Media reports indicate that Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign is grappling with significant financial challenges after ending its campaign with a debt of about $20 million despite raising over $1 billion.
In a post on X sent out on Sunday morning, Trump appeared to mock his rivals, saying, “I am very surprised that the Democrats, who fought a hard and valiant fight in the 2020 Presidential Election, raising a record amount of money, didn’t have lots of $’s left over.”
Touting the Democrats’ financial struggles, Trump highlighted his campaign’s triumphs through low-cost “earned media,” suggesting that Republicans might want to step in and cover the Democrats’ mounting debts.
“Now they are being squeezed by vendors and others. Whatever we can do to help them during this difficult period, I would strongly recommend we, as a Party and for the sake of desperately needed UNITY, do. We have a lot of money left over in that our biggest asset in the campaign was ‘Earned Media,’ and that doesn’t cost very much. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” he wrote.
Trump’s comments come amid reports that staff and vendors who worked with Harris fear they won’t be paid.
At the centre of the debt claims are allegations that lavish concerts, which featured Jon Bon Jovi, Katy Perry, and Lady Gaga, cost a significant amount, pushing the Democrats’ campaign into its current financial constraints.
Harris’ campaign also spent a substantial six-figure sum to build a set for her appearance on the Call Her Daddy podcast. Additionally, there are reports that her campaign allocated $1 million to Oprah Winfrey’s production company, Harpo Productions.
Trump, who served as the 45th President of the United States, pulled off a comeback to the White House after winning 312 electoral college votes against Harris’ 226 in the elections held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
The deal was signed in Sochi by Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe, and his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of the First Ministerial Conference of the RussiaAfrica Partnership Forum.
Rwanda and Russia established diplomatic relations on October 17, 1963, when Russia was still part of the Soviet Union, just over a year after Rwanda gained independence.
The partnership between Rwanda and Russia is rooted in cooperation in political, military, education, human resource development, training, and cultural ties.
Russia offers scholarships to Rwandan students in various fields and provides training for some officers in the Rwanda National Police.
Over the past 50 years, more than 100 Rwandan students have graduated from Russian universities in fields such as technology, law, international affairs, medicine, and political science.
Speaking on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at a press conference held at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, she concluded a week-long series of high-level events focused on the prevention of genocide and related crimes. These gatherings brought together policy experts, academics, civil society, and activists from around the world.
The events, held from November 4-9, aimed to strengthen global efforts to prevent genocide and related crimes, covering critical topics essential to prevention. They included a workshop for women community leaders, an expert consultation on mediation for prevention, and an international conference on ethnicity and prevention.
Commenting on those who portray Rwanda negatively and distort the events following the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, Nderitu referred to this as “the power of genocide” and expressed admiration for Rwanda’s extraordinary resilience.
“You know, you are absolutely right when you say that Rwanda was clinically dead after the genocide because nothing was functioning. And I think it’s really one of the wonders of this century, that when you talk about Rwanda in this continent, we are talking about a first among equals, a very strong country that has developed very strong leadership,” she said.
In 1994, Rwanda had basically ceased to exist as a nation. A million people lay dead, out of a population of around seven million, because of a perverted genocidal ideology. Millions more were refugees. Every public institution had been destroyed, and the national treasury was looted.
From wounds of Genocide, Rwanda has emerged as a united nation promoting unity and reconciliation. It has become a role model across Africa and globally for good governance, technology, peacekeeping, and women’s empowerment.
Nderitu noted the international recognition of Rwandans, who now hold significant positions worldwide, and celebrated Rwanda’s resilience as worthy of praise.
“When I hear some of the things that are said, to downplay, for example, the country of Rwanda, I think to myself, this is the power of genocide. That it has such intergenerational power,” she noted.
Nderitu emphasized that genocide execution and denial involves mass mobilization, warning that denial and misinformation are often perpetuated by genocide deniers.
“So we cannot stop the naysayers, but it’s important to understand the reality of where all these naysayers come from because some of them are actually informed by genocide deniers. […] If we fail in prevention, then what happens is that we have to rely on accountability,” noted Nderitu.
Nderitu also expressed concern over genocide fugitives evading justice and residing in UN member states.
“I’ve issued a number of statements calling them out. […] You shouldn’t be protecting them. You should find a way to either try them or bring them home,” she said.
