According to Business Traveller, the service will operate thrice weekly starting on June 27, departing Kigali on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 00:30 and arriving in Paris at 09:30.
On the same days, the return flight will leave Paris at 21:30, arriving in Kigali at 06:00 the next day.
The carrier’s new route will be the only non-stop service connecting Rwanda and France, complementing the current non-stop flights to London Heathrow.
As part of the airline’s growth plan, it aims to increase its fleet size over the next five years and establish a new base at Bugesera International Airport.
The airport’s first phase is projected to open in 2026, and RwandAir is also examining the possibility of joining the Oneworld alliance.
The CEO of RwandAir, Yvonne Makolo has told Business Traveller that the direct flight to Paris is a significant development for the airline’s expansion and a testament to the importance of the French-Rwandan relationship, connecting two continents via its home hub in Kigali.
She added that French travellers can anticipate a warm welcome onboard.
He made the disclosure on Monday evening as he began his visit to the Western Africa country.
“Every country on our continent has challenges. In Rwanda, we have our own challenges. In Guinea there are challenges. Working together there is no challenge we can’t address,” stated Kagame
Kagame who was received by the Transitional President, Colonel Mamadi Doumbouya upon arrival in Conakry disclosed that he had a wish to visit the country for long and expressed optimism for productive discussions between both countries’ delegations.
President Doumbouya commended his counterpart of Rwanda for the visit noting that it is a great privilege to welcome him in the Republic of Guinea.
In October 2022, President Kagame received Ousmane Gaoual Diallo, the Minister of ICT of the Republic of Guinea, who delivered a message from Colonel Mamadi Doumbouya.
President Kagame last visited Guinea in April 2017 to attend the African Union Summit, having also visited the country in March 2016.
During his 2016 visit, Kagame was warmly received in Conakry and awarded the Grand Croix, the highest honor that can be bestowed upon an individual by the Guinean government.
The Republic of Guinea-Conakry, located in West Africa, has its capital in Conakry. As of 2013, the country’s population was approximately 13.5 million.
The Head of State made the remarks in Guinea-Bissau where he arrived on Monday 17th April 2023 for a one-day working visit.
During his visit, President Kagame who was conferred with the Amílcar Cabral Medal, the highest distinction in Guinea-Bissau. The Amílcar Cabral Medal is attributed to the heads of state of countries that are friends of the country.
He expressed deep appreciation for the honour bestowed on him noting that it is a privilege for him and the country.
On the same day, President Kagame disclosed that he had productive discussions with his counterpart, Umaro Mokhtar Sissoco Embaló where Rwanda and Guinea-Bissau are working together to build a solid foundation for cooperation that will benefit their citizens.
He highlighted that human resource remains the most important one for Rwanda and Guinea-Bissau as well as the entire African continent.
“Like the rest of Africa, the most important resource Rwanda and Guinea-Bissau possess is a young population. Our duty is to ensure stability that allows us to create enabling environments for our youth to utilize their skills, and reach their full potential,” said Kagame.
He appreciated Umaro’s efforts as chair of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) that he applies to regional stability and elsewhere on the continent.
Rwanda and Guinea-Bissau enjoy long-standing relations where both countries have cooperation in the areas of trade, education, tourism and air transport.
Kagame also stressed the need for African countries to deepen their collaboration and reiterated commitment to boost cooperation with Guinea.
“Indeed, at a time where multilateralism is facing multiple challenges, Africa needs to work even more closely together on the issues that matter most to our people.
We will continue working to strengthen friendship and collaboration between Rwanda and Guinea-Bissau,” he affirmed.
The Head of State arrived in the country on 17th April 2023 after concluding his visit to Guinea-Bissau.
His visit to West Africa countries began on Saturday 15th April with a two-day state visit to Benin.
Rwanda’s Presidency, has revealed that he was received by President of the Transition, Colonel Mamadi Doumbouya as he arrived in the country.
The Republic of Guinea is currently led by an interim presidency after a military coup in September 2021 that ousted former President Alpha Condé. The interim presidency is expected to lead the country until elections can be held in 2024 to establish a permanent government.
