The development announced on Tuesday 15th February 2020, complements the ruling of the Court of Appeal of Paris in July 2020.
The ruling rejects investigation carried out by Judge Jean-Louis Bruguière which led to the issuance of arrest warrant for top Rwandan officials who were on the front line of the Rwanda Patriotic Army that stopped the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi accused of shooting down the aircraft.
The court backed findings of Judge Marc Trévidic who reported that the plane was shot down by missiles from Kanombe Military Barracks that was controlled by Hutu extremists that planned and executed the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
The ruling puts an end to a case that has been spoiling relations between France and Rwanda for more than 27 years.
Agathe Kanziga, the wife of Habyarimana is among people who filed an appeal along with families whose relatives perished during the incident.
Rwanda’s interests during the court case, were represented by Lawyer Léon lef Forster and Bernard Maingain who have expressed optimism that the ruling will contribute to justice for more than one million victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Former Rwandan President Juvenal Habyarimana’s private Falcon 50 jet was shot down on April 6, 1994, near Kigali International Airport, leaving Habyarimana dead. Cyprien Ntaryamira, the then President of Burundi, with everybody else on board also died in the plane crash.
The plane shooting was followed by the 100-day Genocide that left more than a million Tutsis killed.
In 1997, a family member to one French citizen filed a lawsuit to a court in Paris which saw the Judge Jean-Louis Bruguière start an investigation the following year on who shot down the plane that was carrying President Habyarimana.
Judge Bruguière carried out the investigation without stepping on Rwanda’s land and issued arrest warrants for nine Rwandan officials who were on the front line of the Rwanda Patriotic Army that stopped Genocide.
Lawyer Léon lef Forster and Bernard Maingain have through a joint statement paid tribute to officials who were totally prosecuted in a defamatory manner.
In 2010, Judges Nathalie Poux and Marc Trevedic came to Rwanda for investigation on Habyarimana’s plane shooting, heard testimonies of witnesses in Rwanda and Burundi.
The investigation came with a resolution that the plane had been shot down by Hutu extremists who opposed to Arusha accords that directed for the sharing of power among political parties in Rwanda including RPF with MRND, Habyarimana’s single political party that operated in Rwanda since 1973 until 1990 when the RPF launched a liberation struggle putting Habyarimana on pressure to open the political space and accept the multiparty political system in Rwanda.
These units constructed in compliance with Kigali City master plan are environment friendly while most of construction materials are sourced locally.
The first phase of the project comprised of 14 housing units is expected to be completed in July this year to be followed by the second comprised of 16 units.
Imara Properties was created with a vision to help Rwandans, particularly Kigali City dwellers to get modern homes.
The CEO and Co-founder of Imara Properties, David Benazeraf recently told IGIHE that increased clients’ demand encouraged them to carry on their activities with the second phase.
He said that the first phase will be completed in July while 93% of housing units have been sold.
The second phase of the project will be comprised 12 apartments and six villas for main residence or rental investment.
It comprises of housing units of different designs featuring sleeping rooms, bathrooms, parking space, kitchen, garden and gym.
Benazeraf has revealed that the company is offering 5% discount to clients buying or renting houses before 28th February 2022.
Clients can pay 90% of the total cost upfront and the balance later.
There are other options for payments in installments where interested buyers can pay 10%, 20% respectively in the first two months, 30% in the third and fourth month and the remaining 10% in the fifth month. One can also pay 30% upfront and 70% later. Each house has three to four rooms.
A person standing at Isange Estate at Rebero Hill gets a better view Kigali City. It is home to other infrastructures including Kigali Cultural Village.
‘Isange Estate’ was conceived by three Rwandans along with their colleagues from France and Belgium.
The idea surfaced as the three colleagues from Rwanda namely; Serge Kamuhinda, the CEO of Volkswagen Mobility Solutions Rwanda; architect, Aimé Bakata Nkunzi and Alain Ngirinshuti, currently serving in the top management of Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB) met with their colleagues at school.
