{{Emmanuel Mbarushimana 51, a genocide suspect is currently aboard a plane from Denmark en-route to Rwanda where he will face trial, IGIHE has reliably learnt.
Alain Mukuralinda spokesperson of the National Public Prosecution Authority (NPPA), confirmed that the suspect will touch ground at Kigali International airport at about 5PM local time.}}
Several years ago, Rwanda had issued an arrest warrant and extradition request with regard to Mbarushimana, who is accused of taking part in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Mbarushimana is accused of genocide, complicity in genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide, murder and extermination committed in the former Commune Muganza, in the then Butare Prefecture.
The suspect will be the second Genocide suspect to be sent to Rwanda from Scandinavian countries after Charles Bandora, who was transferred from Norway in May 2013.
Mbarushimana was arrested in Denmark in 2010 after spending about 10 years hiding in the Scandinavian country.
{{Former Leaders of University Students and other Higher Institutions of Education of Rwanda, under ‘Action for Change Initiative’, organized on 30 June 2014 a Liberation walk named ‘Asante Sana Jeshi’. }}
The walk attended by thousands of youth and Rwanda Defence Forces ( RDF) members started from the Parliament building at 5:00pm and ended at IPRC stadium, Kicukiro, where ‘Inkera y’urugamba’ or reflection on Liberation took place.
The event aimed at expressing gratitude to the Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA) that launched the Rwanda’s liberation struggle on October 1st, 1990, for their brave and patriotic spirit, as well as to the Rwanda Defence Forces for its contribution to the National Development.
Addressing the Youth the Minister of Defence, Gen James Kabarebe narrated to them tough episodes of Liberation Campaigns that RPA went through from 1990 to 1994, when the Army liberated the country and stopped the genocide against Tutsi.
Honorable Minister Kabarebe explained to the youth that the situation was too demanding and required resilience and patriotism to win the struggle.
He emphasized that liberating the country and stopping the genocide against Tutsi was possible due to the visionary leadership of H.E President Paul Kagame who came up with war strategies and discipline that enabled RPA to take advantages over the enemy.
Gen Kabarebe urged the youth not to take for granted the sacrifice their elders made to liberate the country. He also urged them to be inspired by the current good leadership of the country to take Rwanda to a higher development.
The Minister of Youth and ICT, Honorable Nsengimana Philibert said that Rwandan Youth are united and will never deceive their elders who made sacrifice for the unity and the development of Rwanda.
”We will never take for granted the sacrifice made to liberate this country ”he said emphasizing that they will give their knowledge and lives to safeguard the unity and development of Rwanda.
Komezusenge Daniel, who spoke on behalf of Action for Change Initiative pledged that their initiative will continue as an annual event where the youth will sit together with their elders and get lessons on patriotism and other values that propelled the Army to liberate the country. “Thank you for your selfness for liberating our country”, he said.
The event was also attended by State Minister in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Anita Asiimwe and other government officials. The RDF Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Patrick Nyamvumba, other RDF Generals and Senior Officers were present as well.
{{Somalia ambassador in Rwanda is now engulfed by new allegations of diverting funds meant for supporting vulnerable Somali children who were affected by drought, to his personal businesses, Great Lakes Voice, reports.}}
Apparently in one of the big humanitarian scandal in the region, More than Rwf33Million almost $55000 collected from Rwandans through “Rwanda Youth for Somalia” campaign to help starving Somalis children, who were afflicted by hunger caused by drought and conflict in 2012, was allegedly pocketed by Ambassador of Somalia to Rwanda, His excellence Cabdullahi Sheikh Maxamed.
On 26 October 2012, the cheque was handed to Somalia ambassador Cabdullahi Sheikh Maxamed by Minister of Youth and ICT, Philbert Nsengimana and the youth delegation leading the campaign.
When Great Lakes Voice, launched an investigation last year, Mogadishu officials denied receiving any money from Rwanda. Senior officials in “Villa Somalia” [state house] denied knowledge of support from Rwanda youth.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Mogadishu Abdullahi Dol Mohamed talked to Great Lakes Voice editor, in March 2014, saying that there was no single coin to come from Rwanda. Adding that, it was his first time to hear about the said campaign.
“There was no penny from Kigali. It’s my first time to hear about the youth from Rwanda helping starving Somalis,” Abdullahi Dol Mohamed said.
In an interview with Somalia ambassador, he said the money was distributed to hospitals in Mogadishu and other parts of the country. “The money I got from the youth was distributed to help hospitals in Mogadishu and Maliki.”
