The Head of State was welcomed with full military honour on his first working visit to the country since President Faye was sworn in as Senegal’s fifth President on April 2, 2024.
President Kagame has arrived in Dakar where he is received by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye @PR_Diomaye, and members of the cabinet. pic.twitter.com/QsEI5G1D2J
— Presidency | Rwanda (@UrugwiroVillage) May 11, 2024
President Kagame is scheduled to hold talks with his Senegalese counterpart on strengthening fraternal and cooperation relations between the two countries.
The two Heads of State are also expected to attend the Basketball Africa League (BAL) game between Senegal’s AS Douanes and Rwanda’s APR, ahead of playoffs and finals set to be held in Kigali from May 24 to June 1.
Faye, 44, became the youngest man elected president in Senegal, after defeating main rival and ruling party coalition candidate Amadou Ba and winning the election with over 54% of the vote
The former tax inspector’s candidature was backed by prominent opposition figure Ousmane Sonko. Sonko endorsed Faye for the presidential seat after being barred from vying.
After his victory, Faye appointed Sonko as the country’s Prime Minister and pledged to restore stability and bring economic progress in the country.
Faye participated in the election barely two weeks after being released from prison in Dakar.
He had in April last year been charged with several offences, including contempt of court, after broadcasting a message critical of the judiciary in legal cases against Sonko.
At the conclusion of the year-long training on various topics, including optimal nutrition choices, the use of technology in healthcare, and focus on the world of technology, RBC urged the trained individuals to apply this knowledge in their roles.
The training, conducted over a year using technology, included participants from Rwanda and Kenya, primarily professionals in the health sector, as part of the ‘OneLearns’ program.
Prof. Claude Mambo Muvunyi praised the program for its continued effectiveness in spreading necessary knowledge for improving service delivery and encouraged the participants to build on this learning.
He stated, “I don’t think you will be able to fully understand the direction, whether it’s national or international, without this knowledge. Based on what you’ve learned, I think you will be able to grasp our objectives and how to implement them.”
Prof. Muvunyi highlighted that the inclusion of lessons on using technology for information dissemination and learning underscores the global trend towards relying on technology in various activities.
He added, “We need to know how to use technology, and through these lessons, you will be able to seek solutions, and also utilize technological tools to identify and solve the challenges we face in public health.”
Prof. Muvunyi assured RBC’s continued support to SFH Rwanda so that the next phase will see an increase in the number of trainees, aiming to spread knowledge to more people.
The Executive Director of SFH Rwanda, Gihana Wandera Manasseh, emphasized that the trainees will use their newfound knowledge to drive necessary and positive changes.
He said, “This is a sign that we are moving in the right direction. They say that taking one step each day in the right direction will lead you to your destination. What matters is that we are on the right track, so this is a remarkable step.”
Gihana added, “You have been trained and much has changed. I believe that you will be the catalyst for change in the society.”
On the other hand, Gahigana Seraphine, an SFH Rwanda employee who participated in the training, expressed that the knowledge gained would transform their professional practices.
“I have learned a lot, including studying health programs using technology because that is the era we are entering. The health sector has not been left behind. Thus, we learned that one can use technology whether in medical treatment, seeking medical care, doctors, or how health service providers can utilize it,” she explained,
Gahigana showed that the training could change the mindset of those working in the health sector and related areas and requested an increase in numbers to extend these opportunities to many others.
Joseph Otieno from Kenya remarked that the knowledge he acquired will be fruitful as he plans to share it with colleagues who did not have the same opportunity, to be used in enhancing service delivery.
The trainees were educated using technology by faculty from Swedish universities such as KTH Institute of Technology and Mälardalen University, under an SFH Rwanda scholarship, with the certifications awarded being internationally recognized.
Wilkens was then the Head of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency International in Rwanda and was living in the country with his wife and three children when President Juvénal Habyarimana’s plane was shot down, igniting ethnic tension in Rwanda, leading to the killing of more than one million people.
When it became apparent that things were out of hand and the killings by the Interahamwe group in Kigali’s neighbourhoods intensified, the American embassy decided to temporarily close and evacuate its citizens to safety.
Many Americans who had witnessed the killings firsthand could not hesitate but utilize the 72-hour window given to flee the country. But as everyone else was struggling to be among the first groups to be evacuated, Wilkens chose to remain behind with two domestic Tutsi workers after the American Embassy made it clear to them not to bring any Rwandans with them.
