Dr. John Pombe Magufuli died at the age of 61 on Wednesday 17th March 2021. It was reported that he succumbed to heart complications.
Previously, Dar es Salaam residents were allowed to say their final goodbyes to the president on Saturday and Sunday at Uhuru Stadium.
Today’s ceremony was also attended by other dignitaries including the Presdient of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa; DRC President, Félix Tshisekedi; The President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta; Zambia’s President, Edgar Lungu; the President of Namibia, Hage Gottfried Geingob and the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa.
As he addressed gathered mourners, Premier Ngirente expressed condolences to Tanzanians highlighting that Magufuli’s legacy will be remembered.
“On behalf of His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Rwanda, Paul Kagame; On behalf of the Government of Rwanda; I would like to extend our sincere condolences, and deepest sympathy to the People and the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania for the loss of the patriotic leader, His Excellence , Dr. John Pombe Joseph Magufuli,” he said.
“The Government of Rwanda has had a privilege of working closely with His Excellency Magufuli not only as an East African community integration champion but also as a great contributor strengthening Rwanda, Tanzania bilateral relations. His Legacy, will always be remembered, “added Ngirente.
Since Magufuli took office in 2015, Rwanda, Tanzania relations revitalized following tensions that had mired both countries relationship during the leadership of former President Jakaya Kikwete.
Magufuli was a close friend to Rwanda. After election in 2015, Magufuli made his first foreign trip to Rwanda in 2016.
Following his demise, President Kagame on 18th March 2021 condoled with Tanzanians and eulogized Magufuli as a brother, and panafrican who strived for great things in Tanzania and the region.
“We are saddened by the loss of my brother and friend, President Magufuli. His contribution to his country & to our region will not be forgotten. My deepest condolences to his family and the people of Tanzania. The people of Rwanda stand with Tanzania during this difficult time,” he said via Twitter handle.
John Pombe Magufuli died few months after re-election for the second term.
After the State Funeral, Magufuli is expected to be buried at his native land in Chato.
Magufuli was born on 29th October 1959.
Shule ERP is a program developed by Loxotech, a company providing digital solutions in Rwanda.
The program is used by nursery schools, primary and secondary schools and universities to enhance teaching, streamline finance management and follow up students’ discipline.
It also helps parents to follow up students’ performance while at school, helps students to revise studies made available on the portal or attend online classes using the portal anytime.
Among others, the technology helps in finance management, facilitating easy monitoring of students who have already paid fees. Students can pay using Mastercard or Visa Card without necessity to queue at banks.
Through its annual initiative dubbed ‘Innovating Education in Africa Expo’ aimed at recognizing outstanding projects promoting innovation in the education sector.
Through its program dubbed ‘Innovating Education in Africa Expo’ aimed at recognizing outstanding projects promoting innovation in the education sector, AU selected Shule ERP among 50 best digital solutions.
The Innovating Education in Africa Expo was launched in 2018. This year’s edition focused on innovators below the age of 35.
Speaking to IGIHE, the CEO of Loxotech, Olivier Nshizirungu said they were selected among 50 best digital solutions in Africa out of 300 contestants.
“We entered the contest in August 2020 that attracted the participation of 300 digital solutions providers from different African countries. Lucky enough, we emerged among 50 outstanding projects,” she said.
Nshizirungu explained that the idea behind the portal was to provide affordable digital solution facilitating education.
“We decided to develop the digital solution to address challenges of existing costly solutions restricting users in one way or another,” he said.
The developed program also helps students to attend examinations without necessarily being present physically.
The program developed by Rwandans has so far been rolled out to other African countries including Guinea, Ethiopia, and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The continent was “saddened by the death of a revolutionary,” said Democratic Republic of Congo’s Felix Tshisekedi.
Mr Magufuli died last week following heart complications at the age of 61.
His successor President Samia Suluhu Hassan remembered him as a champion of the poor and a religious man.
“He wasn’t just our leader but also a guardian and parent to many… and an honest man,” President Samia said.
Nicknamed the bulldozer, Mr Magufuli was popular with many Tanzanians who approved of his no-nonsense governance style.
Critics, however, accused him of being an autocrat and of clamping down on dissent.
