News about Burundi’s decision to close borders with Rwanda started circulating on the evening of Thursday 11th January 2023.
The Government of Rwanda has through a statement indicated that it learnt about the decision through the media and condemned the decision which hinders regional cooperation and integration.
“The Government of Rwanda has learned through media reports of the unilateral decision by the Government of Burundi to again close its borders with Rwanda,” reads part of the statement.
“This unfortunate decision will restrict the free movement of people and goods between the two countries, and violates the principles of regional cooperation and integration of the East African Community,” concludes the statement.
Rwanda-Burundi borders were last closed between 2015 and 2022.
Since then, both countries embarked on a new journey to normalize ties , even though Burundi insisted that it needs coup plot suspects who fled to Rwanda returned home.
However, Rwanda indicated that it would be against ratified international refugee convention.
Speaking at the opening of the Sober Club Competition at the University of Rwanda, a project aimed at supporting youth initiatives discouraging drug use, he disclosed that on November 11, 2023, a Friday, he spent over 14 hours hopping between bars and drinking with friends.
Formerly a parliamentarian, Dr. Mbonimana mentioned that he typically refrained from alcohol on working days but indulged on weekends, keeping it discreet. On the mentioned Friday, not being invited to a meeting of senior officials and deputies, he took the opportunity to drink excessively.
In the evening, around midnight, he and his friends contemplated heading home after a day of bar-hopping in Kigali.
Despite his friend’s suggestion to sleep off the alcohol where they were, Dr. Mbonimana, who possessed an service card, decided to drive home at 2 o’clock in the morning. This reckless decision could have proved fatal due to the difficult conditions of the dirt roads, even for a sober person.
His friend’s concerns materialized when Dr. Mbonimana’s car overturned, leaving him stranded in a trench. Some passing motorists ignored him, while others came to his aid and alerted the National Police. When the police arrived, he was disoriented and unable to use his service card, leading to an argument with the officers.
Subsequently, he was handcuffed, taken to Busanza Police Station, and later transferred to the Road Safety Department headquarters. ACP Gerard Mpayimana, the Commissioner for Traffic and Road Safety, informed him about a fine of Rwf150,000, but the investigation into the accident kept him detained for approximately eight hours. Videos and photos of the incident circulated on social media, prompting various leaders to comment on his behavior.
In response to the public scrutiny, Dr. Mbonimana decided to quit drinking. He wrote a resignation letter to fellow parliamentarians, which he submitted on November 14, 2023. Despite suggestions to embrace his last days of drinking, he pledged to President Kagame that he would never repeat such actions. Determined to turn his life around, he committed to sharing his story and highlighting the negative impact of alcohol.
Dr. Nzabonimana emphasized that his decision to quit drinking was solidified after a message addressed to him by President Kagame during ‘Unity Club Intwararumuri’ meeting, where he provided comfort and advice.
He now advocates for young people to avoid relying on alcohol as a solution to problems, urging them to focus on education, set goals, choose positive friendships, take care of their health, and work towards a better future.
The announcement was made during a meeting on the program’s implementation in Karongi District on January 10, 2024. Officials and development partners from Karongi District attended the event.
This Cabinet-approved program, established in November 2022, seeks to expedite the process of lifting individuals out of poverty. The decision to revamp the system arose from concerns that the previous approach led some recipients to become dependent on continuous support, hindering their efforts to improve their lives independently.
Under this new program, citizens not only receive assistance but also actively engage in defining their role. They are required to sign a performance contract outlining how the aid will be efficiently utilized to propel them toward a brighter future.
One significant change is the collaboration between government institutions and non-governmental organizations. This partnership aims to prioritize vulnerable residents identified by the government, ensuring a more coordinated and impactful approach.
According to Nyinawagaga, the monitoring process has been strengthened to prevent the abuse of support. The government will assess factors such as children’s school attendance, potential conflicts at home, and help resolve disagreements within households.
Théophile Niragire, the Vice Mayor of Karongi District in charge of economic development, stated that while 36,000 households in the district require assistance, the program will initially focus on 9,184 households. The district engaged with these households individually to understand their specific needs for poverty alleviation.
Over 5,000 households expressed a desire for cattle, while more than 900 households identified their need for livestock. Additionally, 643 households highlighted their interest in vocational training, and 294 households specified a need for vocational training along with the related equipment.
Partnerships with non-profit organizations and faith-based organizations are being sought to support the initiative.
Nyinawagaga highlighted that nationally, 900,000 households require support, with the initial plan to assist 315,000 households. The program will be implemented across 30 districts in the country.
With an annual expenditure of Rwf67 billion on households’ poverty alleviation, Rwanda is set to invest over Rwf130 billion in two years to lift these households out of poverty. This figure excludes interest-free loans and guarantees provided to beneficiaries, as well as the contributions from development partners.
During end-of-year 2023 address, Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye said that his country would close borders with Rwanda , accusing the neighbouring country of supporting RED Tabara rebel group .
Rwanda vehemently rejected the allegations as unfounded, given that the areas where RED Tabara maneuvered through to attack Burundi , are not connected to Rwanda.
