The three upgraded to five stars are among 31 hospitality establishments awarded between 1 (one) to 5 (five) stars by Rwanda Development Board (RDB) during the Hospitality Grading ceremony held on Friday 21st May at Kigali Serena Hotel.
The 1-5 star grading system helps to differentiate the quality of services that establishments render to their clientele.
The criteria used to grade the establishments range from their location, site, and environment, architectural design and features, capacity, reception area, information services, hours of service, decor, amenities and accessories and regulation of temperature among others as per the ‘East African Criteria for Standardization of Hotels, Restaurants and other Tourist Accommodation Facilities’.
The criteria stipulates the standards that should be met for any accommodation establishment to be one, two, three, four or five stars and are mandatory for any prospective property developer in the accommodation sector in all EAC member states.
It is the first time the ceremony is held during COVID-19 pandemic following the previous one held in November 2019.
The facilities awarded a five-star rating this year include One & Only Gorilla’s Nest, Singita Kwitonda Lodge and Kataza House and The Retreat & Heaven Boutique Hotel while Phoenix Plaza and Kivu Marina Bay in Rusizi were upgraded to four-star.
Seven hotels including Mythos Boutique Hotel (Kiyovu) and Ste Famille Hotel also received three star grading while 18 were awarded two-star rating. These are Vive Hotel and Apartments (Rusizi), Okapi Hotel (Kigali) and 5 Swiss Hotel (Kiyovu) among others. Munini Hill Motel located in Rusizi received one-star rating.
Four-star facilities are The Retreat Boutique Hotel and Residence Prima 2000, all located in the City of Kigali.
One & Only Gorilla’s Nest, Singita Kwitonda Lodge and Kataza House were inaugurated in 2019.
RDB Chief Tourism Officer, Belise Kariza said that the grading of one to five stars should be well interpreted and no level of star should be undermined.
He highlighted that the ranking typically helps both the client and the investor to understand what is expected for a service.
As she delivered her remarks, the CEO of RDB Clare Akamanzi stressed that the classification of hotels is a tool that defines quality standards of facilities and services to the consumer and the industry in general.
“Consequently, the classification of accommodation establishments continues to be a tool we use to raise the quality of services and facilities offered to tourists. It is in part how we will continue being an attractive destination,” she said.
“In order to recover and rebuild our industry’s capabilities, I want to call upon our private sector to continue improving on standards as that is one of the ways of building confidence among consumers of your services. The number of opportunities in this sector is immense, the Government is committed to provide support that is needed to ensure quality standards are achieved and maintained,” added Akamanzi.
Beata Habyarimana, the Minister of Trade and Industry who was the guest of honor congratulated graded establishments and urged them to maintain good services.
“As the country strives to become a knowledge-based economy, the hospitality industry should be at the forefront of providing quality services. The receiving establishments should embrace the grading as a service delivery contract. It’s not just an award but an obligation, which you should be accountable for,” she stated.
Kagame made the revelation on Friday 21st May 2021 at the virtual Global Health Summit bringing together G20 leaders, and executives from vaccine manufacturers among others.
Participants discussed ways to distribute vaccines to poor countries that have so far received 0.2 % of delivered vaccines against 80% of developed countries.
Kagame explained that the global distribution of vaccines is the way to defeat COVID-19 pandemic and return to normalcy.
“First, we have to urgently improve the frameworks and tools needed to defeat this pandemic and others that are sure to follow. Ending Covid-19 will require expanded pathways to vaccine access for populations throughout the world,” he said.
Kagame revealed that Rwanda is in advanced talks with manufacturers to produce vaccines locally.
“In the context of developing hubs for manufacturing the vaccines in our continent, Rwanda is in advanced talks with private firms and multilateral agencies to build manufacturing capacity in our region for the raw materials to produce mRNA vaccines,” he affirmed.
Kagame commended the European Union institutions for commitment to support the cause.
He expressed optimism that the world will find the appropriate solution on the issue of intellectual property to manufacture vaccines in developing countries.
