In recent days, strong rainstorms have hit many places in Rwanda, causing heavy casualties and property losses, Xi noted in a message.
On behalf of the Chinese government and people, he mourned the dead and extended sincere sympathies to the bereaved families, the injured and the affected people.
The President also voiced confidence that Rwanda will surely overcome the difficulties and rebuild the homeland.
Weather related disasters that hit Rwanda earlier last week have displaced more than 9,000 people in different provinces of the country while about 5,598 families were displaced and are hosted at different sites.
At least 131 people were killed and 94 others injured when flooding and landslides triggered by heavy rains hit Western, Northern and Southern provinces of Rwanda on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Among others; more than 5,550 houses, 14 roads and more than 50 schools were destroyed and the disasters also destroyed crops, water and power infrastructures.
Last week, the Minister of Infrastructure Ernest Nsabimana said the government needs about 110 billion Rwandan francs (about 98.3 million U.S. dollars) to rebuild infrastructure damaged by the disasters in the country.
The government has appealed to residents living in high risk zones to relocate to safe areas.
He made the disclosure during an interview with France24 amidst ongoing tensions between Rwanda and DRC that followed the resurgence of M23 in a fighting against Congolese Army (FARDC) towards the end of 2021.
Despite the ceasefire and request for M23 to withdraw from previously captured areas in eastern DRC, tensions continued to escalate between Rwanda and DRC.
Congo accuses Rwanda of backing M23 rebels, a claim that the country has repeatedly denied but rather accuse Congo of working with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) to threaten national security.
FDLR is a terrorist group formed by individuals responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Lourenço has disclosed that ongoing efforts are promising that the tensions won’t result into a war.
“I believe this this will not happen. We will make possible efforts to avoid that confrontation between the two countries. We know that M23 till today, are upholding the ceasefire. The next step which unfortunately has not yet been taken, depends not only on M23 but also DRC is concerned. The next step according to the Luanda roadmap is the cantonment of M23 forces,” he said.
Lourenço emphasized that M23 combatants are Congolese where their problem will be solved being on the country’s territory.
He stated Angola will send troops to protect M23 forces in cantonment pending reintegration into the Congolese society.
“Angola was due to send a military contingent in order to provide security in cantonment areas as soon as conditions are put in place in this cantonment zone. We have a prepared contingent in order to be deployed in a few days and provide security elements,” noted Lourenço.
Despite the statement, M23 rebels recently announced that they won’t accept to be brought into cantonment, shall DRC reject negotiations to discuss how their claims will be addressed.
Meanwhile, DRC says that it wants to reintegrate them but doesn’t consider talks with the rebel group.
Lourenço was also asked whether DRC fulfills its obligations to restore peace in eastern part of the country.
“The Congolese authorities are upholding the commitment. Obviously, we would like to see the timing of providing the conditions for cantonment should be shortened as much as possible.
That is not happening but we have to be confident that from now onwards, things will be done as planned. We have been in contact with Congolese authorities, President Tshisekedi has been coming to Luanda frequently for discussions on the issue of M23,” he said.
DRC has at different times accused Rwanda of backing M23 and sending troops for reinforcement even though it lacked evidences.
As a mediator, Lorenco said that has there are no issues with Rwanda regarding the situation but commended the country for assistance to engage in negotiations with M23.
“We don’t have any reason for complain with regards to Rwanda after the Addis Abeba summit. President Kagame, at my request, put Angola in contact with the leadership of M23 as we had some difficulties in contacting the rebel group’s elements.
President Paul Kagame was the person who facilitated that contact. Few days later, the M23 leadership came to Luanda. We have to be fair in recognizing that somebody who has taken steps like this is willing. There is no complaint at all,” he added.
Towards the end of last week, a regional summit on problems in DRC was convened in Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi. It was also attended by Antonio Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General who stressed the need to stick to dialogues and already established mechanisms to restore peace in Congo.
There are worries that the fighting might erupt again if DRC continues to reject negotiations with M23.
The decision was made shortly after Rubavu District was hit by disasters that claimed the lives of 26 residents earlier this week.
IGIHE has learnt that, Kambogo has been accused of dereliction of duties in providing emergency assistance to residents affected by the disasters.
Rwanda’s deputy government spokesperson, Alain Mukuralinda, told reporters on Thursday that 130 deaths have been recorded since flooding began on Tuesday evening.
“There are 77 injuries, with 36 of those individuals currently in the hospital. We also have five people missing,” he said.
Over 5,100 homes have been destroyed and another 2,500 damaged, with residents in need of relocation and shelter.