But a few minutes later, the ambassador is on record saying he channeled the money directly to the then president, Sharif Sheikh Ahmed.
“The money you are asking about was given to hospitals in Mogadishu and Maliki,” Cabdullahi Sheikh Maxamed added that “the names of the hospitals are classified due to the reason that other hospitals would question why they did not profit from the support.”
The former coordinator, Rwanda Youth for Somalia, Jean Nepo Sibomana said it “would be bizarre and outrageous.”
“We collected this money hoping to reach the miserable Somalis children who were affected by drought, and then if our small support did not get to the beneficiaries it would be embarrassing,” Sibomana added.
According to Sibomana, it’s necessary for Rwandans and Somalis to know how the money from the campaign was used. “The embassy must come up clearly with facts to explain how the money was used,” Nepo Sibomana said.
It’s not clear how Amb. Cabdullahi spent the cash, but sources allege that the Ambassador used the money to buy a car.
Rwanda Minister of Youth and ICT, Philbert Nsengimana preferred not to comment as he didn’t have sufficient information on the case but promised to comment on a follow-up article.
Somalia Premier told Great Lakes Voice in Kigali, that he is not aware of any money from Rwanda.
“I am not aware of the youth money to Somalia. Sorry, I have no idea of what you’re saying,” Abdiweli sheikh Ahmed said.
{{President Paul Kagame has warned anyone intent on destabilising the country saying the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) that has been in control for the past twenty years, is stronger than ever before.}}
“If anybody thinks they are going to come and play with our people’s lives, they have no chance. For our lives, there is nobody who is going to come and play around here. Whether they are supported by outsiders, we will be so unkind to those who think they can play around with our lives. We have had enough of that,” he said
He noted, “As far as I know, the RPF is as strong and focused on what is good for this country and what is good for itself as it has ever been.”
Kagame told members of both local and international media at village Urugwiro that the liberation struggle has not been a simple and many sacrifices had to be made.
He said; “The state of affairs in the RPF is that of dynamism. There are those you call cadres, there are those who join along the way. There are those who fall out for one reason or another, but we deal with realities in life, whether it is politics or other circumstances. I don’t think there is one point at which the RPF has been found wanting in fulfilling its obligations, whether political, economic or social”.
Explaining the liberation journey, President Kagame said, “At least one thing we have to say: it’s a huge price, the price of people being free, independent, being able to live a life where their rights are respected.
However, that also means that those ideals are worth paying the price for. That is what struggles are all about,” Kagame said as he reminisced the three-and-a-half year struggle.
President Kagame told members of the media that RPFs just cause led to its success.
”All odds were against us; political, diplomatic… everybody was mobilised against RPF, but we were strengthened by the validity of our cause. Our cause was so just that we were convinced about it and ready to pay any price for it,” He said.
{{Cynical World}}
The President expressed his dissatisfaction to the people that have been sanitising the FDLR militia currently in the DRCongo saying he was running out of patience with such people.
“These genocidal forces for the past twenty years have been roaming around the region and in foreign capitals in Europe, America. One thing we have seen people falling short of is to decisively deal with the issue,” He said.
He said that FDLR is not that of 20 years ago of the people who killed. The same people who speak of never again are allowing genocidaires to roam their capitals.
Google’s much anticipated follow–up to Android KitKat is coming. Currently dubbed Android L, it was detailed last week during the search giant’s annual I/O developer event in San Francisco. So, what’s changed? Well, Google seems very keen to shout about its plans.
This is the first time it’s made a similar move to Apple and released an early preview for devs to tinker with. What’s more, it’s made some tweaks that are bound to impress casual and hardcore fans alike.
Stock Android has had a similar design for a few years now. And while it’s not badly dated, Google has decided to spruce things up a bit.
It’s using a new design language called ‘Material Design’, which serves up similar looks across its own apps, as well as making the home screen look a lot less cluttered.
The feeling is that the whole thing looks a lot ‘flatter’, something which Apple’s iOS 7 achieved last year.
The aim is simple: To make basic Android look fancier, so manufacturers don’t feel the need to customise it so much, which usually slows down software updates.
{{Health ministers from 11 African countries are meeting in Accra, Ghana, in an attempt to “get a grip” on the deadly and worsening Ebola outbreak.}}
So far, 763 people have been infected with the virus – and 468 of these have died.
Most of the cases have been in Guinea where the outbreak started.
But it has since spread to Liberia and Sierra Leone and is now the biggest and most deadly Ebola outbreak the world has seen, say officials.
Health officials from those countries, as well as Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Senegal, and Uganda will attend the meeting.
