Tshisekedi is in Rwanda since Sunday to attend Africa CEO summit.
He was accompanied by Rwanda’s Minister of Sports and Culture, Esperance
Nyirasafari, the Minister of Environment, Vincent Biruta and the Chief Executive
Secretary of the National Commission for the Fight Against Genocide, Dr Jean
Damascène Bizimana.
Tshisekedi toured different facilities at Gisozi memorial and received explanations of the
history of the 1994 Genocide Against Tutsi.
He laid a wreath at the memorial and observed a moment of silence in honor of
genocide victims.
Tshisekedi comes to Rwanda for the first time since he took office as DRC president in
January 2019.
The president made the remarks as he opened the Africa CEO Forum that kicked off today where he reflected on Continental Free Trade Area highlighting that free trade cannot be possible without political will.
“Political will is in everything, it allows things that must work to work. Political will must come first,” he said.
“The problem is not the road or the road being constructed. The problem is politics. We have 100s of people from Rwanda, arrested, detained in prisons for years in Uganda, without being charged or appearing anywhere in court. This means the message is Uganda is telling Rwandans don’t come here. We have raised this issue with the Ugandan government. We told you if you have people who have committed crimes, deal with that legally and openly,” added Kagame.
Kagame highlighted that detained Rwandans have not been given access to counsel that even Ambassadors cannot visit them because they are held in places that are not known.
“We have engaged with Uganda about that and have gotten nowhere,” he noted.
“We had containers leaving Kigali, going to Mombasa. A container of minerals was blocked at the border for five months with no explanation. A Kenyan company was exporting milk from Rwanda. The containers were held until tens of thousands of liters of milk were spoilt,” added Kagame.
The turbulence between Rwanda, Uganda relations dates two years. The government of Rwanda reports 900 Rwandans arrested, tortured while others were illegally expelled from Uganda.
Rwanda also accuses Uganda of housing dissidents intending to threaten state security. Rwanda advised its people not to travel to Uganda until the situation comes back to normal.
Ethiopia president Sahle-Work Zewde said that integration can’t be possible as long as countries still consider borders established by colonizers.
He pointed out an example of Ethiopian war with Eritrea which resulted into closing borders for over 20 years.
He noted that they finally came up with common understanding and reopened borders that they have started realizing advantages.
Kagame made the remarks today as he opened the 7th edition of the Africa CEO Forum, a two-day forum, held at Kigali Convention Center bringing together four Heads of States, ministers and over 200 CEOs from across Africa.
Other Presidents at the Forum include DR Congo’s President Felix Antoine Tshisekedi, Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé and Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde.
Kagame said Africa is on the right track of its unity after 44 African countries last year signed the African Continental Trade Area agreement that needs only one more ratification to come into force.
“One year ago, in this very room, 44 countries signed on to the African Continental Free Trade Area, and more have done so since. Just as importantly, the Protocol on the Free Movement of Persons was also adopted. The Continental Free Trade Area is on the cusp of coming into force. I understand that only one more ratification is needed. However, as we all know, this is where the hard work begins. So it is very timely, for us to gather here today, to discuss how to make the most out of this historic agreement, among other important issues. We only reached this point, because Africa came together with a strong unity of purpose, that is rooted in the rising aspirations of our young people, for a better future. That same spirit should drive us forward to success.”
“Whatever we try to do, even in terms of economic development, the result comes back to the politics surrounding it. If the politics is bad, everything else is bad. That is why open, responsive, and accountable governance is so critical,” Kagame said.
President Kagame highlighted the urgent need of change in the private sector.
“No one should be satisfied with business as usual. This is the right time for private sector leaders to reflect on what needs to be changed and improved on their end, as well. So that we have a situation where the private sector and the public sector will challenge and push each other to make more than progress,” he explained.
The United Nations projects that Africa will have the biggest workforce by 2050 with 1.1 billion working-age population, which Kagame said calls for hard work so that the statistic becomes no burden to Africa itself and the world in general.
“We don’t have any time to waste to do what is necessary, so that this statistic becomes Africa’s greatest asset, rather than a burden for our continent and the world. It is our responsibility to ensure that deeper integration translates into prosperity and well-being for Africa’s people,” he said.
“Overall, what we need is much more business activity, above all with each other so that we see the emergence of global African firms with continental scope and scale, which champion the interests and ambitions of our people,” he explained adding that “the public and private sectors must work even more closely together, to provide the education and training that will equip Africa’s young workers with the skills to excel in manufacturing, services, and technology.”
The key factor to achieve this, Kagame said, is the ‘mindset’ which he emphasized is not expensive.
“It might be difficult, but we can afford to effect it. Mindset has no price, yet nothing has greater value,” Kagame said.
The President of the Africa CEO Forum, Amir Ben Yahmed urged the African business community to work with commitment to help Africa reach the development others have attained. He said it is time for business people to seize opportunities offered by the AfCFTA.