During the summit, vaccine manufacturers including Pfizer agreed to provide vaccines at low cost to poor countries.
Arrested last year, Rusesabagina faces nine counts linked to terrorism, and he is co-accused with other 20 individuals who were allegedly involved in terror attacks that took place between 2018 and 2019 and claimed nine lives.
During trial proceedings, Rusesabagina has been heard claiming that he was abducted.
This prompted the prosecution to request the court to allow a Burundian Bishop, Constantin Niyomwungere, who rused Paul Rusesabagina until his arrival to Rwanda to provide testimonies showing how the latter was not abducted but tricked by his trusted friend until he arrived in Rwanda.
Commenting on why people make a lot of noise claiming that Rusesabagina was tricked into Rwanda, the President labelled him a “criminal” getting fair trial along with 20 co-accused terror suspects.
“What is wrong with tricking a criminal you are looking for? When you get him, where do you put him? If it is in a court of law, I think that is okay,” he stated.
He explained that these suspects who committed these crimes against Rwanda and Rwandans are all appearing in court highlighting that some of them are giving overwhelming evidence against him (Rusesabagina).
“So, I do not see why people make a lot of noise. He is in court of law. He is not just being, you know, hidden somewhere under arrest. He is in a court of law, like many others,” he said.
Talking about the United States and European Union’s concern about him, Kagame stressed that Rwanda has all it takes to try him fairly.
“Sure, I am calling for fair trial myself. So, it is not UK, US, or the European Union. No. I want to see a fair trial myself. Why do you think being fair belongs to Europe, or US or anybody else and not to us – why? This is how people, you see, end up being caught up in some of these useless things, and they end up being racist. It is like the only thing to be fair in Rwanda or in Africa, has to be supervised by Europe or US or some other place. No. Absolutely not,” he affirmed.
{{Excerpts:}}
{{MP: Hello and welcome on FRANCE 24 and Radio France International for an interview with the President of Rwanda Paul Kagame. With me for this interview, Alexandra Brangeon from rfi. Mr. President you are welcome. A recent report by French historians was commissioned by the French President Emmanuel Macron and the report concludes that France had an overwhelming responsibility in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The French President is scheduled to visit Rwanda in a few days, is this a watershed moment in the relationship? Are we on the brink of formalization of the relationship between France and Rwanda?
}}
{{PK }} – To begin with, with all you said, I think this is a big step forward that is welcome by Rwanda and I guess by many in France, that we can have these facts, the truth, established, by independent people, by independent commissions. Because there is a report by Duclert and another commission on our side by Muse. There is convergence as to the facts and evidence for what happened, and I think France and Rwanda have a chance now and good basis on which to create a good relationship as the case should have been. Then the rest we can leave behind us, may be not forget it but forgive it, and be able to move forward. I think that is the most important thing. So, I think we are really moving very well forward.
{{AB: Mr. President you talk about moving forward. Now this report concluded that France bears an overwhelming responsibility, but it does not conclude that France was complicit. Do you agree with that conclusion?}}
{{President Kagame}}: I agree with many things that the two reports established, and I think more work can still be done moving forward, but the most important thing has been covered, and that is when you talk about the overwhelming responsibility. That is loaded, it is huge, it means a lot. So, it Is not up to me to conclude and say this is what they should have said, or this is what it is. But it is something I can accommodate, and say okay, let us go with the most important thing that has been established by both – that overwhelming responsibility.
{{AB: You say ‘accommodate’, but less than 10 years ago in an interview in 2014, you said France was not only complicit but actively participated in the execution of the Genocide. So, what has changed between now and then?}}
{{President Kagame:}} For me I am entitled to my own opinion, because I also lived this situation, I was in it, so I said what I said, and I may even believe what I said then, or even now, but we are talking of independent commissions that went into what they did, and the fact they did not come to the same conclusion one way or the other, well that’s their problem, not mine.
