Accusations were made against two colonels from Ukraine’s government protection unit for engaging in “subversive activities against Ukraine for monetary gain,” stated by the office of Ukraine’s Prosecutor General on Tuesday.
Both officials were indicted for treason; additionally, one was implicated in planning a terrorist act.
According to the prosecutor’s office, one suspect was found possessing two drones and ammunition supplied by Russia’s FSB, intended for delivery to another collaborator to execute a bombing.
The SBU disclosed that it had disrupted the “actively evolving plans” to assassinate Zelensky and other high-ranking Ukrainian officials, including SBU head Vasyl Maliuk and Kyrylo Budanov, the leader of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine.
The SBU noted that one objective of the FSB’s agent network was to identify military personnel close to the President’s security team who could abduct and subsequently assassinate him.
Reports suggest Zelensky has been the target of multiple assassination attempts since Russia’s comprehensive invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022.
In August 2023, a woman from Mykolaiv in southern Ukraine was detained for her involvement in a plot to kill Zelensky. She allegedly collected information on Zelensky’s scheduled visit to Mykolaiv to coordinate a Russian airstrike aimed at his assassination. The SBU captured her attempting to relay intelligence to the enemy.
In April, a Polish individual was accused of aiding another purported Russian plot to assassinate Zelensky. He faced charges of preparing to act on behalf of foreign intelligence against the Republic of Poland, a crime punishable by up to eight years in prison.
The man purportedly agreed to inform Russian operatives about security measures at Rzeszów-Jasionka airport in southeastern Poland, frequently used by Zelensky for international departures. The conspiracy was exposed by Ukrainian authorities, leading to his arrest.
Deputy Uwamariya introduced and presented this proposal to the General Assembly of the Chamber of Deputies on May 6, 2024.
Deputy Uwamariya explained that she initiated this proposal because the current law governing the general status of government employees does not specify how foreigners can be employed in government sectors, and states that only Rwandans are allowed to work in these roles.
However, the government has often sought to employ foreigners with special expertise, particularly in areas vital to the country’s welfare and economy.
The proposal specifies that “a government entity may employ a foreigner in accordance with the provisions of a Ministerial Order responsible for government employees.”
Additionally, the proposal extends maternity leave for women from 12 to 14 weeks and paternity leave for men whose wives have given birth to seven consecutive days.
Deputy Uwamariya stated, “These changes are intended to align with the labor law in Rwanda and international labor agreements, to provide adequate time for a woman to recover and breastfeed her child.”
The proposed changes regarding maternity leave, emergency leave, and leave granted when a premature baby is born, a baby dies, or a pregnancy is terminated, will be determined by a Ministerial Order from the minister responsible for public service and labour.
Deputy Rukurwabyoma noted that changes have been made in the past, but it was necessary to allow foreigners to work for the government without first becoming Rwandan citizens.
He argued, “Exclusion should not occur in government jobs for unclear reasons. However, other aspects still need to be studied. Have you seen the days given to men? From four to seven days? A mother is still weak, and a man is hustling to see if the porridge can cook quickly. Men, we should also demand these seven days and say they are not enough. Doubling it would be better, so one can return to work saying that the wife is starting to feel better.”
Deputy Uwamariya highlighted that granting foreigners the right to work in government sectors would facilitate the transfer of knowledge to Rwandans.
She added, “They will be working with Rwandan children, which helps ensure that this knowledge is retained by our people when they are gone, aiding in building strong operational practices.”
Deputy Léonard Ndagijimana pointed out the difficulties some women face during childbirth, which should warrant extended emergency leave compared to what is proposed.
He explained, “When it comes to fistulas, it is a complication that could even keep a woman incapacitated for eight months. When drafting this order, they should consider a woman with a fistula as incapable of working. Men should not be given just seven days, as for this issue, it would be possible for a husband to also take 30 days.”
This proposal will be reviewed by the Committee of Chairpersons as the commission previously responsible for it has other duties yet the matter is urgent.
The Head of State argued that nation-building is a collaborative effort and challenged the young people to use their skills to improve their lives and communities.
“There is no one person who can work alone in their own way to develop our people or our country. There is no single person who can do everything alone to benefit other people if they don’t work together,” President Kagame stated.