After visiting Rwanda, their friends were impressed by the country’s progress. Since then, the six colleagues decided to concert efforts through a joint company dubbed ‘Imara Properties’.
Clients interested to learn more about the project can access more details via provided website link: https://www.imara-properties.com
CHOGM is scheduled to take place in the week starting from 20th June 2022.
The meeting was due to have been held in Kigali in June 2020 but was postponed twice due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
CHOGM is customarily held every two years and is the Commonwealth’s highest consultative and policy-making gathering. Commonwealth leaders selected Rwanda as host for their next summit when they met in London in 2018.
During preparations of CHOGM, the University of Rwanda received Rwf4.2 billion in this fiscal year to clear debts related to the renovation of Kigali Convention Exhibition Village as one of venues to host the meeting.
Under the revised national budget, Rwanda allocated more Rwf600 million for efficient execution of related activities. This means, related works might be completed at a cost of Rwf4.8 billion.
Meanwhile, the revised budget allocated Rwf4.7 billion to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs including funds for preparations of the meeting.
As part of preparations of CHOGM, roads have been constructed in different parts of Kigali expected to reduce traffic jam during the meeting.
These include Gasabo – Sports View Hotel – Airtel road that has been completed among others.
More roads from Alpha Palace to Kabeza, Rwandex-Unilak-Sonatubes, Rwandex – mu Myembe – Kigali Convention Centre and Mulindi to Rusororo were built to decongest traffic.
Kigali International Airport also underwent renovations to increase parking space for aircraft and passengers lounge at the terminal.
Hotels have been also prepared to be able to offer the best customer experience as they serve guests attending the meeting.
Through a statement released on Monday 31st January 2022, President Paul Kagame welcomed participants of the meeting expected to discuss, among other things, ways to address COVID-19 related challenges.
“Rwanda is pleased to welcome all delegates and participants to Kigali for a safe and productive CHOGM Rwanda 2022. The last two years have made it clear to us that we are more connected than ever before and we must work together to achieve the tangible and sustainable results we want. The long awaited meeting will be an important occasion to come together to address the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and to build on innovative technological and economic opportunities to solve other key problems facing our citizens,” he said.
The Secretary-General Scotland also expressed delight that the meeting is set to take place following years of adjournment.
“I am delighted that the Commonwealth family can finally be reunited, four years on from our last CHOGM in London. Our meetings in Rwanda will give us a real opportunity to reaffirm the values that bind the Commonwealth together and focus on vital issues, including the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, tackling climate change and poverty, boosting trade and promoting sustainable development – all issues that can only be dealt with decisively through multilateral cooperation and mutual support,” she stated.
The upcoming CHOGM due in Kigali will be the first to be held in Africa for over a decade.
The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 54 independent and equal sovereign states. The Commonwealth spans the globe and includes both advanced economies and developing countries. Thirty-two of members are small states, many of which are island nations.
Rwanda’s Presidency has revealed that President Kagame met with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani at Sheikh Abdullah Bin Jassim Majlis at the Amiri Diwan for a productive discussion on bilateral relations and the ongoing successful areas of cooperation between the two countries.
The Head of State was last in Qatar in October 2021. At the time, he met with the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to discuss ongoing areas of bilateral cooperation.
The two sides discussed bilateral relations between Qatar and Rwanda as well as ways to support and enhance them in various fields of cooperation, especially in the economy, trade, and investment.
They also exchanged views on regional and international issues of common interest.
The discussions were held in the attendance of a number of Qatari Ministers alongside the members of the official delegation accompanying Kagame.
Qatar enjoys vibrant relations with Rwanda.
In April 2019; the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani came to Rwanda for two-day working visit.
At the time, both heads of states also visited Akagera National Park which is home to the big five animals.
During his stay in Rwanda, President Kagame and Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani the Emir of Qatar witnessed the signing ceremony of four agreements meant to promote various development sectors between both countries.
