Details about his death emerged in the evening of Tuesday 7th March 2023 but it is said that he breathed the last on Monday.
A source has 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.
The Office of UK Prime Minister has announced that both leaders held a phone conversation on Monday 6thn March 2023.
“The Prime Minister and President Kagame also discussed the concerning escalation in violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo and international efforts to support a lasting peaceful resolution,” reads part of the statement.
Kagame recently said that security crisis in DRC is a problem of the country noting that Rwanda has never harboured intentions to destabilize the neioghbouring country.
Meanwhile, Congolese leaders relentlessly accuse Rwanda of supporting M23 rebel group in a fighting with Congolese Army (FARDC). Rwanda has repeatedly denied the allegations but accused Congo of working with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a terrorist group formed by individuals responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
“In my view, there is nothing like eastern Congo’s problem. […] It is actually Congo’s problem and a regional problem, meaning it affects even neighbours. If we are referring to Rwanda, you wouldn’t say Northern Rwanda problem because it is neighbouring with eastern Congo and the spillovers of problems mainly come to the north of the country. That doesn’t make it a northern Rwanda problem. It makes Rwanda’s problem. I want us to understand that eastern Congo’s problem is Congo’s problem,” he said.
“This problem has a very long history in terms of the cause of that. But it also has a long history of how it has been mismanaged from the beginning. That is why it was there for over 20 years. If you look at the attention that has been paid to this so-called eastern Congo’s problem, it is so much that one would think we should have got a solution. So, it has been there for long and has been mismanaged for very long,” added Kagame.
The Head of State further said that the issue was discussed for long during meetings of the African Union, others held in Kenya, Angola and at the level of the United Nations.
“The other day we were supposed to go and meet in Qatar over the same problem. That didn’t happen but, may be, it is going to happen in the near future,” he noted.
The statement also indicates that both leaders discussed the UK-Rwanda migration partnership and ‘joint efforts to break the business model of criminal people smugglers and address humanitarian issues’.
The leaders committed to continue working together to ensure ‘this important partnership is delivered successfully’.
The assessment conducted by the United Kingdom indicated that the first batch of migrants might be deported to Rwanda in 2024.
Rwanda and UK signed the Migration and Economic Development partnership signed in April last year.
Through this deal, the UK 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.
The visit known as “Ad limina Apostolorum” is scheduled between 6th and 11th March 2023.
‘An ad limina’ is an obligatory visit made by all bishops to Rome during which they pray at the tombs of St. Peter and St. Paul. In addition, they meet with Pope Francis and Vatican officials and present a quinquennial report of their respective diocese.
The Archbishop of Kigali, Cardinal Antoine Kambanda has said that bishops in this visit meet with Pope Francis for presentation of a report on state of Catholic Church and evangelization in Rwanda over the past five years.
They also share challenges, new plans whereafter they receive advise and message to deliver to Christians.
Apart from meeting with Pope, Cardinal Kambanda disclosed that they also hold talks with other senior members of the Catholic Church and Vatican’s top leadership.
He explained that a lot has been achieved by the Catholic Church following the previous visit in 2014, such as the increase of Christians, priests, members of the clergy, Christian families and parishes among others.
These activities go hand in hand with the ‘quasquicentennial jubilee’ (125th anniversary) since evangelization was introduced in Rwanda.
Cardinal Kambanda said that they have a many things to be discussed with Pope Francis.
“Normally, we have a message to share with him during such the visit. As the church is expanding with new parishes and increase of Christians, we need new dioceses,” he said.
“It is about learning how larger dioceses can be split to get closer to Christians even further. It is within our powers as bishops to establish new parishes but only the Pope can decide on the creation of a new diocese,” added Kambanda.
Besides, newly created congregations need approval by the Pope.
“We are grateful to God that we have a large number of young people willing to serve God not only through usual congregations but also newly created ones that still need the Catholic Church’s approval. This is among other issues to be discussed with His Holiness,” she revealed.
A mass is expected to be celebrated at the tomb of Saint Peter during this visit.
Rwandan Bishops will also meet with the Secretariat of Vatican which oversees foreign relations.
Cardinal Kambanda also disclosed that they want to hold talks with the church’s body responsible for canonization.
“We have God’s servants Cyprien Rugamba and Daphrose Mukansanga and children. We made request to have them named venerable. The Pope’s office in charge is reviewing it. We will discuss with them on the progress and when to expect answer,” he noted.
Their itinerary shows that the bishops will meet with Pope Francis on Friday 10th March, Vatican’s secretariat on 9th March and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Evangelization on 7rh March 2023.
Pope Francis invites bishops to present the quinquinnal report. Rwanda’s invitation was sent early December 2022.
