The first stage of this year’s edition held for the 15th time saw riders setting off from Kigali Golf Resort & Villas to cross the finishing line in Rwamagana District.
Vernon emerged winner of the first stage held on Sunday 19th February 2023 after making a breakaway from the peloton in few meters before reaching the finishing line.
Emilien Jeannière riding for TotalEnergies emerged second followed by Mulueberhan Henok of Green Project Bardiani cycling team and Fiorelli Filipo from the same team.
This year’s race is the fifth edition since Tour du Rwanda was upgraded to UCI 2.1 category in 2019.
Moïse Mugisha riding for Team Rwanda, was the top performing Rwandan Munyarwanda where he was the 21st to cross the finishing line clocking the same time used by other riders in his peloton.
Other riders in the same peloton include Masengesho (Team Rwanda), Muhoza Eric (Bike Aid) and Bigirimana Jean Nepo (May Stars).
British national Chris Froome from Israel-Premier Tech participating in Tour du Rwanda for the first time emerged 44th.
Tour du Rwanda 2023 will continue on Monday 20th February 2023 with the second stage from Kigali Car Free Zone to Gisagara district covering 132.9 kilometers.
At 93 riders are participating in this year’s race.
Amb. Gatete made the disclosure on Thursday as he attended the committee briefing by the Group of Experts on the DRC which released a report towards the end of 2022.
The report was published amidst problems facing the country including the fighting between Congolese Army (FARDC) and M23 rebel group as well as the violence against Kinyarwanda-speaking communities, particularly of Tutsi ethnicity.
Amb. Gatete reminisced on violence in the country that has seen over 80,000 Congolese fleeing to Rwanda.
Since November 2022, Rwanda has been receiving at least more than 100 Congolese refugees every day.
“The narrative by DRC thus far is that Rwanda is the aggressor, and DRC is the perpetual victim. This is in spite of the fact that DRC lacks political commitment to implement the existing agreements and regional mechanisms, including the Luanda Roadmap and the Nairobi Process,” he said.
Considering the situation, Amb. Gatete called on the international community for action.
“It’s now time for the international community to recognize the plight of the Congolese Tutsi and take decisive action to hold accountable all those responsible to save millions of lives currently at stake in Congo,” he noted.
“The international community’s silence means a direct endorsement of atrocity crimes against these people,” he added.
Amb. Gatete reiterated Rwanda’s commitment to regional mechanisms and dialogue towards security in the region and called for decisive action to finally take place.
Figures from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Rwanda chapter, indicate that 4,176 Congolese sought refuge in Rwanda between November 2022 and 1st February 2023.
They are accommodated in Mahama camp and transit centers of Kijote and Nkamira in the districts of Rubavu and Nyabihu.
The majority of these refugees are from Northern Kivu Province in the regions of Masisi and Rutshuru.
BPR Bank was established in 1975 in Kabarondo as people’s bank and later opened branches in different parts of the country.
The goal was to enhance access to financial services among citizens. Members paid contributions and bought cheque books to help them in cash deposits and withdrawal transactions.
The founding members and those who joined the bank until 2007, became shareholders following the merger of operations across all branches and reforms that saw the former financial institution which operated as savings and credit cooperative becoming a commercial bank.
Apart from the reforms, BPR was sold to various firms namely RaboBank, Atlas Mara and most recently, KCB Bank.
The latest acquisition saw the bank changing its name to BPR Bank Rwanda Plc. KCB owns 87.56% shares in the bank while shareholders have 12.44%.
Some shareholders say that they do not have information on the state of their shares, profit and decisions taken at different times.
Speaking during the presentation of resolutions reached by the Quarterly Monetary Policy and Financial Stability Committee on Thursday 16th February 2023; the Central Bank Governor, John Rwangombwa said that the issue of BPR shareholders is set to be addressed.
“Some shareholders owning 17% have been identified. […] After acquiring BPR recently, KCB gave interested shareholders the option of buying their shares as the case for Atlas Mara,” he said.
Rwangombwa disclosed that there are many shareholders who could not be traced yet their shares are still valid. Announcements have been placed encouraging owners to declare their shares.
“We have set the deadline to address the issues this year. Shares belonging to those who will not have made declarations, will be kept in government’s coffers for abandoned properties. Meanwhile, others are available and work with new investors,” noted Rwangombwa.
On the recent hindrances that saw BPR clients struggling to withdraw their money, Rwangombwa explained that it resulted from system upgrade to streamline services.
He disclosed that the integration of the banks into one organization and transition from the former core banking system led to service interruptions.