{{MP: United States, United Nations, Belgium – former colonial power, have all formally apologized for what they did or did not do back in 1994. France has not done so; would you like France to do so as a gesture of good will to build this new relationship that you are describing?}}
{{PK –}} All that matter is up on France to decide what they think is best for them. The worst thing I can do, which I would not actually wish to do, is to ever ask anybody to apologize or to do this or do that. I leave it to them because that is when it comes out honestly, genuinely, and people, the world judges, not just me.
{{MP: But it would be an important gesture. I understand you would not go for it, but if it happened you would deem it as an important…}}
PK – I think so. If anybody recognizes a problem and does something about it, I think that would make the best outcome, and absolutely I would appreciate that.
{{MP: As you would appreciate the French Ambassador going to Rwanda after years of not…}}
{{PK – }} Yes, we are in the process of normalization…
{{MP: You think this is on the horizon, I mean very soon?}}
{{President Kagame:}} I would wish that was the case. Again, that is a matter for France to decide.
{{MP: A few months ago, France had Felicien Kabuga arrested. He was the financier, if I may use that expression, of the Genocide. Does this signal in your eyes, that France is really, finally willing to go after these so-called Genocidaires on its soil?}}
{{PK }} – Well, I think it is a good start. And may be more could be done. So, my perspective is that we can encourage more good things to happen, if France is willing to do that. There is still a number of genocide suspects here in France whose cases have not been handled the way they should.
{{MP: Let us take an example of Agatha Habyarimana, the former wife of the killed President. She is in legal limbo here in France. Would you like France to kick her out, extradite her? This would obviously be a very symbolic gesture. It has been hanging over the relationship for years now.}}
{{PK:}} I think we can continue to get things done much better. Whether Agatha or other individuals, they are many here, and as I said…
{{MP: But she would be an important one, you agree with that.}}
{{PK –}} She is one of those. She is on the list, there is no question. On the long list she is at the top. But France will decide what to do. I am not going even to advise them what to do. I can only request them, may be, and that should be done officially in an official communication, but I am not going in any way to tell them what to do. I can only request them what to do.
{{AB: Staying with justice and accountability, last month the Congolese Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Dennis Mukwege was in Paris. He called and he asked France to help bring justice to those responsible of crimes in Eastern Congo, some of them were committed by soldiers of the region – Congo’s neighbors, that is according to UN experts. Would you agree to have Rwandan officers prosecuted for crimes committed in Eastern Congo in the wake of the Genocide?}}
{{PK –}} As you might be well aware, the mapping report has been extremely controversial, in actual fact, highly disputed by people in Congo and in the neighboring countries. It was highly politicized. Mukwege becomes just a symbol or a tool of these forces you don’t get to see, and he is made a Nobel Laureate, and therefore is told what to say. And by the way there are also other reports that dispute and say completely the opposite
{{AB: The opposite, that there were no crimes committed?}}
{{PK – }} That there were no crimes, yes.
{{AB: In the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo? }}
{{PK –}} Absolutely. And not by either the individuals or countries talked about. It is the theory of double genocide playing out here.
{{MP: In the east of congo the security situation continues to be very bad, some say continues to deteriorate. The Congolese government has decreed a state of siege into areas of Ituri and North Kivu, for thirty days, may be longer; is this a good move, do you agree with it? }}
{{PK –}} The state of emergency for me was like saying there is a big problem here, lets take measures that give us a good start to deal with it. This is why I am saying it is one thing to establish a state of emergency, even me I would do that. But I would follow it up also with a well thought out planned actions to actually deal with it in concrete terms, not to come and run over things again and after five years you still have the same or even a much bigger problem. But we have also had the UN forces, and the UN from outside, for now 24 years. There are still these responsibilities for the world that are kept, you know, silent about or put under… and nobody says, yeah, but what have you been there for all these 24 years? You went there to solve a problem – what happened?
{{MP: It is a failure?}}
{{PK –}} I think it is a big-big failure. It is an understatement, to say it is a failure.
