This occurred after fierce fighting in which the Congolese government forces clashed with M23 fighters in areas including Rutigita, about five kilometers from the commercial center of Rubaya, starting at twelve in the morning on April 30, 2024.
M23 fighters have since blocked roads linking this area to others including Kibabi, aiming to cut off routes for their adversaries trying to resume attacks. Some members of the Congolese government coalition had fled, but others were encircled, including those killed in this fighting.
On the morning of May 1, 2024, in the hills surrounding the commercial center of Rubaya, there was fighting between the Congolese government forces and M23 fighters. The goal was to push back the group, but it was unsuccessful.
Previously, the Rubaya mines were controlled by the Bisunzu Mining Company (SMB) of businessman Edouard Mwangachuchu, but he was stripped of control when he was charged with crimes including treason.
The DRC government handed control of the mines to the Wazalendo and FDLR groups, based on an agreement to fight M23, further bolstered by the inclusion of Burundian forces since their entry into the conflict in 2023.
Reliable sources indicate that since the Burundian forces took over these mines, the coltan mined there was transported to Bujumbura; this was based on an agreement between the two countries.
Some Congolese criticize the takeover of Rubaya, pointing out that it resulted from a mistake by the DRC government, which gave M23 the opportunity to prepare to capture more areas, adding to the many it already controls in North Kivu.
The Permanent Secretary at MINEMA, Philippe Habinshuti, stated that some were killed by landslides while others died due to lightning strikes.
The most recent victims were from the Rutsiro district, killed by landslides after heavy rainfall on the night leading to Tuesday, April 30, 2024.
Additionally, in the Gasabo district, a woman and her child were killed when their house collapsed due to the weekend’s heavy rains.
These rains have also damaged infrastructure, including buildings, roads, crops, and other property across different regions of the country.
Habinshuti mentioned that assessments are ongoing to determine the full extent of the damage caused by these disasters.
The National Meteorological Agency, Meteo Rwanda, has recently forecasted that heavy rainfall will continue across all parts of Rwanda in the first ten days of May 2024.
The Rwandan government has been urging residents living in high-risk areas to relocate.
Christine Niyotwambaza, the Director in charge of disaster-prone areas at MINEMA, reported that 4768 families have been relocated, noting that up to 8300 families are in locations deemed risky for their safety.
Currently, the heavy rains are particularly affecting the Northern, Western, and Southern provinces, indicating that 326 areas are at risk of disasters due to the ongoing heavy rainfall.
Rwanda Prime Minister Édouard Ngirente made the commitment on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, during the official opening of the 5th edition of the International Network for Governmental Science Advice Conference at the Kigali Convention Centre.
“Our Government has accepted to support the establishment of a regional unit of the International Network for Governmental Science Advice currently hosted by the University of Rwanda,” Ngirente stated.
“It is expected that this unit will expand its operations to support the creation of functional networks at a regional level and serve as a hub for capacity development for Africa,” he added.
The conference brings together policymakers, practitioners, national academies, scientific societies, and researchers to share experiences, build capacities, and develop theoretical and practical approaches to the use of scientific evidence in informing policy at all levels of government.
INGSA research and training hub was established in the University of Rwanda in 2022. The government’s support is expected to spur its development and expansion to greater heights.
In his speech, the prime minister emphasized that the government recognizes the significance of science, technology, and innovation in all sectors as crucial drivers for promoting social welfare and sustainable development in the country, in line with the vision to become a high-income nation by 2050.
“Aligned with our Vision 2050, science is expected to play a key role in Rwanda’s journey towards becoming an upper-middle-income country by 2035 and a high-income country by 2050, ensuring high standards of living for all Rwandans,” he stated.
As part of efforts to build a knowledge-based economy, the Prime Minister asserted that the government has made huge investments at all levels of education, from primary and secondary education to tertiary institutions of learning.
“Our goal is to develop our human capital by providing comprehensive trainings in different fields of science. Through this approach, we prepare our workforce with the necessary skills to meet the demands of both private and public labor markets,” the prime minister noted.
