The soldiers received a briefing on the new mission during a meeting with senior officials, including the Rwanda Defence Forces Army Chief of Staff, Maj Gen Vincent Nyakarundi and Commissioner Vincent B. Sano, the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Operations.
The RDF Army Chief of Staff conveyed a message from President Paul Kagame, who also doubles up as the Commander-in-Chief of RDF, reminding the troops to maintain discipline and commitment to the crucial mission.
Nyakarundi emphasized that the forces currently deployed in the region were performing admirably and urged the troops to uphold the standards.
“This deployment underscores the strong bilateral relations between the Republic of Rwanda and Mozambique,” RDF said in a statement.
The Rwandan forces are helping Mozambique’s army fight militants who launched an armed uprising in 2017.
The insurgency began with the group expressing discontent over the lack of economic benefits from natural gas in the region, allegations of government corruption and marginalization of local communities.
However, over the years that followed the rebellion escalated with the militia employing violent tactics, including attacks on civilians and security forces and destruction of property, forcing the government to seek military support from Rwanda and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in 2021. SADC forces started withdrawing last month as its mandate ends in July.
New attacks were reported in the northern town of Macomia on Friday morning. Confirming the attack, Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi said the country is battling ISIL-linked groups.
“Macomia is under attack since this morning. Fire exchange still continues,” Nyusi said, adding that the armed group fighters initially withdrew after about 45 minutes of fighting, but then regrouped and came back.
Early this month, RDF announced that joint Rwanda and Mozambique forces had made gains in neutralizing the militia insurgency in the country.
RDF revealed on May 5, 2024, that the joint security team had managed to smoke out and kill a majority of the Al-Shabaab terrorists hiding in Odinepa, Nasua, Mitaka, and Manika forests during a one-week operation that started on April 26.
Only a few insurgents are reported to have escaped the military onslaught during the one-week operation.
The United States Embassy in Tanzania has suspended key consular services following a widespread internet outage linked to a major fault on the subsea fibre connecting the East Africa region to the rest of the world through South Africa.
As a result of the network interruptions, the US embassy said its offices in Tanzania will remain closed to the public on May 14 and 15.
“All consular appointments on May 14 & 15 will be cancelled and rescheduled to a later date,” the embassy said in a statement.
During the period, the embassy noted that only the consular section would be open as scheduled for visa pick-up and handling of emergency cases for American citizens.
Kutokana na changamoto za huduma ya kimtandao nchini, miadi yote ya kikonseli Mei 14 & 15 itafutwa na kupangwa kwa ajili ya baadae. Kitengo cha konseli kitafunguliwa kama kawaida kwa ajili ya kuchukua visa na huduma za dharura kwa raia wa Kimarekani.
Tanzania was the worst-hit country in the internet outage that hit EAC members including Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda on Saturday.
Cloudflare Radar, which monitors internet connectivity, reported that Tanzania’s traffic had fallen to 30 per cent of expected levels since the network interruption was reported at 10 am on Saturday.
Nape Nnauye, Tanzania’s minister of information, communication and information technology confirmed the service disruption on Sunday, saying the cuts affected the SEACOM and EASSy subsea cable systems between Mozambique and South Africa.
The minister said the country would continue to experience low internet speeds until the technical problem is resolved.
“There are ongoing efforts to solve the problem,” he said. “As they continue to solve the problem, we will have very low access to internet and international voice calls.”
Internet service providers (ISPs) in Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda said they were aware of the intermittent internet connections and urged their customers to be patient while the issue is being addressed.
“To our customers, we would like to inform you that the technical problem with the Internet in East Africa has not yet been resolved. We are still monitoring it to provide you with normal internet services. We apologize for the inconvenience caused,” MTN Rwanda said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Most ISPs, including Kenya’s leading telecommunications company Safaricom, said they had been forced to activate redundancy measures to keep their customers connected.
“We have since activated redundancy measures to minimise service interruption and keep you connected as we await the full restoration of the cable,” Safaricom said, adding, “You may, however, experience reduced internet speeds.”
Meanwhile, the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA) assured members of the public on Monday that efforts by relevant players are ongoing to restore full connectivity.