“This country is not for individuals or a specific group. It is for all of us. When we put our efforts together, when we work together, we are striving for the development of our nation and our collective development as a people.”
He was speaking at BK Arena in Kigali, where more than 7,500 youth volunteers gathered to celebrate their contributions to Rwanda’s development.
Acknowledging the youth volunteers’ sacrifices, Kagame noted that the young people played a key role in the government’s efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The fact that you accepted to sacrifice yourself, it’s just a reminder of our existing tradition of self-sacrifice. You demonstrated that during Covid-19, as youth volunteers, and it helped a lot in our fight against that pandemic. We would not have succeeded in our fight against COVID-19 without the important role you played,” he added.
He challenged the youths to keep up the volunteering spirit and work to better their skills every day.
“Where you have to put a lot of effort, where it all begins, the foundation of it all, is in building yourselves as individuals, each one of you. Build yourselves, and keep on that volunteerism spirit. Your willingness alone is not enough, you have to build your capabilities and equip yourself with skills so that you can put into practice everything you are willing to do,” the president told the volunteers.
Abdallah Utumatwishima, the Minister of Youth and Arts, also lauded the youths for their selfless efforts that helped the country navigate the challenging COVID-19 times.
“In the journey of 10 years, the world was shocked by the Covid-19 pandemic followed by disasters brought about by climate change that claimed the lives of many people. We are grateful for youth volunteers’ contributions through physical and mental work shown as we navigated the challenges,” Utumatwishima lauded the volunteers.
The volunteers, who attended the event, are among thousands of young people motivated to serve their communities in various parts of the country.
Most of the youth are involved in various development activities, including building houses, taking care of vulnerable members of society, and raising awareness about emerging public health issues.
The Anglican Communion, which convenes senior Anglican church leaders worldwide every two years, held this year’s meeting in Rome, Italy. Traditionally, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby—representing the Church of England’s headquarters—invited all Anglican churches, including those from GAFCON.
This meeting aimed to discuss various topics concerning the unity of the communion, including a special dialogue with Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church worldwide.
However, GAFCON’s attendance was compromised due to divergences in biblical interpretations and practices, particularly concerning LGBTQ+ issues, among its member churches and those of the Church of England and other similar churches.
During the event in Rome, Pope Francis advised the bishops to openly discuss their differences to resolve them. He emphasized mutual respect and cooperation, aiming to strengthen Christian values based on unity and peace.
Despite these discussions, GAFCON, under the signature of its leader, Archbishop Laurent Mbanda of the Anglican Church of Rwanda, stated that the majority of its church leaders did not attend. Notably, leaders from 12 of the churches did not participate, representing 30 out of the 42 recognized churches within the communion.
Significantly, representatives from major Anglican churches in Nigeria, Uganda, and South Sudan were absent, indicating that those who attended represented only about 30% of Anglicans worldwide.
The statement highlighted that the non-attendance was not accidental but intentional, particularly from GAFCON and the Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches (GSFA). This decision aligns with resolutions from a recent GAFCON meeting in Rwanda, where they resolved to distance themselves from Canterbury and other churches that do not adhere to their biblical interpretations.
The split has been growing over the past 25 years, with increasing deviations from biblical teachings despite numerous warnings and attempts to address these issues.
GAFCON acknowledges that while God desires unity among those who worship Him, this unity should not compromise biblical integrity, as evident in various biblical scriptures.
Although the meeting addressed numerous issues aimed at reforming the communion, GAFCON believes that these discussions are insufficient to resolve the ongoing divisions. They suggest that the solution lies in changes to teaching and belief practices in religion. Churches that deviate from biblical teachings should repent and return to foundational principles, as repentance is key to reconciliation and unity.
This equipment was distributed on Sunday, May 5, 2024, to three SOS Children’s Village Rwanda schools in Kayonza, Kigali, and Gicumbi. The donated items include 50 footballs, 100 jerseys, and many other items used by the coaches, all valued at over Rwf10 million.
Before the donation, coaches from SK Dubai Football Academy spent three days with the coaches and children at SOS Children’s Village Rwanda, sharing their knowledge of football.
Jean Bosco Kwizera, the Country Director of SOS Children’s Village Rwanda, thanked Kigali Marriott Hotel and SK Football for providing the equipment and training aimed at enhancing knowledge, assuring them that the equipment will be well-utilized to develop the children’s talents to a high standard.
