Responsibilities of MHC have been shifted to the Ministry of Local Government (MINALOC) and Rwanda Governance Board (RGB).
Since last year, the Government of Rwanda has been restructuring some institutions.
These reforms saw some institutions reducing or increasing staff members depending on areas of priority in a way that maintains improved institutional performance and avoid unnecessary expenses.
The Media High Council which has been operational for 19 years is among institutions that have been phased out.
It was established in 2002 with the mandate of monitoring media content. It was later in 2013 assigned more duties of building capacity for media managers, editors and practicing journalists.
The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Public Service and Labor (MIFOTRA), Musonera Gaspard has told IGIHE that similar reforms were made within other institutions that were merged to improve efficiency.
“There have been instances where assistants would outnumber staff members with major duties within particular institution. It is with this regard that the Government decided to stop unnecessary expenses,” he said.
Musonera pointed out an example whereby some institutions had almost similar duties and independent financial departments yet there was possibility to merge them.
“This is about self-assessment to identify areas of priorities in which money should be utilized. It goes with identifying institutions with gaps to be reinforced or others with excessive staff members to be transferred. Government institutions are meant to foster citizens’ progress. It is not reasonable to spend the entire budget on staff and equipment which might end up reducing the budget for development projects gradually,” he explained.
Musonera revealed that responsibilities of Media High Council have been shifted to MINALOC which has been overseeing the functioning of the institution while capacity building for media managers and journalists has been transferred to RGB.
It is expected that the placement of employees will have been completed by the end of February 2021.
The Kigali Bulk Water Supply Project is a Public Private Partnership (PPP) which involves extracting groundwater from the south bank of the Akagera River, build and operate a 40,000 m3/day treatment plant, then supply 30,000 m3/day to Kigali and 10,000 m3/day to Bugesera. This PPP is a 25-year Concession Agreement.
The project comprises of a well field, a water treatment plant, constructed by Kigali water Limited, and associated forwarding infrastructure, provided by the Government of Rwanda that includes storage reservoirs and pipeline.
Kanzenze Water Treatment Plant is in operation since 10th February 2021. Currently, in order to balance the incoming water from the plant to the existing network while optimizing the plant to its full production capacity, the plant is to produce water gradually, from 5,000m3/day to 40,000m3/day by the 1st week of March 2021.
Minister Gatete has said that the project was designed to address water shortage issues in the City of Kigali and Bugesera District by replacing existing old water networks and constructing new ones, to reduce water scarcity.
“The different areas of the City of Kigali and Bugesera District that will benefit from the project include Kicukiro, Remera, Kimironko, Kabeza, Kanombe, Busanza, Nyarugunga, Kigali Special Economic Zone, Ndera, Nyamata, Kanzenze-Karumuna, among others,”he said.
Minister Gatete said that Kigali Bulk water project is part of the Government of Rwanda plans to increase access to clean water in the City of Kigali and Bugesera district.
“This project is part of a big project to rehabilitate, upgrade and extend water networks of 568km length in both City of Kigali and its peri-urban areas with a total cost of approximately US$ 63 Million” he noted.
In addition to this project, the Government of Rwanda, in collaboration with its partners, is implementing other projects across the country including all secondary cities, to increase water production capacity and upgrade water distribution networks.
Kigali Bulk Water Project will accelerate the Government plans towards achieving the target of universal access by 2024.
He made the call yesterday during a meeting bringing together local leaders, security officials and residents of Busasamana, Bugeshi and Cyanzarwe sectors in Rubavu district, Western Province located in the neighborhood of the plain between DRC and Rwanda.
The meeting was convened a day after the assassination of Italian ambassador to DR Congo, Luca Attanasio killed along the road Goma-Rutshuru nearby Rwanda, DRC border.
Following the incident, DRC blamed members of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) for the attack on a UN convoy on Monday, February 22, in which an Italian Ambassador was killed.
Major Gen Alex Kagame has said that the killing that took place nearby Rwanda’s border is evidencing that FDLR might easily find a way to threaten security in these respective sectors.