“This is to inform all internet users of the undersea cable damage leading to internet disruptions. Users are encountering slow internet speeds due to congestion on remaining links.
“Please be patient as all is being done to restore full connectivity,” RURA said in a statement on Monday.
The young man was taken into custody by security officials On the morning of Tuesday, May 14, 2024.
The Deputy Mayor of Nyamasheke District in charge of Social Affairs, Athanasie Mukankusi, has told IGIHE that the young man killed his father on Sunday, but the information became known on Monday, May 13, 2024.
She said that after killing his father, the young man burned the body to eliminate evidence and then threw the remains into a latrine.
Mukankusi further stated that the mother of the young man was the one who discovered the act and immediately reported it.
She added, “The mother suspected that her son was the perpetrator because the old man had been missing for two days, and they saw his son burning something. Upon further investigation, they discovered that it was his father’s body he had thrown into the latrine.”
Mukankusi also mentioned that the young man had a property dispute with his father.
She added that after disappearing in the early hours of this Tuesday, he was arrested and is now detained at Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) station in Kanjongo.
Rwanda Development Board (RDB) will host the event alongside the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group focused exclusively on the private sector in developing countries.
More than 1,000 CEOs including the top executives of Africa’s largest corporations and 1200 companies with operations in Africa are expected at the event which will draw participants from 75 countries.
Themed “At the table or on the menu?” the forum, to be held at the iconic Kigali Convention Centre (KCC), is expected to challenge attendees to take decisive action for Africa’s future amidst global economic uncertainties.
“We call on our community of leaders shaping the future of Africa to recognise the structural and enduring consequences of the actions they take at this critical time,” President of the Africa CEO Forum, Amir Ben Yahmed, said in March.
“The forum will be a crucible for innovative strategies and partnerships, propelling the continent into the opportunities of tomorrow.”
Yahmed, while commenting about the ongoing preparations for the forum last month, indicated that five Heads of State and several senior government officials from across the continent had confirmed attendance.
“President Paul Kagame (Rwanda), William Ruto (Kenya), and the presidents of Botswana (Mokgweetsi Masisi), Mozambique (Filipe Jacinto Nyusi), and Djibouti (Ismail Omar Guelleh) have confirmed attendance,” Yahmed said. “Also, the Prime Ministers of Sao Tome, Cameroon, and Cote D’Voire, among others, have confirmed.”
Founded in 2012, the Africa CEO Forum has enabled dialogue between the public and private sector actors on the continent’s most pressing priorities and set its business agenda.
“The Africa CEO Forum offers the opportunity to network with other key companies and catalyse the challenges that we face ourselves as businesses,” Joshua Oigara, the CEO of Stanbic Bank Kenya opines.
The two-day forum will feature more than 60 discussion sessions ranging from presidential keynotes to national investment promotion pitches, and from CEO Talks to closed-door strategic industry roundtables.
Some of the notable business captains expected at the event include Makhtar Diop, Managing Director of IFC, Mesfin Tassew, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, James Mworia, Group CEO & MD of Centum Investment, Sudhir Ruparelia, Chairman of Ruparelia Group, Clare Akamanzi, CEO of NBA Africa, Rostam Aziz, CEO of Taifa Gas, Hardy Pemhiwa, President & CEO of Cassava Technologies or Patricia Poku Diaby, CEO Plot Enterprise Ghana, Karl Olutokun Toriola, MTN Nigeria’s CEO, Faith Mukutu, CEO of Zambeef, Diane Karusisi, CEO Bank of Kigali and Patty Karuaihe-Martin, CEO of NamibRe.
When questioned about this possession, Barikana, who had already resigned from his position in the Chamber of Deputies, admitted he acquired the weapons while living with soldiers but forgot to return them.
Currently, Barikana is being held at the RIB Station in Remera while investigations continue to determine how he obtained the weapons and why he possessed them without legal authorization.
RIB has reminded the public that “owning firearms is governed by specific laws and any violation of these laws constitutes a criminal offense under Rwandan penal statutes.”
Barikana has been a deputy since 2013, prior to which he served as a Director in the Prime Minister’s Office between 2010 and 2013. From 2003 to 2013, he was the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, and before that, he was the Prefect of Kibungo Prefecture from 1999 to 2001.