He said, “We thank SK Football Dubai Academy and Kigali Marriott Hotel for helping us train in football, for the coaches, the children, and the leaders. It’s the first training we’ve received, but it will help the children improve their capabilities and further assists in developing their talents.”
Kwizera mentioned that they are planning to collaborate with Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA), to allow these children to participate in more competitions, which will further help in talent development.
Ben McBride, the Operations Manager at SK Football Dubai Academy, expressed surprise at the talent they observed in the children from SOS Children’s Village Rwanda and requested support to continue developing these talents for their future benefits.
Matthias Widor, General Manager of Kigali Marriott Hotel and Four Points by Sheraton Kigali, stated that they chose to work with SOS Children’s Village Rwanda because they already support the children in improving their lives and providing daily care, and encouraged other partners to contribute to nurturing the talents of the youth.
Staff Sergeant Gordon Black, who had been stationed at a U.S. military base in South Korea, was arrested in Vladivostok, a major Pacific port city close to Russia’s borders with China and North Korea.
According to NBC News, rather than returning to his base at Fort Cavazos, Texas, Black traveled approximately 400 miles northeast of South Korea to Russia. U.S. officials have stated that Black undertook this travel without authorization from Army superiors and was not on official duty at the time of his visit.
The detour, suggest U.S. officials, was made so Black could meet a woman with whom he had reportedly developed a romantic relationship while they were both in South Korea two years prior. The relationship was implied by Black’s mother, Melody Jones, during her plea for her son’s humane treatment by Russian authorities. “Please do not torture him or hurt him,” Jones implored.
It remains unclear, however, whether the woman Black visited is the same individual from whom he is accused of stealing. Details of the allegations have not been fully disclosed.
Following Black’s detention, the Russian Federation informed the U.S. Department of State, adhering to the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. “The Army notified his family and the U.S. Department of State is providing appropriate consular support to the soldier,” stated a U.S. official.
The incident has drawn significant attention from U.S. lawmakers, including House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, who expressed deep concern over Black’s situation.
Highlighting the risks associated with travel to Russia, McCaul echoed State Department warnings about the potential dangers: “Putin has a long history of holding American citizens hostage,” he remarked. “A warning to all Americans – as the State Department has said, it is not safe to travel to Russia.”
The U.S. government continues to caution its citizens against traveling to Russia, noting a disturbing pattern of Americans being detained, sometimes indefinitely, often used as leverage in diplomatic negotiations.
Media reports indicate that the 82-year-old passed away in his living room while watching a movie with his grandchildren on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, as heavy rains pounded the United Arab Emirates, leading to flash floods in the desert region.
A close associate intimated to the media that on the day the chairman of Pan African Tobacco met his death, he had woken up as usual to go about his work, but he seemed concerned about the harsh weather.
He is quoted to have told his friends that he had not seen such heavy winds and storms in the UAE in the last decade.
“Nevertheless, the chairman worked throughout the day,” a close associate of the billionaire intimated.
While the octogenarian appeared to be physically okay, the associate noted, he was emotionally weak, as he was yet to fully recover from the death of his wife.
Despite the harsh weather, Ayabatwa is said to have insisted on going swimming as part of his routine cardiovascular exercise.
“The weather is really bad,” a family member told Ayabatwa, “Let’s wait for the weather to clear.”
The family managed to convince him to stay indoors at least until the weather improved. To pass time, he suggested watching TV.
A few moments later, he asked one of his grandchildren to get him a remote control. That was the last time they heard his voice as shortly after he became unresponsive.
The distraught kids rushed to inform their parents about what had happened. The parents called for emergency health services, and the old man was confirmed dead.
A postmortem conducted at one of the hospitals in Dubai confirmed that the billionaire had died of a heart attack.
Rujugiro was born in Rwanda around 1941 and started his vast tobacco business in 1978 in Burundi, where he was a refugee.
He had business interests in several other countries including Angola, DR Congo, Nigeria, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Rujugiro was last in Rwanda in 2010, after which it was revealed that he fled to South Africa, a country where he had been running business.
This move came following discoveries that he was allegedly involved in tax evasion and had connections with subversive groups aiming to destabilize Rwanda’s security, whom he also supported financially.