“We still have problems at these borders. FDLR is still roaming around. I hope you heard what the rebel force did yesterday. It killed Italian Ambassador in the neighborhood. No one else is committing these atrocities other than these rebels in Nyamuragira Volcano. They are assassinating people, pillaging Congolese and disclose intentions to come to Rwanda to threaten security. This reminds us that we should not be complacent,” he said.
“If they can commit the assassination along the road from Goma to Rutshuru viewed from here; it is easier for them to raid Cyanzarwe, Busasamana and Bugeshi in case people are not alert to reinforce security measures. It is apparent that they are black-hearted if they can block the road, pillage a car loaded with foods and kill people including an ambassador from a foreign country,” added Maj Gen Alex Kagame.
He reassured residents that security officials are standby and requested them to stay watchful and draw attention on activities of national interests.
“We are well prepared. You should never be afraid because our forces are always standby to protect the country against enemy attacks anytime, “said Maj Gen Alex Kagame.
The Governor of Western Province, Alphonse Munyantwari also urged residents to stand firm to their security.
“We should remain committed to our security. No one else will protect our security if we remain complacent. Security should start within your communities, discouraging gangs stealing irish potatoes and unemployed residents spending the whole day in bars, if there are any. You need to advise them against such vices or report them to Rwanda Investigation Bureau for punishment,” he said.
Ambassador Luca Attanasio was assassinated on 22nd February 2021 along the road Goma-Rutshuru in the area known as Kanyamahoro bordering with Busasamana sector.
He was killed together with, Italian military policeman who was travelling with him and a staff member of World Food Programme (WFP).
According to a statement released by RwandAir, the airline will begin a three-week trial in April for customers travelling between Kigali and Nairobi in Kenya.
IATA Travel Pass is a digital platform to help passengers easily and securely verify that they comply with COVID 19 test or vaccine travel requirements, in turn giving governments the confidence to reopen borders.
Developed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the trade association for the world’s airlines, the platform is designed to be incorporated into airlines’ own apps, so travellers by air easily understand what they need before they fly.
Commenting on the development, Yvonne Manzi Makolo, the CEO of RwandAir, revealed that RwandAir is proud to be the first African airline to trial IATA Travel Pass highlighting it could reinforce all the health and safety measures and protocols ‘which we have put in place to restore customer confidence to fly once more’.
“We are incredibly proud to be part of IATA’s Industry Advisory Panel, to ensure we guide the technology development in a way that covers the unique requirements of our passenger profile. IATA’s innovative solution simplifies and digitally transmits the information required by countries and governments around the world into our airline systems, in a secure and efficient manner,” she said.
“Travel Pass will make it easy for our customers to resume flying – and just as easy for RwandAir, and airlines around the world, to accept them,” added Makolo.
Alexandre de Juniac, IATA Director General and CEO, emphasized that RwandAir is showing its industry leadership in Africa by becoming the first airline on the continent to trial IATA Travel Pass.
“RwandAir has long used IATA products as the most reliable source of information on entry requirements. This trial will build on that history of working in partnership and takes us a step further in the context of COVID-19. IATA Travel Pass will give governments the confidence to re-open their borders knowing that arriving passengers are in full compliance with any testing or vaccination requirements,” he said.
Alexandre explained that the trial app has a range of features, including a registry of testing centres and labs at the departure and/or arrival location which can conduct COVID-19 tests in accordance with the type of test required for the journey.
RwandAir customers participating in the trial will create a ‘digital passport’ which verifies that their pre-travel COVID-19 test or vaccination meets the requirements of the destination they are travelling to.
They will also be able to safely and securely share their test and vaccination certificates with participating authorities and airlines around the world to ensure smooth and seamless travel.
Operating from Kigali, with its hub at the heart of Africa, RwandAir is one of the world’s fastest growing airlines and operates one of the youngest state-of-the-art fleets on the African continent.
With a reputation for delivering a premium service to all its customers, RwandAir operates 12 aircraft with an average age of just under six years. The airline currently offers services to 25 destinations across 21 countries throughout Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
It has been revealed following the quarterly Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting held on 18th February 2021.