{{What does it take to own a gun in Rwanda?}}
In 2018, Rwanda revised its 2009 firearms law to reintegrate crimes and penalties that were omitted in 2012 and aligned with the constitutional requirements.
The National Police once told IGIHE that since 2018 [to 2022], no civilian in Rwanda has been granted a firearm license due to pending regulations. These regulations define the fees for a gun license, how and where one can acquire a gun, mandatory training for gun use, and the amount of ammunition allowed.
In 2022, the Deputy Spokesperson of the Rwandan Police stated that no civilian owns a gun as those who had them had returned them when the law was revised.
He mentioned, “It used to be done, but since the law was abolished, they returned them to wait for what the new law stipulates.”
When the law was revised, the then Minister of Justice, Johnston Busingye, stated that the requirements to own or trade weapons in Rwanda are numerous and nearly impossible to fulfill.
He said, “I believe it is almost impossible. To trade, to show where you want to trade, it’s a Presidential Order that dictates how it should be done.”
{{Requirements for obtaining a firearm license}}
Owning a firearm, except for those allocated to the Rwandan Defence Forces, the Rwandan Police, and other legally authorized agencies, requires a written permit issued by the Rwanda National Police.
Carrying a firearm, except for those allocated to the Rwandan Defence Forces, the Rwandan Police, and other legally authorized agencies, is permitted with a written authorization from the Rwanda National Police.
{{The law grants a firearm license to an individual who fulfills the following}}
An agreement with the Rwanda National Police confirming that if provided with a gun, ammunition, and related items, they will not be used unlawfully,Travelers with a certification from their country stating the gun, ammunition, and related items are for their personal use, private security firms.
To be eligible for a firearm license, one must write to the Rwanda National Police explaining why they need a gun; be of good character; be at least 21 years old; have a medical certificate from a recognized doctor confirming they do not suffer from mental illness.
Additionally, they must have a certificate from the Rwanda National Police proving they know how to use a gun; not have been sentenced to imprisonment of six months or more; and show a legal firearm ownership and carrying permit for foreigners who possess it.
However, the Rwanda National Police may refuse to grant a firearm license.
An individual who meets these requirements can own one (1) firearm for hunting, sport, or self-defense. Those with a permit issued by the Rwanda National Police may own more than one (1) firearm.
The law explains that owning a firearm in any form, except for those allocated to the Rwandan Defence Forces, the Rwandan Police, and other legally authorized agencies, requires a written permit from the Rwanda National Police.
Carrying a firearm, except for those allocated to the Rwandan Defence Forces, the Rwandan Police, and other legally authorized agencies, is permitted with a written authorization from the Rwanda National Police.
A firearm license, along with ammunition and related items, is renewed annually with a fee set by a Presidential Order.
The Rwanda National Police has the authority to temporarily or permanently revoke a firearm license and ammunition if they are used unlawfully or in a manner that could threaten public safety.
The law also states that no civilian is allowed to own weapons designated for state security agencies. Anyone owning a gun, ammunition, and related items cannot carry them without a permit. Renting, lending, or mortgaging guns, ammunition, and related items is prohibited.
When a lawful owner of a gun, ammunition, and related items dies, the Rwanda National Police retrieves them.
Nkombo island is one of the eighteen sectors in Rusizi District. This geographic feature makes it challenging for residents to engage in commerce with other parts of the country, as their only current option is by boat.
In this context, President Paul Kagame promised a second boat to assist the people of this sector in their trade with other regions.
This boat is being manufactured at the sole modern shipyard in Rwanda, Afrinest Engineering, located in Karongi District.
Alain Munyaburanga, the Head of Afrinest Engineering, stated that the construction of the boat is progressing well. “The work on the boat is about 80% complete. We are trying to finish it as quickly as possible so it can start operating,” he said.
This shipyard previously constructed a five-star hotel ship that offers tours for tourists on Lake Kivu. If there are no unforeseen issues, the second boat is expected to be completed within this year.
The new ship will have the capacity to carry 150 passengers and can also transport cargo, including six cars.
