Capt Rusine who was once enrolled in Rwanda Defense Forces (RDF) and Col Irombe were arrested on 7th January 2021 through Congolese Special Forces known as ‘Hibou Special Forces’.
Rusine joined FLN in 2018 after dismissal from RDF over conviction for robbery crimes. He was sacked at the rank of Lieutenant.
Col Irombe was heading FLN military court. He was born in 1967 in former Commune Tare currently in Gakenke district. He studied secondary school at Rwesero Junior Seminary.
As RPF soldiers stooped genocide, Rwandan Armed Forces (FAR) fled to DRC where Irombe pursued Laws at Lubumbashi University.
He once served as Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) Judiciary Commissioner and personal secretary of Col Bigaruka. The arrest of the two men follows the death of Lt Col Butera Didier, former FLN advisor killed during FARC operations.
The week-long fight between FARDC and CNRD/MRCD rebel groups in Muzimu and Kigoma of Uvila in Southern Kivu saw 36 FLN fighters killed. The rebel group’s headquarters has also been captured by FARDC.
FLN has been on the brink of defeat since top leaders have been arrested. These include the spokesperson, Nsabimana Callixte Sankara and his successor, Herman Nsengimana as well as the Chairman Paul Rusesabagina who are detained in Rwanda.
Recently arrested leaders are additional to other members of the terror groups extradited to Rwanda including Major Habibu Mudathiru along with rebels who had joined the coalition of armed groups allied to RNC that intended to destabilize Rwanda’s security and FDLR tope leaders like Ignace Nkaka, alias LaForge Fils Bazeye, Lt Col Jean-Pierre Nsekanabo FDLR arrested and facing justice in Rwanda.
Rwanda’s embassy in UAE has announced that the first batch of fruits from Rwanda were delivered on Saturday 9th January 2021. Rwanda signed agreements to export to Carrefour Hypermarkets last week.
Horticultural products to be exported to the market include passion fruits, avocado, bananas and pineapples.
After launching the market, Rwanda’s ambassador to UAE, Emmanuel Hategeka used his Twitter handle to thank the management of Carrefur for opening doors for Rwanda’s fruits and assured clients of high quality fruits from Rwanda.
“A big thank you to vice president Mr. Arnaud Bouf and the leadership Carrefour for opening the gates to Rwanda’s fresh products and thank you to the Rwanda community in Dubai for your presence and support today,” he said.
Carrefour hypermarkets are established across the Middle East and North Africa region. With shop floor space varying between 2,400 and 23,000 sq.m. per store, Carrefour’s Hypermarkets offer a wide selection of 20,000 to 80,000 food and non-food products.
Rwanda’s fruits will be traded at over 320 retail stores of Carrefour which records over 750,000 clients on daily basis.
Amb. Hategeka Emmanuel who also represents Rwanda to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia presented credentials to represent Rwanda in Bahrain in a virtual ceremony held yesterday on 10th January 2021.
After presenting credentials, he reiterated commitment to promote bilateral relations.
“Such a great honor for me to present my Credentials to H.E Dr. Abdullatif Bin Rashid Al Zayani Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain as Rwanda’s Ambassador designate (non-resident).Our bilateral relations can only grow stronger. I am committed for stronger cooperation to promote interests of both countries’ people and ready to visit Bahrain when flights stabilize,” he said.
Amb. Hategeka is also expected to present credentials to the King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
Before appointment to represent Rwanda to UAE, Amb. Hategeka was the Deputy CEO of Rwanda Development Board (RDB).
Rwanda, Bahrain relations is gradually getting boost highlighted by bilateral discussions between both countries’ officials.
In September 2020, Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr Vincent Biruta held talks with his counterpart of Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani that revolved around improving bilateral relations and cooperation to promote citizens’ interests.
Bahrain is among Arab countries recently allowed to invest in Rwanda’s tourism sector. Others include Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Among others, 169 people have been tested positive out of 2361 sample tests while 18 have recovered.
New cases were found in Kigali: 125, Musanze: 15, Rubavu: 11, Nyagatare: 6, Huye: 4, Rusizi: 3, Rulindo: 2, Nyanza: 1, Nyamasheke: 1 and Bugesera: 1.
Rwanda confirmed the first COVID-19 patient on 14th March 2020. Since then, 9630 people have been tested positive out of 767,448 sample tests of whom 6974 have recovered, 2536 are active cases while 120 have succumbed to the pandemic.
Coronavirus symptoms include coughing, flu, and difficulty in breathing. The virus is said to be transmitted through the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract.