Prime Minister Édouard Ngirente visited the affected areas in western Rwanda on Thursday, and said search efforts were still underway to recover missing people, adding that the death toll could rise.
The Chairperson of Rubavu District advisory council, Dr. Kabano Habimana Ignace has told IGIHE that disaster management is not the sole reason for the dismissal of Kambogo.
He emphasized that the decision was the result of a series of failures on Kambogo’s part that had been assessed over several days.
Dr. Kabano cited failure to coordinate relevant stakeholders to work together, failure to implement recommendations from his superiors and relentless in responding to citizens’ concerns among other reasons that triggered his removal from duties.
“This issue of disasters is part of a series of faults. One mistake cannot trigger such a decision because the council reaches such a resolution after days of assessment,” noted Dr. Kabano.
The extra-ordinary meeting of the district’s advisory council that fired Kambogo was held on Friday 5th May 2023.
Assessing damages occasioned by disasters in the district was part of the meeting’s agenda.
It is expected that the vice mayor in charge of economic development will take over as acting mayor pending the replacement of Kambogo.
Dr. Kabano disclosed that efforts are underway to support disaster-hot residents where shelters are being constructed through community work.
Kambogo had been elected mayor of Rubavu District in November 2021 with 256 votes.
The Head of State made the disclosure on Friday 5th May 2023 at the at Marlborough House, the Commonwealth Secretariat Headquarters, where he joined King Charles III as well as leaders from across the Commonwealth and Secretary General, Patricia Scotland for the Commonwealth Leaders Meeting.
Kagame who is currently assuming his role as the Chair-in-Office of the Commonwealth since 2022, welcomed the leaders of the two newest Commonwealth countries (Togo and Gabon) and paid tribute to the new Commonwealth Head.
“We appreciate the King’s lifelong devotion to Commonwealth affairs, just as we remember the role of her late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, in giving the modern Commonwealth its shape and spirit,” he said.
Kagame further stressed the need to empower young people who account for 60 percent of Commonwealth population.
“Our aim is to work together within the Commonwealth to enhance the potential of our young people. There is more work to do to ensure the Commonwealth becomes more relevant and responsive to our people’s needs. This is especially fitting, as 2023 is the Commonwealth Year of Youth,” noted the President.
The meeting was held ahead of the coronation of King Charles III slated for Saturday 6th May 2023.
The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 56 independent and equal sovereign states.
Its combined population is 2.5 billion, of which more than 60 per cent is aged 29 or under. The Commonwealth Secretariat supports member countries to build democratic and inclusive institutions, strengthen governance and promote justice and human rights.
Commonwealth’s work helps to grow economies and boost trade, deliver national resilience, empower young people, and address threats such as climate change, debt, and inequality.
As the Deputy Government Spokesperson told the media on Thursday , the disasters that hit Western, Northern and Southern Provinces also left 77 people injured of whom 36 are hospitalized. The government has pledged to cover the medical expenses of the victims.
The deaths were registered in the districts of Rubavu (26), Rutsiro (27), Karongi (16), Ngororero (23), Nyabihu (18), Musanze (5), Gakenke (2), Nyamagabe (2), Burera (8), and Gicumbi (3).
Each grieving family will also receive financial assistance of Rwf100,000 per deceased person.
Among others; the disasters destroyed over 5100 houses and ravaged 17 roads.
Out of the 5,174 houses that were destroyed; 3,371 are from Rubavu district.
It is reported that more 2,510 houses were severely damaged and may collapse soon.
So far, 1,541 evacuated individuals have been at 11 designated safe areas equipped with beddings and tents. Others have been accommodated by religious institutions, schools, or kind-hearted neighbors.
Apart from residential properties, the disasters also affected several infrastructures, including eight national highways, nine roads at district level, 26 bridges, six water treatment plants, and some medical facilities such as the Shyira Hospital, five health centers, and two health posts.
Rwanda Meteorology Agency (Meteo Rwanda) recently released data forecasting a heavy rainfall in May 2023.
According to the agency’s weather forecasts, rainfall is expected to range from 50 to 200 millimeters, which is well above the usual average recorded during this time of year.
This increase in precipitation is anticipated to impact various sectors across the country.
According to a recent report by the ministry in charge of emergency management, more than 60 people were killed by disasters in the country between Jan. 1 and April 20.
Statistics also show that Rwanda loses approximately Rwf200 billion each year due to natural disasters.
The figures released on Wednesday 3rd May 2023 show that the minerals were traded between January and March 2023.
The RMB report shows that the minerals that contributed the most to the revenue were cassiterite, coltan, wolfram, gold, and other minerals.