“We want the world to know that whoever is in your country and is a genocidaire or is being indicted for this crime, you need to hold them accountable,” added Nderitu.
Reflecting on criticisms against Rwanda, she noted that “doomsayers” exist when success is evident.
“So it’s important that I do not think that the kind of things that are said about the country will stop. You know in Kiswahili we say that if you see young children throwing stones at a tree, then you should know that that tree has fruits. There is something good about that particular place,” said Nderitu.
“And there are always all these naysayers. So if you imagine how many people are convicted for this crime, how many people are genuinely remorseful, and how many people out there are tarnishing Rwanda’s name, and so many of them being genocide deniers. And we know that because they even hold conferences, they write papers, they peer review each other. We know that. So consistently trying to bring down what Rwanda is doing. But we are there to provide another voice. I can speak with an unbiased voice and say this is what we are seeing from out there,” added Nderitu.
She commended Rwanda for not only surviving the genocide but also for its willingness to share its experience of resilience and recovery.
Professor Gregory Stanton, who developed the “10 Stages of Genocide” framework, praised Rwanda’s homegrown solutions that prevent its dark past from defining its future.
“I praise this country. You in Rwanda are an example to the whole world. Rwanda, like Germany, has actually faced its past and is now a leader in this whole effort to overcome ethnicity, to overcome nationality, to reaffirm that for all of us, we are part of the same human race,” he noted.
Freddy Mutanguha, CEO of the Aegis Trust and Director of the Kigali Genocide Memorial, emphasized that hosting these discussions in Rwanda provides the world an invaluable opportunity to learn and deeply understand the severity of the genocide against the Tutsi.
This update was provided on November 8, 2024, in a weekly report covering the status of the Marburg virus from November 1 to November 8, 2024. The Ministry of Health reported that out of 1,390 tests conducted, no new cases were detected. However, it affirmed that efforts to prevent and combat the virus continue.
In a recent media briefing, the ministry stated that it is focusing on monitoring individuals who have been in contact with infected patients and providing treatment to ensure the virus does not result in further fatalities. This approach has raised optimism about potentially eradicating the virus in Rwanda.
Health Minister Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana highlighted that efforts include tracking down everyone who had contact with the first confirmed patient, providing swift treatment, and administering vaccines. Rigorous screening protocols are in place at borders, Kigali International Airport, and other checkpoints to prevent the virus’s spread beyond initially affected areas.
“We have vaccinated individuals who had close contact with infected persons to break the chain of transmission. Protecting healthcare workers, especially those treating patients, is critical,” said Dr. Nsanzimana. “We’re ensuring that healthcare providers are well-protected, and vaccination remains the best method to safeguard them and allow them to work without anxiety.”
Dr. Nsanzimana reiterated the goal to prevent any new infections. Nevertheless, the ministry has advised recovered patients to exercise caution and avoid unprotected sexual activity and breastfeeding, as the virus can remain in certain body parts for more than a year, potentially leading to transmission.
On November 4, 2024, Dr. Nsanzimana explained that patients who have recovered are undergoing long-term monitoring, as the virus can persist in some bodily fluids. “Recovery means there’s no virus left in their blood, confirmed by two tests taken 72 hours apart. We advise recovered individuals to avoid unprotected sexual activity until final tests show the virus is entirely cleared.”
“We’re closely monitoring recovered patients to prevent any resurgence, while taking care to avoid stigma. It’s essential not to shun recovered individuals out of fear they might still be contagious,” he added. Those under monitoring may be followed for up to three months, with some cases lasting up to a year, depending on individual medical factors.
“The virus can linger longer in some areas, especially in semen, but tends to disappear more quickly in saliva, urine, and breast milk. We’re conducting regular tests on recovered patients to ensure the virus is fully cleared from these fluids,” he explained.
The monitoring will continue until each individual receives final tests confirming the absence of the virus.
Rwanda announced its first-ever Marburg virus outbreak on September 27, 2024.
As of November 4, 66 people had been infected with the Marburg virus, with 15 deaths, 49 recoveries, and two individuals still under medical care.
Marburg symptoms include high fever, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Individuals experiencing these symptoms are encouraged to contact health authorities for prompt assistance.
