After the talks with Ouattara, Mushikiwabo, who is currently Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and East Africa affairs, said she shared with the President her plans for OIF.
“An instrumental meeting today with President Ouattara at Abidjan. He advised the candidate Mushikiwabo to have a road map based on precise and achievable objectives for Francophonie, which he believes lacks concrete results,” reads her tweet.
Prior to reaching Côte d’Ivoire, Mushikiwabo campaigned in Burkina Faso the same day. She was also in Tunisia and Niger for the same mission on Friday and Saturday respectively.
She has been meeting Heads of State in OIF member countries for about three months.
She is campaigning against the Canadian Michaëlle Jean who is serving her first term as OIF Secretary General since 2015.
OIF General Assembly of Heads of State is expected in Armenia on October 11-12. The assembly will vote the organisation’s General Secretary for the next four years.
Founded in 1970, OIF or La Francophonie as it is widely known, brings together 58 French speaking countries from across the world.
They say they sleep hungry as they have no combustibles to cook their food.
Refugees usually receive firewood monthly but without the supply, they are having to walk up to three hours in search for the firewood.
A refugee in Mahama who preferred anonymity told IGIHE yesterday that they have food but suffer hunger as they lack firewood.
Another one in Gihembe said the firewood crisis has led them into conflicts with the camp neighbouring communities.
“We go to collect firewood in the residents’ farms and they fight us when they catch us there.”
Jean Claude Rwahama, the official at the Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugees (MIDIMAR), says the crisis was caused by the contracted supplier who withdrew from the contract.
He encouraged further patience among the refugees saying that they will receive the firewood by end of this month.
MIDIMAR reports the spending of over Rwf1 billion on firewood distributed in all six refugee camps in the country.
Mahama camp in Kirehe District is the largest in terms of population and firewood consumption. It accommodates 57,627 people while Gihembe has 13,304 Congolese refugees.
Kigeme camp in Nyamagabe District has 20,000 Congolese, Kiziba camp in Karongi District has 17,120 population, Nyabiheke in Gatsibo has14,554, and Mugombwa which accommodates 9,205 refugees.
There are also urban refugees including 11,460 in the City of Kigali and 773 individuals in Huye city.
UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) reports over 152,000 refugees in Rwanda. Among them, 52% are from Democratic Republic of Congo while 47% are Burundians.
The two districts were recognised at the launch of the three-month ‘Free To Shine Rwanda’ campaign aiming at ending new HIV infections in children and keeping their mothers alive.
The Catalytic Framework developed in 2015 at the continental level seeks to provide a framework and guide AIDS response efforts, with an emphasis on the elimination of mother to child transmission. Moreover, the national campaign for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission launched in 2011 set up the ambitious targets to reduce mother-to-child transmission in Rwanda from 4.3% in 2011, to less than 2.0% in 2015.
In constant improvement, Rwanda’s national HIV response has offered a comprehensive care package including HIV screening during antenatal care, HIV screening in the postpartum period for both mothers and HIV exposed children, nutritional support for mothers and infants and paediatric treatment protocols. Furthermore, increased decentralisation of HIV prevention and treatment services to the lowest level of health service delivery has enabled greater uptake, adherence and engagement.
Through the extension and improvement of prevention initiatives, treatment protocols and guidelines, and attention to equity, Rwanda’s current MTCT rate is 1.5% (2018).
Rwanda’s secondary cities include Rubavu, Musanze, Huye, Rusizi, Nyagatare, and Muhanga. To develop the basis for good urban and rural settlement management at all levels of governance, it was planned that in 2024, 30% of all Rwandans would be residing in secondary cities.
So to support attainment of the target, World Bank through the Rwanda Urban Development Project, granted $95 million to fund that project that would provide new infrastructures to the said secondary towns including roads, drainage systems , electricity, among others.
In the first phase of the project, 29Km-long roads and drainage channels of 44 Km were constructed in Muhanga, Huye, Rusizi, Rubavu, and Nyagatare at a cost of $28 million.
Residents from secondary cities welcomed the construction of new tarmac roads and other development projects such as hotels, health centers, schools, that have contributed to changing and bettering their lives.
In every city, new roads were constructed to link people and ease business and trade.
Azarie Muhizi, a trader based in Kibiligi sector, Muhanga, said the project has facilitated their businesses and contributing to the development of the city in general.
“We were in the darkness, struggling, but we are now having better lives. We have now easy excess to hospitals because at any time you can get a car to drop you there, while before it was nearly impossible.”
Huye residents also welcomed the fact that land value has increased. Locals from Karubanda and officials from Huye told IGIHE that all land plots near the 20-30 KM roads were now worth 2-4 million.