In January, cassiterite production was 316,093 kilograms worth US$ 5,436,480, and this increased to 363,701 kilograms worth US$ 5,903,483 in March. Coltan also demonstrated a substantial increase in export revenues, reaching 213,065 kilograms worth US$ 11,415,082 in March, up from 124,514 kilograms worth US$ 5,911,646 in January.
Wolfram, which is also known as tungsten, generated 129,407 kilograms worth US$ 1,723,665 in January and increased to 231,844 kilograms worth US$ 3,261,757 in March.
Besides, gold generated the highest revenue, with 1,465 kilograms worth US$ 90,519,870 in March, compared to 870 kilograms worth USD 53,234,196.20 in January. Other minerals also contributed to the revenue, with 827,041 kilograms worth USD 2,211,749 in March.
The report shows that from January to March 2023, Rwanda exported a total of 5,925,199 kilograms of minerals, with a total value of US$ 247,480,699.40.
The revenues generated from the export of minerals are expected to contribute significantly to the country’s economic development.
The message of comfort sent by Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs reads that the country stands in solidarity with Rwandans during these difficult times.
“We are deeply saddened that more than 100 lost their lives due to the landslides and floods caused by heavy rains on 2nd May 2023 in the Western and Northern Provinces of the Republic of Rwanda,” reads the statement.
“We express our condolences and solidarity to the relatives of those who have lost their lives as well as to the friendly people and Government of Rwanda,” adds the statement.
On Tuesday evening, Rwanda’s Presidency shared a message from President Kagame who condoled with families whose relatives lost lives during the disasters.
He also expressed solidarity with those who were wounded and assured that rescue interventions were ongoing in the affected districts of Rubavu, Ngororero, Nyabihu, Rutsiro, Karongi, Gakenke, Burera, Musanze and Nyamagabe in Western, Northern and Southern Provinces.
Rwanda and Türkiye enjoy vibrant relations reinforced through cooperation in the areas of diplomacy, investment and trade among others.
Both countries are connected through daily flights operated by Turkish Airlines.
In February this year; Turkish Ambassador to Rwanda, Aslan Alper Yüksel thanked Rwanda for having stood in solidarity with the country when earthquake that hit the country took lives of around 60,000 people.
Apart from Turkey, AUC Chairperson, Musa Faki Mahamat has also expressed solidarity with Rwandans.
“My thoughts and prayers go to the families of the more than 127 people who lost their lives and those left homeless by devastating landslides caused by heavy rains in Rwanda’s Southern, Western and Northern provinces. In full solidarity with the government and people of Rwanda,” he tweeted.
Chinese Embassy in Rwanda has also took to Twitter to express ‘deep condolences over those lost their lives in the disasters caused by recent heavy rains and sincere sympathies to their families, as well as to the injured and disaster-hit people’.
“We stand with our Rwanda friends and believe Rwanda will get over the hard times,” reads part of the tweet.
Other well-wishers who expressed solidarity with Rwandans via Twitter include the Country Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rwanda, Coumba Dieng Sow.
She said that she was deeply saddened by the loss of lives and destruction caused by floods in Rwanda and promised support.
“I have assured the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources of Rwanda and FAO ‘s commitment to supporting their efforts to restore agricultural livelihoods affected by this disaster and protect lives,” added Coumba.
The World Bank Group Country Manager for Rwanda, Rolande Pryce, also said that their thoughts and prayers are with the citizens who experienced the severe flooding and particularly those who lost their lives and their grieving families.
“May the departed Rest in Peace eternally,” she noted.
As at Wednesday evening, the death toll had risen to 130.
The official launch of the Kigali Cargo Hub on Wednesday 3rd May 2023 was marked with the arrival of a new Qatar Airways Cargo Boeing 777 freighter that was welcomed with a water salute
The launch was officiated by Guillaume Halleux, Chief Officer, Cargo, Qatar Airways, and Yvonne Makolo, Chief Executive Officer, RwandAir.
As an official release from Qatar Airways Cargo indicates, the Boeing 777 aircraft will operate a biweekly service from Doha to Kigali.
Qatar Airways Cargo has also introduced an intra-Africa service connecting Kigali and Lagos (thrice per week), and a weekly service from Istanbul via Doha to Kigali, both operated by an Airbus A310 aircraft. New destinations from Kigali will be announced shortly, according to the release.
In preparation for the Kigali Cargo Hub launch, QAS Cargo, a subsidiary of Qatar Airways, provided consultancy support to RwandAir Cargo to enhance its cargo handling performance.