IGIHE has learnt from credible sources that all borders with Rwanda were closed from 13:00 p.m. on Thursday 11th January 2024.
The decision was taken by Burundian government but has not yet released a statement explaining reasons for the closure.
Some Rwandans who tried to cross to Burundi have told IGIHE that they were immediately forced to return to Rwanda.
IGIHE has, for instance, learnt that Ruhwa border connecting Rwanda through Bugarama sector in Rusizi District to Burundi, has been closed at 13:15 p.m.
During these hours, 35 Rwandans who tried to cross were handed back.
The fate of Rwandans running businesses in Burundi remains amidst the closure.
Rwanda-Burundi borders were last closed between 2015 and 2022.
Since then, both countries embarked on a new journey to normalize ties , even though Burundi insisted that it needs coup plot suspects who fled to Rwanda returned home.
However, Rwanda indicated that it would be against ratified international refugee convention.
According to the revised law, the land tax has been scaled down from 0 to 80 Rwandan Francs per square meter, compared to the previous range of 0 to 300 Rwandan Francs per square meter. This translates to the highest tax rate not exceeding Rwf80 per square meter, a substantial reduction from the previous Rwf300. The tax rates exhibit a gradient, with higher rates in the City of Kigali gradually decreasing towards rural areas.
Under the new legislation, the tax on residential houses has been halved, transitioning from 1% to 0.5% of the house’s value. Moreover, the tax on both houses and land has been amalgamated into a unified tax structure, as highlighted by Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana, the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, in an interview with RBA.
Dr. Ndagijimana explained, “We unified the tax on the house and land, where previously, individuals paid 1% of the house’s value and a land tax ranging from zero to 300 depending on the location. Now, there is a single tax of 0.5% on the combined value of the house and land.”
He clarified that individuals with multiple houses can choose one for tax exemption, although the land associated with it will continue to be taxed.
In addition to these changes, the government has eliminated fees for various processes, including land transfers, land ownership certificates, and land registration certificates. Fees for building repair, renovation, fence construction, and building permits in rural areas have also been removed.
Minister of Local Government, Jean Claude Musabyimana underscored additional modifications, clarifying that fees for various supplementary documents, including birth and death certificates, have been abolished. Similarly, permits for activities such as burning charcoal, manufacturing bricks and tiles, and forest harvesting are no longer subject to charges. Despite these services being exempt from fees, applicants are still required to formally initiate requests for them.
The adjustments to land taxes and associated fees address longstanding controversies, with claims of excessive taxation prompting calls for reductions. The government’s move aims to create a more balanced and favorable taxation framework for property owners across the country.
In the wake of President Habyarimana Juvénal’s death, the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi openly erupted across Rwanda. Mayors in various regions actively encouraged the erection of road blocks, branding Tutsis as enemies of the state. The then Nyamabuye Commune’s Mayor, Harerimana Thomas, however, took a different stance. He convened a meeting with cell and sector leaders, asserting that the Inkotanyi were not foreigners but Rwandans denied their rights, expelled, and now returning home.
Hatangimbabazi Augustin, head of cell Kirimahwa in Gatenzi Sector, implemented Harerimana’s directive to abstain from placing citizens at road blocks. Upon Harerimana’s resignation, Mayor Ruzigana Emmanuel assumed leadership, intensifying the encouragement of Hutus to kill Tutsis.
The cell committee members, including Hatangimbabazi, found themselves at the forefront of the genocide orchestrated by extremist Hutus.
On April 11, 1994, as the sun dipped below the horizon, the residents of Nyamabuye witnessed the ominous arrival of two tanks headed to the RIAM Center (now RMI), where government officials used to undergo training.
“The Abatabazi government arrived while we were at the road block, casting suspicion upon us. Gendarmes were immediately dispatched to inspect. People were dying horrendously, and we were falsely accused by a member of the Interahamwe militia, Diogène Twahirwa,” lamented Hatangimbabazi.
Swiftly, the government organized a vehicle to transport cell leaders, converging gendarmes and militia to carry out mass killings across Nyamabuye Commune.
Renowned Rwandan politician Boniface Rucagu once posited that the Abatabazi government strategically established a base in Gitarama to mobilize residents for the systematic extermination of Tutsis. Genocide survivors in Kabgayi attest to the leaders’ insidious role in fomenting hatred and orchestrating mass killings.
The aftermath of April 12, 1994, witnessed the ruthless conduct of law enforcement and military personnel. Policemen consumed alcohol without payment, soldiers indulged in excess, and looting became rampant. Hatangimbabazi, a tailor, found himself coerced into sewing shorts for the fleeing elite using stolen fabrics.
As the Abatabazi government’s tenure in Gitarama unfolded, it revealed a callous disregard for its people. Delayed provisions, unpaid debts, and looting by gendarmes further exposed the leadership’s lack of empathy.
The government’s brief stay in Gitarama came to an end in late April 1994, with Radio Rwanda persistently misleading the public about their actual location. Fleeing the advancing RPF-Inkotanyi forces, the government sought refuge in Gisenyi, eventually escaping to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Hatangimbabazi vividly recalls the leaders urging the populace to continue fighting against the Inkotanyi, revealing a chilling mindset that viewed the people as expendable in the face of their imminent defeat.