He sent his wife and children with an American convoy to Burundi and stayed at his home in Kigali with the two workers.
Speaking at the Kigali Public Library on Friday, May 10, as the country continues to commemorate 30 years since the Genocide against the Tutsi, Wilkins explained that he chose to remain behind because of the fears that Juan and Anita would be harmed.
“They [American Embassy] left us very little space for choice. We had this young lady who lived and worked at our home, so when the embassy gave us that order, I was like, no. I felt like that was an immoral thing for us to turn our backs and just abandon people,” he recounted.
“My heart was saying, how can you walk away from these two – the young man who was the watchman and the young lady? I often compared her to immediate family because we were so tight,” he added.
The 66-year-old noted that the US embassy’s orders still give him stomach pains to date.
“I understand the government’s responsibility towards its citizens and stuff, but then we need a plan B. And now here America is saying no, if you are from Burundi, Tanzania you can get in the convoy. It still gives me pain in my stomach,” Wilkins explained.
Over the next 100 horrific days of the genocide, Wilkins managed to save the lives of 400 Tutsis, including orphans from Gisimba Orphanage, whom he moved to safety through deadly roadblocks, thanks to his influence and networks.
He recounted that on the day he rescued the orphans more than 50 killers had surrounded the orphanage waiting to kill everyone. But the kids’ lives were spared after he reached out to the Governor of Kigali Tharcisse Renzaho and Prime Minister Jean Kambanda.
The discussion, moderated by Barbara Umuhoza, centered on Wilkins’ book ‘I’m Not Leaving,’ written in the aftermath of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
On why some missionaries turned their backs on Rwanda, Wilkins said, “We never know what is going on in the hearts and minds of other people. When my wife got to the American ambassador’s home with the children and my mother and father, another missionary came to her and asked where Carl was. And she said he is not leaving, and this man said, you mean we could stay? It’s just that it never occurred that that was even a possibility to him. He was a dedicated man, and I believed he probably would have except by that point he didn’t see a turn point. So that could be one possible explanation.”
He noted that some missionaries have never forgiven themselves for turning their backs on Rwanda.
Answering a question from the audience about where God was during the genocide, Wilkins said: “I see God’s hand, but through people, not through supernatural miracles like an invisible shield around somebody. I believe big miracles probably happen. But for me, what’s most empowering is not to believe that God is going to send a supernatural shield. What’s most empowering is believing that we have the power to love, to step forward for somebody else.”
This is Wilkins’ second visit to the country since leaving in 1996. Prior to the genocide, the then 36-year-old had lived in Rwanda for nearly 10 years.
At 82, Zuma leads uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK), a new opposition party that has quickly emerged as a significant player in the upcoming May 29 election.
However, election officials contend that Zuma, whose political career has been marred by corruption, should be excluded from the election due to a 2021 conviction for contempt of court.
The appeal follows a decision from a lower court in April that ruled in favor of Zuma, escalating anxieties about the upcoming election, viewed as the most competitive since the start of democracy in 1994. The unrest and violence that followed Zuma’s 2021 imprisonment, which resulted in over 350 deaths, have sparked concerns about potential disturbances this year.
Supporters of Zuma, signaling their readiness to protest adverse outcomes, gathered outside the court, showing their support through chants and dances, clad in the green and black of the MK party.
During the court proceedings, Zuma’s legal representatives argued for the recusal of six judges they claimed were biased, but the court dismissed this request without explanation.
The central issue in this case is whether Zuma is barred by a constitutional rule that prevents anyone sentenced to more than 12 months in prison from serving in parliament. This ban expires five years after the completion of the sentence. While the electoral commission insists this applies to Zuma, his lawyers successfully argued in the lower electoral court that it does not apply since his sentence was not subject to appeal and was reduced by a remission.
The decision on this matter is expected to take several days. Legal expert Ben Winks emphasized that the constitution’s language does not consider the actual duration served in prison, noting Zuma’s early release on medical parole after just two months.
Zuma’s new party is poised to challenge the ruling African National Congress (ANC) by leveraging his continued popularity, potentially driving the ANC’s vote share below 50 percent for the first time in a national election and forcing it to seek coalition partners.
This shift comes as the ANC faces declining support in the polls amid a struggling economy and persistent allegations of corruption and mismanagement. According to a recent Ipsos poll, the ANC is at 40.2 percent, followed by other major parties, with MK trailing at 8.4 percent.