These include 4 agreements in sectors of culture, sports, tourism and business events and aviation travel and logistics.
They were added to existing ones signed in Doha, Qatar when President Kagame visited the country at the end of 2018. These were related to air service transport services, promoting and protecting joint investment and cooperation in trade and technical areas among others.
In May 2017, Rwanda and Qatar signed agreements in diplomatic cooperation. Qatar Airways aircraft conduct flights from Doha to Kigali among other destinations including Dubai.
On 26th May 2015, both countries signed cooperation agreements to fight against drug abuse on the sidelines of Qatar International Anti-Drug Forum held in Doha.
Among others, Qatar’s interests in Rwanda include a 60% stake in Bugesera International Airport, currently under construction and a 49% stake in RwandAir.
QIA’s portfolio companies are also supporting the Rwandan government’s efforts to make the central African country a global tourism destination.
On Wednesday 14th July 2021, Qatar inaugurated a new embassy building located in Kimihurura, Kigali City.
The embassy’s former office was located at the opposite side of Kigali Marriot Hotel in Nyarugenge district.
At the time, Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vincent Biruta said that the launch of the new embassy is another milestone to deepen bilateral relations further.
The terrorists fled the new positions towards Muidube District inside the SAMIM designated sectors of responsibility.
In most recent operations against the insurgents, 17 civilians were rescued from insurgents on-the-run. Among the rescued were women and children while two terrorists were captured and two insurgents armed with light weapons were killed in the ambush.
The Task Force Battle Group Commander, Brig Gen Pascal Muhizi visited the Mozambican troops in Nhica do Ruvuma and Rwanda security forces in Pundanhar and congratulated them for the work done.
He informed them that the Ansar sunna Wa Jammah (ASWJ) terrorists were seriously weakened by the joint forces actions but cautioned them to remain vigilant at all times.
Rwanda started the deployment of 1000 troops of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) and the Rwanda National Police (RNP) to Mozambique on 9th July 2021, to fight rebel groups linked to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
The group sometimes calls themselves al-Shabaab, although they do not have known links with the Somali al-Shabaab.
The situation started worsening in October 2017 when armed extremists linked ISIL launched an insurgency in the Cabo Delgado region of Mozambique.
Since then, Mozambique Defence Armed Forces have been battling the extremists while many civilians were displaced by the fighting.
The joint operations between Rwandan and Mozambican troops yielded big where different regions including Palma, Awasse, Mocímboa Da Praia, Quionga, Tete, Maputo, Nhica Do Rovuma, Quelimane, Chinda and Mumu were seized from rebels.
As at 5th September 2021, Rwandan and Mozambican troops who were joined by the military mission of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) had captured almost all areas of Cabo Delgado Province where the remaining work was predominantly about launching offensives to quell enemy pockets from their hideouts and help displaced citizens to return to their homes.
Rwanda initially sent 1000 troops to Cabo Delgado honoring the request of Mozambique to support efforts to quell terrorist groups.
The troops had increased to nearly 2000 by the end of the year 2021.
Before starting the match that saw APRFC beating Gicumbi with 2-0 at Gicumbi stadium on Sunday 13th February 2022, a minute of silence was observed in honour of late Lt Gen Musemakweli who died one year ago.
He served as the Chairman of APR FC from 2013 until January 2021.
After defeating Gicumbi, APRFC maintained the leading position with 37 points followed by Kiyovu Sports with 32 points.
The teams were facing off for the 16th day of the league’s first division.
The Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) had announced that late Lt Gen Musemakweli would be honoured at the match, particularly reflecting on his contribution to the progress of football in Rwanda.
The federation also revealed via Twitter handle that it stands in solidarity with the APRFC family during the commemoration of Lt Gen Musemakweli.
Lt Gen Jacques Musemakweli breathed the last on 11th February 2021 at Kanombe Military Hospital where he was getting medical attention.
