PM Abiy landed in Eritrea’s capital, Asmara for a bilateral summit which was aimed at repairing relations between both countries.
Through his twitter handle, Kagame hailed both leaders for commitment in bringing about right things for the people of their countries.
“We salute the leaders, PM of Ethiopia Dr. Abiy Ahmed and President Isaias Afewerki of Eritrea for their courage and doing the right thing for their people of the two countries! We congratulate you and are with you….!” he said in a tweet.
Abiy’s visit to Eritrea came two months after he accepted a peace deal that ended a two-year border war between the two countries.
The Chief of Staff in Ethiopia’s Prime Minister’s Office, Fitsum Arega tweeted that the visit was aimed at deepening efforts to bring about lasting peace between the people of both countries.
“Our two nations share a history and bond like no other. We can now overcome two decades of mistrust and move in a new direction,” he said adding, “The visit offers a spectacular opportunity to decidedly move forward peace for the good of our people.”
As a result of the visit, Fitsum said Sunday that for the first time after two decades, a direct international telephone connection between Ethiopia and Eritrea was restored.
He said that after discussions, Eritrea’s Isaias confirmed that the normalization of Ethiopia-Eritrea relations will start in earnest, flights will resume, utilization of the sea ports will start and the two countries will re-open embassies in each other’s capital.
Ethiopia-Eritrea war took place between 1998 and 2000 but left lasting conflicts on the border of two countries.
He had not been cleared of the said debt nor the court case by May 2018 when Ngoma Intermediate Court sentenced two officials who allegedly squandered the money through ‘ghost loans’; the former Ndego Sacco manager, Simon Pierre Habyarimana and loan officer Jean Paul Nzabonimpa to eight years in prison and a fine of Rwf9,767,420. They were found guilty of mismanaging the SACCO’s funds, forgery, using counterfeited documents and conning people. Musabyimana was a victim of the duo’s trickery.
The two have appealed the verdict. But 10 Sacco members who claimed indemnities of Rwf60 million also appealed the decision of compensating each with Rwf222,000 which they say doesn’t even cover their expenses including Rwf500,000 for the lawyer and over Rwf300,000 transport costs per each for attending the hearings from January to May 2018.
Musabyimana says, “I got loan of Rwf1.5 million in “words” not in cash in 2014. It started with the loan officer calling me to their offices over weekend and encouraged me to take loan which I accepted but he said I had to wait for Monday to collect the money.”
“They kept dodging me for about a month but they later decided to end the matter, filled the loan form and recorded the loan in my booklet, after which the manager called me in his office. He told me he had arranged with BDF (Business Development Fund) to pay 50% of my loan, therefore I had to repay Rwf750,000 only; adding as so, I had to give him Rwf500,000,” he tells IGIHE.
Musabyima says he refused and told the manager he had to repay that Rwf500,000 and required him to sign an agreement for that but the manager refused and Musabyimana grabbed his booklet. The manager remained with the filled loan form. The loan of Rwf1.5 million immediately went straight to the pockets of the manager who was sharing the cash with the loan officer. Musabyimana says he never got a penny.
“I didn’t sign on the form and he didn’t stamp in my booklet for the loan release. He phoned me the next day for a talk but we reached no agreement. I reported to the board president whom the manager told I had taken the money. I tried to take him to court but I could not afford legal wyer’s fees. I went home and relaxed, waiting for Sacco to sue me,” he says.
It later emerged that Musabyimana was sharing the problem with many Sacco members. They reported the two officers to police that arrested them. This prompted the inspection by Central Bank (BNR) and Rwanda Cooperative Agency (RCA) in November 2017 which found the two men to have embezzled around Rwf8 million and giving out loans illegally. The case was filed to the court against the two.
Prior to their arrest, however, Ndego Sacco had filed a case to Nyarugenge Commercial Court against nine members including Musabyimana over not repaying the loans and court’s verdict is awaited since the closure of the hearings in March.
{{Over 50 victims cry foul}}
A male victim who preferred anonymity said the Sacco manager and loan officer tricked over 50 members with most of the victims handing cash to the officers from the victims’ homes, others finding loans recorded on their names yet they never asked for them nor did they receive any money and others whose deposits were withdrawn by the officers.
This victim repaid the balance of Rwf427,600 on the Rwf1 million loan he had received but the loan officer deposited Rwf100,000 only and pocketed Rwf327,600.
