The program kicked off on Wednesday 28th April 2021 in Gasabo village, Nkondo cell, Rwinkwavu sector in Kayonza district of Eastern Province where village leaders came together to sign performance contracts with district’s officials.
Last week, the Minister of Local Government, Jean Marie Vianney Gatabazi held a visit in Eastern Province and reminded local leaders that they will be held accountable in case they fail to track drug traffickers.
He explained that it is not understandable how village leaders can fail to do so yet they easily identify individuals suspected of other crimes.
Following the advice, Eastern Province pledged to initiative the activity of signing performance contracts with village leaders to prevent crimes particularly in villages neighboring with borders.
The activity started in Kayonza district yesterday as a gesture to mobilize village leaders to strive for drug-free communities.
The mayor of Kayonza district, Jean Claude Murenzi has requested residents to report criminals threatening security.
He particularly urged village leaders to avoid connivance with criminals threatening security and drug traffickers as well.
“If we ensure that villages and their sub-units, cells and sectors are safe, the district will also be peaceful. Let us collaborate and oversee for our neighbors to make early reporting and counteract crimes,” he said.
Munyenyezi Munyenyezi is facing seven charges linked to her role in Genocide and crimes against humanity. She faces charges of manslaughter as Genocide crime, preparation of Genocide, direct or indirect mobilization to perpetrate Genocide, conspiracy during Genocide, extermination as a crime against humanity and conspiracy to commit rape.
She appeared before court for the first time with her defense lawyer, Gatera Gashabana. The second defense lawyer, Buhuru Pierre Célestin was not present.
Gatera told the court that they were informed of the hearing in the evening of Tuesday 27th April 2021 before sending files to the client and sitting with her for preparations.
Gatera told the court that he met with his client once on Tuesday and spent together 20 minutes only. He requested the court to adjourn the hearing for further preparations.
Gatera said that his client was not granted access to documents connected to her case.
Munyenyezi was deported from USA to Rwanda in the night of 16th April 2021 after completing 10-year sentence handed by US court for making false statements on her role during Genocide against Tutsi to obtain nationality.
Gatera told the court that they wrote to her clients’ defense lawyers in USA to send evidences connected to Munyenyezi’s hearing.
Munyenyezi has also said, she didn’t receive her files, that she should be granted access to the archives brought from USA and be allowed to speak to her family.
The Prosecution explained that the lawsuit was filed to the court on Monday noting that the suspect has rights to review her files and consult with defense lawyers once the court analyzes the request and confirms another date.
The court postponed the hearing to Wednesday 5th May 2021 at 9am.
Munyenyezi and her children fled to Kenya after Genocide against Tutsi. She applied for US refugee status in 1995 disguising as one of people affected by Genocide.
Munyenyezi settled in Manchester, New Hampshire, with three young daughters in 1998 after claiming to have been persecuted in Rwanda.
She was granted US nationality in 2003.
Ten years later, she was stripped of US nationality on 21st March 2013 after Manchester Court in New Hampshire State convicted her of complicity during the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi and making false statements to obtain nationality.
She appealed against the ruling in 2017 but the decision was retained.
Munyenyezi was born in 1970.
The Spokesperson of Rwanda National Police (RNP), John Bosco Kabera has said that detainees were shot after declining to move back.
“We are informed that Police officers were serving washing water to detainees in the morning. As they entered in, some detainees stepped out the detention facility and run away. Police on duty fired five detainees after declining to obey the warning shot,” he said.
It is said that the detainees were held at a RIB station in the area awaiting their cases to be transferred to the Prosecution.
Returnees have been dwelling in different parts of the country including Kigali, Nyamata town in Bugesera district among others.
Most of these refugees arrived in Rwanda in 2015 when Burundi was plunged into political turmoil following the re-election of late President Pierre Nkurunziza.
Speaking to the media, returnees expressed delight for returning to their mother land but revealed that they will miss Rwanda where they had great memories.
“I am extremely happy to return home in Bujumbura. I will miss Rwanda; the traditional mixed food and beans because we are accustomed to eating fishes at home,” said Uwimana Nadine who has spent six years in Kacyiru, Kigali city.