He also downplayed the effects of coronavirus and stopped the publication of the country’s case numbers and deaths. Opposition politicians say that Mr Magufuli died from Covid-19, but this has not been confirmed.
Tanzanian leaders attending the funeral and the majority of the thousands of people at the stadium in Dodoma did not wear face masks or observe social distancing – health measures that the late president often mocked.
However, visiting leaders and other delegations did wear masks.
Over the weekend tens of thousands of people in the country’s largest city, Dar es Salaam, flooded roads to pay their respects.
On Sunday there was a stampede at a stadium where Mr Magufuli’s coffin was on display – the number of casualties is not yet clear.
He will be buried in his north-western hometown of Chato on Friday.
{{What did the African leaders say?}}
Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi said the former Tanzanian president “will stay in the hearts” of many.
In his tribute, Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera referred to Mr Magufuli as “Africa’s finest son” whose “life of service” would be remembered.
South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa described him as a “true pan-Africanist” who was unapologetic about being an African.
Mr Ramaphosa remembered the former president for being a “warrior” against corruption, and who worked for his people.
He also said the Tanzanian president was a champion for African culture and traditions, especially the use of Swahili, East Africa’s lingua franca, throughout the continent.
“Swahili has been introduced in South African schools as a honour to the late President John Magufuli who insisted on its use,” Mr Ramaphosa said.
This was echoed by Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masese, who said that Mr Magufuli was a “great teacher”, like Tanzania’s founding President Julius Nyerere.
“Even in Botswana he expected us to speak Swahili… We too have introduced Swahili in our curricula.”
In his tribute, Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta also addressed Mr Magufuli’s successor, saying: “To you my sister and now my counterpart, the road has been shown to you by our brother President Magufuli.”
“The Democratic Republic of Congo and the African Union together are saddened by the death of the revolutionary Dr John Magufuli. We’re praying for Tanzanians. The DR Congo is with you in this difficult period,” said President Tshisekedi, who is the current chairman of the African Union.
He revealed this yesterday in a talk show aired on Radio Rwanda. Minister Ngamije explained that Rwanda upgraded its capacity to detect new Coronavirus variant in August 2020.
“In August last year, we upgraded our capacity for Coronavirus testing to get deeper information because viruses might metamorphose into new variants more resistant than other viruses of similar genetic code. It might be more quickly transmissible because it reproduces fast and has string resistance to vaccines and drugs,” he said.
After upgrading capacity, Minister Ngamije revealed that Rwanda has been testing people with different Coronavirus variants that do not severely resist drugs.
The exercise targeting to detect people with new variant was carried out to 400 people among COVID-19 patients.
Dr. Ngamije explained that two people were last week tested with the new Coronavirus that emerged in the United Kingdom while 10 others were tested positive with the new variant found in South Africa.
“We identified 12 people of whom two had symptoms of the new Coronavirus variant found in the United Kingdom while ten had symptoms of the new variant found in South Africa. These new variants were found from people from abroad whose sample tests were taken as they arrived at Kigali International Airport,” he said.
Minister Ngamije revealed that these patients were taken for treatment in isolated place lest they transmit the virus to others and recovered.
“As usual, we don’t release people tested positive but rather take them to planned treatment facility where they receive special treatment. We treated them until they recovered, tested negative and released them to resume their activities,” he said.
Apart from these foreigners, Minister Ngamije underscored that no one from inside the country has been tested with the new variant.
Rwanda confirmed the first COVID-19 case on 14th March 2020. Since then, 20828 have been tested positive of whom 19 180 have recovered, 1358 are active cases while 290 have succumbed to the virus.
Rwanda has recently received 392,000 COVID-19 vaccines in three batches including doses received through Covax initiative and donations from India.
Since 5th March 2021, Rwanda kicked off countrywide inoculation program administering Pfizer and AstraZeneca doses.
To date, figures show that over 333,000 people have been vaccinated, a very small number comparatively to the country’s population
The Director General of Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana recently said that Rwanda might start using Johnson & Johnson vaccines in a bid to move fast the vaccination program.
He revealed this on Friday during a ceremony to award outstanding contestants in ‘Innovation Accelerator’ (iAccelerator) program.
