
He declared that elections are likely to be disrupted, if the fighting continues in eastern Congo, due to a large number of displaced citizens.
Tshisekedi and his government continuously ignored the truth and leaned on war as an excuse for postponement of elections.
He tried to put forward his reasons to convince the international community but efforts seem to be futile.
In front of Pope Francis, Tshisekedi blamed Rwanda for insecurity in his country again. He did the same during the recent visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to the country but attracted no special attention.
Tshisekedi explained that voters’ registration may delay because citizens have fled the country, which is also deemed to affect timelines for elections.
It is worth noting that postponing elections has become a hot topic at a time when Tshisekedi is being reminded that his installation as President did not go through a transparent process.
President Macron recently told him that circumstances under which elections were held in 2018 are known.
There are more evidences that Tshisekedi did not win recent polls but was installed after agreements with his predecessor, Joseph Kabila.
AFSA was launched in Kigali on Tuesday 7th March 2023 at the official opening of the African Society of Forensic Medicine (ASFM) International Conference which brought together researchers and experts in the area of forensic services.
The academy was officially launched by the Minister of Justice and State Attorney General, Dr. Emmanuel Ugirashebuja and the Head of AFSA during the ASFM International Conference held in Kigali.
The academy will serve as a professional representative body for forensic science practitioners in Africa.
It is expected to build the capacity of African countries in forensic services.
AFSA activities will be rolled out either in online or in-person format overtime. It envisages training programmes in various formats, development of best-practice guidelines, webinars, workshops and much more.
Minister Ugirashebuja said that the launch of the academy in Rwanda as the host country of the conference is a result of RFL’s achievements.
Since it was launched five years ago, RFL has greatly contributed to justice delivery with forensic evidence services.
Dr. Ugirashebuja emphasized that forensic evidence services are crucial in enhancing quality justice.
The Head of ASFM, Dr Uwom Okereke Eze explained that the academy was opened in Rwanda because of achieved milestone in forensic services.
He underscored that the academy will set pace for transformations with impact on the entire African continent.
Rwanda Forensic Laboratory offers services including forensic toxicology, drug and chemistry, and documents examination and fingerprint analysis, DNA forensics, ballistics, forensic pathology and digital forensics.
As at November last year, RFL was offering services to more than 20 African countries since it was established in 2018.
Speaking at the event, the Director General of RFL, Dr. Charles Karangwa said that AFSA will play an important role not only for Rwanda but also for the African continent as it will promote research and foster cooperation in forensic evidences.
The President of Supreme Court, Dr. Faustin Ntezilyayo said that Rwanda will continue working closely with players in the sector to deliver justice to citizens.
He emphasized that Rwanda is pleased to host the academy and expects continued collaboration to provide needed contribution to the delivery of quality justice in Africa.
Dr. Ntezilyayo also reiterated the Government of Rwanda’s commitment to develop the AFSA to become more meaningful to different countries.
The academy will also intervene in conducting DNA tests, investigate disputed death circumstances, and deploy latest technology in forensic services among others.
The Head of State delivered the message via Twitter handle on 8th March 2023.
The International Women’s Day is a global day observed on 8th March to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women, while also making a call to action for strengthening gender equality and accelerating women’s empowerment.
President Kagame took advantage of the day to send best wishes to women in Rwanda and across the world.
“Salute to all women in Rwanda and Globally on this important day. We are with you in this Gender equality struggle in its real sense!!” he tweeted.
Figures from the latest Population and Housing Census in 2022 indicated that Rwanda registered 13,246,394 population of whom 48.5% are men while 51.5% are women.
Rwanda is globally reputed for efforts to promote gender equality and women empowerment.
The country has instituted policies aimed driving women’s inclusion in the areas of education, economy and leadership among others.
Rwanda’s Constitution of 2003 revised in 2015 provides for the minimum 30% quota for women in all decision-making organs.
Promoting gender equality was among Rwanda’s priorities following the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Today, women have representation at different leadership levels and have ushered their way into prosperity in the private sector.