Another returnee who was living in Nyamata town said that he was amazed with Rwanda’s tight security and caring leadership that responds to the needs of citizens on time.
“From the village up to other levels of leadership, security was tightened. The country has caring leadership that interacts and understands needs of citizens. One of indelible memories is the time when President Paul Kagame stopped in Nyamata to greet us. I received a great support from Rwanda that I immersed my education in Theology at Africa Mission Bible College. I will also miss churches in Rwanda.”
The returnee requested both countries to reopen borders to facilitate movement and trade which he considers a barrier to advanced economic growth between citixens of both countries.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry in charge of Emergency Management (MINEMA), Kayumba Olivier has revealed that Rwanda’s doors are open to everyone seeking refuge or refugees returning home.
“Even though borders are closed, we are ready to welcome whoever seeking refuge with reasonable cause. Burundians themselves have the right to decide whether they want to stay in Rwanda or return,” he affirmed.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi thanked the Government of Rwanda and Burundi for their support to the repatriation of refugees and shed light on advantages to Burundians returning home.
“We commend both countries. Rwanda has thoroughly prevented COVID-19. Returnees were all tested and no one tested positive. Their repatriation is beneficial because some of them are set to resume work,” he said.
“Some children were not studying and will be able to receive needed services at home land. We are going to partner with Burundi to reintegrate returnees,” added Grandi.
Over 23,000 Burundian refugees have returned home since August 2020. It is expected that approximately 40,000 refugees will have repatriated by 2021.
Wavel Ramkalawan received Amb. Karamba on Tuesday 27th April 2021 at his palace in Victoria City.
Amb. Karamba said that Rwanda and Seychelles enjoy cordial relations adding that President Paul Kagame was among first Heads of State that sent congratulatory message to the President of Seychelles upon his election six months ago.
Speaking to the media; Amb. Karamba explained that bilateral cooperation will draw emphasis on promoting different areas particularly ‘tourism sector’.
Seychelles and Rwanda have both advanced efforts in promoting tourism.
Amb. Karamba has also stressed that both countries might share experience in French language education.
He highlighted that a lot needs to be done in the education sector given that both Rwanda and Seychelles are members of Commonwealth and Organization Internationale de la Francophonie.
As he said, both countries will also enjoy cooperation in the areas of security particularly, Police.
Maj Gen Karamba has become the 4th diplomat representing Rwanda in Seychelles.
The country is constituted of 115 isles located in the Indian Ocean.
He replaces Amb. Eugene Kayihura who also represented Rwanda in Tanzania and Seychelles with residence in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Rwanda, Seychelles have enjoyed diplomatic relations since 2006.
Rwanda’s ambassador also held talks with the Vice President of Seychelles, Ahmed Affif that revolved around how both countries can mitigate COVID-19 effects.
During his working visit to Seychelles, Amb. Karamba will also hold talks with other top officials including the parliamentary chairperson, Minister in charge of investment, head of diplomatic corps and members of private sector among others.
On the first day of his visit on 26th April 2021, Amb. Karamba met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism in Seychelles.
He is also expected to deliver a talk during a commemoration event of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi organized in the country.
Dr. Chisela Chileshe who visited the memorial yesterday evening was accompanied by the Commissioner General of Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS), CG Juvénal Marizamunda.
After touring different parts of the memorial, the delegation laid wreaths to mass graves and paid tribute to genocide victims.
The Commissioner General of Zambia, Dr. Chisela said that genocide was perpetrated with extreme cruelty and called on Rwandans and the international community to learn from such history to prevent reoccurrence of Genocide.
“I would like to convey a message that hatred we should not leave loopholes for hatred, and ethnic divisionism because they are destructive,” he said.
Dr. Chisela warned people denying and trivializing Genocide against Tutsi particularly perpetrators roaming freely in foreign countries that they should return to Rwanda to witness severity of their wrongful acts.
“They should neither deny nor trivialize Genocide against Tutsi. What happened in Rwanda reflects extreme cruelty. Genocide fugitives who killed neighbors and friends should return to witness their wrongful acts,” he said.