He was among RPA soldiers that liberated the country and stopped the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Lt Gen Musemakweli held different senior positions in RDF leadership including; commander of Republican Guards, Army Chief of Staff and Reserve Force Chief of Staff.
On 12th January 2018, President Paul Kagame and the Commander in Chief of RDF promoted Jacques Musemakweli from the rank of Major General to Lieutenant General.
Among others, Lt Gen Jacques Musemakweli once served as the commander of the Republican Guards prior to his appointment as Army Chief of Staff in 2016.
At the time, he was at the rank of Major General. In April 2019, Lt Gen Musemakweli was appointed the Commander of Reserve Forces prior to 3rd February 2019 when he became RDF Inspector General.
He served as the Chairman of APR FC from 2013 until January 2021 after taking post from Maj Gen Alex Kagame who was leaving for studies in China.
Lt Gen Musemakweli was recently replaced by Maj Gen Mubaraka Muganga to the position in January 2021.
He was serving as RDF Inspector General prior to his demise.
The multibillion eco-friendly homes are developed under a project dubbed ‘Bwiza Riverside Homes’ run by ADHI Rwanda Ltd.
ADHI Rwanda is a subsidiary of ADHI Corporate Group established in 2011 in Gabon.
The Bwiza Riverside affordable homes community project was designed primarily with first-time homeowners in mind. Qualifying buyers will choose from four distinct affordable home sizes and styles.
Each of housing units at the estate is estimated to cost between Rwf16 million and Rwf35 million.
Rwanda entered agreements with ADHI Rwanda Ltd in November 2020 to implement the project to be completed in five phases.
So far, seven model units have been completed. They are part of out of 245 units expected to be completed this year.
The unique construction method used in building ADHI homes consists largely of a patented system of light steel frames combined with lightweight concrete and other innovative elements to create green-certified homes.
The method results in 53% on-site energy savings and future cost savings for homeowners. Furthermore, Bwiza Riverside will use green infrastructure to develop a sustainable community with a low carbon footprint.
The government of Rwanda aims to create 150,000 new dwellings annually to meet the projected demand of 5.5 million dwellings by 2050. Through initiatives like the affordable housing program, the government seeks to address low and middle-income communities’ housing challenges.
As he inaugurated the project worth Rwf100 billion on Friday 11th February 2022, Kagame was accompanied by First Lady Jeannette Kagame.
The ceremony was attended by different dignitaries including Government officials, bank leaders, diplomats accredited to Rwanda and members of the private sector.
The Head of State said that he met Soleman Idd, the founder and Chairman of ADHI Group in a couple of years ago where he was taken through the technology in housing and how it can lead to achieving affordable housing for ‘our population’ particularly those without high income. As he explained, Kagame told the investor that he wanted to see what he was talking about.
“That is how he set up this model to demonstrate what is possible. Keeping faith with Soleman, I think we have arrived at having something standing by which we can judge that the problem we have had for a long time can be addressed. This is just the beginning. There is a lot of work to do,” he said.
President Kagame emphasized that there is need for training and materials that have to be accessed locally for the project’s sustainability.
He promised the investor that the Government of Rwanda will remain a strong partner.
“If we can move faster, that should be our aim. On the side of Government, we feel we should do whatever is possible within our means to have our people access the kind of affordable houses that are needed in so large numbers. But today, we saw what is possible; we are going to stick with it and will demand that every one of us in the Government system does what we can possibly do to make significant progress,” Kagame noted.
“We have partners who want to support the Government to be able to house our people. I think they have seen what is possible with this model. I also think, it invites all of us for this strong partnership we can forge to be able to achieve what needs to be done,” he added.
At least 300 million housing units are needed globally not later than 2030 to address housing needs particularly in the Sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia.