{{‘Get a grip’}}
The World Health Organization says “drastic” action is needed to stamp out the virus and ensure it does not spread to other countries in the region.
“We’re hoping to take decisions about how to enhance collaboration and responses [of these countries] so we can get a grip and halt this outbreak,” said WHO spokesman Daniel Epstein
“We need a strong response, especially along the shared border areas where commercial and social activities continue between Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. That’s unlikely to stop.”
The WHO says travel restrictions are highly unlikely, and in any case unenforceable. These are porous borders where people travel freely to see family and friends.
Ebola kills up to 90% of those infected. There is no vaccine or cure. It spreads through contact with an infected person’s bodily fluids.
The way to stop an outbreak is to isolate those who have it and ensure no-one else is exposed. Medical staff are following up on hundreds of people who have had contact with infected patients. They have to be closely monitored for 21 days before they can be given the all clear.
Ebola is a haemorrhagic fever, which can start suddenly with the onset of high temperature, diarrhoea and vomiting. Some people fight the virus and survive, but most do not. They start bleeding internally and externally and eventually their organs shut down.
{{Increasing hostility}}
Understandably, there is a great deal of fear in these communities and that is hindering the international effort to bring the virus under control, say experts.
The medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) is working with the World Health Organization and the Guinea Ministry of Health. It has four isolation facilities in Guinea and more than 300 international and local staff.
“We are seeing an increasing level of hostility borne out of fear in some communities,” said Dr Bart Janssens, MSF director of operations.
“We can no longer go into a number of villages any more to follow up on people who have been in contact with Ebola patients.”
The charity says health ministers from affected countries need to urgently improve public understanding of the disease.
“This requires an important mobilisation of all possible community leaders from bottom to top, because we cannot do this alone”
“We are now dealing with an extraordinary situation so we need more resources to fight the epidemic and we need extra help to convince communities to change their attitudes towards the virus.”
{{Atelier Augusti is the brainchild of sisters Julie and Claudie Ramirez who first visited Burkina Faso six years ago after their mother married a Burkinabe man.}}
“To us it was not a choice between manufacturing in the Far East or Africa,” says 27-year-old Claudie Ramirez.
“It was always going to be Africa, though obviously the Far East would have been cheaper,” she says.
”The quality of workmanship is high in Burkina Faso and we can easily travel there from France and oversee production.
“We want to know the people who work for us.
The sisters want to work with 100% cotton – which they buy from the large Comatex textile factory in neighbouring Mali, she says.
“However, we have to send the elastic and the ink for the screen printing from France. The quality we require simply is not available in Burkina Faso.”
The lingerie is on sale on the internet and at four outlets in France, including one in the capital, Paris.
Selling Augusti products in Burkina Faso would be ”complicated”, says Claudie Ramirez, because the price – a minimum of 18 euros (£14; $25) – is far higher than most Burkinabe women are used to paying.
Ms Tiema partly agrees: “In the market you can pick up Chinese underwear for next to nothing.
“But it is synthetic and horrible on the skin.”
The veteran dressmaker explains that there are second-hand items – known as “France au revoir”‘ – which are sometimes made of cotton.
“But I do not want to wear someone else’s pants,” she says, adding that design is also an issue.
“I am sure there would be a market for beautifully made, high-quality cotton lingerie which is cut to our African shapes.
{{Countries engulfed in conflicts, insecurity and the lack of peace, have been found lacking in achieving the Millennium development Goals (MDGs).}}
A new project ‘Freedom from violence’ was launched June 24, seeking to promote the inclusion of Peace, security and Conflict Prevention in the post 2015 development agenda.
In essence, peace, security and conflict prevention must be part of any nation’s development agenda.
Rwanda which has experienced lack of peace and insecurity that climaxed into genocide against Tutsi in 1994, has managed to successfully transition into a model nation currently seen as a shinning star.
It’s against this background that Rwanda has been chosen to pilot the Freedom from violence project that will be implemented by United Nations Association-Rwanda (UNA-Rwanda) with support of the Swedish government through the world federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA).
According to Jackline Kamanzi the Chairperson of UNA-Rwanda, the work will be mainly carried out in Rwanda, although the project’s outcome will be global reaching and some training and seminars may take place outside Rwanda.
Kamanzi explains that UNA-Rwanda will work with WFUNA and other UNAs on raising awareness, capacity building and engaging in dialogue and consultations to integrate peace, security and conflict prevention within the Post-2015 Development Agendas.