Rwandans are urged to adhere to COVID-19 health guidelines, washing hands frequently using soaps and safe water, wearing face masks and respecting social distancing.
Their actions are contrary to the government directives, which among others, prohibit social gatherings as one of the measures to prevent the spread of the COVID-19.
The violators, all youth, came from different parts of Kigali.
The District Executive Administrator for Kicukiro, Solange Umutesi said that the the violations were reported by neighbours.
“Neighbouring residents, who understand the current situation and the directives called local authorities and Police reporting noise pollution. We went there and found the young boys and girls in the house drinking and dancing. Some of them were drunk,” Umutesi said.
She added that such young people should be guided against disregarding the health guidelines at the time when other youth are actively engaged in supporting national efforts against the spread of the pandemic through awareness and enforcement in markets, trading centres, bus stations and terminals.
The District Executive Administrator commended residents that reported the violations.
Rwanda National Police (RNP) spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera said that the house had been turned into a bar.
“Bars are still closed; turning your home into a bar or holding house parties is equally prohibited as one of the ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The Police cannot be everywhere and in every home to enforce the directives but remember that whatever you are doing violating the directives, there are people who will report such inappropriate behaviours and actions, and you will be arrested,” CP Kabera warned.
When Police officers arrived at the house, it is said that they were abused by the violators.
CP Kabera said: “There are reports that these violators abused Police officers, who had come to enforce the directives. Abusing the authority is punishable by law and this will be investigated to authenticate the truth. If investigations prove that Police officers were actually abused, the accused will also be prosecuted as the law provides.”
He observed that such gatherings bringing people from different places are risky and can be source of COVID-19 spread.
The spokesperson warned the public against such risky practices and advised against unnecesary movement.
The violators will be educated on the health guidelines and other directives, but also fined for the violations.
IDEX and NAVDEX and the International Defence Conference are organised by the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC), in cooperation with the Ministry of Defence and the General Command of the UAE Armed Forces. The events showcase the latest developments, technologies and innovations in the defence industry, support the development of the national defence sector and forge new relationships between major international companies.
The committee confirmed that both exhibitions and the accompanying conference will be held on schedule, without disruption. The events are attracting wide interest and participation by companies and delegations alike, as the final preparations are made. The committee aims to organise an exceptional edition during the economic recovery from the impact of COVID-19 and strengthen the position of Abu Dhabi as a leading regional leader in the business tourism sector.
The committee affirmed that official invitations have been sent to exhibitors and conference delegates and that confirmation of participation has been received from many official delegations from countries all over the world, in addition to decision-makers, experts and specialists from across the sector. The positive response confirms the pivotal position and role that both events play in the specialised defence sector and the status of the exhibitions at the regional and international level.
The committee emphasised that the UAE is an attractive and safe destination that welcomes visitors from all over the world, and is fully prepared to host the world again in Abu Dhabi. To facilitate exhibitors and visitors’ participation, a wide range of processes are being implemented. Additionally, a set of precautionary and preventive measures have been developed to ensure the health, well-being, and security of visitors and participants, in cooperation with ADNEC and all relevant authorities.
Additionally, the Naval Organising Committee of NAVDEX confirmed that a large number of naval vessels and boats from countries around the world will arrive in February, to be displayed at the ADNEC Marina during the exhibition. The Committee is currently finalising plans to launch a number of new naval vessels during the exhibition.
The Organising Committee of the International Defence Conference 2021 stated that it has completed the final list of conference speakers and participants to accompany IDEX and NAVDEX. The conference will be held as a hybrid event for the first time, bringing together experts and specialists from all over the world at the ADNOC Business Center and on-line, to discuss the Prosperity and Development of Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology and the Protection in the Era of the 4IR.
The upcoming edition of the International Defence Conference will highlight the key role that Abu Dhabi plays in advancing the global defence industries and the importance of international cooperation to find a formula for restructuring defence systems in the face of future challenges.
ADNEC has implemented a wide range of strict precautionary and preventive measures to ensure the safety of visitors and participants, in accordance with the highest global health and safety standards. Thermal scanners will be set at all entrances, sanitisation and disinfection procedures will be taking place throughout the day using fogging machines. All visitors and participants will be required to have a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) COVID-19 test. In addition, social distancing measures and the wearing of personal protective equipment (PPE) is being mandated across facilities.
{{About Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC)}}
Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) is part of ADQ, one of the region’s largest holding companies with a diverse portfolio of major enterprises spanning key sectors of Abu Dhabi’s diversified economy.
