The President of Chad and President of the Transitional Military Council, Gen Mahamat arrived in Rwanda on Friday 18th March 2022 for a two-day official visit.
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, he was received by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vincent Biruta. On the first day of his visit, he also met with President Paul Kagame and visited Kigali Genocide Memorial.
After holding tête-à-tête with the visiting Head of State, Kagame said that ‘our experience as Rwandans have shown us that reconciliation must indeed be an inclusive process’ highlighting that it the right time to strengthen collaboration.
“The general cooperation agreement to be signed today, is a chance to continue exchanging and sharing lessons such as this with each other. This is the right time to strengthen our relations and deepen our collaboration in areas of mutual interests,” he noted.
Chad is undergoing difficult moments to rebuild the economy and promote citizens’ livelihoods following a long period of conflicts.
Rwanda has also overcome dark moments, restored peace and promoted reconciliation through different initiatives which other countries can learn from.
The Head of State revealed that COVID-19 pandemic has reversed the development gains that countries had made and are witnessing more instability on African continent noting that a lot is at stake for all.
President Kagame assured Gen Mahamat of close collaboration with his country to deal with effects of COVID-19 and instability.
“We must combine our individual efforts and confront our common challenges together. Rwanda is ready for much closer cooperation,” he said.
Chad is a landlocked country surrounded by countries faced with insecurity. Its capital, N’Djamena is located nearby the north of Nigeria , a region that is often subject to Boko Haram threats.
Chadian President Gen Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno has thanked Rwanda for being close to Chad during difficult times, particularly offensives of Boko Haram and tragic moments in April last year when his father died on the frontline.
He said that Rwanda endured horrendous moments during the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi but has overcome the tragic past to embark on a resilience journey with bold transformation agenda where many countries are learning from it after more than 20 years.
“Our countries have face challenges. Your country has gone through the worst atrocities. We discover today a beautiful country in a couple of decades has become a role model for the entire world.
You country and mine have many similarities, be it cultural and others. Chad will benefit a lot in this transitional period to learn from Rwanda’s success stemming from good governance. Your Excellency, we want to draw an inspiration from Rwanda’s model,” he said.
Gen Mahamat also congratulated President Kagame for his leadership as a Panafrican and his leadership in leading African Union reforms through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfTCA) and facilitating Africans to come to Rwanda without Visa. He commended the model noting that more countries should follow the suit.
Gen Mahamat expressed willingness to open doors for RwandAir and invited the carrier to visit Chad and explore available opportunities.
Among others, he invited Kagame to visit Chad.
During his visit, both countries signed general cooperation agreements.
Gen Mahamat is expected to meet with close to 1000 Chadians studying in Rwanda on Saturday 19th March 2022.
The official closing of the training, which was organized by Rwanda National Police (RNP) in partnership with the Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace and Security, was presided over by the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) in Charge of Administration and Personnel, Jeanne Chantal Ujeneza
The closing was also attended by the Acting Director at the Dallaire Institute for Peace and Security – African Center of Excellence, Francisca Mujawase.
Gen (rtd) Romeo Dallaire is a Canadian who was commanding the UN peacekeeping troop deployed in Rwanda during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
DIGP Ujeneza stressed that in order to prevent the recruitment and use of children in violence, it requires real shift from “simply saying ‘prevention’ to put words into action.”
“In order to prevent the recruitment and use of children in violence – be it trafficking, sexual violence, criminal networks, radicalization, or armed forces, groups or gangs – what is needed now is the real shift not just to say “prevention”, but to be practical with tangible approaches such as training police officers to equip them with knowledge and skills… to create more peaceful societies,” said DIGP Ujeneza.
By training female police officers, she added, RNP complements Rwanda’s efforts to implement the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR 1325), the Kigali Principles on the protection of civilians in peace operations and the Vancouver principles on peacekeeping and prevention of the recruitment and use of children as soldiers.
The DIGP noted that the training also gives RNP an opportunity to create a wider impact in peacekeeping.
She reminded the trained officers to make a difference in their daily duties and to be good ambassadors for children’s rights, both at home and abroad where they will be deployed.