The committee reviewed outcomes of its previous decisions and assessed the recent economic developments and the outlook at the global and national level.
Rwanda’s real GDP contracted by 4.1% in the first three quarters of 2020, compared to the growth of 8.3 percent registered in the corresponding period of 2019.
However the second half of 2020, recorded a gradual recovery, on the back of supportive policy measures and easing COVID-19 containment measures.
The statement released by BNR shows that estimated recovery is evidenced by the rising trend of the real Composite Index of Economic Activities (CIEA), which increased by 9.4% in the second half of 2020 from a contraction of 2.1 percent recorded in the first half of 2020.
“This domestic economic recovery is expected to continue in 2021, supported by policy interventions to revive business activities, despite the uncertainty around COVID-19 and its containment measures. The rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine globally and in the country will also enhance private sector optimism, hence stimulating the recovery in economic activities,” reads the statement in part.
BNR has also revealed that the monetary sector remained resilient in 2020, owing to supportive policy measures, amid, subdued demand for loans by the private sector during lockdown.
Broad money grew by 18.0 percent in 2020 compared to 15.4 percent recorded in 2019, supported by the increase in the outstanding Credit to the Private Sector (CPS) which grew by 21.8 percent from 12.6 percent the previous year.
The expansion in CPS was essentially driven by restructuring of loans granted to borrowers whose activities have been negatively affected by the pandemic, and new authorized credit disbursed in 2020.
Among others, foreign exchange market remained stable, whereby, the Rwf depreciated by 5.5 percent year-on-year as of December 2020 against the USD from a depreciation of 4.9 percent in December 2019.
The statement shows that pressures of the Rwandan Franc came during the second half of the year, following the resumption of economic activities and the increase in the demand for foreign currencies amid lower foreign inflows. However, the foreign exchange market is expected to remain stable, with adequate foreign exchange reserves held by NBR covering 5.9 months of imports as of December 2020.
According to estimates published by International Monetary Fund (IMF) in January 2021, the global economy contracted by 3.5 percent in 2020, owing to negative impact of COVID-19. In 2021, the global economy is expected to recover and grow by 5.5%.
However, the strength of the recovery is expected to be uneven and unequal across countries depending on factors like; access to vaccines, effectiveness of policy support, exposure to cross-country spillovers, and preexisting economic conditions.
In November last year, Macron announced plan for a visit to Rwanda in 2021, aimed at strengthening existing bilateral relations.
“First of all, I am planning for visits to Angola and South Africa that had been suspended due to health conditions. I am hopeful that I will be able to make the visits within few weeks ahead and later visit Rwanda in 2021,” he told Jeune Afrique.
The date and month for the visit have not yet been confirmed but it is reported that the situation will depend on the status of COVID-19 pandemic.
Macron’s visit to Rwanda is expected before 18th May 2021 because France plans to host France-Africa investment summit in which over ten African head of states are invited.
In 2019, Macron was invited to Rwanda to attend the 25th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi. At the time, Macron sent the delegation of France parliamentarians including Sira Sylla and the French Rwandan born Member of Parliament, Herve Berville.
In May 2018, President Paul Kagame invited Macron as he attended Viva Technology Summit that brought together CEOs of different technology start-up companies and potential innovators in Paris, France.
Macron was again invited in October 2018 after the General Assembly of the International Organization of la Francophonie (OIF).
At the time, Kagame told RFI and France 24 that Macron was invited to visit Rwanda since he took office in May 2017.
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.
President Kagame recently told Jeune Afrique that there has been progress to both countries’ relations since Macron was elected in comparison with the past.
Rwanda, France relations wavered in the past over the role France is accused to have played during the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
In April 2019, France President, Emmanuel Macron established of the commission made of eight experts in history and researchers analyzing writings kept in archives of the country indicating France activities in Rwanda between 1990-1994 to come up with the truth on the role of France in the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
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.
Recent measures also extended curfew hours to 8pm yet some university students enrolled in night classes can study up to 10pm. Among others, inter-district travels are prohibited except for essential services and tourism activities.
The current situation raises worries for students from Kigali attending classes upcountry or vice versa wondering how they will reach respective schools.