Commenting on the project, Clare Akamanzi, RDB CEO, said: “We welcome the investment by ADHI in the provision of affordable housing. It boosts the government’s goal for urbanisation to reach 35 per cent by 2024. However, we need to see more houses being built as there is still a significant gap to meet the demand for affordable housing. We encourage more developers to take advantage of the existing incentives, which include the provision of infrastructures like roads, water and electricity, and a reduced corporate income tax of 15 per cent.”
During the unveiling, guests toured five completed model homes, which will serve as the “blueprints” for all other housing units to be built over the next two years. Upon completion of the development, Bwiza Riverside will comprise 1,680 affordable houses and 720 luxury units.
In addition to the affordable homes, ADHI Corporate has established a training academy for Innovative and Sustainable light steel frame construction. Academy students receive on-site, competence-based training to prepare them for future employment opportunities. As such, the academy students will form a key component in the building of Bwiza Riverside.
To ensure access to affordable financing, enabling more Rwandans to purchase homes in the project, ADHI Corporate has partnered with the Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD).
Commenting on the uniqueness of the housing project, Soleman Idd, the ADHI Chairman, said: “Our construction method is innovative yet uses proven technologies and materials that, when combined, result in faster, cheaper, stronger, and long-lasting buildings. Our built houses suffer minimum impact from the weather, seismic damage, wind and fire, rust, rot, and humidity. With our in-house training, skill development, certification and tools, we also empower both genders economically.”
{{About ADHI Corporate}}
The ADHI Corporate Group was established in 2011 in Gabon and is dedicated to innovation, sustainability and empowerment. Their sustainable construction method is a patented system that uses modular parts pre-made in a factory for faster and more affordable construction. This method addresses climate change concerns while providing homes that are well-suited to African climates.
The estate is a joint venture between The ADHI Corporate Group and the Government of Rwanda.
Rwanda entered agreements with ADHI Rwanda Ltd in November 2020 to implement the project to be completed in five phases.
So far, seven model units have been completed. They are part of out of 245 units expected to be completed this year.
Each of housing units at the estate is estimated to cost between Rwf16 million and Rwf35 million.
ADHI Rwanda is a subsidiary of ADHI Corporate Group established in 2011 in Gabon.
It deploys latest technology to build modern and affordable units for people of different economic backgrounds.
For the past ten years, the company has been building housing units with materials that reduce carbon emissions from the buildings.
ADHI Rwanda Ltd also runs a school dubbed ADHI Academy which trains people on constructing ecofriendly buildings. Graduates are hired to assist the company in its operations.
ADHI Academy project is expected to train 6250 not later than 2033.
The latter will be similar to Kinigi Model Village inaugurated in Musanze district last year in the context of Liberation Day. It will feature a market, schools, and connected with water and electricity. The village will also be comprised of sheds for residents’ livestock among others.
Early January 2022, IGIHE visited the plot of land where the village will be constructed in Nyiragongo Territory, in the plain located at the foothills of Nyiragongo volcano, few meters from Rwanda’s border with DRC in Busasamana sector of Rubavu district.
Demarcations separating individual’s parcels have been marked at the site. The plain is also home to Kanyanja camp accommodating people affected by Nyiragongo eruption. They are sheltered in provisional canvas tents awaiting completion of the model village.
A member of the camp’s management who got information from superiors, has told IGIHE that a village comprising of 7000 building units is set to be constructed on support of different donors including the wife of Joseph Kabila, Marie Olive Lembe di Sita known as Mama Olive.
He explained that they have started registering the first batch of beneficiaries once the model village is completed.
“Mama Oliva donated 2250 plots of land while the Government plans to build five thousand housing units. They are more than seven thousand in total. We have learnt that that the Government will build decent homes. Mama Oliva has already donated plots of land but the design of houses from her support is yet to be revealed,” he said.
{{Relief to beneficiaries}}
The majority of residents to be resettled are those living in the vicinity of Nyiragongo volcano particularly those with houses destroyed during the volcano’s eruption last year.
IGIHE has learnt that there are more citizens living in risky zones at the foothills of the volcano to be relocated.