Apart from land value, and reduced accidents, the new roads enhanced urbanization, creating new business opportunities
{{Investors explore business opportunities
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With the urbanization in roll, all the secondary cities started seeing interested investors in all sectors ranging from Hotel industry, Industrial sector and many others.
Speaking to IGIHE, Muhanga Mayor, Beatrice Uwamahoro said that new investors had proposed new industrial projects which include a Pharmaceutical plant and many others.
“We want investors to feel welcome in working in our region and that it is why we are working on roads, infrastructure projects to provide a better working environment,” Uwamahoro said.
The East African Granite Industries (EAGI) management in Rutaraka Cell, Nyagatare District, Eastern Province attest that with the construction of roads, exporting and importing products from the country has become faster, cheaper and efficient.
Nyagatare is among the secondary cities that are evolving. Its residents observe that infrastructure projects are boosting business, mainly in the agricultural sector.
Rubavu and Rusizi both share the fact that they are on the border with the DR Congo, near Kivu Lake, where business opportunities abound.
Rubavu District Mayor, Gilbert Habyarimana, told IGIHE that they wished to transform into the best commercial city for business.
“After seeing the change that the project brought up, we started preparing trading zones that were in line with the city’s master plan. As industries anchor branches in Rubavu, we are doing all that is possible to facilitate them.”
Musanze District also saw streaming in of investors who were drawn to the town’s potential, including Gorilla Investment Company (GOICO), an organization that contributed to the construction of a modern Market.
{{Construction of new drainage networks and channels
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Two drainage systems of 922 meters worth RWF949.9M were constructed to diminish the flood of water that was hitherto threatening residents.
A member of parliament, Emmanuel Mpumuro, who lives near Rwebeya drainage channel (720 meters long) applauded the move saying that many of his neighbors had moved out because of the issue.
The $95 million World Bank-funded project to provide drainage systems and roads was launched in June 2016 and will end in July 2021. Currently, preparations are for the second phases of the project are in final stages and will see the construction of 40 kilometers of roads designed for a future industrial zone.
RIB Spokesperson Modeste Mbabazi told IGIHE on Friday evening that they had received a complaint from a woman who claimed that her minor daughter was defiled and her 19-year old impregnated.
He said Mugabe often nicknamed Bob was under interrogation as RIB prepares the file to be submitted to the prosecution.
“It’s true Mugabe has been summoned. RIB has received an accusation against Mugabe for defiling two siblings. He allegedly impregnated one and gave her pills for abortion and defiled the 17-year old,” said Mbabazi.
It is also alleged that Mugabe also infected the two with an undisclosed disease.
Mugabe is the Managing Director of the Voice Ltd, which publishes Great Lakes Voice and Ibiyaga Bigari.
He claimed himself in October 2016 that security operatives grabbed his cell phones and tried to kidnap him. He was later interrogated at former Criminal Investigation Department (CID) which was later replaced by RIB.
The project being implemented by Solektra Int. is a joint venture of the Senegalese-American singer Alioune Badara Thiam aka Akon, his fellow Senegalese-American Thione Niang and Malian entrepreneur Samba Bathily.
Unveiling Saturday the street lighting units, a village water pump and three ambulances Ndego, Solektra Int CEO Samba Bathily said the $250,000 worth facilities constitute the first phase of the project.
The facilities were developed in collaboration with Rwanda Development Board in its revenue sharing programme with the communities neighbouring with the national game parks.
The beneficiaries are neighbours with Akagera National Park.
Bathily said the second phase will offer irrigation systems, solar systems for primary and secondary schools, and a smart village centre in Ndego and Rwinkwavu sectors.
It is expected to be completed in the next three months at a tune of $500,000.
Bathily also participated in gorilla naming Friday in Musanze District where 23 gorilla infants received names. The Malian philanthropist named one ‘Ineza’ meaning charity.
Germaine Kamayirese, Minister of State in charge of Energy and Water at the Ministry of Infrastructure, urged Ndego residents to preserve the facilities and use them to improve their living.
Innocent Shingiro, a resident of Ndego, said the ambulances, water and power will help them live better.
During his visit to Rwanda in July 2015, Akon had promised to fast-track his project in six months but nothing was done until May 2017 as Kamayirese’s advisor Alexis Karani told IGIHE.
With the budget of $1 billion, Akon Lighting Africa seeks to provide solar energy to 600 million rural residents in 30 African countries.
Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) reports that the seized second-hand clothes tons were shipped into the country illegally.
The increase in caguwa fraud results from the hiking of taxes on used wears.
RRA Commissioner-General Richard Tusabe told IGIHE Thursday that the 200 fraud tons have been destroyed since 2016.
“We encourage caguwa fraudsters to get together and consolidate their capital to start textile manufacturing within Rwanda instead of bringing in the country substandard clothes,” he said.