{{AB: Now talking about doing more, your country and Congo seem to have better relationship since Tshekedi was elected. You both agreed to reinforce security at the borders between the two countries to tackle the rebel groups that are operating in that region. How far are you in these talks? Are you talking about joint military operations for instance?}}
{{ PK –}} We are still having a good discussion. But the most important thing here is, at least there is that environment where we can talk to each other, which was lacking before. And then, always people working together will find a solution.
{{AB: But joint military operations could be envisaged? }}
{{PK –}} I guess that would not be out of the question. But it always depends on the situation at hand and what people see, always the two sides will talk and see if that is going to work, what are the costs, what are the benefits, and the decision can be made. I think here people need to be flexible.
AB: Because you know UN experts are saying that Rwandan troops are already intervening in the DRC and already conducting operations.
{{PK – }} Yeah, but I wish they could go beyond that, and ask themselves, meaning the UN: Why would Rwanda have to go to Congo at all, when they are the ones responsible for the situation?
{{MP: So, but does that mean that you are acknowledging that Rwandan troops are in the DRC? }}
{{PK –}} No, I am acknowledging that the UN making that report is actually a failure in the Congo. That is what I am trying to say.
{{AB: They are failure?}}
{{PK: }} Yeah, total failure.
{{MP: So, are the Rwandan troops in the DRC as we speak?}}
{{PK – }} No if we were there we would not be failing. I assure you we would not fail to deal with the problem.
{{AB: So, coming back to Rwanda and your internal problems as you mentioned them, Paul Rusesabagina is currently on trial in Kigali, and he is charged on nine accounts, including terrorism for his alleged support to armed groups. He claims that he never condoned violence.}}
{{PK –}} One, he is not alone by the way in the trial. There are over 20 people who are being tried together with him. They were together committing these crimes against Rwanda and Rwandans. They are all appearing in court, and in fact some of them are giving overwhelming evidence against him. So, I do not see why people make a lot of noise. He is in court of law. He is not just being, you know, hidden somewhere under arrest. He is in a court of law, like many others.
{{AB: You are saying why do people make a lot of noise, also I think probably because of the way he was arrested. He says he was tricked into coming to Rwanda.}}
{{PK –}} What is wrong with tricking a criminal you are looking for? When you get him, where do you put him? If it is in a court of law, I think that is okay.
{{Marc Parelman: But the US, EU and others have expressed their concern about him getting a fair trial. When they say this, they suspect that this is actually not the case because of the way he was tricked, and because they don’t think he will get a fair trial. You have to be concerned when you hear this.}}
{{PK – }} Sure, I am calling for fair trial myself. So, it is not UK, US, or the European Union. No. I want to see a fair trial myself. Why do you think being fair belongs to Europe, or US or anybody else and not to us – why? This is how people, you see, end up being caught up in some of these useless things, and they end up being racist. It is like the only thing to be fair in Rwanda or in Africa, has to be supervised by Europe or US or some other place. No. Absolutely not.
{{AB: Or may be the concern is because several think tanks or organizations have accused your regime of suppressing all types of descent. I will give you another example of the arrest of the gospel singer, Kizito Mihigo, who became a critic of your regime. He was accused of inciting hatred, and he died in police custody. The official version is suicide, but human rights organizations are doubting that.}}
{{PK – }} The concerns will be there, but who tells you I do not have those concerns myself? But everything will be cleared by investigation and through the court of law.
{{AB: So, would you accept a probe? They are calling for an independent investigation?}}
{{PK –}} Independent what? You mean we should always be having independent investigation for things that happen here in Paris or in France?
{{AB: Mr. President you have been Head of State for 21 years. Next presidential elections are in three years. Will you be running?}}
{{PK –}} You know above all, I wish God continues to give me good health, that is at a personal level. The rest about politics, Rwandans will decide, and maybe I can also decide. I can decide even when Rwandans say, no we still want you. That is something important. But I can say you know what, I feel I need to go and do something else.