James is among citizens living in Kanyanja camp in Nyiragongo Territory whose houses were destroyed by earthquakes.
“We live in the foothills of the volcano. Moving to that place will be helpful. This place we live in is very stony but I hope we can find arable land to grow vegetables once resettled,” he said.
James revealed, they are always scared that the volcano might erupt anytime.
“The place where the model village is set to be built is closer to Rwanda. When the volcano erupts again, it is possible to flee to Rwanda before magma reaches our residence, “he noted.
“We will be very thankful once the model village is completed,” James added.
Another Congolese identified as Kasongo has said that the construction of the model village should not be delayed to alley their worries.
“We are currently exposed to fire in the current residence because it can take long to reach Rwanda. That is why we need to be relocated to the village nearby Rwanda’s border to be safe from eruption’s risk,” he said.
{{Water scarcity}}
Citizens living in the foothills of Nyiragongo continue to endure hard life due to eruption’s devastating effects despite the support from various organizations operating in the area.
Their arable land has turned rocky following eruption but reveal that water scarcity is the most pressing issue. Some residents have said that it has been long without receiving water that was previously supplied by MONUSCO.
The place neither has markets nor access to water. They mainly rely on rain water while others have to walk for an hour to fetch water in Goma. Kasongo says that the village comes in handy as it will be connected with water.
One of the camp’s managers expressed worries that some people might die during times of hot sun in February and March.
“We are extremely desperate as we wonder how we will get along at this border without water. Some people might die if it doesn’t rain,” he said.
There is no source water nearby the construction site but DRC mulled discussions with Rwanda to connect water to the village.
The village was initially expected to be inaugurated on 4th July 2022 coinciding with Rwanda’s 28th Liberation Day but construction activities are still in the initial phases.
Nyiragongo’s eruption on 22nd May 2021 destroyed several infrastructures, took lives over 32 and left many people displaced.
The eruption saw Congolese nationals fleeing to Rwanda where they were warmly welcomed until they returned home.
Few days later, Kagame appealed for global support to manage the crisis on the border with DRC.
The volcanic eruption was reported to have destroyed hundreds of houses, water and electricity supply systems that some parts of Goma were left in blackout and pulled electricity from Rwanda.
On his visit to DRC in June last year, Kagame and Tshisekedi toured Kibati road among other infrastructures damaged by volcanic eruption.
Nyusi was last in Rwanda in April last year seeking support to fight terrorists in his country.
Following the request, Rwanda started deploying the joint troops of Rwanda National Police and Rwanda Defence Force that have so far reached nearly 2000.
Rwanda’s Presidency has via Twitter handle revealed that both Heads of State have discussed the good progress that has been made between Rwanda and Mozambique in the ongoing cooperation towards securing Cabo Delgado as well as other areas of bilateral collaboration.
President Kagame’s latest visit to Mozambique was in September 2021 where he interacted with Rwandan troops deployed to fight insurgents in the country.
Nyusi comes to Rwanda following his visit to European countries where he requested the European Union to support joint operations conducted by Rwandan soldiers and SADC forces to fight insurgents in Cabo Delgado.
The Ambassador of the European Union (EU) delegation to Rwanda, Nicola Bellomo recently said that the bloc is holding discussions with Rwanda to determine needed support to its interventions to fight insurgents in Mozambique.
He made the revelation on Tuesday 25th January 2022, during the annual Article 8 Dialogue that took place at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in Kimihurura.
Amb. Nicola Bellomo said that such dialogue is a good platform to share ideas on areas of cooperation between Rwanda and EU including trade and investment, governance, unity and reconciliation among others.
He also reminisced on cooperation with EU and the African continent, integration efforts and foreign policy.
“In this context, I will refer to operations in Mozambique. I am confident this dialogue will provide additional elements to inform the ongoing discussion on possible EU support to Rwanda and to identify new avenues to promote and preserve peace and security on the continent,” he said.