“Today, Rwanda is a peaceful and secured country abiding by laws. They can seek forgiveness if they return. And am sure that they can be forgiven or get justice. I stand against people denying Genocide against Tutsi after witnessing history at this memorial,” added Dr. Chisela.
He stressed need to draw special attention to inmates convicted of Genocide crimes to rehabilitate them into more responsible citizens upon release.
“Zambia and Rwanda Correctional Services are learning from each other. We have a heavy responsibilities to ensure that inmates are not only rehabilitated physically but also psychologically because a traumatized mind is very dangerous,” said Dr. Chisela.
“Thousands of inmates in Rwanda, are Genocide convicts who need a lot of attention. We will work together with RCS to ensure that we build capacity together and help our brothers in other areas of cooperation so that inmates are rehabilitated into responsible citizens upon reintegration into the society,” he said.
Dr. Chisela thanked Rwanda’s leadership led by President Paul Kagame for reuniting Rwandans and rebuilding the country that had been shaken during Genocide against Tutsi.
The Commissioner General of Zambia Correctional Service, Dr. Chisela Chileshe and his delegation are in Rwanda for seven-day visit to exchange best practice with counterparts from RCS.
Filippo Grandi has been in Rwanda for four-day working visit.
The Presidency Office has tweeted that Filippo Grandi was accompanied by UN Resident Coordinator, Fodé Ndiaye but didn’t reveal topics of discussions.
The Minister of Emergency Management (MINEMA) Solange Kayisire was also present.
Filippo Grandi met with President Kagame after visiting Gashora transit camp in Bugesera district accommodating refugees from Libya on 25th April 2021.
During his visit, commended Rwanda for taking good care of these refugees and particularly thanked President Kagame and Rwandans for welcoming them.
He also visited Nyamata Genocide Memorial where he paid tribute to victims laid there.
It was expected that Grandi will on Tuesday travel with Burundi refugees accommodated in Rwanda as they return home.
Filippo Grandi has been visiting regional countries to witness living conditions.
Grandi was in Rwanda for last visit in April 2018.
Kagame delivered the message today as he commissioned 721 new officers at Rwanda Military Academy – Gako, in Bugesera District.
Commissioned officers have been promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant.
After commissioning new officers, Kagame urged them to uphold high standards of discipline on duty with dedication to serve Rwandans and the country.
He said that the nation builds upon security to sustain development and highlighted that Rwanda’s capacity is used to defend sovereignty and deal with any threats.
“Transforming our nation towards continued development requires a professional, strong, and disciplined army. We build our capabilities to secure our country, protect our sovereignty, and build upon our security to sustain our development,” he said.
“We want to use our capacity not to attack any country but to defend ourselves against any threat to our security and sovereignty. Anyone who threatens our security will be dealt with and will pay a heavy price,” added Kagame.
The pass-out ceremony was also witnessed by RDF senior officers, Government officials and families of the new officers.
The first group of commissioned officers consists of 209 who combined military training and university studies in Social and Military Sciences, Medicine, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering.
The second includes 506 enrolled in one year program of whom 347 were in-service soldiers while 159 were civilians before joining the military training.
The third group is comprised of 6 officers who completed military training from partner-countries including Belgium, Kenya and Sri Lanka.
The Commandant of Rwanda Military Academy – Gako, Maj. Gen. Innocent Kabandana has said that it was an exhausting journey that some of them didn’t complete due to various reasons.
Commissioned officers have been promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant.
The ceremony was held in compliance with COVID-19 preventive measures.
The first group consists of 209 commissioned officers who combined military training and university studies in Social and Military Sciences, Medicine, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering.
The second includes 506 enrolled in one year program of whom 347 were in-service soldiers while 159 were civilians before joining the military training.
The third group is comprised of 6 officers who completed military training from partner-countries including Belgium, Kenya and Sri Lanka.
The Commandant of Rwanda Military Academy – Gako, Maj. Gen. Innocent Kabandana has said that it was an exhausting journey that some of them didn’t complete due to various reasons.