The Innovation Accelerator (iAccelerator) is a mentorship driven acceleration programme, supporting young entrepreneurs with seed funding, training and skills development to generate innovative solutions in response to challenges related to sexual and reproductive health, sexuality education, family planning, maternal health and other population development issues.
One of participants asked Dr. Nsanzimana if Rwanda plans to use Johnson & Johnson vaccine to fast track inoculation program and cover 60% of the population targeted to be vaccinated by June 2022.
In his response, Dr. Nsanzimana explained that the country has not yet started discussions with manufacturers but assured that the vaccine might be added to the list of vaccines administered in Rwanda.
“The vaccine [Johnson &Johnson] might also be added to the ones we already have. It has not yet arrived, we have neither had agreements with manufacturers nor tested it but it is a promising vaccine in countries that started administering it,” he said.
With the efficacy of 72%, Johnson&Johnson is the only vaccine that requires one dose. USA started administering it in February 2021.
IGIHE has learnt that Rwanda is holding discussions seeking ways to acquire more vaccines.
It was revealed on Friday 19th March 2021 during a handover ceremony between the outgoing Minister of Local Government, Prof. Shyaka and his successor, Gatabazi few hours after searing-in.
Prof. Shyaka thanked President Paul Kagame for having trusted him, and the support he received to accomplish his duties.
Several achievements have been attained since Prof. Shyaka held office in 2018. As for good governance indicators, the citizen inclusiveness has improved from 65% to 82%, leadership decentralization improved from 70% to 87%, service delivery improved from 74% to 78% as the Government targets to hit 90% in the Seven Year National Strategy for Transformation.
“It is apparent that that there is a long journey to attain the goal in the next three years ahead,” said Prof. Shyaka.
In collaboration with other institutions, the outgoing Minister Prof. Shyaka had pledged to help Rwandans get shelters whereby 11,000 houses were supposed to be constructed between 2018 and 2021.
“Approximately 9000 houses have been constructed and handed over to owners. However, the journey is continuous as many more houses need to be renovated,” he noted.
Local government entities have made a remarkable progress whereby 97% of services are offered online against 89% in 2020.
Prof. Shyaka explained that more efforts were expended in the execution of delaying projects which saw 65% completed while 25% are pending.
“Local leaders have made a commendable step towards efficient management of public resources over the past three years but we still have areas of improvement,” he said.
{{The task awaiting Gatabazi}}
The Ministry of Local Government ensures the coordination of good governance and high quality territorial administration programs that promote economic, social and political development throughout the nation.
The Ministry is also responsible for developing, disseminating and coordinating the implementation of policies, strategies and sector programs through the formulation of national policies, strategies and programs of good governance, territorial administration, social affairs and group settlement sites to ensure sustainable community development; develop a legal framework for good governance, territorial administration, settlement and social-economic development among others.
Prof Shyaka highlighted that his successor should put emphasis on increased efforts to help grass root leadership to prevent the spread of COVID-19, oversee Ubudehe social class classifications and reinforce cells leadership.
Among others, he stressed need to draw attention on sorting out problems affecting Rwandans’ wellbeing, particularly, vulnerable people.
Minister Gatabazi pledged collaboration with others to accomplish his duties diligently.
“As he often reminds us, I firstly have to feel that I am not alone. President of the Republic is around with promises for citizens within seven years. What always came to my mind is asking myself what do people expect? This makes me feel that leadership is a responsibility requiring someone to be held accountable in case of failure to deliver,” he said.
As he officiated the swearing in ceremony, Kagame reminded leaders to serve the country and citizens selflessly promoting common interests.
“We all know that the work we do is to serve Rwandans and our country, we have to remind ourselves that we are working to transform their lives for the better. We are not doing this for our own gains,” he said.
A she concluded his remarks, Kagame expressed condolences to the family of late President John Pombe Joseph Magufuli who died on Wednesday and Tanzanians as well.
“I cannot end my remarks without expressing, on my own behalf and on behalf of the government and people of Rwanda, my deepest condolences to the family of the late President John Pombe Joseph Magufuli, and to the entire Tanzanian nation,” said Kagame.
“President Magufuli was a steadfast pan-African, and a friend to our country. Rwanda stands in solidarity with Tanzania and with President Samia Suluhu Hassan at this difficult moment,” he added.