DIGP Ujeneza further thanked the Dallaire Institute leadership for the partnership to protect the rights of children.
On her part, Francisca Mujawase said that improved training and capacity building for the police enhances the protection of children abroad and at home
“The knowledge on prevention of the use of children as soldiers isn’t only important for our troops engaged in peacekeeping forces but also for the benefit of our domestic security. Rwanda as an exemplary country globally, understands the importance of security sector-oriented approach to protect children and the need to invest in the children, peace and security as children are the leaders of tomorrow,” said Mujawase.
“This is the second Dallaire institute training that will lead to certification of the RNP trainers who will be supporting the Dallaire institute mission in training other troops. The audience is also unique because we all acknowledge the importance of the women, peace and security agenda and the recognized gender roles in peacekeeping,” Mujawase added.
The outreach is part of the RNP countrywide awareness programme to
improve public knowledge and skills towards prevention and response to fire emergencies.
At the RNP General Headquarters in Kacyiru, the pupils were taught on causes of fire and showed different equipment that RNP uses in fire fighting including the Carbon dioxide fire extinguisher, fire trucks and the crane truck used to rescue people trapped in tall buildings.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Paul Gatambira, the Commanding Officer for Fire and Rescue Brigade, said that equipping children with fire safety knowledge helps them to grow up as responsible people and to keep them safe.
“This fire safety training outreach has not ignored children. Children are often curious and tend to manipulate or tamper with electric equipment at home, which can cause fire outbreak. So, when they are informed about fire safety, they keep reminding and take precautionary measures when using electric appliances. Here, they also get to know what to do immediately when fire breaks out to swiftly call for intervention and who to call,” said ACP Gatambira.
Barbara Mutabazi, the Director at Jardin de tout Petits Nursery school, thanked RNP for organizing the training.
“From this important training, children and the teaching staff have acquired vast knowledge and skills required to know fire and safety practices at home and places of work,” Mutabazi said.
Similar awareness and training was also later in the day extended to 72 staff of Ruli hospital Saint martin Porres located in Ruli Sector, Gakenke District.
They include doctors, nurses, heads of departments, cleaners and security guards at the hospital.
Today, travellers access services at one spot unlike the past when documents were processed at two locations – one in Rwanda and the other across the Tanzanian border.
Passengers attest that the development is coupled the upgrading of border infrastructures which contributed to improved services and reduced time it would take from four hours to 30 minutes.
Faustin Niyonzima, a truck driver has revealed that the one stop border post enhanced easy access to services and enabled uninterrupted travels.
“Immigration and emigration officers from Tanzania and Rwanda operate in the same building, hence easing service delivery unlike the past when a passenger had to get documents processed twice,” he said.
Niyonzima explained that set up infrastructures including a modern, ample Parking have played a big part to fast track service delivery at the border. The latter has the capacity to accommodate over 100 trucks.
The Assistant Commissioner in charge of Customs Operations at Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA), Yvonne Gatera has said that the establishment of one stop border improved services and reduced time it would take to clear goods.
“The facility has been helpful in many ways, particularly enhancing trade. For instance, the time spent on procedures to verify goods at the border reduced from four hours to thirty minutes,” she said.
The time has also reduced for passengers.
Rusumo border plays a significant role to national economy where of imports are transited through. The border is crossed by cargo 300 trucks and up to 1000 passengers every day.
“Having an ample office building has been helpful. Employees and passengers sit comfortably because there is enough space. Apart from that, the integrated border management system has been upgraded. All these efforts have contributed to improved services,”
The Ambassador of Japan to Rwanda, Imai Masahiro has said that financing the harmonized border between Rwanda and Tanzania is part of initiatives to promote trade in the East African Community (EAC) and ease movements of people and goods between both countries.
“We have supported projects that enhanced free movement of goods and people. This also gave boost to inter-regional trade which will be a key driver for achieving Rwanda’s goal of becoming an upper middle-income country by 2035,” he said.