In a talk show on RTV, the Minister of Education, Dr. Uwamariya Valentine has revealed that they are aware of the situation noting that students with private cars can provide explanations to law enforcers on duty to give them a pass.
She requested students without private cars to make arrangements for a private car and apply for movement clearance permits.
“The situation will be complicated for students using public transport buses. They are few to fill a bus but they can make arrangement when the number increases to hire a bus and seek movement clearance permit,” she said.
Concerning students enrolled in night classes, Dr. Uwamariya said that existing policies agreed with Higher Education Council (HEC) continue to be respected.
“It is not taking place for the first time. Before closing schools on 18th January, we already had students in night classes. At the time, HEC collaborated with universities and agreed on existing curfew hours to catch up over the weekend,” she said.
Dr. Uwamariya explained that students enrolled in night classes will continue respecting instituted curfew hours.
The cabinet meeting held on 19th February 2021 permitted restaurants and cafés to operate at 30% occupancy following a month of closure due to COVID-19 preventive measures.
Some restaurant owners, who spoke to RBA, revealed that they are making preparations to resume activities adhering to instituted guidelines.
“We will adhere to instituted preventive measures keeping social distancing, reminding clients to wash hands and testing temperature,” said the owner of Plus 250 restaurant, Ngango Fredy David.
Barakabuye Nsengiyumva, the Chairperson of Rwanda Hoteliers’ Association (RHA) has said that discussions held with restaurant and hotel owners are promising that no one will violate preventive measures.
“We held discussions mainly revolving around continued collaboration with relevant authorities to prevent the spike in Coronavirus cases. This means, respecting health guidelines is paramount to prevent the spread of the virus, “he noted.
Previously, some bars were reported rebranded as restaurants and operated like bars.
The Minister of Health, Dr. Daniel Ngamije has advised people against such vices lest they expose the country at risk.
“I would like to remind Rwandans to be cautious and avoid the reoccurrence of problems we went through in November and December where restaurants operated like bars,” he said.
Minister Ngamije explained that some clients cheat that they looking for food yet they want to drink and end up turning restaurants into bars.
“The problems we went through affected the economy, social wellbeing and education. We don’t want violation of preventive measures to step back our efforts,” he said.
Measures including the reopening of restaurants will go into effect on 23rd February 2021.
Testimonies from survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and former genocidists, recounting the participation of Whites in the killing of May 13, 1994 in Bisesero [western Rwanda], will also be put online to offer a real immersive experience to listeners, helping them better understand this very sensitive part of contemporary history.
People who do not speak French will find information on this investigation by following these links : www.bisesero.net/en (english) or www.bisesero.net/rw (kinyarwanda).
Hooza Podcast is a free application with content in free access, downloadable here: https://hoozapodcast.glideapp.io
{{Igihe spoke to Serge Farnel about this event.}}
{{Igihe: Why offer an audio version of your book?}}
{{Serge Farnel:}} To give as many people as possible access to this essential part of contemporary African history : the ultimate resistance of Tutsi civilians to the last genocide of the 20th century. This incredible act of bravery took place on the high hills of Bisesero, in western Rwanda. This story concerns us all, whether we are Rwandan or not, whether we live in Africa or not. It is our history. However, not everyone can read and concentrate on such a dense story. So, when Victor Nkindi, the founder of Hooza Media, suggested that I record it in his studios, I found his idea great.
{{When did you make this recording?}}
In 2014, when I presented this book in Rwanda during the 20th commemoration of the genocide, everyone was then gathered in the capital. I went to Bisesero because I wanted to be with the Basesero [Bisesero inhabitants] that day.
We remember that survivors of the great massacre of May 13 in Bisesero came this year to the Kigali memorial to testify to the active participation of Whites in this massacre.
Yes, the Rwandan television cameras were there too, and Rwandan viewers could see and hear them talk about these May 13 Whites in this symbolic place. The audience was able to ask any questions they wanted. It was an important moment for these survivors.