In 2008, Rwanda’s Lower Chamber of Parliament became the first globally with the highest proportion of women representation at 61.25% today, a way above the current global average of 26.4%.
Rwanda has maintained the leading position in Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Global Ranking of Women in Parliament for the past ten years.
Among others, women account for 50% in the cabinet. The law also provides for 30% women representation among local leaders.
He succumbed to natural at a hospital in Belgium where he was receiving treatment.
RDF has through a statement mourned his death and extended condolences to the bereaved family.
“The Rwanda Defence Force is deeply saddened by the untimely death of Gen (Rtd) Marcel Gatsinzi,” reads the statement in part.
“The Rwanda Defence Force extends its condolences and joins the family in grief during this sad moment. May his soul rest in peace,” adds the statement.
Gen Marcel Gatsinzi served in various leadership roles for the army and the country including serving as Rwanda’s Minister of Defence from 2002 to 2010, and as the Minister of Disaster Preparedness and Refugee Affairs from 2010 to 2013.
Following his death, a source told IGIHE ‘that Gatsinzi was not critically ill’ but felt unhealthy and went to a hospital where he died shortly after arrival as doctors prepared to attend to him.
He has been living in Rwanda but traveled to Belgium for medical attention.
People who lived with him attest that he was a patriotic and honest man.
Gen Marcel Gatsinzi was born in Muhima, Nyarugenge District in 1948.
He attended Primary School at Sainte Famille and pursued secondary education at Saint André where he studied Latin and Science courses.
He later joined the military at the age of 20.
Gatsinzi spent two years undergoing military training at “Ecole Supérieure d’Officiers Militaires (ESM)” where he graduated with the rank of Lieutenant in 1970.
He served as an instructor, and attended different professional training in Belgium between 1971 and 1976 at “Institut Royale Supérieure de Défense”.
During the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, Gtsinzi was at the rank of Colonel and was the commander of Non-Commissioned Officers School in Ngoma Commune, current Huye District.
Following the shooting down of former President Juvénal Habyarimana’s airplane on 6th April 1994, Gen Gatsinzi was named Defence Chief Staff replacing Gen Maj Augustin Nsabimana who died with Habyarimana.
He assumed the duties for ten days before dismissal by the then interim government and was replaced by Col Augustin Bizimungu.
By the time RPA soldiers captured Kigali, Gatsinzi had the rank of Brigadier General and was living in Kigeme camp along with other soldiers.
He left the camp for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) through Rusizi.
Gatsinzi stayed in DRC for one month before returning to Rwanda where he joined RDF. Upon joining the army, he was given the rank of Colonel.
Gatsinzi served as the Deputy Army Chief of Staff, Commander of Military Police and Headed the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS).
He held the rank of Major General at the time.
In 2004, Gatsinzi was promoted to General and became the first soldier to rise to to the rank.
He served as the Minister of Defence between 2022 and 2010.
In October 2013, Gen Gatsinzi was sent to retirement along with five other generals.
Soldiers of Congolese Army (FARDC) were shot dead in Rwanda at different times on 19th November 2022 and recently on 4th March 2023.
The two soldiers were shot dead in Gisenyi Sector as they opened fire at Rwandan soldiers on guard at the border between Rubavu and Goma.
Some of gunned down soldiers include Kasereka Malumalu and Sambwa Nzenze Didier from FARDC.
Congolese Army denied that Kasereka is among its soldiers but an assessment conducted later established that he was among missing soldiers where he was shot dead at the border trying to confront Rwandan soldiers.
It is said that he was drunk at the time.
The second soldier was shot dead storming Rwandan territory around 15:30.
Their bodies were taken from the mortuary of Gisenyi Hospital and handed over to EJVM and Congolese leaders.
EJVM also received guns and ammunition seized from these soldiers as they stormed Rwandan territory.
DRC accuses Rwanda of backing M23 rebel group, claims which the country has repeatedly denied noting that it is part of Congo’s plan to externalize its problems.