The previous visit was held between 25th March and 3rd April 2014.
It has however been almost nine years without holding the visit due to COVID-19 related restrictions.
Moreover, dioceses increased to 3,017 that the Pope that it would like to meet more than one bishop per day yet he is in advanced age with other duties.
It had also taken seven years for Rwandan bishops to go in Vatican for the visit in 2014.
He made the revelation on Sunday following repetitive provocations by soldiers of the Congolese Army (FARDC) to Rwanda. Of recent, a Congolese soldier was shot dead on Rwandan territory in Rubavu District after opening fire at Rwandan soldiers manning the border area.
As a team from the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism (EJVM) investigated the incident on Saturday, Congolese people threw stones in Rwanda prompting Rwandan soldiers to fire warning shots.
Similar incidents involving soldiers storming Rwandan territory, no man’s land and opening fire at Rwandan soldiers have happened three times.
DRC’s fighter jets have also violated Rwandan airspace three times.
Among others, Congolese soldiers in collaboration the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a terrorist group formed by individuals responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi shelled rockets on Rwandan territory at different times last year.
Commenting on the provocations while appearing in a talk show with RBA on Sunday 5th March 2023, Mukuralinda said that the reactions by Congolese soldiers are often fuelled by statements or behaviours of the country’s leaders.
“This can be looked at in two ways. The first is provocation but when you analyze the frequency, there are also recurrent statements by Congolese leaders prompting some soldiers to put into action what they heard,” he observed.
“When you always tell somebody that Rwanda is an enemy […] sounding it every day, one of people with guns might say ‘we are always told that these guys are enemies, why can’t I cross to shot them’.”
On the other hand, Mukuralinda disclosed that DRC might be attempting to drag Rwanda into a war.
He explained that the incident that happened towards the end of last week was more severe because it involved the exchange of fire between both countries’ soldiers. Mukuralinda however reassured residents that their security is guaranteed.
“The most important thing is that no one died or injured on our side. It was highlighted through the recently released statement that Rwanda’s and its people’s security is guaranteed,” he noted.
“It is not surprising […] measures have been taken, we have soldiers, we have weapons and all necessary preparations have been made that it won’t surprise us. Provocations will continue but we won’t be caught into that trap,” added Mukuralinda.
He further disclosed that Rwanda will continue to safeguard territorial integrity irrespective of the provocations by Congolese soldiers.
“If they cross the area, they can be dealt with appropriately,” assured Mukuralinda.
Rwanda and DRC have been experiencing stained relations following the resurgence of M23 rebel group towards the end of 2021.
DRC accuses Rwanda of backing M23, which has been claiming for rights of Kinyarwanda-speaking communities. However, Rwanda repeatedly denied the allegations but accused DRC of forming a coalition with FDLR.
Since tensions escalated between Rwanda and DRC, different resolutions have been reached to solve the problem through established regional processes but Congolese leaders reportedly failed to implement them.
These reactions saw the country’s President boycotting his participation in a recent meeting in Doha, Qatar to mend ties between Rwanda and DRC.
Rwanda’s Presidency has revealed that Amb. Nibigira and his delegation were received by President Kagame on Sunday 5th March 2023 where the special envoy relayed the message from Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye to his counterpart of Rwanda.
Also present at the event were Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr. Vincent Biruta and the Head of Defence Intelligence in Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), RDF, Maj Gen Vincent Nyakarundi.
Ndayishimiye is the current Chairperson of the East African Community (EAC).
He sends the envoy at the time when security continues to worsen in eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Meanwhile, Kagame went to Burundi last month to attend EAC Heads of State Summit on security situation in eastern DRC.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Kagame also held bilateral talks with his counterpart of Burundi, Ndayishimiye.
It was considered a great milestone towards normalization of ties between the two neighbouring countries which experienced strained relations at the regime of former Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza.
Burundi accused Rwanda of backing the country’s dissidents while Rwanda accused the neighbouring country of working with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a terrorist group formed by individuals responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Ndayishimiye has shown willingness to mend ties with Rwanda while the heads of state have been exchanged messages at different times.
At the time, the Deputy Spokesperson of the Government of Rwanda, Alain Mukuralinda told IGIHE that Kagame would not have gone to the country had relations been in a bad state.
He explained that bilateral relations are returning to normal where pending issues that might arise can be addressed.
On another note, Manasseh Nshuti, Rwanda’s State Minister for EAC said that the exchange of visits between provincial official between both countries has been a symbol of vibrant relations.
She made the donation during her visit to the hospital on Friday 3rd March 2023 to witness how her previous funding is saving lives of prematurely born-babies.