“The Government of Rwanda has established the institutional arrangement that is needed to create an environment conducive for science development and innovation. This in turn translates into new technologies needed to support the economic growth of the country.”
He reiterated that science advice is critical in policy and decision-making efforts to address the world’s pressing challenges and called for collaborative efforts to increase the capability and resilience of global science advisory organizations and national systems such as INGSA.
“To achieve this, collaborative efforts are essential. We must foster synergy across all levels of governance, ensuring better coordination between our systems. By doing so, we pave the way for effective decision-making,” he concluded.
The 5th edition of the International Network for Governmental Science Advice Conference, themed ‘The Transformation Imperative – Expanded Evidence for Inclusive Policies in Diverse Contexts,’ has attracted delegates from more than 50 countries.
It’s the first time that Africa is hosting the high-level conference, previously held in Brussels, Belgium; Tokyo, Japan; Montreal, Canada; and Auckland, New Zealand.
Rémi Quirion, the President of INGSA and Chief Scientist of Québec, termed the conference as unique moment for not just the African continent but the Global South.
“The first meetings in New Zealand, Montreal, Tokyo, and Brussels were more about talking with people from the North. What is unique here, for the first time in the Global South, for the first time in Africa, learning from African colleagues, learning from the experts in Rwanda in terms of science advice, that is one of the main objectives of this meeting. But also, we want to connect with our colleagues from the Global South. The African colleagues learning from the ones in Asia, and ones from Latin America, and so on,” Quirion stated.
He also lauded Rwanda’s young generation as a great resource in national and economic development, insisting on the need to empower them.
“One of the strengths in Rwanda is its young generation, more so than what we see in North America and Europe. It’s a natural resource. It’s amazing. But we need to make sure that they have access to education. If they are interested in science advice, science diplomacy, or research, they can pursue these fields and have good jobs in academia or other industries,” he said.
On his part, the Minister for Education, Gaspard Twagirayezu, said Rwanda is excited to host the conference and reiterated the need to maintain the network and strengthen the hub in Rwanda.
“The conference holds significance for us. As a government, we want to build an advanced economy by 2050, and this will happen based on the quality of our human capital, with science and technology at the base of everything that we do. This means we value science advice in government policy, and we are even more excited about how we are going to strengthen our hub here in Rwanda,” the minister averred.
President Kagame, in a message to Kenyan Head of State William Ruto on Wednesday evening, said Rwanda stands with the people of Kenya during these trying times.
“My sincere condolences to you my brother, President William Ruto and the people of Kenya, for the families displaced and the lives lost in the ongoing mass flooding in Nairobi and other parts of the country. Rwanda stands in solidarity with you and the country in this difficult time,” President Kagame stated.
Kenya confirmed on Wednesday that 179 people have lost their lives since March when the long rains started. The victims include 164 adults and 15 children.
The victims of the floods include residents of Mai Mahiu whose homes were washed away in the wee hours of Monday morning, claiming more than 70 lives and injuring scores of
others.
Water Cabinet Secretary Zechariah Njeru told the local media that the incident was a result of a blocked railway line tunnel preventing proper flow of water through River Tongi.
So far a total of 90 people have been reported missing in Kenya, while 125 people have been injured and are receiving treatment in health facilities across the country. Additionally, at least 31,341 households have been displaced, affecting 195,011 people.
Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura warned that April is the peak of the long rains, and the rainfall will continue to cause flooding and disrupt social and economic activities.
“We call upon all Kenyans to remain vigilant, adhere to safety guidelines and observe flood alerts. Furthermore, all Kenyans are requested to cooperate fully with emergency responders and local authorities during evacuations or rescue operations, especially in areas mapped out as high-risk areas,” Mwaura stated.
The floods have also been wreaking havoc in Tanzania in recent weeks, killing more than 150 people and injuring over 200 others.
Tanzania Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa told Parliament last Thursday that more than 10,000 houses have been damaged and more than 200,000 people affected.
Latest statistics from the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) show that manufacturing is expected to create 9,900 new job opportunities over the next five years, accounting for a quarter of the jobs projected to be created in the next five years.