This year’s IFTF, recognized as the world’s largest flower trade event, saw a record number of flower producers, marking a 10% increase from last year with over 150 exhibitors.
Exhibitors came from 13 countries, including Rwanda, each showcasing a variety of flowers and innovative practices aimed at advancing sustainable floriculture.
For Rwanda, IFTF 2024 offered a valuable platform to build connections with international buyers.
Ms. Janet Basiima, Division Manager of Export Markets Development & Innovation at NAEB, commented on Rwanda’s participation early in the expo, saying, “It’s a chance to elevate our industry on a global scale and highlight the quality of Rwandan flowers.”
Mr. Gedion Demissie, Senior Advisor from Bella Flowers, echoed this sentiment, highlighting IFTF as a strategic opportunity to engage with clients from Europe and Asia, strengthening Rwanda’s global position in the flower industry.
Rwanda presented its premium flowers under the Rwanda fresh brand at stand C5.06.
It was represented by Bella Flowers and NAEB.
Rwandan flowers received considerable attention throughout the event, with particular interest on the final day.
The exhibition concluded on November 7, with Rwanda’s stand drawing significant interest from buyers in the Middle East, Russia, and Asia.
A Croatian wholesaler even placed an order for 150,000 Rwandan roses for Valentine’s Day.
Apart from Rwanda’s participation, this year’s IFTF also saw a noteworthy increase in participation from Africa and South America.
Other African nations, such as Uganda, Kenya, and Ethiopia, also strengthened their presence, underscoring the growing influence of these regions in the global flower market.
Held at Expo Greater Amsterdam (formerly Expo Haarlemmermeer) in Vijfhuizen, Netherlands, the IFTF is known for fostering connections across the flower industry while presenting innovations in flower varieties, sustainable methods, and efficiency-enhancing technologies.
Exhibitors highlighted various environmentally friendly practices, such as water-efficient cultivation and eco-friendly packaging. The event also showcased creative floral presentations that reflect the latest trends in the industry.
Rwanda has now participated in the IFTF for eight consecutive years, marking a steady commitment to expanding its reach in the global flower market.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Youth Connekt Africa Summit in Kigali on Friday, November 8, 2024, the Rwandan Head of State emphasized the need for leadership that prioritizes actionable change, urging leaders to align their words with practical, impactful solutions.
“We should get tired of saying the right things for so long. We want to see the right things happen,” President Kagame stated during a panel discussion at the Kigali Convention Center.
“At a personal level, I have been on this stage saying many things, even repeating myself, and then I see my brothers and sisters, my colleagues, saying the same things over and over. But we need to ask ourselves, even before anyone else asks us, what is there to show for what we have been saying? We really need to get tired of this,” he emphasized.
President Kagame acknowledged that Africa holds incredible potential with its young workforce. He noted that for Africa to position itself as a leading source of global talent, priority should be on improving quality and creating an enabling political environment for young people to thrive.
“Sometimes we forget that beyond providing education and healthcare, and encouraging their participation in their own growth and that of their country, there has to be an environment that allows everything to happen—a political framework that ensures stability, enabling all the actions we talk about,” President Kagame explained.
He added, “We must build infrastructure that serves young people, and from there, they will excel in entrepreneurship, innovation, or whatever careers can earn them a good living, which everyone aspires to. Africa has everything to be where we want to be. If we fail, we can only blame ourselves.”
Under President Kagame’s leadership, Rwanda has been at the forefront of youth-driven innovation, setting an example with its commitment to fostering youth development through various initiatives like YouthConnekt.
Launched in 2012 by the Government of Rwanda and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the YouthConnekt program aims to empower young people by connecting them with resources, skills, role models, and peers to help them achieve socio-economic success.
The seventh edition of the Youth Connekt Africa Summit, held under the theme “Jobs for Youth Through Innovative Skilling”, has brought together more than 3,000 youths from across Africa.
During the panel discussion on intergenerational dialogue, focused on advancing Africa’s future, President Kagame was joined by Lesotho’s Prime Minister Samuel Ntsokoane Matekane and Mumbi Ndung’u, the Founder and Chief Changemaker of Power Learn.
Prime Minister Matekane urged young people to harness digital solutions available to them today to realize their dreams, including access to credit facilities.
Reflecting on challenges faced by African youth in a rapidly changing world, Mumbi encouraged young people to leverage access to information to drive change within their communities and elevate themselves.