“The journey these students went through was not easy. 62 of recruits didn’t complete courses due to various reasons including indiscipline, physical, mental performance and sickness,” he said.
President Kagame has requested new officers to always remember that their main duty is to serve Rwandans that it is a heavy responsibility that should be given much relevance for RDF to continue rebuilding and contributing where necessary.
He commended the academy, for continuous efforts to equip recruits with required skills.
“Those who stand chance to study and get trained here should properly use acquired skills and help the school to grow further,” he said.
Filippo Grandi voiced the appreciation yesterday on 25th April 2021 as he visited Gashora Transit Camp located in Bugesera district, Eastern Province accommodating these refugees hailing from different countries including Somalia; Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Sudan.
Filippo Grandi was along with the Minister of Emergency Management (MINEMA), Marie Solange Kayisire. He was taken through different facilities of the camp including a clinic, accommodations, and crafts center.
After touring different parts, Grandi said that establishing the camp was an idea from President Paul Kagame so that refugees stranded in Libya can be accommodated ins afe places.
“I am delighted to be here at this center. It was created from the idea of President Paul Kagame at a time when the World saw through the media, damning videos showing mistreatment of refugees from detention centers in Libya,” he said.
“At the time, President Paul Kagame was chairing the African Union. During a speech held at the time, he said that Rwanda wants to provide assistance. I spoke to him and accepted that we can establish a facility where people from these centers can be accommodated and treated humanely as the process to seek host countries continues, “added Grandi.
He explained that the World has two centers receiving these refugees from Libya including one in Niger and Rwanda.
“These are countries which came to us and committed to share responsibility. In fact, I would like to extend my since gratitude to President Kagame and Rwandans for commitment to take the responsibilities. They are heavy responsibilities to accommodate hundreds people on your land especially during these difficult times [of Coronavirus pandemic]. We are working hard to address their problems,” noted Grandi.
He also expressed satisfaction with the support these refugees are receiving where they access health services including mental health.
“I have been extremely satisfied with the work of the Government of Rwanda, UNHCR and Civil Society for doing a great job. I have been delighted to talk to accommodates refugees including a family from Somalia as well as young men from Eritrea and Ethiopia,” said Grandi.
“They have really gone through difficulties. This center has saved their lives not because it is the home of their dream but giving them relief in terms of health support to lead better life. This includes taking care of people with mental health problems, wounded ones feeding them. I visited them in detention centers in Libya. They endured lots of difficulties, torture, abuse, slavery and rape. Receiving health support is of crucial relevance,” he added.
Some of refugees told Grandi that they receive emergent support to fill requirements to get host countries.
He told refugees that the relocation to other countries has delayed due to COVID-19 and reassured them to scale up efforts to relocate them in collaboration with host countries.
Minister Kayisire said they had an opportunity to discuss with Grandi on problems affecting livelihoods of refugees including the reduction of funds allocated to help them.
It is expected that Grandi will resume his visit to Burundi traveling refugees returning home.
Rwanda has so far received five batches of refugees and asylum seekers from Libya.
The last batch arrived in the night of 29th December 2020 joining refugees and asylum seekers Rwanda welcomed in the previous four batches comprised of 385 people.
Some of them have been already granted refugee status in foreign countries including 131 taken to Sweden, 23 granted refuge in Canada, 46 in Norway while 5 others were granted refuge in France.
Rwanda signed agreements to host refugees stranded in Libya on 10th September 2019 with the African Union (AU) and UNHCR.
Rwanda made the commitment to host refugees from Libya in 2017 following revelations that thousands of people from across Africa were stranded in the country after their failure to reach Europe and subjected to slavery.
Rwanda committed to receiving 500 refugees at head first of whom a group of 66 African refugees and asylum-seekers from Libya arrived in Rwanda at the end of September 2019 in the first batch aboard the airplane of Buraq Air.
All batches were all accommodated at Gashora transit camp in Bugesera district which previously hosted thousands of Burundian refugees since 2015 before they were relocated to other sites.