Now, as a reformed individual who served more than ten years for his role in the genocide, Hatangimbabazi dedicates himself to educating others about Rwanda’s tragic history, fostering understanding and healing in the Macyera cell where he resides.
During his recent three-day visit to Rwanda which he concluded on Tuesday 9th, King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein was welcomed by President Paul Kagame. Despite his age, the king maintains a youthful appearance, partly attributed to his commanding presence and the fact that his attire , unlike many leaders, is not a distant ‘costume’ but rather suits him like that of a contemporary young man. This deviation is often linked to his military background, a career he pursued diligently.
Born on January 30, 1962, in Amman, Jordan, King Abdullah II is the son of King Hussein and belongs to the Hashemite lineage, considered ancestors of the Messenger of God, Muhammad.
With 10 siblings, including six sisters and four brothers, he attended the Islamic Educational College for primary school, followed by secondary education in England and the United States.
In 1980, King Abdullah II commenced his military studies at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Notably, he shares this alma mater with Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the son of President Museveni, and Ian Kagame, the son of President Kagame. Continuing his academic journey, he spent a year specializing in International Politics at Oxford University in 1984.
Returning to Jordan after his studies, he embarked on a military career, earning the rank of Captain and later becoming a certified pilot for the Cobra Combat Helicopter. Furthering his education at Georgetown University in Washington in 1987, he continued to rise through the military ranks, culminating in his appointment as Commander of the Special Forces in the Jordanian Army in 1997.
In 1993, King Abdullah II married Queen Rania, and they have two children. His role in international politics gained prominence, particularly during the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
In November 2023, following Israel’s actions in Gaza, Jordan took a strong stance by summoning its ambassador and expressing concerns about war crimes.
King Abdullah II demonstrated his commitment to peace during his visit to Kigali Genocide Memorial in Rwanda. Reflecting on the 1994 Genocide against the tutsi, he emphasized the importance of intervening to prevent atrocities.
The King also hinted at the ongoing conflicts such as the war in Gaza where he urged the world to take action and find solutions to prevent further loss of innocent lives, emphasizing the need for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
The data released today reveals a 6% annual increase in “local products,” with a 3% monthly decrease. Prices of “imported products” rose by 7.8% annually and decreased by 1% monthly.
Fresh products saw an 11% annual increase and a 9.5% monthly decrease. Additionally, energy prices increased by 0.5% annually and decreased by 3.4% monthly.
The general Index excluding fresh products and energy increased by 5.7% annually and decreased by 0.1% monthly.
As he concluded the the visit on Tuesday 9th January 2024, King Abdullah II expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality and commended the resilience and unity of the Rwandan people in transforming the country into a symbol of progress and prosperity.
President Kagame also took to X account to highlight the common values of peace, justice, and security that bind Rwanda and Jordan, and expressed eagerness to strengthen bilateral ties.
The visit included a tête-à-tête and bilateral talks between the leaders and their delegations, resulting in the signing of agreements and memoranda of understanding.
These encompassed areas such as the elimination of double taxation, cooperation in health and medical science, economic and trade collaboration, and agricultural cooperation.
King Abdullah II also paid respects to victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, emphasizing its significance as a testament to national reconciliation and a source of lessons for the world on overcoming tragedies to achieve unity, peace, and resilience.
Rwanda and Jordan’s collaboration extends to combating terrorism through direct communication, as well as cooperation in political consultations, higher education, health and medical sciences, defence and security, and air services.
This announcement marks Kagame’s fourth candidacy for the RPF Inkotanyi and comes in response to a strong demand from its members and the Rwandan population in general.
The president hinted at his intention to seek re-election during an interview with Jeune Afrique in September 2023, expressing pride in the trust bestowed upon him by the Rwandans and pledging continued dedication to serving them.
In The Choice Live show aired on Isibo TV, Tito Rutaremara, an influential member of the RPF Inkotanyi and a veteran in Rwandan politics, was asked about other potential candidates who could succeed Kagame.
Rutaremara’s reply disclosed his perspective: “While there may be other potential candidates, we strongly requested Kagame to seek reelection. In the journey of life, you come across leaders of varying levels, including mediocre, good, and very good ones. However, exceptional leaders are a rare breed. When you come across such a remarkable individual, it is crucial to retain them for as long as feasible.”
“These extraordinary leaders are scarce, possibly encountered only once in a century. Our current leader belongs to this exceptional category. When you have someone of his caliber, it is wise to have them continue their service for as long as possible, as finding another leader of comparable excellence is unlikely in the near future,” he added.
President Kagame led Rwanda since 2000, initially as an interim president following the resignation of Pasteur Bizimungu, and then elected in 2003 during the first presidential elections after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Under his leadership, Rwanda has experienced a period of stabilization and growth.
The presidential elections this year will coincide with parliamentary elections on July 15. Kagame’s candidacy is a strong indication of the confidence and approval he enjoys within the RPF Inkotanyi and the Rwandan population.