Alpha Condé had led the country since 2010. He was ousted after winning the third unconstitutional term.
Kagame’s visit to the country seeks to deepen existing bilateral ties.
Both heads of state also engaged in private discussions focused on enhancing bilateral relations.
In October 2022, President Kagame received Ousmane Gaoual Diallo, the Minister of ICT of the Republic of Guinea, who delivered a message from Colonel Mamadi Doumbouya.
President Kagame last visited Guinea in April 2017 to attend the African Union Summit, having also visited the country in March 2016.
During his 2016 visit, Kagame was warmly received in Conakry and awarded the Grand Croix, the highest honor that can be bestowed upon an individual by the Guinean government.
The Republic of Guinea-Conakry, located in West Africa, has its capital in Conakry. As of 2013, the country’s population was approximately 13.5 million.
The Head of State was bestowed the medal on Monday 17th April 2023 as he visited the country.
Amílcar Cabral Medal is given to the heads of state of countries that are friends of Guinea-Bissau.
Guinée-Bissau is led by Umaro Mokhtar Sissoco Embaló,50, since February 2020.
He also served as the country’s Prime Minister between November 2016 and January 2018.
Since he was installed President, the country’s relations with Rwanda gets boost gradually.
On his visit to Guinea-Bissau, Kagame was hosted by his counterpart, Umaro.
According to Rwanda’s Presidency, both leaders held a tête-à-tête and exchanged on various topics including potential areas of bilateral cooperation as well as the regional situation in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
After holding a closed-door meeting, they proceeded to bilateral discussions with members of both delegations.
The President also visited the Mausoleum of National Heroes of Guinea-Bissau dedicated to Amílcar Lopes da Costa Cabral, Bissau-Guinean and Cape Verdean Pan-Africanist who was one of Africa’s foremost anti-colonial leaders, and João Bernardo “Nino” Vieira who was President of Guinea-Bissau from 1980 to 1999 and from 2005 to 2009.
Rwanda and Guinea-Bissau enjoy long-standing relations where both countries have cooperation in the areas of trade, education, tourism and bilateral air service.
President Kagame proceeded to Guinea where he met with the Transition President Col Mamadi Doumbouya to explore bilateral cooperation between Rwanda and Guinea in areas of common interests.
Kagame made this statement during a press conference while visiting Benin over the weekend.
Russia and China are among the superpowers expanding relations with African countries in various areas, including security and trade.
However, Western countries and the United States have expressed their disapproval of the deepening relationships, particularly since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict last year.
Towards the end of 2022, the United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, warned that African countries that failed to recognize sanctions imposed on Russia and further deepen cooperation with the country might face sanctions themselves.
When asked for his opinion on the behavior of the US and Europe regarding Africa’s cooperation with Russia, Kagame stated that big powers should not waste their time on Africa’s foreign relations when there are other pressing issues that require more attention.
He emphasized that Russia has a right to be anywhere legally, just like any other country, and that African countries should focus on identifying their partnership needs and working with those who offer what they need.
The Head of State also noted that the same goes for Africa-China relations, as there are people complaining about it.
Russia is among the countries enjoying cordial relations with Africa after China. Last month, Russia announced that it had written off debts of African nations amounting to more than $20 billion, while trade volumes between the continent and the country reached US$18 billion in 2022.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame and his Beninese counterpart, Patrice Talon, affirmed their commitment to enhancing security cooperation during President Kagame’s two-day state visit to Benin. The leaders agreed that a joint permanent commission meeting would be held in Cotonou before the end of 2023.
President Kagame emphasized the need for African countries to collaborate and work together to address the security challenges they face.
He cited examples of Rwanda’s cooperation with other countries, including Mozambique and the Central African Republic.
“We are ready to work with Benin to prevent anything that may happen around its borders. There will be no limit in what will be accomplished together for security challenges,” President Kagame said during a joint press conference.
The defence and security cooperation agreement signed between Rwanda and Benin will focus on different areas, including supervision, coaching, training, and joint deployment. The two leaders acknowledged the quality of military cooperation between their countries and expressed their commitment to strengthening it.