She adds that a series of trainings will be conducted throughout the country aimed at creating awareness, capacity building, gathering of thoughts and opinions among NGOs, Youth, Media and the academic Community on the inclusion of peace, security and conflict prevention in the Post – 2015 development agenda.
Speaking during a training workshop at Classic Hotel in Kicukiro, Kamanzi noted that participants will have acquired a great level of awareness on the project and advocate for incorporation of peace, security and conflict prevention in the post 2015 development agenda.
The training was attended by representatives from Rwanda Governance Board, Ministry of local government and Ministry of finance and economic planning, NGOs, Youth, Media and the academic Community.
{{Understanding the Post-2015 Development Agenda}}
The international community acknowledges the need to link peace and security to sustainable development and is speaking of peace and security as a 4th pillar to development.
Endorsed by the UN High Level panel on the Post-2015 Development Agenda by acknowledging an inescapable link between, conflict prevention, peace and development and as such identified a list of goals including; ensuring good governance and effective institutions and Ensuring stable and peaceful societies.
As MDG’s deadline in 2015 comes closer, the international community has already started to motion a new post-2015 global development agenda with a discussion on what to include in the Post-2015 agenda taking place globally.
Its time to fully amalgamate security and conflict prevention in the development programme.
According to the UN High level panel on the Post-2015 Development Agenda means that civil society ought to be engage broadly around the world.
Consultations are taking place at the UN level; however, since the idea of incorporation of security and conflict prevention into the development agenda is a new idea, civil societies globally require capacity, skills and the know-how to engage in these dialogues.
It’s argued that informed civil societies will be fundamental in advocating their governments on specific policies that influence the post-2015 debate, engage in UN-led consultations and amplify the global agenda.
WFUNA’s United Nations Association’s (UNAs), as advocates of all themes under the UN pillars and located in all parts of the world, has taken the initiative to take the lead on raising awareness and creating a platform in which civil society, the academic community, media and politicians can engage in inclusive dialogue.
UNA – Rwanda has a special mandate from WFUNA to advocate for implementation, disseminate information, lobby government, mobilise public support and to collaborate with other national voluntary organizations on projects related to all themes under the UN pillars.
{click to watch Video on Freedom from violence}
• Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission,
• Silvana Koch-Melhrin, Founder and Chair of the Women in Parliament global forum,
• President of the Rwandan Senate,
• Speakers of Parliament,
• Honorable Ministers,
• Senators and Members of Parliament,
• Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good evening,
We are so used to being taken out by men, but it feels good, rather refreshing to have a ladies night out. I thank the Women In Parliament global forum, for choosing Rwanda to host its 2014 summer summit.
By virtue of your positions, it feels as though the millions you represent were actually in the room with us. Tonight, I promise to spare you the statistics because I know how difficult they can be to digest with dinner. I will simply share a few thoughts on the forum’s theme: how the spirit of women in Parliaments can advance societies.
We thank you for coming together to share ideas and inspiration, on how you can be better enablers, of an equal and just world. Nous vous remercions de vous etre reunies afin d’echanger des idees et vous inspirer mutuellement, sur le moyen de devenir de meilleurs catalyseurs en vue d’un monde juste et equitable.
Rwanda is pleased and honored to welcome such a force, especially at this significant time in our journey – 20 years since the liberation of our country, from the genocidal regime.
As we come out of the 100 days of mourning, we salute the women who shouldered an immense burden during this most tragic time of our history, enduring horrors that would shake any human being to the core.
In these next few days, the national mood will be punctuated by a sense of gratitude, to the Rwandan sons and daughters who stopped the genocide against the Tutsi.
We hold our liberation process and those that led it, in high regard, we are conscious of the price they had to pay. Their sacrifice is warm in our veins.
As the world watched on television, these brave men and women stopped to look fear in the face and fought evil with purpose and passion. They refused to close their eyes and hearts to the worst form of human cruelty, a people can face.
We would be remiss if we did not pay tribute to our defense forces as we celebrate the 20th liberation. These valiant men and women in uniform continue to be part and parcel of Rwanda’s development.
They have truly surpassed our expectations by not only protecting civilians, but also providing practical solutions to daily problems.
For instance: they introduced the annual ‘Army Week’ initiative. They build schools, homes for survivors of the genocide, health centers and they provide medical care for communities.
They have participated in peacekeeping missions in Africa and beyond, where they help women make energy-saving stoves to limit their visits to the bushes in search of firewood, risking rape and death. They have held the Rwandan flag high.
Our National Police has also played a pivotal role in the campaign to end violence against women and girls in Rwanda, and hosts the Africa Centre for Security Organs to end Violence against women and girls, mobilizing an unprecedented 32 African countries against this pandemic.