The electoral commission has stated that its appeal is not politically motivated but seeks to clarify the law to ensure the integrity of the upcoming elections, where South Africans will vote for a new parliament that will then select the president.
This dramatic action follows closely on the heels of a startling revelation by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). Earlier this week, the SBU disclosed that it had uncovered a plan orchestrated by agents of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) aimed at assassinating Zelensky along with several senior officials in Kyiv. According to the SBU, the plot involved insiders within the military closely connected to the UDO. These insiders allegedly intended to take Zelensky hostage and subsequently execute him.
Further complicating matters, two UDO colonels were detained in the aftermath of the plot’s discovery, raising serious questions about the integrity and security within the ranks tasked with protecting Ukraine’s top officials. The SBU shared these alarming details in a post on Telegram, though these claims have not been independently verified.
President Zelensky, in an interview with The Sun last November, remarked on the persistent threats he has faced from Moscow since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in February 2022. Kremlin officials, however, have consistently denied any intentions or actions aimed at eliminating Zelensky.
In related developments, the SBU reported last month that, in collaboration with Polish law enforcement, they thwarted another assassination attempt on Zelensky during his visit to Poland. A Polish citizen was arrested in Warsaw, accused of collaborating with Russia’s FSB to facilitate the president’s assassination. He faces charges of working for a foreign intelligence service.
The recent foiled plot involved not just the potential kidnapping and assassination of Ukrainian leaders but also included plans to use information provided by UDO-protected officials to coordinate missile strikes on locations frequented by Ukrainian dignitaries, as per SBU reports.
These unfolding events underscore the high-stakes security challenges facing Ukraine as it continues to navigate the turbulent waters of war and political intrigue. The dismissal of Serhii Rud from the UDO highlights the critical and ongoing adjustments needed within Ukrainian security forces to safeguard their highest offices against both internal and external threats.
The memorial is scheduled to be unveiled on May 11, 2024, marking the 30th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi among the Rwandan community in Australia.
This memorial was constructed with significant contributions from the Rwandan Community Perth Inc (RCAP) and the residents of Western Australia.
It was officially approved by the Stirling City Council in 2023, following three years of planning and development.
In a statement released by RCAP, they described this project as a remarkable achievement for both Rwanda and the world, emphasizing that the memorial serves as a definitive symbol of the city’s commitment to respecting diverse cultures and honoring significant historical events.
RCAP highlighted that this initiative shows how local leadership values the principles of remembrance and the importance of preserving history and sharing the lessons derived from it.
According to RCAP, “This memorial holds immense value for Rwandans living in Australia, especially for those who find it challenging to travel back to Rwanda each year for commemoration events.”
The organization also noted that the memorial will provide a unique space where Rwandans and friends of Rwanda can reflect on the country’s history and build upon it to ensure that such atrocities are never repeated.
Additionally, the memorial will serve as an educational tool, offering lessons on the history of the Genocide against the Tutsi, examining the consequences of hatred, discrimination, and genocidal ideology, with the aim of reinforcing the pledge that ‘Never Again’ will become a principle embraced by all.
Over the years, Rwandans in Western Australia have actively participated in various development initiatives in partnership with the local residents of Stirling, located in Perth.
Local authorities in this region have also supported Rwanda, particularly during the commemorative events of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, attended by various Australian officials.
This memorial is also expected to address the challenges of genocide denial and trivialization prevalent in this country and elsewhere around the world, as it stands as a concrete symbol of the bitter history Rwanda has endured.
This new memorial follows another recently inaugurated in Lauchringen, Germany, which was the first of its kind in that country after a long-awaited period.
To date, Rwanda has established over 21 genocide memorials worldwide, including in Europe, Canada, and Africa, with their number continuing to grow as more countries recognize and value the significance of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
On May 8, 2024, Minister Lutundula told diplomats in Kinshasa that President Kagame had stated to a foreign media outlet, “Rwandan troops will not leave the DRC until we bring back the Tutsi Congolese and until their rights are restored.”
These claims are in direct contradiction to President Kagame’s repeated statements to both Rwandan and international media. He has been highlighting that over 100,000 Congolese refugees currently in Rwanda fled due to persecution in their homeland.
President Kagame further noted that these refugees include relatives of M23 militants, who are fighting to reclaim their rights, underscoring the need for a resolution to the refugee crisis to facilitate their peaceful return.