{{The particularity of this story is that it is based on many testimonies, right?}}
Very many, yes. My aim was to build the fullest possible account of the history of the genocide in Bisesero. I am not the only one who has collected these testimonies. I therefore rely on a large pool of sources: African Rights, the Mucyo Commission, journalistic reports, other investigators …
The particularity of the testimonies that you have gathered, however, is that they relate to the direct participation of Whites in the May 13 massacre, which led to nearly 50,000 civilian victims in Bisesero.
Absolutely. But I am not the only one who has collected such testimonies. For instance, there are those collected by a second investigator who has incidentally, as he explains in detail in an article, discovered by himself this participation through a different channel than mine. I have learned that he was finally able to return to Rwanda recently. And then, a third investigator also confirmed the presence of Whites on May 13.
However, I have been informed that since several years, it is forbidden to question survivors of Bisesero, apart from a short list of witnesses who have not seen these Whites of May 13. Two years ago, a French journalist (RFI) alerted the public about this on a French radio station. But I have no doubt that things will evolve peacefully. Rwanda is too attached to the whole truth to omit parts of its history.
The presence of these Whites with heavy weapons on May 13 shows the incredible courage of these extraordinary Tutsi civilians, in that it was the only way to overcome their resistance. Also, laying out their entire history is a tribute that they should not be deprived of. We all owe it to them; it is our duty.
To come back to the witnesses that I interviewed myself, I also included those who do not mention the Whites of May 13, either because their testimony concerns another place, or because they did not see any themselves that day in Bisesero.
{{So, the story does not concern Bisesero only?}}
In fact, yes, but we cannot understand what happened there without understanding why so many Tutsis gradually came to this place. To understand this, we must tell what was happening in the town of Kibuye, located below the high hills of Bisesero, a town that some Tutsi fled to avoid being massacred in stadiums or churches.
As far as the Kibuye stadium is concerned, we must understand how the genocidists led them there. This brings us to the commune of Mabanza, where we follow a family forced to walk for about twenty kilometers to reach this stadium. When they arrive, another family, who lived opposite the stadium. is there (or will be there, I can’t remember who got there first) and the listener will follow both families at the same time.
This is the idea of the story: to have your eyes everywhere and be able all the time to construct these events in their finest details, both in space and time.
{{You were also saying, regarding the May 13 testimonies, that you included those who have not seen white people?}}
Yes. Even if a significant number of survivors testified to the presence of these Whites on May 13, they probably represent a very low percentage of all survivors of Bisesero. Even if their presence was decisive, these Whites may have been between twenty and forty, amid a crowd of thousands of Rwandan genocidists, soldiers, Interahamwe militias or even Hutu peasants. The Tutsi were running to escape the fire of heavy weapons and machine guns, grenades and machetes. Not all of them were thus able to see them.
If you do not try to meet those likely to testify of their presence, you will only come across this type of testimony by chance, especially since a survivor who saw them will not necessarily spontaneously give you information that he does not know is important to you. But fortunately, there are enough of them to attest to their presence, and who have already done so.
{{How did the public react to the active participation of Whites in this great massacre?}}
If we take the time to listen to these testimonies, there is not much we can do other than accept what they tell us. However, there was probably, for some people, a phase of inability to cope with such information, especially if they were influenced by the attempt to disqualify the witnesses, which have been slandered!
However, when I learned about the slander campaign, I published on the investigation’s website [www.bisesero.net] the evidence to stop it. We will consider that this has been a part of the path that facts must take in their march towards History, summed up nicely by this Rwandan proverb: “The truth goes through the ordeal of fire without being consumed. ”
On the other hand, we can wonder why the presence of Whites at the May 13 massacre has been recorded in history so long after the events, particularly after the Mucyo commission [Rwandan commission responsible for gathering evidence of France’s involvement in the genocide].
As a journalist, I accompanied this commission in December 2006 in Bisesero. It focused its investigation on the three days from June 27 to 30, 1994 of Operation Turquoise [official French mission that began on June 22, 1994 in Rwanda], which is understandable since its mission was to gather evidence of France’s involvement in the genocide.