QAS Cargo visited the cargo handling facilities and presented RwandAir with a detailed action plan for operational improvements and handling performance.
Both teams are now working together on a future roadmap, which includes a proposed improvement plan for warehouse infrastructure as part of a long-term strategic plan for RwandAir’s cargo division.
Halleux commented on the partnership, stating that Africa is one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, requiring investment in logistics infrastructures.
Qatar Airways Cargo’s support for RwandAir’s cargo ambitions is a logical step considering the long-standing bilateral trade agreements between Qatar and Rwanda.
Customers will benefit from a reliable intra-African network via the Kigali hub, enhanced service levels, and cost synergies. The partnership aims to establish Kigali as the Central African hub in preparation for the next generation of air cargo on the rapidly growing continent.
Qatar Airways Cargo currently serves 28 cities in Africa, carrying up to 2,800 tonnes to and from the continent with a combination of freighter and belly-hold services.
The airline’s freighter fleet comprises two Boeing 747-8 freighters, two Boeing 747-400 freighters, 26 Boeing 777 freighters, and one Airbus 310 freighter. Qatar Airways Cargo covers a global network of over 60 freighter destinations and 150 passenger destinations utilizing freighters and belly-hold passenger flights.
The CEO of RwandAir, Yvonne Makolo told the media that the new Kigali Cargo Hub will open up new cargo opportunities across Africa.
“Africa is home to a hugely diverse economy, with businesses and entrepreneurs looking for better connections to create new markets and expand inward investment. Together, we have created a fantastic new facility to meet this growing demand across Africa.”
The disasters have claimed lives of 127 people not including injured people, ravaged crops and infrastructures.
In a message released by Rwanda’s Presidency, President Kagame also expressed solidarity with those wounded.
The Head of State said that rescue interventions are ongoing in the affected districts including Rubavu, Ngororero, Nyabihu, Rutsiro, Karongi, Gakenke, Burera, Musanze and Nyamagabe in order to secure enangered citizens.
They include evacuation and temporary relocation of residents from affected and high-risk areas while rains are ongoing.
“Teams are already deployed to affected districts to provide required assistance,” reads the message adding that the command center is actively coordinating emergency response.
“Relevant institutions will continuously liaise with districts to coordinate all required interventions. We thank the residents of the affected districts for their collaboration, and we are making every effort to ensure their safety and wellbeing,” adds the statement.
Rwanda Meteorology Agency (Meteo Rwanda) recently released data forecasting a heavy rainfall in May 2023.
According to the agency’s weather forecasts, rainfall is expected to range from 50 to 200 millimeters, which is well above the usual average recorded during this time of year.
This increase in precipitation is anticipated to impact various sectors across the country.
According to a recent report by the ministry in charge of emergency management, more than 60 people were killed by disasters in the country between Jan. 1 and April 20.
Munyeshyaka who has been living in France since 1994 was granted assylum on 30th July 2021. His dismissal was communicated by Bishop of Evreux, Christian Nourrichard, on May 2.
The letter addressed to Wenceslas Munyeshyaka reads that he is exempt from ‘all obligations arising from sacred ordination, automatically loses all the rights specific to the clerical state, is excluded from the exercise of the sacred ministry and cannot function as lector or acolyte, nor to celebrate communion nowhere’.
It further reads that the dismissed priest should avoid places where his previous status is known.
Bishop Nourrichard noted that the Pope’s decree took immediate effect.
The reason for the Pope’s decision was not communicated in the letter sent to Munyeshyaka by Nourrichard, but Munyeshyaka had previously been suspended from clerical duties in 2021 after it was discovered that he had sired a son in 2010.
Munyeshyaka is accused of masterminding Genocide against the Tutsi in various parts of Kigali, including at Saint Famille Catholic Church, where he was a priest in 1994.
IGIHE has learnt that the dismissal of Munyeshyaka is not related to accusations regarding his role in Genocide against the Tutsi.
Instead, it is associated with punishments he received since 2021 regarding the confirmation of a child he fathered.
In 2018, French judiciary had decided not to sue Munyeshyaka over alleged role in 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi citing lack of enough evidences.
Arrest warrants issued against him indicated that Munyeshyaka was involved in the preparation nd Genocide against the Tutsi and attended meeting that were convened by the former head of Kigali Prefecture, Tharcisse Renzaho and Gen Munyakazi who was convicted of role in the Genocide.
He was also accused of rape, shooting dead four people between April and June 1994 and a role in the murder of 60 people from different places killed at Rugenge Sector.
Munyeshyaka had been convicted of genocide crimes in absentia by Gacaca courts in 2006 and had faced further charges at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda.