This boat will provide a solution for travelers between Rusizi and Rubavu, as it will reduce the travel time to four hours, compared to six hours by a regular passenger bus.
Abdul Djabar Ntahomvukiye, the Executive Secretary of the Nkombo sector, told IGIHE that the completion of this boat will be a significant relief for the Nkombo residents. The current boat can only transport 30 passengers.
“Once the new boat is operational, it will be a blessing as it will be able to transport 150 people along with their cargo. The existing service covers routes to Nkombo, Nyamasheke, Ishywa, and Gihaya, but there’s also a need for services that cover longer distances,” he said.
The Nkombo sector is home to over 18,600 people who primarily rely on agriculture, animal husbandry, and fishing.
President Kagame was received in Guinea by President Mamadi Doumbouya and senior government officials before retreating for a private meeting.
In a statement, the Office of the President of Rwanda announced that the two leaders discussed a wide range of issues aimed at strengthening existing productive bilateral cooperation between Rwanda and Guinea in various sectors, including digitization, trade, and investments.
President Kagame’s visit to Guinea Conakry was confirmed by the Office of the Guinea President on Sunday evening, in a communication inviting senior government officials, including National Security Council member Dansa Kourouma and Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah, to attend the welcoming ceremony at the Ahmed Sékou Touré International Airport.
The visit comes nearly four months after Guinea’s Interim President, Mamadi Doumbouya, concluded a three-day visit to Rwanda, aimed at strengthening friendship and cooperation ties between the two countries.
President Kagame made a similar trip to Guinea from April 17-18, 2023, which resulted in the signing of an agreement on the creation of a joint cooperation committee between Rwanda and Guinea. The committee covers areas such as agriculture, ICT, education, mining, and security.
President Kagame and Doumbouya also witnessed the inauguration of a highway interchange connecting Kagbélen to Conakry that was named after President Kagame. The project was initiated to ease movement between major industrial cities and Conakry, as well as with neighbouring countries.
The name ‘Neiliansheng’, meaning ‘continuous promotion’, signifies the belief that wearing their imperial boots could elevate a court official’s rank by three levels.
Originating as a maker of official boots for the court’s elite, Neiliansheng gradually expanded its clientele to include prominent families, skillfully marrying artistry with functionality in each pair of shoes.
The legend of Neiliansheng’s craftsmanship has flourished over the years, receiving endorsements from a host of historical figures, including Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai, and Deng Xiaoping.
Its iconic thousand-layer sole has become a hallmark of the brand, earning Neiliansheng the title of “the first Chinese cloth shoes” by the China Chamber of Commerce Federation in 2006—a year that also saw it recognized as a “Chinese time-honored brand” by the Ministry of Commerce.
To honor its rich heritage, Neiliansheng’s flagship store created a small museum on its third floor, offering visitors a glimpse into the enduring cloth shoe culture.
The allure of Neiliansheng shoes lies in their meticulous production. Crafted with traditional techniques and made from natural materials like pure cotton, hemp, and wool, these shoes promise environmental sustainability and unparalleled quality.
This dedication to traditional methods has garnered the brand numerous national patents and recognition on the national intangible cultural heritage list in 2008, further cementing its status as a cultural beacon.
In 2011, in recognition of its cultural significance and innovative practices, Neiliansheng was designated as a demonstration base for the production of national intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture.
It also stands out as the only “high-tech enterprise” among China’s time-honored brands, showcasing its capability to innovate within the bounds of traditional shoemaking.
Neiliansheng’s influence stretches beyond mere fashion and culture. It has played a role in major national events, such as the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where it provided specially designed etiquette award shoes for female hostesses.
Continuing this tradition, in 2022, Neiliansheng crafted custom cloth shoes for international dignitaries attending the Winter Olympics, demonstrating its global appeal and the timeless relevance of its craftsmanship.
Admaius Capital Partners “Admaius”, an Africa-focused private equity investor operating across several growth markets, has announced its majority equity investment into TRES Infrastructure Limited “TRES”, the only local licensed tower owner, operator, and developer of shared telecommunications infrastructure in Rwanda.
TRES’ tower infrastructure is used by the two local Mobile Network Operators, MTN and AIRTEL (MNOs), while also benefitting other local network service providers such as KT Rwanda Networks Ltd.