Moreover, Rwanda and Benin have identified other areas of cooperation, including research, double taxation avoidance, digitization, agriculture, local governance, and sustainable development.
During the state visit, President Kagame interacted with 100 young entrepreneurs at Sèmè City, a flagship project by the Beninese government dedicated to meeting the skills needs of young Africans through training, research, and innovation. Meanwhile, First Lady Jeannette Kagame and her host, Claudine Talon, visited the production unit of reusable organic cotton sanitary pads established by the Claudine Talon Foundation.
President Talon commended Kagame for his efforts in advancing African-led solutions to African problems and his contributions to the African Union reforms and other continental initiatives.
The Rwanda-Benin partnership is a testament to the commitment of African nations to collaborate in addressing the security challenges facing the continent. By pooling their resources and expertise, Rwanda and Benin hope to establish a safer and more secure West African region.
Tshisekedi disclosed his position during a press conference with Swiss counterpart Alain Berset.
He added that the M23 fighters are gradually vacating areas under their control and that the rebels will handover weapons at MONUSCO’s base before being transported to Kindu Town for rehabilitation.
However, Tshisekedi ruled out any dialogues with M23, as the Congolese Parliament had decided against negotiating with armed groups.
In response, M23 spokesman Lawrence Kanyuka took to Twitter to state that “there will be no cantonment, disarmament, and demobilization” until there is “Direct Political Dialogue” between the rebel group and the Kinshasa Government.
Meanwhile, M23 President Bertrand Bisimwa accused Tshisekedi of sabotaging the peace process initiated by the East African Community.
Bisimwa alleged that Tshisekedi’s refusal to hold talks with M23 and separate the group from armed groups like FDLR went against the EAC’s resolutions.
Tshisekedi also addressed allegations that Rwanda had accused DRC of collaborating with the genocidal group FDLR, stating that the group posed no problems.
However, a UN expert report released last year indicated that FDLR formed a coalition with Congolese Army (FARDC) in attacks against M23.
The report also claimed that the DRC government supplied the group with weapons, ammunition, uniforms, and medicaments.
Commemorating activities will last for 100 days symbolizing the period that the Genocide lasted.
The day is dedicated to remembering politicians who opposed the former regime’s plans to exterminate Tutsis.
Dr. Kalinda commended countries using international law to prosecute genocide suspects and urged others to follow suit.
He noted that some countries have not yet understood their role in fighting genocide and its ideology, citing nations that shield genocide fugitives.
In 2021, the Prosecution revealed that the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) had received the most arrest warrants for genocide fugitives (408) in Africa.
Uganda received 277 warrants, while Ghana and Benin received a smaller number.
Despite this, some African countries have not made progress in trying these suspects.
In total, over 1,000 arrest warrants have been sent to various countries, including European nations.
Dr. Kalinda also addressed the issue of genocide denial and trivialization, identifying the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) as key drivers of this ideology.
He urged everyone, particularly the youth, to combat genocide ideology and work together for peace in Rwanda.
Elisabeth Mukamana, Spokesperson of the Political Parties Forum, honored the politicians who were killed for their bravery and commitment to a non-discriminatory country.
She criticized the genocidal government and called on current political parties to promote humanity and unity among members.
Dr. Bizimana Jean Damascène, Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement (MINUBUMWE), emphasized that the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi was the result of decades of harmful politics and condemned politicians seeking to spread ethnic division and undermine Rwandan unity.
Politicians laid to rest at Rebero include Landouard Ndasingwa (PL), Charles Kayiranga (PL), Jean de la Croix Rutaremara (PL), Augustin Rwayitare (PL), Aloys Niyoyita (PL), Venantie Kabageni (PL), Andre Kameya (PL), Frederic Nzamurambaho (former president of PSD and Minister of Agriculture), Felicien Ngango (PSD), Jean Baptiste Mushimiyimana (PSD), Faustin Rucogoza (MDR) and Joseph Kavaruganda, the former President of Supreme Court.