He made this announcement on May 6, 2024, while presenting the preliminary budget framework for the fiscal year 2024/2025 to both chambers of the Parliament.
Minister Dr. Ndagijimana pointed out that domestic revenues are expected to be 3,414.4 billion Frw, accounting for 60% of the total budget.
“It is a pleasing step towards self-reliance in budgeting,” he stated.Foreign grants are expected to reach 725.3 billion Frw, or 12.7%, while foreign loans are projected at 1,318.1 billion Frw, representing 23.2% of the total budget.
In total, domestic revenues combined with foreign loans, which the country will repay, will account for 83.2% of the fiscal year 2024/2025 budget.
The ordinary budget expenditure is expected to reach 3,421.2 billion Frw, which is 60% of the total budget, while funds allocated for development and state investments will amount to 2,268.9 billion Frw, or 40% of the total budget.
Dr. Ndagijimana stated that selected activity programs are based on their alignment with the development goals we have set, which are included in the Government’s agenda to accelerate development and address the impacts of climate change on the economy and other external challenges.
“There were discussions between the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning and all government entities regarding planning and the next fiscal year’s budget to ensure agreement on the activities and projects that will be prioritized during that year and the medium-term before approval by the cabinet. The funds have been allocated based on the objectives of the three pillars of the government’s agenda to accelerate development,” he said.
Rwanda’s economy is expected to grow by 6.6% in 2024, and by 6.5% in 2025.The growth rate will reach 6.8% in 2026, and in 2027, it is projected to increase to 7.2%, all based on global political and economic issues.
Agricultural sector output is expected to grow by 5% in 2024, compared to a 1% increase in 2023. Meanwhile, industrial output is expected to increase by 8.9% in 2024, compared to 10.9% in 2023.
The service sector output is expected to grow by 6% compared to an 11.2% increase in 2023. Market prices are expected to rise by an average of 5% in 2024 compared to a 14% increase in 2023.
Dr. Ndagijimana affirmed that this decrease in market prices will be “due to a significant reduction in food prices this year.”
In 2024, Overall balance of payments is expected to register a surplus of USD 196.4 Million from USD 107 Million of 2023.
“It will primarily be due to an increase in exports, including goods and services, as well as an increase in foreign loans obtained by the government, remittances from Rwandans abroad, and foreign investments.”
In the medium term, economic policies will focus on increasing domestic revenue, including tax law reforms and other forthcoming adjustments.
Key activities will include increasing agricultural and livestock production and activities that help the country store produce to achieve food self-sufficiency.
The job creation program will focus on supporting local industries to adopt technology, implementing basic infrastructure in industrial zones, and providing loans.
Dr. Ndagijimana also said that efforts will be made to build power plants, alongside extending electricity to households.
In infrastructure, there will be continued efforts to repair various roads and extend road networks, including building the Rusizi port on Lake Kivu.
In the pillar of social welfare, efforts will include increasing water supply networks in urban and rural areas, expanding the Karenge water plant, and others.
In health, the focus will be on repairing and expanding major hospitals such as Kabgayi and Muhororo and enhancing the capacity of Masaka Hospital to become a university hospital, as well as strengthening the health sector to combat non-communicable diseases and epidemics.
In education, the focus will be on improving the quality of education, supporting school feeding programs, placing new teachers at all levels, and promoting vocational and technical education.
Technology initiatives will include extending it to various institutions that currently lack it, including schools
In a press statement released Monday night, KQ said the detained staffers had been unconditionally freed after more than two weeks in the custody of the Military Intelligence Unit.
“Kenya Airways confirms that military authorities in Kinshasa have unconditionally released our two employees who had been detained since 19 April 2024,” Group Managing Director and CEO Allan Kilavuka said.
“We wish to thank all those who worked tirelessly for the release of our innocent colleagues. Special thanks to KQ colleagues who have been on the ground in Kinshasa and those in Nairobi working to secure their release,” he added.
The CEO confirmed that KQ’s flights to Kinshasa, which were suspended on April 30 in protest of the arrest and detention of the two employees, will resume on Wednesday, May 8, 2024.
“With the necessary ground support in place, we are pleased to announce that Kenya Airways will resume flights to Kinshasa on 8 May 2024. We look forward to serving our valued customers once again,” the CEO confirmed.