In July 2016, Rwanda hiked taxes on used garments and shoes from $0.2 and $0.4 respectively to $2.5 per kilogram and further to $4 and $5 on used garments and shoes respectively in July 2017.
The 2017 tax was maintained in the current fiscal year that started in July.
Discouraging imports of used clothes and shoes intends to promote local manufacturers through the initiative dubbed “Made in Rwanda.”
The ban on importation of second-hand clothes and shoes was in May 2016 endorsed by the East African Community (EAC) Heads of State during a summit in Arusha, Tanzania.
The resolution intends to phase out caguwa by 2019.
This aims to resuscitate the struggling regional textile industries, create entry level jobs and reduce trade deficits in the EAC member states.
Before the dinner, Mafikizolo will participate in gorilla naming ceremony, locally known as Kwita Izina, taking place at the volcanoes foothill in Kinigi, Musanze District of the Northern Rwanda.
The two and their six-member supporting team have landed in Kigali this Thursday.
Mafikizolo and local Gakondo Group will perform at Igitaramo-Cultural Celebratory Gala Dinner to entertain a range of guests now in the country for the Kwita Izina.
Mafikizolo was last in Rwanda in July 2016. At the occasion, the duo entertained guests at the 27th Ordinary African Union Summit of Heads of State and Governments.
This Friday, 23 gorilla infants will be given names by high profile people.
They include RnB Star Alioune Damala Badara Thiam, aka Akon on stage; Legendary Arsenal and Cameroun footballer Laureano Bisan Etamé-Mayer, aka Lauren; and former Nigeria President Dr. Olusegun Obasanjo.
The 24 represent 30% of the 80-seat Lower House as provided for in the Constitution.
Each of the four country’s provinces and the City of Kigali gets a number of women seats depending on its population size.
Eastern, Southern and Western provinces receive six seats each. Northern Province and City of Kigali are respectively represented by four and two legislators.
NEC President Prof. Kalisa Mbanda announced Wednesday evening the preliminary results per each province and Kigali as follows:
{{Southern Province
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A 31,259 member voting council elected six legislators out of 62 candidates. Voter turnout stood at 87%. Winners are
Voters list had 33,059 people but 99.8% elected the following six out of 39 candidates:
1. Nyiragwaneza Athanasie 81.6 %
2. Mukarugwiza Annonciata 72.8%
3. Rubagumya Furaha Emma 71.3%
4. Uwineza Béline 70.6%
5. Mukamana Alphonsine 67.9%
6. Uwamahoro Berthilide 67.4%
{{Northern Province
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With 24,194 voters, turnout was at 95.9%. The following four were elected out of 23:
1. Murekatete Marie Therese 95.9%
2. Uwingabiye Solange 94.5%
3. Nirere Marie Therese 92.1%
4. Basigayabo Marceline 89.4%
{{City of Kigali
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Voting council of 9,658 elected two legislators out of 16 candidates:
1. Ndangiza Madina 87.2%
2. Kanyange Phoebe 84.2%
On the other hand, voter turnout stood at 93.04% in the legislative general elections held on Monday.
The seven-party RPF-led coalition won 74% ballots equivalent to 40 seats out of the 53 deemed to be shared among the parties and independent candidates.
Liberal Party (PL) and Social Democratic Party (PSD) respectively won 9% and 7% equivalent to five and four seats.
Each of Democratic Green Party of Rwanda (DGPR) and PS-Imberakuri won 5% ballots equivalent to two seats.
Eugène Mussolini won on Sunday to represent people with disabilities.
In the elections held on Tuesday for two youth representatives, Erneste Kamanzi and Clarisse Imaniriho won the seats.
The star arrived in Kigali Tuesday. His visit is in line with Arsenal-Rwanda deal dubbed ‘Visit Rwanda’ aimed at promoting the country’s tourism.
On Wednesday, Lauren met young boys and girls with dreams of playing football as professionals at Amahoro Stadium. He advised the youngsters and played football with them.
The English club legend continued his visit to the volcanoes Thursday to see the rare mountain gorillas.
Lauren will participate in gorilla naming ceremony, locally known as Kwita Izina, tomorrow at the volcanoes foothill in Kinigi, Musanze District of the Northern Rwanda.
The ceremony will see 23 gorilla infants given names.
In Arsenal, Lauren won FA Community Shield in 2002 and 2004, three FA Cup in the seasons of 2001–02, 2002–03 and 2004–05 and two Premier League cups including one that Arsenal won without losing a single match in 2003-04 season.
Another Arsenal legend Alexandra Virina Scott is also among tomorrow’s gorilla namers.
The retired English footballer played for Arsenal Women and made 140 appearances for the English national team. She also represented Great Britain at the 2012 London Olympics.
Scott won with Arsenal Women five Premier League titles, seven FA cup, one UEFA Women’s Champions League in 2007, among other cups.
