According to the Office of the President, Village Urugwiro, Kagame was received in Nouakchott by his Mauritanian counterpart, Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz.
“President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz of Mauritania welcomes President Kagame to Nouakchott where he will chair the 31st Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union,” the Office of the President said in a tweet.
The AU Heads of State and Government Assembly was preceded by the Ordinary Session of the Executive Council which took place on 28th – 29th June 2018.
The 31st Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union takes place under the theme “Winning the Fight against Corruption: A Sustainable Path to Africa’s.
Ties between Rwanda and Egypt have been strengthened in past years with both countries running fully-fledged diplomatic missions in their two capitals.
Egypt through its Rwandan embassy that was opened in 1975, has contributed quite commendably especially in the areas of health, where contributions were made towards supporting vulnerable Rwandans to access high-tech medical procedures from Cairo, or at several occasions through flying into groups of medical experts from Egypt to treat patients, dominated by poor folks who could otherwise not afford the specialized health care provided.
The great relationship between these two countries kicked off years ago when Rwanda opened its embassy but came to close only to be re-opened again in 2015, where Sheikh Habimana Saleh, the Mufti of Rwanda, became Rwanda’s first Envoy to Egypt.
Every four years, Egypt sends off a new envoy to Rwanda, with the recent one being Ahmed El Ansary who replaced Dr Namira Mohamed El-Mahdi Negm.
In an exclusive interview with IGIHE Reporter, Rwanda’s Envoy to Egypt, Habimana Saleh said that ties between Rwanda and Egypt across several sectors including trade, healthcare and education among others, were at its best peek.
On Education, the envoy said; “Rwandans who come to study in Egypt are either Muslims or are Government-aided, although the latter is rare. There are also few who pay for themselves.”
Today, a total of 63 Rwandans study in Egypt with 51 studying in Al-Azhar University, Cairo. Seven of the rest are sponsored by Alexandria University, while two are sponsored by Rwanda Military Hospital to study in Cairo University. When added up to a few based Rwandans, a total of Rwandans residing in Egypt are 88.
On Healthcare, Sheikh Habimana hinted that in coming days, a deal between the respective Health Ministries of Egypt and Rwanda would see the latter receiving medicines to cure Communicable Diseases – ACPHD.
He also added that there were Egyptian investors interested in Rwanda’s hotels, while others were working on an Amusement/theme park dubbed “Kigali Dream Park & Resort”, and others who were interested in Rwanda’s Industrial sector, mainly in the clothing sector, Wood and Furnitures, and Home Appliances – like Refrigerators, Ironing machines, Television, and others.”
Among these awaited projects, the Amusement park to be built over an area of 200,000 sq. meters that will be dubbed “Kigali Dream Park & Resort” will be allocated in Rusororo, Gasabo District. The wonderland project led by Bahgat Group will feature various attractions, such as rides and games, as well as other events for entertainment purposes.
Aside of performing Trade projects, Bahgat Group is in a drive of supporting citizens, where the group chairman Ahmed Bahgat announced that 60 households will receive electricity from solar-energy with the Group’s support.
Commenting on these projects, Egypt’s Envoy to Rwanda, Ahmed El Ansary, noted that nothing specific had been yet done, but that in coming days, most will be launched. He further gave an example of the ongoing Egypt and Middle East expo, saying that it was only one of their many projects.
Every year, the Egypt and Middle East expo is organized in Rwanda, during which products made in Egypt are showcased and it is also seen as a gateway for Egyptian investors in the Rwandan market.
Both Rwanda and Egypt share common interests on the regional and international scene, besides their membership in many organizations and regional gatherings such as COMESA, the NEPAD initiative, the African Union, and the Nile Basin Initiative.