He said that 25 victims reported to police but only 10 afforded the court’s fees while over 25 more were deceived by the two men in jail for not reporting as they promised to defeat those who reported and come back home to repay those who remained loyal to them. He said, from the prison, the two men were phoning some victims very often during the court’s hearings and convinced them on not appearing in court.
Daniel Nkangura, a resident of Karambi Cell in Ndego Sector who was loaned Rwf100,000 in January 2013 and repaid it in one year, was surprised to hear in August 2017 that he received Rwf450,000 and was charged with Rwf1.86 million as delay penalties but he was recently cleared of this debt by the court verdict.
Nkangura says his male neighbour had a ghost debt of Rwf320,000 and was told to repay Rwf1,983,000 for allegedly delaying to repay for over four years. He added another man had repaid Rwf200,000 loan and recovered his mortgage from Sacco but found himself in court with a huge debt of Rwf9.46 million.
{{Efforts to restore trust}}
Ndego Sacco members who lost their funds into staff pockets have told IGIHE that the trust in this cooperative is at peril in the community and recommended for the overhaul of the staff in order to recover trust.
“That robbery by the staff decimated our trust in Sacco. We have tangible reasons. For instance, they are currently giving loans not exceeding Rwf100,000 yet they were formerly giving up to Rwf2 million,” said a member who preferred anonymity, adding that members who want to withdraw big amounts of money are currently being put on hold as the cooperative has run short of funds.
Musabyamana also said he and fellow members have lost trust in their Sacco, citing examples of milk suppliers to the sector’s milk collection centre and workers in Bramin project, a joint maize venture between Bralirwa and Minimex Corporate Company, who have recently refused to keep receiving payments through Sacco.
“We cannot have trust in our Sacco as long as the cashiers who worked with those men (jailed manager and loan officer) are still there. For example, there is still a cashier who once recorded Rwf20,000 for my neighbour who deposited Rwf200,000 and fooled him when he complained. We have now opted to save our money in our community saving groups,” said Musabyimana.
Ndego Sacco Manager, Alphonsine Uwamariya, says members should have trust in their cooperative since the criminals have faced justice, adding that the remaining staffs have nothing to do with the former managers’ acts.
“We are telling members that there isn’t any problem now. The inspection was conducted and nobody else was found guilty of any crime apart from those two men. It is true there are un-recovered loans as the case in court indicated. It happened that the loan officer did not deposit in Sacco the money he was receiving from loan receivers but no funds they picked from Sacco coffers; it is the cash from outside,” she said, admitting that they have lost some members especially the victims of the former managers’ acts.
Prof. Jean Bosco Harelimana, the Director General of RCA, told IGIHE recently that Umurenge Saccos have lost a total of Rwf1,731,188,647 mainly in embezzlement and mismanagement since the opening of one outlet in each of the 416 administrative sectors in 2009 but Rwf1 billion has so far been recovered while 100 cases about Sacco malpractices are pending in courts.
He said that in a bid to curb the malpractices, RCA has started the process of computerising Sacco’s operations and opening a cooperative bank to oversee the outlets’ operations around the country by 2020.
Harelimana assured Umurenge Sacco’s members of the security of their funds because all financial institutions are insured and cautioned those trying to embezzle the cooperative’s funds, saying that they will face justice.
With 535 outlets, Rwf66 billion savings and Rwf12 billion share capital currently, Umurenge Sacco employs 3,029 people countrywide.
Kagame was speaking yesterday in Kigali at the members of the party’s political bureau which had convened to approve the list of flag bearers for the September Parliamentary Elections.
The bureau approved a list of 70 candidates representing RPF and will be joined by ten candidates from coalition parties. Meanwhile, RPF will send a list of 80 candidates at National Electoral Commission.
Kagame reminded that the RPF representatives will not represent the party alone, but will represent Rwandans in general.
He said that the parliament is not made of RPF, hence it has other parties, a reason why they should work together to take the country where it wants to be.
“Working together is key. We must embrace unity irrespective of differences in political ideologies based on our party affiliation. The transformation journey of our country is shaped by unity among political actors,” he said.
Kagame said that parliament plays an oversight role of government activities, a reason why parliamentarians must ensure that the obligations of members of the government will be implemented.
“We must comprehend our task at hand to be able to achieve what we set out to do. It’s not just about continuing from where your predecessors will stop. You must increase the momentum,” he urged.
“It should not be ‘business as usual’. That is not how RPF operates. You must represent the people in the true sense of it,” he added.
Kagame told aspirants to always think about the consequences of their job because when it is poorly implemented, it affects people.