Amb. Masahiro explained that the development of Rwanda in the transport sector particular is the evidence of the cordial relations between Japan and Rwanda, and it includes facilitation of cross-border trade.
The construction of OSBP facilities, financed by Japan at a tune of approximately US$ 19 million, started in 2012 and the completion ceremony was held in January 2015.
Japan also funded other development projects in Eastern Province namely; the improvement of Kayonza-Rusumo along 92 kilometers, roads connecting towns in Kayonza, Ngoma and Kirehe districts, as well as the upgrade of Ngoma-Ramiro road along 64 kilometers to connect some parts of Eastern Province to Southern Province.
{{Rusumo Bridge renovated}}
Before the renovation, Rusumo Bridge was old and narrow that it could not allow vehicles to pass one another. The state of the bridge also sparked fears that it could collapse one day.
Today, the bridge has been renovated and expanded with two lanes through Japan’s grant aid program.
The mayor of Kirehe district, Bruno Rangira has said that the bridge has helped vehicles to cross directly instead of waiting for others to cross first which improved the quality of services.
“It was a small bridge that vehicles would not pass one another. The new bridge is large enough as vehicles can cross directly without waiting for others to pass. This translates into improved services and fast movement of cargo,” he said.
However, diseases associated with inaccessibility to Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), malnutrition such as stunting, waterborne diseases including diarrhea, remain the main threat for children to thrive and the families’ improved well-being.
The recent Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey (DHS 2019/2020) indicates that around 33% of children are stunted. Other surveys highlighted the existing gaps in access to quality rehabilitation and assistive technology services for people with disabilities.
With the country’s efforts for achieving universal coverage in WASH services for the Rwandan population, 20% of households in Rwanda lack access to an improved water source, and 28% of households don’t have access to improved sanitation, adds the DHS.
Domestically, 52% of children under age 5 have symptoms of diarrhea according to the same study; and it wouldn’t be implausible to link this situation to scarcity of clean water, sanitation, and hygiene services for families, especially in rural areas.
The United States Government (USG) through USAID, and the Government of Rwanda have officially launched two new five-year programs on March 17, 2022, namely Gikuriro Kuri Bose and Isoko y’Ubuzima, aimed respectively to improve the health, functioning, nutritional status and wellbeing of women of reproductive age and children under six years of age as well as improve Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services for Rwandans. The USAID’s total investment in the two projects over the next 5 years is US$59 million.
“A healthy and prosperous Rwanda is a driving force behind all progress for the Government of Rwanda and we welcome the commitment by the United States Government to continue supporting and accompanying us in this development journey.” said the Minister of Health, Dr. Daniel Ngamije, while officially launching the two new projects.
The two programs are aligned with Rwanda national policies and strategies, and will work to prevent malnutrition, provide water access, sanitation, and disability care for better health outcomes of the Rwandan people.
Gikuriro Kuri Bose and Isoko y’Ubuzima will build on previous USAID funded projects that ended in 2020, to strengthen governance, coordination, early childhood development, nutrition, and disability inclusion in all sectors, cells, and villages of the ten districts where each program will be implemented.
The US Government’s commitment through Isoko y’Ubuzima and Gikuriro Kuri Bose activities is aligned with Rwanda’s national policies and strategies to promote nurturing care, comprehensive health and nutrition outcomes of children, women, and families.
{{Towards reducing stunting and combating malnutrition}}
USAID in the past five years funded the Gikuriro program which aimed to improve outcomes in nutrition for women of reproductive age and children under the age of five years by blending initiatives in agriculture, health education, savings, lending, and water access.
Over the past five years, the program successfully rehabilitated more than 12,000 children under five years of age from both acute and moderate malnutrition, around 192,896 under-five year children were reached with growth monitoring and promotion and other nutrition-specific services, constructed 509 community water supply infrastructures (60 boreholes, 104 water kiosks, 315 water springs, 9 community water supply extension lines) among other achievements. This contributed to the reduction of diarrheal disease prevalence from 22% to 12.7% in five years.
The Government of Rwanda has put in place several policies, strategies, systems, and structures to fight malnutrition through early childhood development, adolescent, and maternal nutrition interventions.