Since we have only a few men in the room, let me hope they will not take offense at what I am about to say. In the last few centuries, under the exclusive leadership of men we have seen 2 world wars; several genocides; the rise of terrorism; a world dictated by the scramble for scarce resources, and the advancement of strategic interests at the expense of human dignity. I am only stating facts, no emotions.
{{Ladies and gentlemen:}}
While we are not going to pretend that women can fix all the problems, I believe we can make a difference, at this tipping point. Some would argue that people only respond to economic incentives and force.
As women we dream of a world where soft power: aspects such as values, culture, innovation can be compatible with the responsible quest for global influence and wealth creation.
True, the world has evolved and demands that we aspire for more and better. The age we live in requires more of our skills and energy. Martin Luther King said and I quote ‘there is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time’. Ladies, this is our time. For a second, can you imagine what the world would miss out on, if they had ignored and excluded such a powerful group?
We enjoyed the confident and bold expressions from Sophia, Natacha and Angel, along with our graceful traditional dancers. I cannot forget Sandrine and Carole, our MCs. These young women are the face of Rwandan women all over this country.
Women who work very hard and are in fact the ones delivering key targets, such as the Millennium Development Goals, on behalf of Rwanda. They need to be encouraged to do even better.
I also want to acknowledge women leaders at national and community level. They have been instrumental in Rwanda’s rebirth and reconstruction and some of them are in the room tonight. This was all made possible, thanks to a visionary leadership that recognized our rightful space.
As legislators representing millions of constituents, I wish to leave you with a few challenges:
• Will you be remembered as the generation of global women leaders that used its power to reach out to the often forgotten?
• Are you ready to protect and sustain the gains women have made?
• And if I may borrow from Angel, will you be a legend?
As I close my remarks, I would like to thank you for associating with Rwanda, especially at this time. This global sisterhood means a lot to us. Thank you for your kind attention and I wish you a memorable stay in Rwanda.
{{Rwanda’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, His Excellency Williams Nkurunziza, is the new Chair of Commonwealth Secretariat Board of Governors. }}
Having been elected unanimously by his fellow Board members, he took up his responsibilities on 1 July 2014.
Mr Nkurunziza succeeds His Excellency Carl Roberts, High Commissioner for Antigua and Barbuda to the United Kingdom, and will serve in this position for two years.
All 53 Commonwealth member states are represented on the Board of Governors, which meets annually to consider Commonwealth Secretariat work plans and budgets.
Speaking after discussions with Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma at Marlborough House, the Commonwealth headquarters in London, Mr Nkurunziza said: “I am profoundly grateful to my fellow Governors for their confidence and for entrusting me and my country with this important responsibility.
I look forward to working with my fellow Governors and the senior management of the Commonwealth Secretariat to ensure that the organisation continues to deliver good value to the member states and all our citizens.”
Greeting Mr Nkurunziza on his first day as Chair, the Commonwealth Secretary-General said: “The High Commissioner for Rwanda takes up his duties as Chair of our Board of Governors on the day we open a new chapter at the Commonwealth Secretariat. The structure of our divisions and our staffing arrangements have been reformed.”
Mr Sharma said he felt sure that they would enjoy a warm and productive relationship as they work together to deliver the Secretariat’s strategic plan for advancing democracy, development and respect for diversity in all Commonwealth countries.
He said: “I look forward to working in close and fruitful collaboration with His Excellency Williams Nkurunziza to serve the needs of all our member states in fresh and practical ways, and to achieve impact that will fulfil their high ambitions for the Commonwealth.”
The Secretary-General said that Mr Nkurunziza comes well prepared for the role of Chair, having served as Chair of the Board’s Executive Committee for the past year.
About HE Williams Nkurunziza
Prior to taking up his role in the UK, Mr Nkurunziza served in India, as High Commissioner of Rwanda there, with concurrent accreditations to the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka as well as designate-Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Union of Myanmar.
Before joining the diplomatic service, he served as Director General of the Rwanda Investment and Export Promotional Agency (RIEPA) during which time he worked tirelessly to reposition post-genocide Rwanda in the international marketplace as an ideal investment destination and a reliable trading partner.
During this time, he also served on President Paul Kagame’s Presidential Economic Advisory Council.
H.E. Nkurunziza is widely travelled and has attended and or addressed international conferences and seminars in over 50 countries across the world – in the Americas, Europe (including the UK), Africa and Asia, on Rwanda’s socio-econo-political development, investment opportunities and potential for trade partnerships.