The Rwandan government, including President Kagame, has firmly rejected the DRC government’s charges of Rwandan military presence in North Kivu province, asserting that Rwanda does not seek to meddle in Congolese affairs.
While Rwanda has voiced its condemnation of the ongoing genocide and targeted killings of Tutsi Congolese, Minister Lutundula has refuted these claims. He suggested that the conflict zones, primarily involve Hutus, ‘and might experience genocide’ instead.
Yolande Makolo sharply criticized Lutundula’s comments as “insane,” pointing to the DRC government’s backing of the FDLR militia, which she blames for significant violence against the Congolese.
This role of the FDLR in harming Congolese citizens was confirmed by DRC military spokesperson, Brig Gen Sylvain Ekenge, who stated on national television in April 2024 that the FDLR had played a major role in the deaths of “10 million Congolese in the past 30 years.”
In response to Lutundula’s remarks, Makolo said, “This is madness from the Foreign Minister of the only country in the world that allows a genocidal group [FDLR] to kill its people and spread genocide ideology in the DRC.”
She also accused the DRC government of continuing to arm and support the FDLR, responsible for Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, to perpetrate violence against Tutsi Congolese in North Kivu and the Banyamulenge in South Kivu.
Makolo emphasized that the spread of hate and genocide ideology and the ongoing genocide against Tutsi Congolese in the DRC should be universally condemned and not overshadowed by Minister Lutundula’s misrepresentations.
Echoing these sentiments, the Rwandan Ambassador to the Netherlands, Olivier Nduhungirehe, expressed his concerns about Lutundula’s statements but was not surprised, given the DRC government’s history of aligning with genocidal strategies similar to those of the former Habyarimana regime.
Amb. Nduhungirehe recalled that between 1990 and 1993, the Habyarimana government, through extremist factions within the CDR party and media like RTLM and Kangura, propagated the notion that Tutsis planned to exterminate the Hutus. He argued that such misinformation was aimed at justifying the subsequent Genocide against the Tutsi as an act of self-defense.
Amb. Nduhungirehe asserted that the international community should denounce the DRC government’s continued persecution of Tutsi Congolese, although he speculated that economic and political interests might lead to their silence.
The training was held at Kanombe Barracks in Kigali and was tailored to impart new drivers with skills in safe driving, traffic management, and techniques focusing on both heavy and light-duty vehicles in various operational scenarios.
The pass-out ceremony was presided over by RDF Chief of Defence Staff, General Mubarakh Muganga, who lauded the commissioned drivers for their achievements.
He emphasized the need for RDF personnel to be capable of operating different types of vehicles effectively.
General Mubarakh also reminded the new drivers to maintain discipline, and professionalism, and particularly refrain from consumption of alcohol, which he said is a major cause of road accidents.
Last year, Rwanda was awarded the Kofi Annan Road Safety Award for its commitment to road safety measures, particularly regarding the safety of vehicles.
The country’s road safety measures were recognised on September 26, 2023, during the 2nd edition of the Kofi Annan Road Safety Award, jointly organized by the Government of Morocco, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, and the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety.
Ambassador of Rwanda to Morocco, Zaina Nyiramatama, received the award on behalf of the government of Rwanda.
The ambassador said the Rwandan government is committed to putting in place both soft and hard infrastructure initiatives aimed at combating road crashes.
“In order to produce positive road safety outcomes, we have to bear in mind that strong management in all aspects of road safety is key. The presence of a funded lead agency to guide the national road safety effort and implement a Safe Systems approach should be a guiding factor on this cause,” she said.
To address road accidents, Rwanda has implemented several measures, including the mandatory use of speed governors to regulate vehicle speed and the installation of speed cameras on key roads, resulting in reduced road fatalities.
In a statement, the company with a presence in 10 countries spanning Africa, Europe and the Middle East said the move is aimed at fulfilling its long-time running of democratizing travel and optimizing customer experience for both domestic and international travellers in the East African markets.
Wakanow Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Bayo Adedeji affirmed that the new market entries would redefine how business executives, tourists and fun travellers access end-to-end travel services.
“[Wakanow.com->https://wakanow.com/] brings a fresh perspective and industry expertise to delivering travel services that suit the needs of local and international travellers.