“Business is like sports, it is a competition. Companies, countries and continents compete; but everywhere, setting targets, commitment and hardworking are key to success,” he said.
It is projected that projects worth US$1 billion will be financed during the 7th edition of Africa CEO Forum.
Those who say Nyungwe National Park is not secure nowadays base it on armed
attacks carried out in the areas surrounding the forest since July last year and which
were neutralized by the Rwandan army.
In July last year, assailants attacked Nyabimata Sector of Nyaruguru District, looted belongings of the population but they were repeled by the Rwanda Defence Force.
In December, last year again, other assailants killed two people and injured eight in Kitabi Sector of Nyamagabe District after setting a passenger car on fire. The RDF
later confirmed to have killed three of the gunmen responsible for the attack after others fled back to Burundi.
On March 18, this year, other gunmen killed one person in Karambi Sector of
Nyamasheke District before the RDF intervened and stopped the attack.
{{Visitors hail the safety in Nyungwe }}
On Saturday at 3:30am IGIHE’s team of journalists arrived at One &Only Nyungwe House Hotel, a five star eco lodge located in Bushekeri Sector of Nyamasheke District that is a three minute drive from the forest.
Some visitors who had spent the previous night in the hotel had already woken up ready to go and explore the beauty of the park.
Victor Dizon, a tourist from the Philippines and his wife were back to the hotel from the park where they had enjoyed looking at primates of colobus species.
Dizon told IGIHE that it had not been long since he arrived in Rwanda but he found the country more secure than all the other 15 African countries he has visited.
“All I can say is that Rwanda is the safest of all the African countries I have been to. When we were in Kigali, we would leave our bags inside the cars, of course having closed the doors, but you can’t do that in South Africa or Kenya. Your Government (of Rwanda) has done a very good job to secure the nation,” Dizon said.
Dizon emphasized that he met some security agents which- instead of worrying him- assured him of his safety inside the park.
“We visited different parts of the park. I know we are near the border with Burundi. I saw soldiers here which didn’t scare me but assured me that I am safe,” he added.
Tshisekedi comes to Rwanda at a time when both countries are enjoying vibrant
relationships. Both countries’ delegates last week signed agreement opening airspace
that will see RwandAir flying to Kinshasa and Congo Airways vice versa to go into effect mid-April 2019.
The forum is an opportunity for Tshisekedi to present his economic transformation agenda for a country whose economy mainly depends on mining.
Tshisekedi who took on in January 2019 will present policies in other areas of the country’s economy like agricultural infrastructure, measures to reduce unemployment
and promoting trade and investment as well.
Togolese president, Gnasingbe who will also attend the forum is expected to present his country’s development agenda within the next five years.
Among other guests who have arrived to Kigali are; Ethiopian prime minister Sahle-Work Zewde and Ivory Cost Prime Minister, Amadou Gon Coulibaly.
The two-day forum that kicks off today at Kigali Convention Centre is the 7th of its kind and brings together around 1800 participants from 70 countries including four heads of states , 30 ministers and 700 CEOs.
Discussions will focus on regional integration including the implementation of the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA). It will be held under the theme: “Open Africa: From Continental Treaties to Business Realities”.
Different CEOs, heads of governments and potential investors are expected to benefit from a networking platform during the Forum. This will help them identify opportunities.
This was unveiled yesterday during an interactive session of police with the media where RIB was asked why it doesn’t immediately inform relatives of arrested suspects.
Ndayizera was paraded to the media in November last year at the headquarters on RIB in Kimihurura after his family had reported him missing.
RIB Secretary General Jeannot Ruhunga explained that the institution normally alerts relatives immediately when a suspect is arrested but it couldn’t be possible with the case of Ndayizera.
“Ndayizera had a plan to burn Kigali city which he admitted. What do you think was more urgent between the rights of Kigali residents and knowing where Ndayizeye is detained? And he had accomplices who were to detonate the bombs,” he explained.
“Ndayizera had 10 accomplices at the time of his arrest. If his arrest was disclosed immediately it could not lead to the arrest of those accomplices,” added Ruhunga.
As Ndayizera was paraded before the media, RIB displayed dynamite he was caught with in Nyamirambo which the suspect intended to use to antagonize security.
Terrorism is punished under article 19 of the antiterrorism law. It stipulates that any person who attempts, takes part or supports terrorism acts commits a crime and upon conviction, he shall be liable to a penalty of not less than 15 years of imprisonment but not more than 20 years.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani arrived in Rwanda Thursday for two-day working visit.
Discussions with Premier Ngirente revolved around assessing achievements from Rwanda-Qatar relations, needed efforts for improvement and different issues concerning Africa.
Following discussions, Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr Richard Sezibera highlighted that both country’s relations are on a good note.