Apart from the delay in cash withdrawals, Rwangombwa assured that clients’ funds are safe noting that the issues have been almost addressed.
Kagame arrived in Ethiopia on Thursday 16th February. The summit is expected to be held between 18th and 19th February 2023.
The 36th Ordinary Session of the Heads of State and Government of the AU is organized by the African Union Commission (AUC).
The opening ceremony of the AU Summit will take place in the presence of the leadership and officials of the AU Commission, Ministers and Ambassadors from the AU Member States, officials of AU organs and offices and partners.
President Kagame is also expected to attend meetings of heads of state on security situation eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
It will come after the previous one on security problems in DRC held on 4th February 2023 in Burundi.
The Heads of State and Government at their 36th Ordinary Session are expected to consider among others, the draft agenda, draft decisions and declarations of the Assembly for adoption, submitted by the 42nd Ordinary Session of the Executive Council held prior to the summit on 15 and 16 February 2023.
The summit will also examine strategic status report of their session such as the Report on the Institutional Reforms of the AU to be presented by President Paul Kagame, the Report on the activities of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) and the state of peace and security in Africa, the Report on global political, financial and energy policy governance, to be presented by Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal and the Report on global food crisis.
Reports of Heads of State and Government committees of the Assembly notably, the Reports of the forum of Heads of State and Government participating in the African Peer Review Mechanism APRM forum) by Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone and Chairperson of the African peer review mechanism (APRM) , the Report of the AUDA-NEPAD Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee , and the Report of the AU Committee of Ten (C-10) Heads of State and Government on the Reform of the UN Security Council, will also be considered during the summit.
Reports of the Leaders on specific thematic issues such as the Annual Report of the AUC Chairperson including the Champions reports, the report on the African Union response on Covid-19 pandemic in Africa, by Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa and AU Champion for the Covid-19 pandemic response, Report on the evaluation of the First-Ten Year Implementation Plan (STYIP) by Alassane Ouattara, President of the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire and the report on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by Mahamadou Issoufou, former President of the Republic of Niger and leader on AfCFTA, including the report of the Committee of the African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC), will also be discussed during the summit, before concluding on the adoption of the date and venue of the 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union and the date and venue of the 5th Mid-Year Coordination meeting.
Among the high moment during the summit will be the appointment of the Director General of Africa CDC and the appointment of One (1) Member of the AU Board of External Auditors, for the Two-Year Term, 2022 and 2023
He made the disclosure on Wednesday 15th February 2023 after Congolese soldiers entered the no man’s land on the side of Rusizi District and shot Rwanda’s border post where Rwandan soldiers responded and repelled them.
After the incident, Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) announced that FARDC forces involved in the provocation were estimated to be about one section (12 to 14 soldiers).
Speaking to RBA, Mukuralinda has said that the latest incident is a testament of ongoing provocations by DRC but assured that there is no war between both countries.
“There is no war because it is not Rwanda’s option. The country has clearly indicated this and the statement still stands. Rwanda believes that the problem will be solved through peaceful process,” he said.
“We don’t need a war but Rwanda will defend itself against attacks and fight when it is dragged into a war. When it comes to provocations, it is another issue. The latest incident is part of ongoing provocations,” added Mukuralinda.
He has also disclosed that DRC’s continued provocations to Rwanda signals lack of willingness to find a solution for insecurity in eastern part of the country.
“It reflects what we have been saying that Congo did not implement Luanda resolutions on its side […] if the country declined to do so and witnessed no changes in the situation, it attempts provocations,” said Mukuralinda.
As for the incident in Rusizi, he observed that DR Congo might announce the opposite that Rwandan soldiers entered the country’s territory.
Before concluding his term, Kagame chaired the 40th session of AUDA-NEPAD Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee on Wednesday 15th February 2023 which discussed health, infrastructure financing and elected President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi as the new Chair of the AUDA-NEPAD HSGOC.
It was also attended by Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs and Ambassador Nkengasong as partners.
The Head of State commended AUDA-NEPAD for working closely with regional economic communities and member states to set up regional health financing hubs.
As highlighted during the second Dakar Financing Summit hosted by President Mack Sall recently, Kagame reminded participants that the continent’s infrastructure remains weak yet the world continued to experience difficult times last year.
The President underscored that he shared Africa’s perspective on these pressing issues as he attended G20 and the Effective Development Cooperation Summit on behalf of AUDA-NEPAD.
“First, I mentioned that higher borrowing costs are deepening Africa’s debt burden. But there are tools to get our economies back on track,” he said.