“[Wakanow.com->https://wakanow.com/] continues to push the boundaries of travel technology, and our entry into East Africa represents a milestone in our commitment to enhancing travel experiences across the continent. Our online platform will empower East African travellers with a one-stop-shop for all their travel needs”, Adebayo stated.
He further disclosed that the company has invested in technology to optimise customer experience when they book flights, hotels and other services on the website.
“At Wakanow, our unwavering focus on the customer and our relentless drive to innovate on their behalf distinguishes us from the competition. Unlike any other player in the market, we harness technology to its fullest extent, enriching the customer experience with added value”, Adebayo added.
The CEO emphasized that Wakanow’s entry into the East African market also creates a gateway to a multitude of opportunities for both the business and tourism sectors.
He also announced the appointment of Josephine Fifi Rurangwa as the Business Development Manager for the new East Africa market.
Rurangwa, the CEO said, will spearhead initiatives aimed at offering exceptional end-to-end travel deals, including flight booking, visa assistance, hotel reservation, protocol services, airport transfers (Wakanow Ride), and travel insurance.
Rurangwa welcomed the appointment and vowed to leverage her experience to deliver exceptional service to the East African market.
“I am honoured to lead Wakanow’s business development efforts in East Africa. This region holds immense potential, and I am excited to leverage my experience and expertise to ensure that Wakanow becomes the preferred travel partner for individuals and organizations in Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda,” she stated.
Rurangwa affirmed Wakanow’s commitment to prioritizing customer satisfaction and democratizing travel for Africans through the Pay Small Small (PSS) offering. This program allows customers to spread the cost of their flights overtime on [Wakanow.com->https://wakanow.com/], removing financial obstacles to booking.
“We are actively forging partnerships with local businesses, tour operators, and hospitality establishments, which will not only benefit our customers but also contribute to the local economy and tourism sector,” she added.
The company affirmed that Rurangwa, who has a decade-long career in the travel industry, brings a wealth of experience to her new role.
Prior to the appointment, Rurangwa served at Wakanow as Head of Africa Expansion.
Wakanow has been in existence for the last 16 years and is accredited by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
As Wakanow ventures into East Africa, the company anticipates achieving new milestones under Rurangwa’s leadership, reinforcing its commitment to excellence, customer satisfaction, and innovation in the region.
Founded in 2008, Wakanow has rapidly grown to become a one-stop platform for travel enthusiasts, offering a comprehensive suite of services including flight bookings, hotel reservations, travel insurance, airport transfers, vacation packages, visa assistance, and more.
Besides Nigeria, Wakanow also operates in a number of other markets including, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Gambia, Liberia, Togo, Cote d’Ivoire, Cameroon, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the UK.
According to data from the Ministry of Infrastructure, the proportion of Rwandans living in villages was supposed to increase from 61% in 2017 to 80% in 2024. However, it has been observed that only 65% currently live in well-organized villages and sites.
Appearing before the Public Accounts Committee on May 8, 2024, Charles Kalinda, the head of policy and planning at the Ministry of Infrastructure, highlighted problems in housing construction that do not meet required standards due to a lack of strict regulations.
He particularly pointed out that only six districts have land use plans, leaving potential occupants uncertain about land use.
Kalinda announced the implementation of a site service strategy, aiming to ensure that each site is operational before being occupied. He also mentioned the establishment of regulations that were previously non-existent.
The housing issues encountered during the implementation of the government development plan will be addressed by the new policy and regulations currently being drafted.
In the City of Kigali, there are 87 developed sites covering an area of 1,381 hectares, offering standard housing tailored to the needs of the population. In other provinces, 42 sites over a total area of 5,113 hectares are waiting to be occupied and are under the responsibility of various authorities.
Moreover, 26 sites distributed across eight districts have been developed, with their plans awaiting approval at ministerial meetings.
The Mayor of Kigali, Samuel Dusengiyumva, acknowledged that some sites developed according to the 2021 guidelines have gaps, due to a lack of clear instructions at the time of their preparation.
The chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Muhakwa Valens, highlighted over 10 sites with problems, particularly in waste management. He challenged the authorities on measures to address these gaps.
In response, Mayor Dusengiyumva stated that they are working to identify and address the shortcomings, taking into account the needs and requirements of the residents.
He assured that the deficiencies are being corrected immediately.
Currently, more than 130 housing sites are listed in Rwanda.
The National Land Authority plans to finalize plans for 11 districts, so that next year, there will only be six districts for which master plans are still being developed.