In August 2017, President Abdel Fattah el Sisi was the first Egyptian leader to visit Rwanda, where he was welcomed by President Kagame, before proceeding to a guided tour of the Kigali Genocide Memorial where he paid tribute to victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
In Rusizi District of Western Province, Ephrem Kayumba has been elected the new mayor with 91.7% of the total vote, while his opponent Djuma Kajigo got 8%.
Kayumba who had been the Executive Secretary of Nyamasheke District replaces Frederic Harerimana who resigned in May citing personal reasons.
In Nyagatare District of Eastern Province, Claudian Mushabe was elected the new mayor replacing George Mupenzi who together with both vices resigned in May.
Mushabe had been the Executive Secretary of Gakenke District in Northern Province.
In Huye District of Southern Province, Ange Sebutege was elected the new mayor with 225 votes of278.
Sebutege had been the Head of Communication and Customer Care in Rwanda Directorate General of Migration and Emigration.
André Kamana has been elected the Vice-mayor in charge of economic development and Annonciata Kankesha, the vice-mayor in charge of social affairs.
In Bugesera District of Eastern Province, Richard Mutabazi has been elected, the mayor replacing Emmanuel Nsanzumuhire.
The former Rwanda Basketball Federation Secretary General Mutabazi acted on the docket after Nsanzumuhire and both vices resignation in May.
In Gicumbi District, Felix Ndayamabaje was elected the mayor replacing Juvenal Mudaheranwa who together with the vices resigned in May.
The elections also took place in Nyabihu District and saw Antoinette Mukandayisenga elected the mayor. Mukandayisenga replaces Theoneste Uwanzwenuwe who resigned in May.
Worth Rwf2,5 billion, the facility is located in Busasamana Sector.
The facility houses the High Court Chamber of International and Cross-border Crimes, the High Court Chamber of Nyanza, the International Crimes Unit of the National Public Prosecution Authority and the primary court of Busasamana.
Speaking at the ceremony yesterday, Rugege requested justice sector players to use the facility for justice delivery.
“We hope that judges and prosecutors will effectively perform their jobs. I am optimistic that the job that will be performed from here will meet expectations of people through good justice delivery,” he said.
Nyanza District mayor, Erasme Ntazinda welcomed the court in the district saying that Nyanza continues to be the hub of justice.
“As Nyanza is the town of culture, we should not forget that it had been the hub of justice from long ago as it hosted the royal court,” he said.
The construction activities were funded by the Netherlands and the Government of Rwanda.
The Netherlands Ambassador to Rwanda, Frédérique de Man commended the achievement and said that their government will continue to partner with the government of Rwanda in different activities including justice.
She urged Rwandan justice sector players to uphold professionalism. The court will host the cases of Genocide fugitives transferred to Rwanda for trial from different countries.
The larviciding and spatial spraying for mosquito control is being used to kill mosquitoes from the breeding grounds like bushes, swamps, water bodies among others.
The exercise was launched Thursday in Kamonyi District, Musambira Marshland.
It is spearheaded by the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Defence under the partnership with different government institutions and partners.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Health, Dr. Diane Gashumba said that fighting malaria is a demanding exercise which calls for participation of all.
“We should spray all mosquito habitats and breeding grounds to stop their multiplication and eventual extension of their effects to our homes, you should participate in this exercise to stop malaria which continues to claim lives of Rwandans,” she said.
She encouraged Kamonyi residents to sleep in mosquito nets as a way of avoiding contact with mosquitoes that could transmit malaria to them.
Defence Minister, Gen. James Kabarebe said that Rwandan army is in charge of people’s security but which cannot be complete when some residents are susceptible to malaria.
“Complete security is when residents are healthy, children studying, people work freely and protected from such life threatening diseases like malaria. That is ample security which allows people to work for development of the country,” he said.
The mosquito sprays are manufactured by a local company Agropy from pyrethrum.
The exercise will start from Districts which are prone to malaria including, Kamonyi, Nyamasheke, Nyarugenge, Gasabo and Kicukiro.