Of these, Kagame pointed out the International Monetary Fund’s new Resilience and Sustainability Trust, and the Debt Service Suspension Initiative.
Secondly, the Head of State emphasized that Africa continues to lag behind in terms of pharmaceutical production where the continent’s efforts to bridge this gap ‘are crucial to our health security’.
Thirdly, Kagame highlighted that what Africa needs is peace when it comes to geopolitical conflict.
He also mentioned how Africa has been disproportionally affected by the rise in food and fertilizer prices.
To better support the implementation of AUDA-NEPAD programs, Kagame observed that the agency needs to be financed in a predictable and sustainable manner given that it has fallen significantly as voluntary contributions have declined, hence increasing dependence of development partners.
“These issues need to be addressed. Otherwise, it is like saying, that we do not need the work which AUDA-NEPAD is charged with doing on our behalf.
As I conclude my term as Chair, I take this opportunity to thank all of you, along with our partners, for the continued dedication to Africa’s development. Let’s continue working together to meet our objectives,” he said.
Kagame has been chairing the AUDA-NEPAD Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee since 2020.
The statement released by RDF reads that the intruders have been dealt with and assured that the situation is calm at the border.
“On Wednesday morning at 4h30, FARDC forces estimated to be about one section (12 to 14 soldiers) entered the No Man’s Land between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) bordering Rusizi District in Western Province, and opened fire at our border post. Our security forces responded and FARDC soldiers withdrew,” reads the statement in part.
“At 0554hrs, FARDC forces visited the scene and cleaned up the area. There were no casualties on the Rwanda side and the situation is calm,” adds the statement.
RDF has requested the Expanded Joint verification Mechanism and the Ad Hoq Verification Mechanism ‘to investigate this act of provocation’.
Congo’s provocation to Rwanda is not happening for the first time. In June last year, the country’s soldier stormed Rwandan territory through the small border in Rubavu.
He was shot dead after opening rapid fire on civilians crossing the border and police officers on patrol.
In November 2022, another soldier of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was shot dead after crossing to Rwanda.
The incident occurred in Gasutamo Village, Mbugangari Cell of Gisenyi Sector in Rubavu District in the night of Friday leading to Saturday 19th November 2022.
At the time, RDF released a statement indicating that the soldier had crossed through the small border between the two countries in Rubavu District and started shooting at Rwandan soldiers on patrol, which prompted them to shot him dead.
Commenting on the incident; Congolese Army spokesman in Northern Kivu, Lt Col Guillaume Ndjike Kaiko confirmed to the media that the soldier shot dead was from FARDC.
“Following an investigation, we have established that he is a soldier of Congo who was recently deployed to Northern Kivu. He knew well border demarcations between Rwanda and Congo,” he said.
He further stated that the soldier was on patrol along with colleagues and mistakenly crossed the border between Rwanda and DRC.
The Congolese soldier killed in November last year in 50 meters from no man’s land, was the third shot dead at the border between the two countries in 2022.
Apart from soldiers reported to have stormed Rwandan territory, DRC’s fighter jets have also violated Rwanda’s airspace at different times. Similar incident recently saw Rwandan soldiers firing at the country’s warplane which returned to Goma burning on its left wing.
The disclosure was made on Wednesday 15th February 2023 by the new NEC Chairperson, Oda Gasinzigwa after swearing-in before the President of Supreme Court, Faustin Ntezilyayo.
Gasinzigwa told the media that NEC has been undergoing process to overhaul elections’ preparations in consideration of other countries best practices.
Normally, presidential and parliamentary elections in Rwanda are held in different years given that the duration of their terms were not equal. The President would run office for seven years while parliamentarians had to stay in office for the duration of five years.
However, the presidential term will be reduced from seven to five years effective next year as per revised Constitution in 2015.
“Synchronizing the elections is important […] Following senate’s approval, I took time, approached the National Electoral Commission and other partners for discussions on synchronization of those events,” said Gasinzigwa.
One of pointed out reasons for the proposal is related to financial constraints as elections require huge budget.
“It would be a good move. There have been consultations on the possible synchronization of presidential with parliamentary elections. It will be very helpful because the budget for elections is not only a serious challenge to all countries but also to political parties,” noted Gasinzigwa.
“You know that political parties spend a lot of money during elections’ preparations […] the synchronization would help us a great deal in terms of saving time and the budget ,” she added.
Gasinzigwa appealed on concerned institutions to discuss the proposal and expressed optimism that it will be endorsed.
If the proposed changes go into force, the term for parliamentarians will be extended by one year to end in 2024.