{{Alexandra Brangeon: Mr. President thank you very much for agreeing to this interview. And thank you to our listeners and viewers of France 24 and rfi – Radio France International. }}
{{President Kagame}} – Thank you
{ {{Transcribed by Kabagambe R. Ignatius – on 18/05/2021. The interview was jointly conducted by Marc Parelman of FRANCE 24, together with Alexandra Brangeon of Radio France International – rfi.}}
{{Kabagambe Rwiyemaho Ignatius is the Head of Corporate Communications, University of Rwanda}} }
Sylvine Vuguziga is among mothers whose children suffered from malnutrition related diseases because she had no kitchen garden and lacked skills to prepare balanced diet.
“When you don’t have either a kitchen garden or money, it ends up cooking food without vegetables. This is what happened to me that my children were subjected to poor dietary intake until they suffered from malnutrition diseases,” she said.
Vuguziga was among other mothers with children suffering from malnutrition diseases taken to nearby health center from where they learnt how to build kitchen garden and were equipped with best cooking practices to feed children with balanced diet.
Since then, she has never run short of vegetables that she even makes reserve for the market.
Assia Murekatete is another mother whose child suffered from malnutrition. Through kitchen demonstrations where they are acquainted with best cooking practices at village level, Murekatete also learn to build a kitchen garden.
“The money I used to spend on vegetables is currently used to buy sardine fishes or fruits. With the kitchen garden at home, my child’s health conditions has improved for good and won’t suffer from malnutrition again,” she affirmed.
Nyirabunani Fatuma has also revealed that kitchen garden has helped her to prepare balanced diet because she crowds different crops rich in nutrients.
“I used to spend much on vegetables and ripening egg plants but I am currently used to eating fresh vegetables from my garden,” she said.
Apart from improved nutrition, Kayonza residents including Uwimbabazi have started generating income from vegetables grown in kitchen gardens.
“My kitchen garden is productive that I cannot consume all vegetables. To this end, I make reserve for the market and generate income used to cater for basic needs, children’s uniforms among others. For instance, I earn much from cassava leaves unlike the past when I would only earn Rwf 700, an amount that could not feed the family obtained from casual work ,” she noted.
Mukanyirigira Alphonsine also makes Rwf 2000 per week from vegetable sales to people who don’t have a kitchen garden.
These women share common understanding that building a kitchen garden does not require huge budget but rather commitment.
Kayonza district vice mayor for social affairs, Harerimana Jean Damasce has stressed that kitchen gardens have been very helpful to preparing balanced diet and reduced the number of children suffering from malnutrition.
“Apart from kitchen gardens, we have also embraced the Government’s policy of planting three fruit trees per household to complement existing efforts to prevent malnutrition. With these initiatives, malnutrition cases have considerably reduced compared to the previous five years,” she affirmed.
Harerimana explained that the Stunting Prevention and Reduction project (SPRP) has facilitated adoption through trainings to community health workers among others to prevent children’s stunting and malnutrition.
Today, Kayonza district registers 91, 000 households and over 70,000 kitchen gardens.
In 2019, the Government of Rwanda and Qatar Airways have signed partnership agreements that saw the latter investing in the construction of Bugesera International Airport (BIA) estimated to cost $1.3 billion at completion.
The agreement spells out that Qatar will own 60% shares of the airport while the Government of Rwanda will own the remaining 40%.
The acquisition of 60% shares went hand in hand with revised master plan to expand the airport and upgrade it to international standards.
The airport will have the capacity of receiving 7 million passengers on annual basis against 4.5 million of the initial master plan.
Recently on 17th May 2021, the Minister of Infrastructure (MININFRA), Claver Gatete told the media that COVID-19 occasioned delays but highlighted that construction activities are currently on track.
“We faced challenges related to COVID-19 whereby limited number of workers was allowed to prevent spread of the virus. As of today, construction activities are on good progress. The remaining task is to fast track the project’s implementation. Despite the fact that we are working during COVID-19, we are hopeful to complete activities next year, whatever the delays,” he said.