Rolland founded Maisha Africa after visiting Rwanda in 2000 which has been raising funds for various activities aimed at helping children in Rwanda, especially survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
In 2020, Rolland had donated medical equipment worth Rfw69 million meant to save lives of premature babies at the health facility.
Speaking to IGIHE after the visit; Dr. Philbert Muhire, the Director General of Ruhengeri Referral Hospital said that Rolland has had a great attachment to the health facility for long.
“She has been giving us equipment to improve neonatology services, save lives of premature babies or others born with complications. Today, Rolland was taken on a tour at the neonatology section to witness the impact of her donation and extend the support. She has pledged around 30,000 Euros for the hospital to buy more equipment and improve neonatology services,” he said.
Dr. Muhire also extolled Rolland for her continued support through Maisha Africa.
“We are particularly very grateful for her support. Even though Rolland lives in France, she has roots in Rwanda and attaches great relevance to her bonds with Rwanda as well as our hospital. We thank her for the generosity and willingness to take care of patients,” he noted.
Three years ago, Rolland donated Rwf69 million to Ruhengeri Hospital to buy medical equipment. They included radiant warmers, emergency trolley, monitoring machines, resuscitation kits, ultrasound machine, phototherapy machine and blood gases analysis machine among other equipment for neonatal intensive care unit.
During an exclusive interview with IGIHE, Rolland expressed satisfaction with what she has so far achieved through Maisha Africa and talked about her attachment to Northern Province.
“I have a strong attachment to this region. My mother was from Ruhengeri, my aunt Charlotte worked at this hospital and my grandfather was at this hospital before fleeing during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi,” she said.
“They rescued him because they brought him in a camp. I have a strong bond with this town because it is my mother’s home,” added Rolland.
She explained that provided equipment have helped the hospital a great deal as the support ‘reduced almost a half the deaths of babies’.
“I learnt about it last year. I was very excited because I always want to do more. Besides, there are women who return to thank Maisha Africa because of that. It was a great achievement,” noted Rolland.
Rolland created Maisha Africa in 2001 after visiting Rwanda in 2000 along with her family following her selection as Miss France.
She had left the country in Rwanda in 1990.
“At the time, I met with different non-governmental organizations. I was very touched by orphans of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi heading families when I came to Rwanda,” recounted Rolland.
As she said, the orphans included children of her age. Rolland was 19 years old when she created Maisha Africa Association.
The orphans’ ordeal inspired her to create Maisha Africa to raise funding to improve their wellbeing.
“These orphans had painful stories. I initially created the project to help orphans. The initial project was later expanded to support vulnerable children in general. The project started renovating houses of Genocide orphans in Kimironko and other places. We are glad that these children have become adults today,” said Rolland.
Among others, the charity foundation also rehabilitated the former Gisimba orphanage whose name was changed to Gisimba Memorial Centre and built a nursery school in Ntarama of Bugesera District among others.
“It induces great pride because my association has impacted children in different aspects and contributed to national development and emotional stability of many kids,” observed Rolland.
Currently, Rolland has drawn attention to another project to foster women’s development in Rwanda through beekeeping. It is being implemented through an organization dubbed ‘L’Observatoir Français d’Apidologie (OFA).
The incident occurred in the evening of Friday 3rd March 2023.
According to a statement released by Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), the a soldier of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) crossed over from his country at around 17h35 on Friday and shot at RDF soldiers manning the common border between Grande Barrière and Petite Barrière in Rubavu District, in Rwanda’s Western Province.
The statement further reads that ‘RDF soldiers returned fire, killing the FARDC soldier on the Rwandan side of the border’.
“Several other FARDC soldiers fired at the RDF position resulting in a brief exchange of fire. The situation is now calm,” adds the statement.
RDF has revealed that it formally communicated the incident to the Extended Joint Verification Mechanism (EJVM).
The latter is among many similar incidents where DR Congo soldiers have been reported to have violated Rwandan territory.
The reason for storming Rwandan territory remains unknown but the incident happens amidst ongoing tensions between Rwanda and DRC which accused the neighbouring country of supporting M23 rebel group in a fighting with FARDC.
Rwanda has repeatedly denied the allegations and advised DRC to solve internal problems appropriately instead of leaning on blame games.
In November last year, another Congolese soldier was shot dead in Rubavu District as he opened fire on Rwandan soldiers while on patrol.
Introduced in 2020 the program is aimed at boosting economic recovery efforts by attracting private sector investments with specific incentives for the manufacturing, construction and real estate development sectors. The sectors were selected given their high potential for increasing private investments, generating export revenues and creating productive jobs.
Since its inception, the program has attracted investments worth over US$ 1.7 billion that will create over 36,000 jobs. This is against the initial target of US$ 1.17 billion investments and 27,000 jobs.