“We have quite an advantage because we have been brought up in a generation where we have access to information. If we look at what we can do with that information, how we can empower ourselves to create change, I think it would take us to the next level where we can rely heavily on ourselves,” she said.
Ahunna Eziakonwa, UNDP Assistant Administrator and Director of the Regional Bureau for Africa, emphasized the importance of empowering Africa’s youth. She warned that without equipping young Africans, the continent risks losing its values and resources to others.
“Africans, young women and men, have what it takes to conduct their own affairs and lead their own destiny, so never again should you walk out of any room doubting your own ability,” Eziakonwa stated.
The groundbreaking ceremony for this ambitious project was held on November 7, 2024.
The integrated steel plant, with an annual capacity of 250,000 tons, is projected to create 1,000 direct jobs and support Rwanda’s Second National Strategy for Transformation (NST 2) by bolstering the industrial sector’s contribution to GDP.
This plant owned by Indian investors, is being constructed in the Musanze industrial zone, specifically in the Kimonyi sector.
The plant will source raw materials from local mining sites in Burera and Ngororero districts, capitalizing on Rwanda’s iron ore reserves to drive production.
Output from the plant will include rebar and other essential construction materials.
Additionally, it will process locally mined iron ore, helping reduce the country’s reliance on imports while targeting an export value of approximately $50 million.
Himanshu Tiwari, Managing Director of A1 Iron & Steel Rwanda Ltd., highlighted the plant’s strategic role in reducing steel imports and strengthening Rwanda’s position as a key player in the region’s steel industry.
Tiwari expressed a commitment to creating local economic opportunities, emphasizing collaboration with the Rwandan government, partners, and community members to make Rwanda a leader in steel processing.
Antoine Marie Kajangwe, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Trade and Industry, remarked that large-scale industrial projects like this align with Rwanda’s five-year plan, which targets a 10% annual growth in industrial output.
“This project underscores our commitment to leveraging local resources, reducing imports, and creating decent jobs for Rwandans,” he said.
The Indian High Commissioner to Rwanda, Mridu Pawan Das, emphasized that Rwanda’s supportive investment climate, skilled workforce, and stable governance under President Paul Kagame make the country a prime location for international investment.
Das expressed optimism about the opportunities that such favorable conditions present to investors.
In recent years, Rwanda has imported substantial amounts of steel, with 184,000 tons in 2022, 195,000 tons in 2023, and 146,000 tons in the first eight months of 2024.
The new plant is expected to address this demand gap. The Rwandan government remains committed to supporting investors through policies, infrastructure, and security to promote sustainable economic growth.
Following a heated confrontation on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, Akol stunned the public and his colleagues with inflammatory statements in the media, not only expressing no remorse but further escalating the situation by threatening Zaake’s life.
“I don’t regret what I did to Zaake. I could even kill him if I had a chance,” Akol said and He went on to imply that Zaake might be suffering from mental health issues, suggesting he should be admitted to Butabika Hospital, Uganda’s national mental health facility.
Akol declared he was “well trained” and capable of taking on all members of the National Unity Platform (NUP) at once, singling out Francis Zaake as a specific target.
“I can even beat up all NUP MPs if they can all come at once. I have no problem with killing, so Zaake should be careful with me,” Akol boasted.
The confrontation between Akol and Zaake began during a parliamentary session on Wednesday, when Zaake raised concerns about a potential firearm in the chamber, fearing for the safety of lawmakers.
He approached Speaker Anita Among to voice his suspicions, suggesting that someone might have brought a weapon into the session, which was about to debate the controversial National Coffee (Amendment) Bill 2024.
Speaker Among called a brief recess to conduct a security check, which yielded no firearm. However, when Zaake returned to his seat, he found it occupied by Akol, leading to a verbal exchange that quickly spiraled into a physical altercation.
Zaake was later rushed to St. Francis Hospital Nsambya, where he is currently receiving medical treatment, and has since announced plans to pursue legal action against Akol.
These shocking remarks have ignited widespread condemnation, particularly as Akol drew on his past as a former child soldier in the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), a rebel group infamous for its brutal violence and forced abductions under warlord Joseph Kony in Northern Uganda.