Minister Gatete explained that construction activities have reached nearly 40%.
“The master plan which stalled activities is available. Constructions activities are carried out in framework of the master plan. That is why we are optimistic that to fast track progress of the project,” he noted.
Developing runaways and other infrastructure required for an airplane to use the land is underway while construction of terminals will begin in the next two months.
Minister Gatete said that 13-km road to the airport is among other infrastructures set to be developed in Bugesera district.
Bugesera International Airport will be seated on 2500 hectares.
“This evening, President Kagame received members of the Duclert Commission along with Gen. Jean Varret, Gen. Éric de Stabenrath, Col. René Galinié and Amb. Yannick Gérard, former French officials involved in Rwanda between 1990-1994, for a candid discussion about history and memory,” the Presidency has tweeted.
Gen Jean Varret who was part of officers that meet with Kagame served as the head of France-Rwanda military cooperation mission from October 1990 to April 1993.
Brig Gen Éric de Stabenrath was heading the Opération Turquoise (a French-led military intervention in Rwanda) in 1994 in former Gikongoro Prefecture while Colonel René Galinié was the Defense Attaché to the Embassy of France in Rwanda and head of military cooperation mission (July 1991-April 1994).
During his stay in Rwanda, Gen Varret informed his country about Genocide plan that was underway. Since then, he was gradually excluded from coordination that official information was later exchanged directly between the Presidency of Mitterand and subordinates until he resigned. He was replaced by Gen Jean-Pierre Huchon who was at the rank of Colonel at the time.
Recently on 26th March 2021, the expert commission comprised of French historians commissioned by Macron released ‘Duclert’ report which revealed that France bears “heavy and overwhelming responsibilities” over tragic history that led to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi which took lives of over 1 million victims.
As Duclert report was released, Gen Varret said that it will provide ground for truth on France’s role during Genocide against Tutsi.
During an exclusive interview with France 24 recently, Kagame said that he wanted to meet with these former army officers to discuss history of what happened in Rwanda particularly findings of Duclert report and Muse report released by Rwanda.
Rwanda and France have embarked on a new chapter to revitalize wavered relations over the role France is accused to have played during the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
The recently released Duclert report is considered a big step forward to revitalized relations.
IGIHE has learnt from credible sources that Macron will hold the maiden visit Rwanda on 27th and 28th May 2021.
Upon arrival in Rwanda, Macron is expected to visit Kigali Genocide Memorial and officiate the launch of French Cultural Center.
Macron’s visit will be the first in East Africa.
The Centre will be located near Kigali Convention Center, Kimihurura Sector, Gasabo District. The center was initially expected to be inaugurated in 2020 but construction activities delayed and were completed in April 2021 due to COVID-19.
The former French Cultural Center building used to be called ‘Centre D’Echanges Culturels Franco-Rwandais’ and was located in Kiyovu, nearby the city center’s main roundabout.
It was closed in 2014 by Kigali City Officials because the structure was not in line with the new City Master Plan.
The centre had a library and other activities including French language teaching; Culture-based training and concerts among others.
Since 2014, the cultural center office was in France’s Embassy in Rwanda, where its activities like entertainment and book reading were held in Kigali Public Library and the Goethe Institut in Nyarugenge District.
Macron comes to Rwanda at a time when both countries have embarked on a new chapter to revitalize wavered relations over the role France is accused to have played during the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
Rwanda, France relations have been on good progress since Macron took office in 2017.
The latter has demonstrated willingness to change France, Africa foreign policy and building strong relations with partners unlike his predecessor, François Hollande.
Recently on 26th March 2021, the expert commission comprised of French historians commissioned by Macron released ‘Duclert’ report which revealed that France bears “heavy and overwhelming responsibilities” over tragic history that led to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi which took lives of over 1 million victims.
The report was presented two years, after the delegation of 13 historians started reviewing archives on France, Rwanda relations between 1990 and 1994.