ADNEC is a leader in managing and developing international strategic centres and was founded with a vision to become the leading destination for popular, high-profile international conferences, exhibitions and congresses in the Middle East and North Africa. It owns and operates the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, the largest exhibition venue in the MENA region.
In addition, ADNEC also includes ExCeL London, Al Ain Convention Centre, Aloft London ExCeL, Aloft Abu Dhabi, Andaz Capital Gate Abu Dhabi, ADNEC Services LLC, Capital Hospitality, and IDEX LLC.
ADNEC Group is working on developing its network of companies and is on a mission to enhance business tourism in Abu Dhabi by creating a platform that enables event organisers to realise their goals of connecting people via world-class events and venues and delivering best-in-class services to exceed stakeholder expectations.
For more information, please visit: http://www.adnecgroup.ae
The UN Group of Experts (GoE) Midterm report dated 23rd December 2020, claimed that Rwanda sent troops for military operations in Eastern DRC.
In a statement released on Friday, Rwanda has explained that such allegations are unfounded.
“The Government of Rwanda refutes allegations from the UN Group of Experts (GoE) Midterm report dated 23rd December 2020, and reiterates that there were no Rwandan troops on the territory of the Democratic Republic of Congo and that there had been no recent Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) joint operations with the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC),” reads the statement in part.
Rwanda enjoys cordial bilateral relations with the DRC, and there are several existing bilateral cooperation engagements, including military cooperation.
However, the statement further reads that, such cooperation is exclusively limited to intelligence sharing on various armed groups operating in Eastern DRC that are a common threat to both countries.
The Government of Rwanda also reiterated its commitment to promote national and regional natural resources governance mechanisms in the fight against illegal exploitation and trade of minerals in the region.
It is against this background, and in a spirit of cooperation and goodwill, that in February 2020, during the last visit of the UN GoE to Rwanda, they were shown various anti-smuggling efforts in place, and witnessed minerals that had been seized by authorities.
“The Government of Rwanda regrets the shortcomings of the UN GoE report, and the lack of good faith demonstrated by the experts. Despite being granted access to various Government institutions, facilitated in meeting witnesses and provided with responses to all issues raised, the UN GoE report omitted key information and clarifications provided by the GoR,” adds the statement.
The Government of Rwanda has concluded by expressing its deepest concerns towards ‘the lack of rigor from the UN GoE in the fulfillment of its mandate, raising serious concerns about the independence of its reports’.
The spokesperson of the Ministry of Health, Julien Mahoro Niyingabira has told IGIHE that the new facility is not a replacement of existing COVID-19 treatment facilities.
“It is not a replacement but rather adds up to existing CVOID-19 treatment facilities. The hospital is uniquely designed that it will help us to attend to more patients compared to Kanyinya facility. As announced earlier, we are undergoing expansion to increase hospitals across the country so that patients can be treated at nearby health facilities,” he said.
According to Rwanda Biomedical Center, efforts of setting up other COVID-19 ICU treatment centers in all provinces are ongoing.
The main COVID-19 treatment center at completed Nyarugenge Hospital was opened yesterday after 42 private health facilities were granted authorization to test Coronavirus so that people tested positive countrywide can be attended to before the situation worsens.
IGIHE has learnt that the incident took place around 2:40 am on 9th January 2021 when police on patrol in Dusenyi village, Kagugu cell, Kinyinya sector of Gasabo district met two people carrying a 32 inches television of SONY brand.
These thieves include Nsengiyumva Alexis, 31, with identifications issued in Bugesera district while his fellow had no identifications.
Relevant institutions arrived to the scene and started investigations into the case.
Police always advises people not to confront police officers on duty to avoid unnecessary risks.
Upon arrival at M’poko airport in Bangui, the capital city of CAR; Dr Biruta was welcomed by his counterpart of CAR, Sylvie Baïpo Temon.
Commanders of Rwandan police and military forces in CAR peacekeeping mission were also present.
Dr Biruta was accompanied by Gen Maj Nzabamwita Joseph, the Secretary General of National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS).
Later on, Dr Vincent Biruta held talks with CAR President, Faustin-Archange Touadéra at his office known as ‘Palais de la Renaissance’in the afternoon.
Rwanda and CAR enjoy cordial relations in different areas.
Rwanda is the 3th country with largest troops in United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) with over 1389 police and military forces.
During the recent presidential elections held on 27th December 2021, Rwanda sent 300 military troops to reinforce security amidst rebel groups that want to disrupt polls.
Following elections, Touadera thanked Rwanda for contribution to ensure smooth elections.