It had thus to concentrate on the dates of the official French missions. So, it did exactly what it had to do, and in an admirable way. On this point, the work that this commission has done is historically exceptional. My investigation began a year after the publication of its report, and I immediately informed Mr. Mucyo of what I had just found out.
{{When exactly did you inform him?}}
Just after recording the first testimonies of the presence of Whites on May 12 and 13 in Bisesero. Back in Kigali, the first thing I did was to call one of the commissioners of the Mucyo commission, and then its President, in other words Jean de Dieu Mucyo himself. He was then the Executive Secretary of the CNLG [National Commission against Genocide]. He immediately requested to meet me. Mr. Mucyo and I then discussed a long time to try to understand who these Whites could have been.
I gave him a copy of my rushes for the sake of total transparency. After analysing them, he asked me to come back and go on with my investigation. He participated in its funding with Tharcisse Karugarama, then Rwandan Minister of Justice. When he asked me that, I didn’t feel that he was embarrassed in any way. During the two previous years, he had investigated with his team the part of the story entrusted to him. As for me, I was just bringing an additional element relating to a period outside of the French official missions. Indeed, the great massacre of Bisesero took place on May 13, in other words after the end of the French operation Amaryllis to evacuate Westerners (April 15) and before the start of the French operation Turquoise (June 22), a mission presented as humanitarian.
{{What are you expecting from this event?}}
May it help to make this part of history known to my contemporaries. I am also hoping that Rwanda will do what is necessary, before it is too late, to pursue the white genocidists of May 13, whatever their nationality, whatever they were then, active soldiers in the army or mercenaries. Whatever! But let’s stop wasting time.
The men of mercenary Paul Barril were probably part of this group of genocidists. A number of factual elements suggest this. And these men are identifiable. We are talking about fifty thousand civilians massacred in one day! Let’s not forget that. Should we choose not to act, our responsibility would be historically enormous.
These include Dr. Bernard Bahati appointed Director General of National Examination and School Inspection Authority (NESA). He has been a lecturer at the University of Rwanda.
The institution was created recently and published in the Official Gazette in October 2020.
NESA is mandated to promote quality education in primary schools and vocational training schools (TVET) offering short or long term training packages.
Dr. Nelson Mbarushimana has been appointed the Director General of Rwanda Basic Education Board which took some duties of former Rwanda education Board ((REB).
Dr Mbarushimana is an expert in curriculum development with over 17 years of experience in education sector.
The cabinet meeting also appointed Dr. Sylvie Mucyo as the Deputy Vice Chancellor in Charge of Training, Institutional Development and Research at Rwanda Polytechnic.
Dr. Mucyo has previously served as the Deputy Programme Coordinator at the University of Rwanda. She is a board member of Rwanda Meteorology Agency.
Among others, Dominique Ingabire has been appointed the Principal of IPRC Karongi.
{{Other appointments: }}
{{Ministry of Education (MINEDUC)}}
Pascal Gatanazi, Chief Technical Advisor
Christophe Nsengiyaremye, Director General of Sector Planning , Monitoring and Evaluation
Rose Baguma, Director General of Policy and Analysis
Jimmy Christian Bukusenge, Director General of Corporate Services
Eric Niyongabo, Advisor to the Minister of State in charge of TVET
{{National Examination and School Inspection Authority:}}
Vianney Augustine Kavutse, Head of Department of Basic Education and TVET Quality Assurance
Dr. Alphonse Sebaganwa, Head of Department of Basic Education and TVET Examination
Angelique Boneza, Division Manager of Basic Education and TVET Quality Standards
{{Rwanda Basic Education Board:}}
Leon Mugenzi Ntawukuriryayo, Head of Teacher Development, Management, Career Guidance and Counselling Department
{{Rwanda Polytechnic:}}
Dr. Aimable Nsabimana, Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Administration and Finance
{{Rwanda Technical and Vocational Education and Training Board:}}
Solange Uwamahoro, Head of Training Management Department
Aimable Rwamasirabo, Head of Curriculum and Instructional Materials Development Department
{{IPRC Karongi:}}
Leonard Manirambona, Deputy Principal in Charge of Academics and Training