President Kagame appointed new Ministers recently on 15th March 2021.
Gatabazi replaces Prof. Shyaka Anastase while Habyarimana Béata replaces Hakuziyaremye Soraya appointed as the Vice Governor of the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR).
The long awaited railway linking to Rwanda to neighboring countries is expected to give relief to traders catering for expensive cost of land cargo transport.
The railway on Rwandan side will follow the lowland through Ngoma, Kirehe, Bugesera and Kicukuro districts.
Sources reveal that Rwanda is required at to pay US$4,990 per single container carrying 25,400 kgs. Once completed, the railway anticipates reduced transport costs by 40% hence positively impacting on Rwanda’s imports and exports.
Among others, the project will be impactful particularly for Rwandan traders considering the fact that 70% of Rwanda’s imported or exported cargos are transited through Dar es Salaam Port.
Discussions for the construction of Isaka-Kigali railway began in 2000 but implementation phase had not yet materialized until 2015 when President John Pombe Joseph Magufuli took office.
Agreements to construct the 532-railway initially expected to be completed at a cost of US$ $ 3.6 billion were signed on 9th March 2018.
On the side of Rwanda, the 532-km railway will pass through Rusumo border to Kigali city (at headquarters of Dubai Ports in Kicukiro). There will be an extra 18-km part of the railway leading to Bugesera International Airport.
The railway on the side of Rwanda will be 138 km with the rest of 394 being on Tanzania side.
Of the total US$ $3.6 billion estimated cost; Tanzania shall meet US$ 2.3 billion while USD $ 1.3 billion is required on Rwanda side.
Patrick Emile Baganizi, the Deputy Director General at Rwanda Transport development Agency (RTDA) recently told IGIHE that the railway will improve efficiency and fast track transport of goods imported to the country.
“Both heads of state promised these infrastructures to citizens to put us out of seclusion because Rwanda is a landlocked country with inter-country trade relying heavily on road transport means,” he said.
Baganizi explained that Rwanda will reap big from cargo transport, reduce freight cost, promote economy and facilitate smooth trade between countries.
“Construction of the railway seems expensive at the beginning but it presents huge and long-term benefits over the years,” he underscored.
Baganizi revealed that preparations are underway even though the beginning construction activities have not yet started.
“We are erecting landmarks at the anticipated railway’s demarcations. The process also involves property valuation to estimate how much expropriation will cost,” he noted.
As Baganizi said, the study plan has been completed awaiting resources mobilization before laying the foundation stone.
“Resources mobilization is underway so that we can embark on execution phase. The fact that Rwanda has a hilly topography cannot halt our progress because there are other mountainous countries that successfully completed railways. We will also manage to do so when resources are available,” he stressed.
So far, landmarks for Isaka-Kigali railway passage have been erected from Rusumo to Ndera in Kigali city.
It is expected that the railway will be expanded to the democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), once the country’s request is approved.
Construction of the railway is underway on the side of Tanzania.
Apart from Isaka-Kigali railway, Rwanda also joined Northern Corridor countries including Kenya, Uganda and South Sudan for the implementation of a $13.8 billion flagship railway project that links Mombasa to Kigali and the railway expected to dramatically boost East African’s position as a regional economic hub.
In 2020, COVID-19 had a profound impact on Rwandan economy. In addition to the public health challenge, COVID-19 had also severely affected many economies following measures that were and are still being implemented to contain the spread of the virus.
Apart from the 1st Quarter that was not hit hard by the pandemic, the remaining 3 Quarters recorded negative growths whereby the 1st quarter grew by 3.7%; 2nd quarter: -12.4%; 3rd quarter: -3.6%; and 4th quarter by -0.6%.
This led to a 3.4% drop in economic growth for the year 2020. Even though restrictive measures to contain the spread of the virus were gradually relaxed since May 2020, economic activities have not recovered fully to pre COVID–19 levels.
Activities related to hospitality industry as well as Education continued to be the most affected.
In 2020, Services contributed 46% to GDP, Agriculture contributed 26% while Industry contributed 19%. Net direct taxes accounted for 8%.