The synchronization of presidential and parliamentary elections is common among Commonwealth countries.
NEC Executive Secretary, Charles Munyaneza has told journalists that spending much on elections would be addressed once the proposal is welcomed.
He explained that both elections can take up to Rwf14 billion when they are organized separately yet the cost can be reduced to Rwf8 billion when synchronized.
During the ceremony, Carine Umwari was also sworn-in as commissioner in NEC.
News about his demise went to the public in the morning of Wednesday 15th February 2023.
Rwanda’s Parliament has confirmed that MP Rwigamba ‘died of disease in the morning of 15th February 2023 at King Faisal Hospital’.
Rwigamba served as a parliamentarian since 2013. He was a clerk in the Chamber of Rwanda’s Senate from 2009 prior to the appointment.
He also held other positions as the State Minister in the Ministry of Public Service and Labour (MIFOTRA) in 2003 and Director in charge of coordination of governmental Actions in the Prime Minister’s Office in 2001.
Currently, coffee is considered one of the cash crops with good returns for Rwanda whereby its value is expected to increase as the years go by.
Every year, Rwanda sells between 16,000 and 21,000 tons of coffee grown on 42,000 hectares around the country. Bourbon and Arabica are among the most cultivated coffee varieties in Rwanda.
Currently, figures from NAEB show that Rwanda exported 24,000 tons of coffee that generated more than Rwf108 billion in 2022 while the target is to increase the country’s coffee exports to 27,000 tons in 2024.
In general, the value of Rwanda’s agricultural exports is projected to increase to US$1 billion by 2024. Of the revenues, coffee exports are expected to increase from US$61 million earned in the fiscal year 2017/2018 to US$120 million in 2024.
The target is likely to be achieved considering current figures where the crop generated US$2,796,579 (Rwf3 billion) last week.
{{Farmers’ concerns}}
Coffee began to be cultivated in Rwanda in the 1900s introduced by the German colonists. Today, more than 400,000 Rwandans grow this cash crop and force their meal upon it.
Despite the fact that the crop generates huge returns for the country, farmers have been claiming over meager payments that cannot help them to get rid of rudimentary farming practices.
The issue was brought up again on Monday, February 13, at the third edition of World Coffee Producers Forum (WCPF) bringing together coffee producers from 40 countries in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda.
More than 800 participants from 40 countries gathered at the conference to discuss how to improve coffee processing and turn it into a sustainable source of income.
As she officiated the opening of the forum, Rwanda’s Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Dr. Gérardine Mukeshimana hinted at this problem that is often raised by coffee farmers who sell their crops at a low price and stressed the need for all stakeholders in the coffee industry to ensure decent living for millions of coffee farmers worldwide.
“It is imperative that we secure increased revenues and enhance welfare for coffee producers. The sustainability of the coffee industry does require that coffee producers and those at the bottom level enjoy shared prosperity,” said Dr. Mukeshimana.
She also called on all key actors in the coffee sector value chain to recognize the role played by coffee producers in guaranteeing the sustainability of the industry and its long-term viability.
{{Meager payments}}
Coffee farmers in Rwanda say that the money earned per kilogram is still low depsite the fact that the amount has been increasing year by year. Last year, the price of a kilogram reached Rwf410.
Cassien Ndashimye is one of the coffee farmers working from Nyarusange Sector in the Muhanga District.
The man, who started growing coffee in 1997, says that the money earned from this crop does not correspond to expended efforts.
“I have been involved in coffee farming for a long time because I started it in 1997 with 1,340 coffee trees. The money we receive is not rewarding. We have earmarked substantial resources to improve quality and productivity of our coffee but the price is still low,” he says.
Ndashimye further expresses lamentations that received money cannot help them meet household expenses as per current market conditions.
“ Apparently, the amount we used to receive in the past was more helpful than today’s earnings due to the current inflation that worsened the situation. We demand advocacy for increased price and agro-inputs supplied to farmers,” he noted.
Landouard Musengimana, a coffee farmer from Muhanga District shares the same thoughts with Ndayishimiye.
“I have more than two hectares of land with 3,800 coffee trees. The price today is not compatible with what we do. This year they pay us Rwf410 per kilo, but this amount is not suitable for the farmer. They should pay us Rwf500Frw or Rwf600,” he noted.
The CEO of NAEB, Claude Bizimana, says the government is aware of low prices for coffee produce noting it is making possible efforts to handle the situation.
Bizimana said that they expect deliberations from this meeting to take into consideration the improvement of coffee farmers’ livelihoods.