“Cooperation between Rwanda and Qatar is on good progress, Africa, Qatar cooperation is vibrant too. The visit was meant to pave way for strengthening existing relationships,” he said.
Dr Sezibera explained that they held talks concerning investment in agriculture, transport, aviation, irrigation and mining yesterday.
Rwanda, Qatar have a long-standing relationship.
Last year, President Paul Kagame made a two-day visit to Qatar and held talks with Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on improving economic cooperation.
He revealed this in a press conference alongside President João Lourenço concluding the visit as indicated on the twitter account of Rwanda Presidency.
“There are many things that bind our two countries, through history, culture and ideologically. What we believe in is developing our people and doing everything we can for the transformation of our people,” he said.
He highlighted that Rwanda and Angola can achieve more through investment with and in each other.
“In the level of relationship we have developed between Angola and Rwanda, we have looked at areas where we can cooperate and learn from each other, across sectors. There are no limitations to what we can do together or how much we can benefit from each other,” he said.
President Kagame thanked Angola for warm hospitality received since he arrived in Angola.
Rwanda and Angola have existing bilateral ties in different areas including air transport, security, justice, free movement between both countries’ people, ICT, and governance.
The visit follows recent agreements in February this year where both countries signed cooperation agreements fostering security and public order in the interest of their citizen.
The two governments last year signed a Bilateral Air Service Agreement under which the national carrier, RwandAir, and Angola’s national airline TAAg got seven frequencies a week on either side.
Rwandan citizens traveling to Angola are not required to have visas to enter Angolan territory.
The dissatisfaction was expressed yesterday as she responded for the second time to the summon of parliament that was not satisfied with provided explanations.
Following unappealing answers last time, Dr Mukeshimana returned to the parliament yesterday with a written response to the 28 questions she had been asked.
The responses were in relation to; inadequacy of multiplied seeds, malfunctioning milk collection centers, agribusiness produce lacking market and irrigation problems where farmers lament over expensive irrigation equipment.
She was asked to provide clarifications on poor implementation of post-harvest handling leading to poor quality produce, lack of market over poor quality standards, high taxes paid by rice farmers in rehabilitated marshlands among others.
Minister Mukeshimana tried to answer some of these questions though parliamentarians were not satisfied.
Concerning ineffective performance of milk collection centers, she explained that most of the matter was caused by inadequate electricity supply that they are working with other institutions to address.
Concerning irrigation problems, Minister Mukeshimana said that Rwanda has 36 500 irrigated hectares in marshlands and on hillsides and designing a master plan to identify areas of priority.
She explained that they are going to work with concerned institutions to fix the issue of high taxes charged to rice farmers in marshlands. These taxes range from Rwf 80,000 to 100,000.
Concerning expensive irrigation equipment, Minister Mukeshimana said that they have introduced Nkunganire program catering for 50% of the cost spent to such equipment.
She revealed that the ministry is putting in much effort to multiply seeds locally . Currently, the country imports 50% of seeds.
Parliamentarians were however not satisfied with the explanations.
“ The first commission pointed out problems, the auditor general indicated that agricultural services don’t benefit farmers, RGB report indicated that citizens are satisfied with such services at below 50% yet you have provided explanations proving how the situation is better. What can we take as the truth?” wondered MP Euthalie Nyirabega.
Veneranda Nyirahirwa observed that there is a need for reforms considering the problems rampant in agriculture yet it is practiced by 70% of Rwandans.
She however noted that reforms cannot be possible if there is no acknowledgement of existing problems.
“Based on provided answers, it seems like all problems in the agriculture sector are fixed yet it is not the case. When we visited farmers; they had a serious problem of seeds and fertilizers. The produce cannot be good while they still plant seeds that existed for 11 years like rice,” she said.
Another MP, Marie Thérèse Murekatete highlighted that ‘the number of cattle and the quantity of milk don’t match. We have the problem of malnutrition among children.’
Only 26 of 66 MPs who attended the hearing were satisfied with explanations from MINAGRI.
They agreed on establishing a special commission to investigate problems in agriculture and livestock farming of which outcomes will be reported to the general assembly.
Both Heads of State held a meeting before attending a luncheon hosted in honor of President Kagame.
This visit is expected to be an opportunity to strengthen bilateral ties in different areas including air transport, security, justice, free movement between both countries’ people, ICT and governance.
Both heads of states are expected to hold a press conference on the second day of the visit.
In February this year, both countries signed cooperation agreements fostering security and public order in the interest of their citizen.
The two governments last year signed a Bilateral Air Service Agreement under which the national carrier, RwandAir, and Angola’s national airline TAAg got seven frequencies a week on either side.
In June last year, Angola unveiled willingness to remove visa for Rwandan citizens traveling to Angola as a result of existing good relations.
Angola is a central-African country with the total area of 1,246,700 km2 and over 25 million people. It is among African countries rich in minerals.