He was speaking at a press conference he held yesterday in Kigali along with Rwanda’s Prosecutor General, Jean Bosco Mutangana.
Brammertz said that early release should follow clear directives and said that Meron’s decisions are inappropriate due to the intensity of genocide crimes.
“Internationally, early release has certain directives. Here, we speak about genocide crime, a crime that had impact to the human being and the country, which is why they need transparency. For me, before releasing any convict, I would make sure whether they don’t negate or trivialize the crimes they had perpetrated,” he explained.
He said that laws releasing people who served two-thirds in prison should go clear.
“Currently, no law compels the Judge to consult any person before granting early release to convicts, that is why my office has embarked on requesting for the establishment of the law, so that it will specify procedures leading to early release. The law should include consulting parties connected with the decision,” he added.
Mutangana said that early release of genocide convicts should reflect impact it would cause to unity and reconciliation of Rwandans.
“Those are Rwandans who were sentenced by international courts, they were tried and sentenced by the United Nations, but,they were not deprived of Rwandan nationality, there are Rwandans and we are still witnessing the genocide effects. That is why early release decisions should be discussed and agreed between UN and the country,” he said.
MICT’s Meron granted early release to Ferdinand Nahimana and Fr. Emmanuel Rukundo who were serving their sentences in Mali.
Meron is also in the process to release Col. Aloys Simba, Dominique Ntawukuriryayo and Hassan Ngeze who have already served two-thirds of their sentences.
The decision comes from a presidential decree issued on last Saturday which justifies the decision as a result of “excellent level of cooperation relations” between Angola and the two countries, the cooperation which the Angolan Government looks towards strengthening further.
According to the decree, Rwanda and Cape Verde joins the list of African countries whose citizens acquired tourism visa-free entry into Angola, Botswana, Mauritius, Seychelles and Zimbabwe, as well as Singapore in Asia.
Previously, Angola had already entered into reciprocal tourism visa exemption agreements for citizens of South Africa and Mozambique.
Tourism visa exemptions involve staying in Angola up to 30 days per entry and 90 days per year based on the principle of diplomatic reciprocity, according to the Angolan Government.
In addition to these exemptions, the previous law, which entered into force on March 30, established procedures to simplify the process of getting a tourism visa for citizens of 35 other countries, namely the non-compulsory calling card.
The contingent will participate in peace-keeping operations, and women and child protection activities in particular.
The peace-keepers who will serve under the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) set off at Kigali International Airport Wednesday with 144 female Police Officers joining 16 others who went in advance.
The deployment follows President Paul Kagame’s pledge in the United Nations Leader’s summit on peacekeeping operations that took place in New York in September 2015.
The Contingent Commandant, ACP Teddy Ruyenzi said that having the female formed unit has particular meaning in the mission.
“The responsibilities we will perform are always there for UNMISS, but our special particularity as women contingent will be to help women and children. As you know those categories are the victims of violence and conflicts that are taking place in that country. It also implies that women are capable to perform all jobs,” she said.
The Deputy Inspector General of Police, Juvenal Marizamunda said that South Sudan endures conflicts and people were displaced from their properties to the extent whih they need special protection and security.
“The United Nations needs Army and Police assistance in protecting security of people in camps. Police protect them from external threats and any emerging crimes from inside the camps,” he said.
“The reason behind female contingent is because the camps are dominated by women, children and elderly people, female Police Officers offer them special attention than men can do,” he added.
While briefing the Police Officers yesterday at Police Headquarters in Kacyiru, DIGP Dan Munyuza said that the contingent was well trained and are fully equipped to perform well their responsibilities.
He urged them to maintain discipline of the force and exhibit professionalism in supporting in trouble.
Rwanda has over 1000 Police peacekeepers in different missions including Haiti, Central African Republic and South Sudan.
The first initiative for Rwanda automotive industry, Volkswagen Mobility Solutions is the German’s car manufacturing firm.