However, in the 10 target districts where Gikuriro Kuri Bose will be implemented, the current context indicates that stunting range between 10.7% in Kicukiro to 46.7% in Nyabihu; and as such, the program will leverage a $ 43.7 million budget to contribute to the significant reduction of these rates in the coming five years by reaching 4,592 villages in 10 districts and working with over 30,000 frontline providers to reach 820,000 women of reproductive age and 725,000 children under five and their families.
“Joining hands with our development partners, like USAID, and mobilizing our own resources, Rwanda is determined to reduce all forms of malnutrition, including decreasing stunting from 33% in 2020 to 18% by 2024”.
Gikuriro Kuri Bose will support households to deliver high-quality, integrated, and inclusive nurturing care services. These services include health, adequate nutrition, responsive caregiving, safety and security, and opportunities for early learning. This activity will benefit all children including those with disabilities through rehabilitation and Assistive Technology (AT) services.
The project will be implemented by a consortium led by the Catholic Relief to improve the health, functioning, nutritional status, and wellbeing of women of reproductive age and children under six years of age, with an emphasis on the 1,000-day window, strengthen the inclusion of children and adults with disabilities, and improve positive parenting and child development.
Other members of the consortium are Humanity and Inclusion, UMUHUZA, University of Global Health Equity, Three Stones International, and four implementing partners namely African Evangelical Enterprise (AEE), Caritas Rwanda, DUHAMIC ADRI, and Young Women Christian Association (YWCA) operating in the selected 10 districts of the program including Kayonza, Ngoma, Nyabihu, Nyanza, Kicukiro, Nyarugenge, Rwamagana, Burera, Rulindo, and Nyamasheke.
{{Improved WASH services}}
For 5 years from 2016 to 2020, USAID funded the Isuku Iwacu project to improve WASH services. Through Isuku Iwacu, more than half a million Rwandans were supported to access basic sanitation services.
Despite these positive gains, critical challenges still exist. The 2021 Ministry of Infrastructure WASH Management Information System Report indicates that 23.7% of households have no access at all to water supply services, while 24.3% on average are households with access to only basic hygiene services.
Based on the 2021 Water and Sanitation Corporation (WASAC) customers categories and the monthly consumption block, the average applicable water tariff was RWF 701.625/m3. The latest Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority Annual Report puts the quantity of water produced last year at 59,524,525 m3. This implies that Private Operators in the water sector expected revenue above RWF 41.7 billion.
However, this revenue was not generated as almost half of produced water, 42%, didn’t reach the consumers according to the same report, thus was not paid for. This water loss is attributed to leakages in the pipe networks, water theft, improper metering, and billing errors. In terms of revenue loss, the number talked about here is 17.6 billion.
And how much does the revenue loss translate into water systems? The Water For People organization in Rwanda estimates that building one kilometer of a water system costs on average around RWF 25 million. And the lost water revenue, if invested, could fund more than 704.9 km of new systems and increase the quantity of water generated, and ultimately the number of households accessing water supply services.
These occurrences are in part linked to low access and willingness to invest in improvements of WASH facilities, low demand for improved sanitation and willingness to pay, lack of WASH coordination between central and local governments, absence of District WASH Investment Plans, and skilled WASH staff.
Isoko y’Ubuzima with a $ 21 million budget will leverage achievements under former USAID Isuku Iwacu project to improve access to and encourage correct, consistent use of household WASH services to decrease diseases related to the lack of proper water, sanitation, and hygiene services.
The project will strengthen the capacity of the government and private sector to sustain water systems for 20 years, even 40 years, build the capacity of private operators to identify water losses and stop them and contribute to the reduction at a 25% rate the revenue loss due to non-revenue water over the next 5 years.
This will ensure that more Rwandans have improved sanitation and hygiene, and therefore greater protection against water-borne diseases, improved nutritional status, improved household economy – fewer days lost from work and less spent on hospitals – improved school attendance. It will increase and sustain equitable access to and use of safe drinking water and sanitation services. This will also reduce families’ health, economic, and social burdens due to the lack of WASH services.