In 2020, GDP decreased by 3.4% compared to the growth of 9.5% in 2019.
The agriculture sector increased by 1%, industry dropped by 4% while services dropped by 6%.
Although the country expects the situation to improve in 2021 going forward; Hotel and restaurants were the most affected dropping by 40% followed by Education which dropped by 38% and Transport activities that dropped by 24%.
Among others, wholesale and retail trade dropped by 3% in 2020, construction activities also dropped by 6% following a high growth of 33% recorded in 2019.
However, Information and communication sector grew by 29% while Health sector grew by 19% due to efforts taken to contain Covid-19 pandemic.
The memorandum was signed on August 21st 2019 by President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame in a bid to solve conflicts between Rwanda and Uganda.
Despite efforts to sign the agreement between both heads of state witnessed by mediators including the President of Angola, Joao Lourenço and Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the situation is still worsening as Uganda’s Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence CMI continues with arbitrary detention of Rwandans who are subjected to torture in its facilities.
Rwanda, Uganda relations have been worsening since 2017.
Rwanda expressed concerns over Rwandans who travel to Uganda for business purposes but are abducted, imprisoned and tortured accused of being Rwanda’s spies.
In March 2019, the Government of Rwanda officially advised citizens not to travel to Uganda for their security following testimonies of over 1000 Rwandans tortured and deported from Uganda.
Rwanda also accuses Uganda of hosting dissidents that are posing a threat to the former’s national security.
As of today, Rwandans living or visiting Uganda continue to face arbitrary detention, torture and illegal deportation without any legal representation or consular access.
Recently, five more Rwandans were dumped at Kagitumba One Stop Border by Ugandan officials.
They arrived in Rwanda after spending days enduring torture in detention facilities accused of being spies.
The matter remains of public concern to understand what kind of espionage is allegedly brewing between the two neighboring countries. It is however reported that there’s growing suspicion of Uganda’s ongoing support to rebel armed groups intending to destabilize Rwanda.
As preparations of CHOGM 2021 to take place in Kigali are underway, the Commonwealth should not tolerate such aggressiveness and hard punches unless the Anglo-Saxon lobbies that would support Museveni and a whole African knave are stronger than the organization.
{{Torture, must be banned from current political affairs }}
On 12th March 2021, around 10am, five Rwandans including a 17-year old girl, Céline Ishimwe and her brother Ishimwe Eliel aged 19 were deported from Uganda through Kagitumba border in Nyagatare district, Eastern Province.
The two children were living with parents Bicamumpaka Esiri and Mukandahiro Aurélie in Wakiso in Uganda.
Security officers from Uganda’s Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence went to their home and arrested children after missing parents.
The children went to Uganda in 2015 with their mother through Gatuna border with all documentation including passports well presented.
They were arrested on 10th December last year and taken into Police custody in Bukasa where they spent a week and taken to court on accusation of illegally staying in Uganda.
Ishimwe Eliel said that they have travel pass but his explanations were not considered and retained in prison.
On 25th January 2021, they were transferred to the detention facility of the Ministry of Internal Security until their deportation. The two children have a grandfather in Nyanza district where they plan to stay upon deportation.
Other deportees include Murindangabo Bernatus, the husband of Nisingizwe Michelle with whom they have two children.
He is a son of Rutaza Révérien and Mukantagara Athanasie living in Bugesera district. He arrived in Uganda from Brisbane town, Queensland State in Australia.
Murindangabo went to Uganda on 13th February last year through Kigali International Airport onboard RwandAir. He owned a tour operator company guiding tourists in Uganda.
Murindangabo was arrested by CMI on 4th February 2021 and detained in Kansanga where he runs businesses. He was taken to CMI ‘safe houses’ and later at Makindye military camp on accusations of espionage.
Another businessman, Mugisha Gahungu Shadrack, 29, hailing from Nyamasheke district went to Kenya in 2010 through Gatuna border.
He left Kenya for Uganda in 2015 and later arrested on 4th February 2021 in Kansanga at a bar known as Pyramid.
He was taken to CMI headquarters in Mbuya and later taken to military camp in Makindye accused of being a spy.
Mugisha has left his family in Uganda.
Rebero Napoléon is another deportee aged 47. He arrived in Uganda in 2000 through Gatuna border.