The Head of State said that some people found it hard to believe that German cars could be built in Rwanda. “Yet today, the first vehicles are rolling off the assembly line,” he said.
“This facility undoubtedly represents a new chapter, in Rwanda’s journey of economic transformation. There are also positive implications for Africa more generally. Not only can global brands assemble high-quality products in Africa, they can also find customers here,” Kagame said.
Kagame said that Africa is not merely positioning itself as a new low-cost hub to manufacture goods for export, but African consumers will also be among the biggest contributors to growth in global demand in the years ahead.
He challenged Africans on paying higher price to second hand, and requested them to think about new things.
“Africa does not need to be a dumping ground for second-hand cars, or second-hand anything. In the long run, you end up paying a higher price anyway. If you pay a high price for second hand, why not pay for something new. Africa and Rwanda deserve better and this is one way of showing we can afford it,” Kagame noted.
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Kagame said that Volkswagen’s operations in Rwanda reminds of working regionally. He said that Rwanda benefits from Volkswagen’s investment in Kenya and urged East Africa to build a regional manufacturing base.
“In the mid-term, the only way for us in East Africa to move up the industrial value chain from assembly to manufacturing is to build an integrated regional manufacturing base,” he said.
“When we shift from a logic of competition to one of cooperation, we all gain. Success is about partnership and leveraging our strengths,” Kagame tipped East Africa Member countries.
He said that software and technology, combined with innovations in sales and distribution strategies will allow people to have routine access to a new car without the costs of ownership.
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Speaking at the event, the Volkswagen Integrated Mobility Solutions in Rwanda Chief Executive Officer, Michaella Rugwizangoga said that in July they will start with Cooperate car sharing, a service dedicated to institutions, cooperates and non-government organisations.
“We would start with forty vehicles and look to increase to 140 vehicles. This will be followed by ride-healing with initial fleet of 150 vehicles,” she said.
She said that in 2019, they will have public car sharing, with vehicles available in stations which can be self-driven. She said it will be followed by a charter service and peer to peer car sharing service.
Thomas Schäfer, Volkswagen South Africa Chief Executive Officer said that the launch of the plant cements another pillar into the ground of Volkswagen Sub-Saharan Africa strategy.
“Our goal is to play a leading role in the emerging automotive industry in Africa as we pursue a rapid and flexible expansion strategy over the coming years,” he said.
Schäfer said that Rwandans will buy different models assembled locally like VW Polo, VW Passat, VW Tiguan, VW Amarok and VW Teramont
He said that their facilities in phase one have capacity to assemble 1000 cars per year.
“As demand increases, we will move to phase two where we will increase the capacity up to 10,000 cars and from here we will move to the level of manufacturing,” he said.
He said that that they will spend $USD20 million in phase one.
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The Volkswagen’s cheaper local assembled car model is VW Polo which is $23 881 (over Rwf20 million).
For VW Passat is $37 674 (Around Rwf33 million), VW Tiguan is $37 719 (Rwf33 million), VW Amarok is $44 559 (over Rwf38 million) and VW Teramont is $48 156 (Rwf42 million) which is the expensive brand.
In an interview with IGIHE, Amb. Mujawamariya said that they want to increase number of beneficiaries of the scholarships from 15 to 70 and possibly to 100.
Figures from the Embassy of Rwanda in Russia indicate that 120 Rwandans pursue their studies there, 75 of who are sponsored by Russian government.
“The Government of Rwanda has requested Russia to increase the yearly number of scholarship for Rwandan students from 15. In September, 15 students will come, but we expect 70 next year because we requested them that number. I am also thinking that we can request them to increase the number to 100 scholarships,” she said.
“We are among countries which use properly those scholarships and our youth need quality education and skills to develop our country,” she added.
Mujawamariya said that they prefer partnership in education with Russia because their education is different from that of the West. She said that Russia teach foreign students on condition that they will go to contribute to the development of their mother countries.