He said that Rwanda being entrusted and tasked to conduct the reforms of the African Union (AU), is the potential that has been observed in them.
“We should not disappoint people who put their trusted in us,” he said.
Kagame conveyed the message Saturday while delivering a lecture to 38 graduating students of the African Leadership University, pioneers of the Master of Business Administration program of the Rwanda based University.
Speaking on determination during the lecture, Kagame narrated a tale of Rwanda’s struggle where a family lost three sons in the struggle and when news came, the father announced to his son that his brothers had died before sending his last son to the battlefield.
“This commitment, is something you cannot teach anyone. You have leaders who are attached to the cause of delivering and others who will choose to say as long as am ok, everyone will be ok. That is what makes a difference in leadership,” he said.
Sharing his leadership experience with the graduates, the Head of State said when they set out initially during the liberation, few had adequate management experience but were forced to learn quickly on the job and using experiences and failures as lesson.
“The lesson here was that there will always be challenges along the way but what matters is to confront them head on in order to make progress,” Kagame noted.
Speaking at the graduation, Kagame said the positive developments on the African continent provided immense scope for graduates with entrepreneurial talent and skills.
“You have such a major stake and we hope that you will get involved at all levels and in all sectors to drive Africa’s transformation agenda,” he said.
At the ceremony, Kagame commended the African University of Leadership for proving that it is possible for the continent to provide world-class education that is relevant globally.
Among officers who were retired yesterday are 372 senior officers and 395 officers while 49 were sent to retirement over health complications.
Retired senior officers include Maj. Gen. Jérôme Ngendahimana who had been the Vice-Commandant of Reserve Force, Brig. Gen. Rugumya Gacinya, Brig. Gen. Augustin Kashaija, Col. Geoffrey Kabagambe and Col. Zuberi Muvunyi.
Others are Lt. Col. Francis Munyankindi, Lt. Col. Edmond Mukimbiri, Lt. Col. Ernest Habimana, Lt. Col. Athanase Kalisa, Lt. Col. Sam Rutayisire, Lt. Col. Alexis Ibambasi and Lt. Col. Karuranga Gatete.
Defence Minister, Gen. James Kabarebe hailed them for commitment in serving the country.
“On behalf of the President of the Republic and RDF Commandant in Chief, let me first thank generals who are going to retirement on the 6th edition for commitment and courageous service during the execution of their duties, it makes us proud of living in Rwanda,” he said.
“You helped our army in working professionally and you contributed enough in development programmes of the country. For your hardworking, I thank you,” he expressed.
Kabarebe said that for the army to continue working professionally and efficiently, it was necessary to discharge those who need retirement and go to serve the nation in other services and give space to new generation.
He said that the programme is in line with Rwanda’s constitution and promised that everyone will receive their passion benefits as stipulated by the law.
He urged them to maintain discipline acquired from the RDF.
Speaking on behalf of others, Maj. Gen. Ngendahimana hailed professionalism in RDF and said that skills acquired during services will help them in life.
“It is the army that liberated our country, stopped the genocide that was being perpetrated against the Tutsi, the genocide that was planned and executed by the government which underestimated the citizens,” he said.
Over two months hearing the appeal trial, on Friday, the court ruled that Barahira and Ngenzi perpetrated crimes against humanity and committed Genocide crimes.
Both men were convicted on role in murder of Tutsi who had fled in Kabarondo Parish in former Kabarondo Commune which they both successively led between 1977 and 1994.
Ngenzi, 60 and Barahira, 67 had been convicted and handed life sentence by Paris Primary Court in 2016. During the hearing process, they had denied the charges.
In July 4th hearing, prosecutor Frederic Bernardo said that Barahira ordered and supervised people to kill Tutsi and he (Barahira) himself killed.
The prosecutor said that Ngenzi did not kill but supervised implementers.
It is the second genocide trial to be heard in France after the 2014 Capt. Pascal Simbikangwa trial who was handed 25 years in prison.
Ngenzi was arrested in 2010 while Barahira was arrested in 2013 in France.
Conjoined twins ‘Siamese twins’ is a condition where two people with the same mother are born at the same time, with some part of their bodies joined together.
In December last year, 30 year old single mother Anastasie Kanakuze from Huye District gave birth to Diane and Liliane perilously joined at the abdomen, but in perfect health conditions. The twin daughters shared a liver, umbilicus and some part of small bowels.
Kanakuze who resides in Huye gave birth in University Teaching Hospital of Butare (CHUB). Her pregnancy was unremarkable besides episodes of dizziness, according to doctors.