KQ had earlier announced that the affected members of staff were arrested at the airline’s airport office in Kinshasa over missing customs documentation on valuable cargo that was to be transported on a KQ flight.
Kilavuka lamented that attempts to secure the release of the staffers had proved futile due to the continued disregard of court orders by the local authorities.
The CEO denied any wrongdoing on the part of the airline and staffers, insisting that the cargo under question had not been cleared to be airlifted.
Kilavuka said on Monday that the release of the two employees was made possible by efforts from the Kenyan government led by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who also doubles up as Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary, and the Kenyan embassy in Kinshasa.
“We want to reiterate that our employees are innocent and were only carrying out their duties in strict adherence to the laid-out procedures. We stand by their innocence and will continue to support them,” Kilavuka stated.
In a discussion with IGIHE, André Gitembagara, the head of Rwanda Nurses and Midwives Union (RNMU), highlighted that although significant progress has been made in enhancing the midwifery profession—with over 2,400 midwives now in Rwanda—there remain considerable obstacles for those in the field.
These challenges include salaries that have not kept pace with the times, such that a midwife earning a salary cannot support their family, along with the burden of excessive working hours.
A general estimate reveals that a large number of midwives in Rwanda earn 197,000 Rwandan Francs per month. Gitembagara pointed out that midwives and other medical staff last received a salary increase in 2016, and since then, many changes have occurred.
He said, “Living conditions are not good… the last time midwives saw a new salary rise was in 2016. Now it’s 2024, and considering how the currency has depreciated, looking at a midwife who was earning around 190,000 to 200,000 Francs, many are now earning 197,000 Francs.”
“The COVID-19 pandemic itself led to many expensive changes in the market, compounded by various conflicts around the world, all of which have driven up market prices, thus making it difficult to manage with the wages we earn from our jobs.”
This is further affirmed by Ndaziramiye Inyange Kate, a midwife at Masaka Hospital, who spoke on the challenges of low wages and excessive hours, which do not align with other responsibilities they have, such as family care.
She noted, “Firstly, the issue of hours is that they exceed the usual, we work so many hours that at some point you see that the midwife is really exhausted. Nowadays, the night counts as about 15 hours. Someone might come in at 11 PM and not finish until 2 PM the next day, which is quite challenging.”
Regarding the scarcity of midwives in Rwanda, the Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, recently mentioned that at least 14 women who give birth each night may be attended by only two midwives, though there are plans to quadruple the healthcare workforce by 2028.
Gitembagara further discussed the risks involved when a single midwife must handle two or three births in one night alone, which could lead to complications as they are responsible for caring for the mothers and their newborns by themselves.
He explained, “Delivering three babies is not miraculous, but being alone is where the real risk lies. You have to take care of the mother and then attend to the newborn, and both need immediate assistance at that moment, which is where the real danger of severe complications arises.”
Gitembagara also touched on the Ministry of Health’s plans to increase the number of midwives so that each health center would have three, although many currently only have one.
Nurses are also being utilized to perform deliveries, a task they are not specifically trained for.
As some midwives and nurses leave the profession to seek better opportunities due to these challenges, RNMU data shows that prior to COVID-19, about 1,800 had left, and though some returned during the pandemic when they were critically needed, they left again once the situation eased.
The RNMU also reports that between 2019 and 2023, 350 midwives and nurses were imprisoned due to professional errors, and others were summoned by judicial authorities. These errors are often due to the few numbers of midwives, as one might be responsible for many mothers in labor and newborns, leading to critical oversights.
Gitembagara mentioned that while the government does not permit midwives from Rwanda to work overseas due to local shortages, some still find opportunities in more developed countries like Canada, which offer better compensation and attract many from Africa.
He stated, “There are cases, we even had up to three companies, two from the UK and one from Canada, come to Rwanda to recruit them for jobs, but we discussed it with the Ministry of Health […], we agreed that we need to prevent this.”
“If you let 2,400 midwives leave, everyone under 55 might rush out, even those older might go. we prevent it, but some leave individually, they find a way and just stay there.”
Besides going abroad, the RNMU notes that even within the country, many midwives prefer working in private hospitals and clinics, which pay more compared to staying in public health centers.