He was arrested on 10th February 2021 in Kampala where he was running businesses. He was also detained at CMI facilities in Mbuya accused of espionage.
Gahungu was also deported on 12th March 2021. After completing university studies in Rwanda, he went to Kenya in 2013 for business. After spending two years, he went to Uganda where he established a restaurant. Gahungu later met with another Rwandan in 2017 and established a bar known as ‘Atmosphere Lounge’.
In 2018, his bar became famous that he started working with Rwandan Disk Jockeys (DJs).
As Coronavirus emerged, he moved to Kansanga and worked with another bar dubbed Pyramid. He was arrested on 4th February accused of espionage.
“I am not the only Rwandan arrested. Many Rwandans have been arrested and held at different times in the past three years for similar accusations. People are sometimes abducted under the cover of the night, blindfolded and whisked to unknown destinations. I was also tortured like other Rwandans illegally detained,” he said.
Like other deported Rwandans, Gahungu returned to Rwanda bare hands leaving all his properties in Uganda.
{{Treat detainees humanely}}
Interviewed human rights activists question the actions of Ugandan officials at a time when the Commonwealth is strict about human rights violations.
“Commonwealth Human Rights intervention stories are a sham. At least the leadership of Commonwealth is fully aware that Uganda accommodates and supports rebel groups against Rwanda including Rwanda National Congress [RNC] of General Kayumba Nyamwasa. The organization is aware of the arrest of FDLR senior officers including La Forge Fils Bazeyi and the deputy head of the intelligence services of this armed group. The duo was arrested at DRC, Uganda border coming from a meeting to plot against Rwanda’s security held in Kampala. They were extradited from DRC to face justice in Rwanda in 2019. That is a well-known fact. So what do you want? Rwanda knows how to manage its relations with its neighbor located to the North. Rwanda is committed to seeking homegrown solutions to protect safety and security of citizens,” a regional expert has commented on condition of anonymity.
Another Belgian political analyst has reminisced on unreasonable grudges considering the fact that Uganda bribed a British media house to spread its political propaganda trying by all means to tarnish Rwanda’s reputation.
According to the Belgian, extreme jealousy, illogical grudge towards his dynamic counterpart Kagame who knows well Museveni, blinded the septuagenarian to the extent that “Western supremacists acting behind the scenes have taken it over and digested.”
“They have him on their backs. But he is not the only one “, said this analyst declining to point out the reality of a disastrous solidarity of some African politicians embroiled in ‘supremacism and Western capitalism’.
“There are some figures of geostrategy and geopolitics that are not considered. From Kaguta Museveni- Jakaya Kikwete, former Tanzanian President, – Zuma (former South African President) – Karegeya (former-colonel and dissident against Rwanda), Kayumba Nyamwasa (former Rwanda’s General and founder of RNC). They all work with intelligence services of the Great Powers which protect them.
Unfortunately, they have a hard bone to eat. Kagame. He is clever than them. He knows how to escape and even anticipate the traps they set against him. With these attributions, he analyses the relations between such coalitions. The Rwanda President makes deeper analysis to come up with a solution to that. That is the benefit of a clever mind like his,” said the analyst on condition of anonymity.
{{Do not miss the rendez-vous of dynamic integration in East Africa}}
According to the analyst, Kagame stands chance to understand all these opposing forces, at least those remotely controlled by supremacists and Western lobbies that tend to “complete the extermination Tutsi’ which they started and failed to complete in 1994.
According to the analyst, the case of Paul Rusesabagina and his Western supporters, Americans, French people, British and Belgians as well as regional support with Zambian President, Edgar Lungu also falls under this context.
These African presidential makers are driven by their selfish interests whatever the cost.
Is it time to understand that regional and African continental integration will bear no fruits at a time when countries like DRC and Somalia want to join the regional bloc?
The major concern is to understand whether the CHOGM Kigali scheduled this June will be held amidst ongoing turbulence between Uganda and Rwanda.
In case the Commonwealth does not constitute committee of eminent persons and veteran politicians capable of working towards neutralizing the nucleus fueling worsened relations between neighboring countries like Rwanda and Uganda, the bi-annual meeting would end up yielding little.