The report blames the then French President, François Mitterrand, for a “failure” of policy towards Rwanda in 1994. The findings were made public after years of French official secrecy over links to the Government led by Juvenal Habyarimana.
President Macron appointed the 15-member commission two years ago, giving them access to presidential, diplomatic, military and intelligence archives.
Among the archives are those of Mitterrand, who had close ties to former Rwandan President Juvénal Habyarimana.
Rwanda, France diplomatic relations date back in 1962 after obtaining Independence.
If he comes to Rwanda, Macron will be the second French President landing in the country of thousand hills after the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
Nicolas Sarkozy is the only France President who visited Rwanda on 25th February 2010 following the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
Kagame is in France to attend the International Conference on Sudan and Summit on Financing African Economies scheduled on 17th and 18th May 2021.
During his visit, Kagame also held talks with his counterpart of France, Emmanuel Macron; the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Félix Tshisekedi and Ethiopia, Sahle-Work Zewde.
Kagame and Ramaphosa met last in Ethiopia in February 2020 as they attended the 33rd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU).
They had also met in March 2019 in South Africa ahead of a dinner hosted by Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) EDGE.
Rwanda and South Africa have been hit by diplomatic tensions where Rwanda accused South Africa to grant refuge to fugitives intending to threaten Rwanda’s security like Kayumba Nyamwasa who escaped justice and currently heading RNC terror outfit.
In March 2018, President Cyril Ramaphosa said that the problem of Rwandans being denied visas to South Africa would soon become history after holding talks with President Paul Kagame. However, up to now, Rwandans still struggle to get visa to travel to South Africa.
Rwanda has at different times explained that actions of convicted people or fugitives should not blur bilateral relations.
The report (in French), which was years in the making, concluded that France remained a collaborator with the regime of the then President Juvenal Habyarimana that was behind the deaths of over 1 million victims in just 100 days and was “unwavering in its support” even when Genocide plans were clear.
France has long been accused of complicity during Genocide against Tutsi. Asked if he would like France to apologise for the events of 1994, Kagame said he would not demand an apology but said he would “appreciate” one, if it were forthcoming.
He also discussed violence in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo and did not rule out the possibility of joint military operations with Kinshasa.
Asked about the trial Paul Rusesabagina who was arrested last year in Rwanda, Kagame called for a “fair trial” but labelled Rusesabagina a “criminal”.
The International Conference on Sudan was held on Monday 17th May while the Summit on Financing African Economies is scheduled on Tuesday 18th May 2021.
The conference held yesterday was also joined by heads of financial institutions.
Rwanda’s Presidency has revealed via Twitter handle that Kagame met with Macron in Paris on the sidelines of the conference.
Areas of discussions have not been mentioned but both Heads of State met one month after the release of two reports that investigated the role of France during the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
These include ‘Duclert’ report made by expert committee comprised of historians commissioned by President Macron and ‘Muse’ report made on behalf of the Government of Rwanda.
Both reports indicate that French Government led by François Mitterrand between 1990 and 1994 supported the regime the then President Juvénal Habyarimana which planned and executed the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
During the conference on Sudan held yesterday, President Macron said that International Monetary Fund (IMF) member countries have agreed to clear Sudan’s arrears to the institution removing the final hurdle to the African nation getting wider relief on its external debt of at least $50 billion.
He also revealed that France will provide Sudan with a $1.5 billion bridge loan to facilitate the clearance to promote debt relief and investment in the African country, adding that his country was in favor of a full clearance of the $5 billion it is owed by Sudan.
Sudan is emerging from decades of economic sanctions and isolation under former President Omar al-Bashir, who was ousted by the military in April 2019 after an uprising.
A transitional government appointed under a military-civilian power sharing deal is trying to pull the country out of a deep economic crisis with inflation at over 300% and shortages of basic goods.
Sudan built up huge arrears on its debt, but has made rapid progress towards having much of it forgiven under the IMF and World Bank’s Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) scheme, allowing Sudan access to cheaper international financing.