In Past days, IGIHE Reporter visited these twin daughters in CHUB, where they showed good health. Unfortunately, one of the two girls got seriously sick due to non-functional lungs, to the extent that the doctors had to keep her on breathing machines for her to live.
Speaking to the press, Dr. Tharcisse Ngambe, a pediatrician, said “CHUB referred the Siamese twins for further management at Oshen King Faisal Hospital, when they observed that one of the twins was quickly deteriorating despite treatment. She developed multi-organ failure unresponsive to treatment.”
A decision was made to separate them in an effort to save Diane.
According to Dr Nkusi Emmy from King Faisal Hospital, doctors said surgery could allow Diane to have a normal life. As Lilian’s lungs were non-functional, she would not have survived once she was separated from Diane.
By Monday, 29th June 2018, a team of physicians and nurses led by Dr. Edmond Ntaganda, a Pediatric surgeon, Dr. Didace Mugisa, a cardiothoracic surgeon and Dr Rosemary Mukunzi, an anesthesiologist, who had rehearsed for the delicate surgery separated the conjoined twin girls so to save one of them.
Mugambage was speaking during the ceremony to commemorate the 24th Liberation, an event that was organized by the Rwanda High Commission in Uganda.
The envoy said that the relations between Rwandan and Uganda are considered in the same context of protecting and safeguarding shared interests.
“There are established frameworks and mechanism through which this objective is pursued,” he said.
Mugambage said, in the recent times, Rwanda used the same channels to raise concerns and respond to injustice faced by Rwandans living in Uganda.
“Rwanda has used the same channels to raise the concerns and called for immediate remedy to end multiple unjustified arrests and failure to notify the diplomatic representation of Rwanda in Uganda. The failure to investigate on incidents brought to their attention involving terrorism groups targeting Rwanda is condemned,” he said.
He urged that the existing frameworks should be used to investigate the cases.
“We shall continue to promote this process and make every effort to further strengthen our bilateral relations,” he promised.
Representing the Government of Uganda in the ceremony, the Minister of Public Service, Muruli Mukasa said that Uganda is ready to look into existing issues for better bilateral relations.
“Even when our respective citizens face some challenges, our two governments are committed to resolve them. We recognize the important role that the joint government commission has played in strengthening our bilateral cooperation,” he said.
The Ceremony was attended by Rwandans living in Uganda, Diplomatic corps and friends of Rwanda.
Kagame arrived in Djibouti Thursday at the invitation of his Djiboutian counterpart President Ismail Omar Guelleh.
The newly completed industrial area is Djibouti’s pilot free trade zone. It will provide comprehensive solutions to companies operating in the services, trade and manufacturing industries and is set to attract businesses from across the African continent and the world.
The area, which will span over a total 48 square meters after expansion, is one of the largest free trade zones in Africa and will welcome other industries such as the automotive industry and home electrical industries.
At the event Kagame said he is optimistic that the facility will not only serve Djibouti, but the whole continent.
“I just wanted to say how happy I am to be joining you Mr President and our brothers and leaders from this region for the inauguration of this very important facility that will not only serve Djibouti but also the wider region of our continent,” he said.
“We are behind you in the realisation of this project and I am sure it will serve us all, even as far south as Rwanda and beyond,” Kagame added.
The Djiboutian Free Trade Zone will benefit the whole continent, under the auspice of the African Union, 49 African nations – including Djibouti recently signed the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a trade agreement aimed to create a single market for African countries.
Rwanda and Djibouti enjoy strong bilateral ties in several key areas including; air transport, trade and investment, and ICT.
The two countries also partner to advance regional integration. In 2013, Djibouti offered Rwanda a 20-hectare piece of land at the port of Djibouti, and the latter was in reciprocity offered a plot of land in the Kigali Special Economic Zone.
The Head of State was speaking yesterday in Kigali at the 24th Liberation Day Party he hosted with First Lady Jeannette Kagame.
Kagame hosted the party following the celebration of the Liberation Day on national level in an event that took place in Muhanga District, Southern Rwanda.
Speaking to youth below 24 years, Kagame reminded them that where the country has reached today is a result of many sacrifices. He also requested them not to let the country to ever go back.
“Never forget that we are here as a result of hard work, sacrifices, people losing their lives. The future is in your hands and if you allow it to go backwards, history will not forgive you,” Kagame told the youth below 24 years old.
In Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA) Liberation struggle, youth sacrificed their lives and played vital role fighting the genocidal government which resulted in stopping the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi and re-building the nation.