The National Unity Platform and human rights advocates have swiftly condemned the statements, warning that such rhetoric reflects a dangerous normalization of violence in Uganda’s political arena and taps into deeply painful memories of the LRA’s atrocities.
As of now, there have been no official statements from Ugandan political parties, human rights organizations, or government officials condemning MP Anthony Akol’s recent threats against MP Francis Zaake. The incident has sparked public concern, but formal responses from key stakeholders are yet to be issued.
This is not the first time Zaake has faced violence in Uganda’s parliament. Known for his outspoken stance on human rights and criticism of President Yoweri Museveni’s administration, Zaake has been a frequent target of both verbal and physical attacks.
In 2017, he was part of a chaotic session over a proposed amendment to remove the presidential age limit, sustaining injuries while security forces attempted to remove him.
In 2019, he was hospitalized after a physical altercation within parliament, and in 2020, he was injured again by security forces who reportedly attempted to remove him from his home during COVID-19 lockdown measures.
He shared these insights during a panel discussion at the Singapore FinTech Festival on Thursday, November 7, 2024.
The panel discussion, themed “Financial Network in the Fastest Growing Continent,” focused on Africa’s Digital Public Infrastructure transformation, a key driver of the continent’s economic and societal growth.
“Rwanda views digital transformation as a cornerstone of its socio-economic development strategy, recognizing digital infrastructure and innovation as critical enablers of sustainable growth,” Rwangombwa said.
He added, “Through a robust, multi-sectoral approach, Rwanda is setting a foundation for a dynamic digital economy that directly supports financial inclusion, data-driven policymaking, and enhanced service delivery across the country.”
The session concluded by recognizing the transformative potential of digital financial services while stressing the importance of overcoming connectivity, digital literacy and security challenges for sustainable growth.
Earlier, on Wednesday, Rwangombwa chaired a roundtable session titled “Navigating the Regulatory Maze: Balancing Innovation and Compliance for Digital Banks” at the Insights Forum in Singapore.
This discussion addressed the complex regulatory challenges digital banks face as they innovate and expand.
Governor Rwangombwa highlighted the dual mandate of the National Bank of Rwanda: promoting financial innovation while ensuring stability.
“As digital banking grows, we remain committed to fostering innovation that is both inclusive and secure,” he said.
Digital services have become central to Rwanda’s economy, with 73% of Rwandans (5.9 million people) using some form of electronic financial service by 2024—a significant rise from 30% (2.1 million) in 2020, according to a recent report by Access to Finance Rwanda.
The Singapore FinTech Festival (SFF), launched in 2016, has grown into a global gathering for policymakers, regulators, central bankers, FinTech innovators, technologists, investors, and financial industry leaders.
This year’s event running through November 6-8, encourages impactful connections and collaborations, facilitating discussions on innovative financial solutions, evolving regulatory frameworks, and emerging technologies.
SFF also advocates for sustainable practices, underscoring the importance of responsibility in all facets of the festival.
Local media reports indicate that Engonga was dismissed for “irregularities” and “inappropriate conduct” under a decree issued by Equatorial Guinea’s President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo on Thursday, November 7, 2024.
Engonga has been trending on social media for most of the week after a recent investigation uncovered more than 400 explicit videos featuring him with multiple women, including relatives and wives of high-ranking officials, even the President’s sister.
The videos, filmed in offices, hotels, and restrooms, were leaked online after Engonga was arrested on unrelated corruption charges. Local media reported that the footage was discovered in his personal office and appeared to have been recorded with the consent of the women involved.
The videos have caused an uproar on social media, with Equatorial Guinea’s Vice President, Teodoro Mangue, vowing to take “severe measures” against officials involved in sexual activities in their offices.
“We will proceed with the immediate suspension of all officials engaging in sexual relations in the country’s ministries,” the Vice President stated on his X page on Monday, adding that the acts constitute violations of the code of conduct and public ethics laws.
The country’s Attorney General also weighed in on the matter, stating that while the recordings appeared consensual, Engonga could face charges for “public health crimes” if he has a sexually transmitted infection.
Equatorial Guinea’s First Lady condemned the acts as well, saying they were “distorting the image and reputation of the Guineo-Ecuadorian woman.”
Engonga is the son of Baltasar Engonga Edjo, president of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC). The 54-year-old is married and has six children.