Over the next 5 years, 120,000 people will gain access to basic drinking water services, 100,000 people will have increased access to basic sanitation services, while 96,000 will receive improved service quality from an existing basic or safely managed drinking water service in Rwamagana, Kayonza, Ngoma, Kirehe, Nyagatare, Ruhango, Nyanza, Nyamagabe, Ngororero and Nyabihu.
The program is being implemented from July 2021 by a consortium led by Water For People to improve WASH governance, drinking water services, and sanitation and handwashing services and products. Other members of the consortium are IRC, Vitens Evides International, CARE International, and African Evangelistic Enterprise.
Gen Mahamat arrived in Rwanda on Friday 18th March 2022 where he was received by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr. Vincent Biruta upon arrival at Kigali International Airport.
He is expected to hold talks with Kagame and visit Kigali Genocide Memorial before interacting with Chadians living in Rwanda on Saturday.
Gen Mahamat,38, took over from his father, Marshal Idriss Déby Itno who died on the battlefield fighting rebels hostile to his Government last year.
The Chadian Transitional Military Council established an interim cabinet comprised of 40 ministers and their deputies in May 2021.
Rwanda and Chad enjoy existing diplomatic cooperation. Rwanda’s interests in Chad are currently represented by Ambassador Stanislas Kamanzi with residence in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria.
In August last year, President Paul Kagame sent a message to Gen Mahamat, delivered by Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr. Biruta.
Details of the message were not disclosed but the envoy was sent to Chad after Kagame had hosted Abdelkerim Deby Itno, the Director of Cabinet and Special Envoy of the President of the Transitional Military Council of Chad on 6th May 2021.
Chad is among countries faced with insecurity due to the presence of rebel groups against established leadership which triggered the death of President Idriss Deby Itno who died last year on the battlefield after three decades in power.
The visit is held at a time when the Chadian Government continues to cooperate with partner countries to restore order.
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport on 18th March 2022, he was received by Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr. Vincent Biruta.
Gen Mahamat will be hosted by President Paul Kagame at Urugwiro Village this and visit Kigali Genocide Memorial this afternoon.
On the second day of his visit, Saturday 19th March 2022, he is expected to meet with Chadians living in Rwanda.
Rwanda and Chad enjoy existing diplomatic cooperation. Rwanda’s interests in Chad are currently represented by Ambassador Stanislas Kamanzi with residence in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria.
In August last year, President Paul Kagame sent a message to Gen Mahamat, delivered by Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr. Biruta.
Details of the message were not disclosed but the envoy was sent to Chad after Kagame had hosted Abdelkerim Deby Itno, the Director of Cabinet and Special Envoy of the President of the Transitional Military Council of Chad on 6th May 2021.
Chad is among countries faced with insecurity due to the presence of rebel groups against established leadership which triggered the death of President Idriss Deby Itno who died last year on the battlefield after three decades in power.
The visit is held at a time when the Chadian Government continues to cooperate with partner countries to restore order.
The directive for activities producing noise pollution, prohibits loudspeakers between 10.p.m and 6.a.m.
The timeframe is of great significance to Muslims in Rwanda who usually use loud speakers to call followers to prayers five times per day.
These include the Adhan call at 4:30 a.m. reminding Muslims of prayers held 5:00 a.m. every day.
The Adhan lasts between two and five minutes.
The Minister of Local Government, Jean Marie Vianney Gatabazi has said that the decision does not only concern Muslims but also other religious denominations that annoy people during night hours.
“Worshippers must continue their activities being aware of their limitations to avoid nuisance to others. I saw some people registering Christians to attend prayers in the evening, home based fellowship groups and morning prayers. These activities are not prohibited. What is prohibited is doing it in the wee hours, and play instruments that might disturb people or cause noise pollution violating their rights as they sleep,” he said.
Minister Gatabazi has said that Muslim’s call to prayer was practiced for far too long.
He revealed that some people not concerned with the Adhan expressed concerns that they are extremely annoyed over related noise pollution.