In his keynote address at the forum that attracted over 600 participants on Thursday 2nd March 2023, Prime Minister Ngirente said that the incentives offered under the program are very unique and extensive.
He expressed optimism that they will contribute significantly towards scaling investment projects, exploring additional opportunities within value chains or starting new business ventures.
“Given the positive impact of the MBRP over the last two years, it is evident that we need more of such innovative and targeted interventions to address our unique challenges and achieve our ambitious aspirations,” noted Premier Ngirente.
Clare Akamanzi, the Chief Executive Officer at the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) said that extending the program is crucial for Rwanda’s economy especially in building resilience amid the unstable global economic environment.
“This means that members of the private sector can continue to benefit from the very specialised incentives that this program offers for another two years. The Government of Rwanda remains committed to listening to you and your experiences investing in Rwanda and sometimes even adjusting policies to respond to what you tell them,” she disclosed.
During the forum, members of the private sector shared some of the advantages of the program.
“Investing in real estate right after Covid-19 was not easy but with the incentives [under MBRP], the project became more affordable. And now with the program being extended, we are looking forward to working on a new project,” said Moise Nsengiyumva, Chairman of Wild Urban International Developments Limited.
The forum featured networking and learning sessions with a range of topics discussed including Rwanda’s Investment Code, Special Economic Zones and Export Development, taxation, advantages of trading through the African Free Continental Area (AfCFTA) and project financing.
An exhibition was also held on the sidelines of the forum. It featured a showcase of the top 100 investment opportunities that the private sector can tap into and access incentives under the Manufacture and Build to Recover Program.
The appointment was announced on Thursday 2nd March 2023 through a communiqué released by the Office of Prime Minister.
The communiqué also announced the appointment of Dr. Telesphore Ndabamenye as the Director General of Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) and Ms. Clarisse Umutoni as the Chied Financial Officer at RAB.
Dr. Musafiri has been serving as the State Minister in MINAGRI since August 2022.
Prior to his appointment last year, Dr. Musafiri was the Executive Director of the Strategy and Policy Council (SPC) in the Office of the President of the Republic of Rwanda for 6 years.
Formerly a member of the board of directors of the National Bank of Rwanda since April 2018, he is also an Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Rwanda, College of Business and Economics, where he previously served as Lecturer and Head of the Economics Department.
His research focused on development economics and policy, particularly the analysis of poverty and inequality, agricultural growth, and food policy.
Dr. Musafiri earned his Ph.D. in agricultural economics from the University of Bonn (Germany) and a M.Sc. in applied economics from the University of Rwanda.
He becomes Minister at a time when food prices continue to rise in Rwanda.
During the recently concluded National Dialogue Council (Umushyikirano), Dr. Musafiri said that increasing irrigated fields, facilitating easy access to fertilizers, appropriately handling agricultural produce, staying closer to farmers, easing access to loans and insurance schemes would help the country achieve food sufficiency.
Dr. Ndabamenye named Director General of RAB has been serving as an advisor in MINAGRI.
He replaces Dr. Alexandre Rutikanga who held the position for one month since 31st January 2023.
As he interacted with the youth in December last year, Tshisekedi commented on Kagame’s previous statement that DRC crisis emanates from the country’s leadership which always seeks to externalize its problems.
Instead of proving him wrong, Tshisekedi overlooked the presence of over 120 armed groups in his country and weak army that failed to annihilate them but started blaming Rwanda.
“Rwandans are our brothers and sisters. They need our help to liberate […] They are brothers and need our support to liberate them against leaders holding them back,” he said.
During a press conference held on Wednesday 1st March 2023, following the 18th edition of National Dialogue Council (Umushyikirano), President Kagame reminisced on Congo’s problems noting that the country continues to retain FDLR under plans to threaten Rwanda’s security.
“FDLR is actually welcome in the eastern Congo. But the rest should go back to Rwanda. The reason why they retain FDLR is because they think they can build around it for so long. They have been trying to do that for a force that would come and destabilize Rwanda,” he stated.
“I think the president of Congo, at one point, it must have escaped from his thoughts. Remember when he said he was going to bring regime change in Rwanda, of course I didn’t take that seriously. He must have been joking and he is allowed to make those jokes,” noted Kagame.
The Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) is a terrorist group formed by individuals responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The Head of State said that the problem of FDLR has existed for long but was overlooked many times yet it is an armed group being supplied with more weapons.
He also recollected attacks plotted by the terrorist group on Rwandan territory in Kinigi in 2019 noting that attackers used weapons received from Congolese government.
Kagame has however disclosed that Rwanda has reinforced security at its border with the neighbouring country and assured citizens that their security is guaranteed.