Admaius’ investment and support will enable the Company to expand its tower portfolio locally in line with the country’s target to achieve more than 95% geographical coverage over the next few years, coupled with the roll-out of 4G and 5G networks across the country. This is expected to improve network affordability and connectivity in both rural and urban areas.
The telecom towers infrastructure market in Rwanda is characterised by strong and resilient demand, meanwhile, growth is underpinned by the country’s growing population, the increasing number of mobile subscribers complemented by a steady SIM-card penetration rate, and the general adoption of services by new subscribers through the increase in multi-SIM adoption.
Facilitating TRES’ continued growth aligns with Admaius’ investment strategy for Africa of finding opportunities in high-impact sectors that are the drivers of economic and social progress, including TMT (Technology, Media, and Telecommunication), digital infrastructure, financial services, FMCG, healthcare, and education.
Admaius Capital Partners were co-advised by Asafo & Co. and ENS Africa. Gahigiro Capital and BK Capital acted as the co-financial advisors to TRES Infrastructure Ltd and the Founder. Attorneys House acted as the legal advisor to TRES Infrastructure Ltd and the Founder.
Commenting on the investment, Marlon Chigwende, the Managing Partner of Admaius, said: “We are excited to be investing in Rwanda, one of the fastest growing markets in Africa. GDP growth has been strong, sustainable, and relatively broad-based. Our investment in Tres will help to expand network coverage to rural parts of Rwanda, as well as aid the rollout of 4G, and ultimately 5G over time. In addition to capital, we are bringing experienced Towers experts to support in strengthening the Tres business.”
Venuste Twagiramungu, Chief Executive Officer of TRES commented: “Admaius Capital Partners’ investment has come at the right moment. With their expertise in fund management, they are bringing not only the financial backing that we need but also their organizational capabilities that will transform TRES into a true corporate. From this exciting journey we are expecting no less than a fast expansion and a true contribution to the Rwandan objective of more than 95% geographical coverage.”
{{About Admaius Capital Partners
}}
Admaius Capital Partners is an experienced African investment manager currently managing in excess of $280m through its Virunga Africa Fund 1. All of the Admaius’ team are African and have significant experience in Africa.
Admaius Capital Partners is headquartered in Kigali, Rwanda and has offices in Nairobi, Johannesburg, Tunis, Cairo, and London. Admaius is a commercial investor with a strong impact and social development focus.
The business has former leaders of some of Africa’s largest and most experienced investment managers including Carlyle, Actis and Standard Chartered. Key focus areas include financial services, healthcare, education, FMCG, and TMT (Technology, Media, and Telecommunication). Admaius’ objective is to partner with the best-in-class local operators in Africa to grow the business and create a positive change.
{{About TRES Infrastructure Ltd.
}}
TRES Infrastructure Ltd is a Rwandan licensed tower owner, operator, and developer of shared telecommunications infrastructure.
TRES has constructed and currently owns tower sites, which are rented to MNOs including MTN, Airtel and KTRN. Furthermore, the Company is ISO 9001:2015 & ISO 54001:2018 certified and is an approved service provider to Ericsson and Huawei, the biggest telecom equipment vendors on the continent.
The CEO and Founder, Venuste Twagiramungu has over 25 years of industry experience, and had worked for MTN, the largest MNO in Rwanda before he started TRES Infrastructure in 2009.
President Goita was supposed to step down after 18 months following a coup, but this was extended to two years. Subsequently, he faced significant pressure to leave office after his self-declared term ended.
However, this could change as the government has expressed a desire to postpone elections until 2027, due to the country still grappling with difficult times characterized by poor security, economic downturns, and other issues.
After three months of general discussions, the government now wishes to extend President Goita’s term by another three years, with him potentially leaving office in 2027.
Yet, this is also not straightforward as pressure continues to mount on Goita, who is accused of violating human rights and imprisoning political opponents, charges he seldom addresses.
On the other hand, the Mali government has expressed a desire to negotiate with the groups opposing it and, if necessary, integrate some of their fighters into the national army to end a conflict that has been devastating parts of the country’s north for over a decade.