“The decision was taken because there are people who continuously file complaints that they no longer sleep because they are disturbed by repeated call to prayers. This happens in different localities. Residents raised alarm about the issue. Perhaps, they were not understood as they rose concerns but it is their rights,” he said.
Noise pollution, according to National Noise Pollution Guidelines, is determined when sound goes beyond 80 decibel (db). Decibel is the unit through which noise is measured and sound becomes “physically painful” when it goes beyond 80db.
Often neglected, noise pollution adversely affects the human being leading to irritation, loss of concentration, loss of hearing, sleeping disorder among other ill effects.
Minister Gatabazi revealed that the decision is based on the environmental law established in 2004 as amended 2018.
The law No. 48/2018 of 13/08/2018 on environment in its article 43, states that; “Without prejudice to the provisions of the law determining offences and penalties in general, any person who causes noise pollution is liable to an administrative fine of Rwf500, 000.”
Under the new penal code, noise nuisance carries a penalty of a fine not less than Rwf500, 000 and not more than Rwf1, 000,000.
In case of recidivism, the penalty is imprisonment for a term of not less than eight days and not more than one month and a fine of more than Rwf1,000,000 and not more than Rwf2,000,000 or one of the penalties.
“First of all, the law was passed but did not go into implementation. Secondly, established guidelines did not go into force. Thirdly, concerned followers came to us complaining. They inquired into why we are stopping them yet the law was discussed before it was passed,” Minister Gatabazi said.
“We finally realized that these people misunderstood the decision. It was not meant to halt prayers. No one intends to stop prayers for Muslims, Catholic Church believers and Protestants among others,” he added.
Gatabazi revealed that there are no restrictions for prayers in the daylight while the harmful call to overnight prayers is prohibited.
The decision to avoid noise pollution also concerns restaurants, bars and other businesses.
Mutabazi has been serving as board member in different companies including Equity Bank Rwanda which announced his death on 17th March 2022.
“On behalf of the Equity Group family, we send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the Late Steven Mutabazi. May his soul rest in peace,” the lender has tweeted.
Mutabazi built his entrepreneurial business career in Australia and the Asia Pacific region. He studied Engineering at Monash University, founded and led two technology innovation companies for 20 years.
In between, Mutabazi held senior positions with Telstra Corporation (Australia), leading corporate initiatives to transform the company in the then newly regulated telecom market, and with Hewlett Packard Company, delivering internet and e-Commerce solutions in 12 countries of the Asia Pacific region.
Due to his passion to contribute to his county’s development, Mutabazi was invited to join the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) in 2012, where over 6 years, he led the Government’s effort to establish a joint venture with KT Corporation for the rollout of Rwanda’s 4G LTE network to cover 95% of the population by 2017, and to establish the Kigali Innovation City (KIC) flagship initiative to position Rwanda as a pan-African technology and talent hub.
Mutabazi holds a Master’s degree of Engineering Science. He has over 30 years of experience in corporate governance, acquired as an Executive Board Member of the two companies he founded, and later as Chairman of Broadband Systems Corporation Ltd (6 years), KT Rwanda Networks Ltd (3 years), and the National Industrial Research and Development Agency of Rwanda (since 2015).
Steve was also a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Justified Accord is the United States Africa Command (USAFRICOM) East Africa annual joint combined exercise that involves U.S. military, partner nations and international organizations to promote interoperability between participants for AU and UN peacekeeping missions and counter-terrorism crisis response.
Throughout training, the participants focused on activities that incorporated multidimensional entities including military component, police component, civilian and NGOs with a multinational field training exercise (FTX) and command post exercise (CPX) which focused on both individual and joint readiness. The FTX was held in Isiolo County while the CPX took place in Nairobi.
In his closing remarks, Maj Gen Gregory Anderson, Chief operations USAFRICOM said that the entire package of the course, the CPX and FTX were tailored to address AU and UN complex multinational aspects of peacekeeping and counter terrorism.
It improves interoperability among participating nations and enhances inter agency collaboration in dealing with security challenges and threats, he added.