According to RDB, investment commitments registered by the Board in 2023 are expected to generate 40,198 job opportunities by 2029. The investment commitments grew by 50 per cent to reach $2.4 billion (RWF 3 trillion) compared to the previous year.
RDB forecasts that the agriculture sub-sector will continue to thrive, contributing to the creation of 7,600 jobs over the same period.
Real estate is expected to create 6,200 new jobs by 2029 while the agro-processing sub-sector will contribute some 4,400 jobs to the economy.
Additionally, the construction sector will generate 2,700 jobs while the accommodation and food services sub-sector will create 2,600 job opportunities over the next five years.
Electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply are poised to create an additional 1,500 new job opportunities, followed by the arts and entertainment sub-sector, where approximately 600 opportunities will be generated.
The financial and insurance sectors, along with administrative and support service activities, are expected to generate 500 and 200 jobs respectively over the next half-decade.
It is also worth noting that most of the new jobs in the real estate, arts and entertainment, recreation, manufacturing, and construction sectors will be created in the capital Kigali, which attracted investments worth $2.1 billion (RWF 2.7 trillion). This accounts for 83.4 per cent of the total investments registered in 2023.
The Eastern Province which attracted investment worth $262.9 million (RWF 336 billion) in 2023 will create new job opportunities in administrative and support service, manufacturing, electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply, agriculture, forestry and fishing sub-sectors.
The Northern Province with investments totalling $60.8 million (RWF 77.8 billion) is expected to create new jobs in agro-processing, manufacturing, accommodation and food service activities and mining and quarrying.
Jobs in agriculture, forestry, fishing, real estate, agro-processing, manufacturing, transportation and storage, energy, accommodation, and food services will contribute to the creation of new jobs in the Southern and Western provinces, which attracted investments totalling $46.9 million (RWF 60 billion) and $40.6 million (RWF 52 billion) respectively.
DRC has often claimed non-collaboration with FDLR, even though it eventually admitted its readiness to support anyone aiming to overthrow the Rwandan leadership. Rwanda insists that DRC’s dealings with FDLR should be seen as a national political issue rather than individual opportunism.
Various reports have shown close collaborations between the DRC military and FDLR, including weapon sharing and joint combat efforts. Some former FDLR members who chose to return to Rwanda, their country of origin, revealed significant motives behind the group’s close ties with the Congolese military.
Sergeant Tuyizere Mose, a former member of FDLR’s commando unit known as CRAP, disclosed that FDLR forces work closely with DRC’s government forces, suggesting that without them, the M23 rebel group would easily seize control. “Without FDLR’s involvement, M23 would be in Kinshasa overnight. Our CRAP soldiers could be stationed here for months without displacement due to the training we provide. Our only lack is a humane approach to coexist with the locals without discrimination,” he explained.
During his time in the DRC, Sgt. Tuyizere served in a heavy weaponry unit of the FARDC, fighting alongside M23. “We were trained by Israeli commandos, equipped with substantial training and powerful weaponry,” he added. Before battles, FDLR leadership would convince their troops they were fighting Rwandan soldiers instead of Congolese.
Sgt. Tuyizere highlighted the instrumental role of FDLR in controlling both the city and the Goma International Airport. “Since 2019, FDLR started managing the Goma International Airport, and from April 2023, this control became official. The DRC leadership explicitly allowed us to manage Goma to prevent its capture,” he stated.
Apart from managing the airport, FDLR also taxes goods from Bukavu and controls certain roads, profiting from the trade in valuable minerals. In 2023, when the DRC purchased military equipment, the first units to receive them were those belonging to CRAP, given the task of training state troops.
In November 2023, M23 decisively defeated FDLR and Congolese forces. The losses were blamed on Rwandan soldiers allegedly freshly trained in Israel. Following the defeat, Sgt. Tuyizere and his colleagues were deployed to the frontline, only to be encircled and significantly defeated by M23.
After witnessing the death and capture of his comrades by M23, Sgt. Tuyizere defected and surrendered to the UN mission, MONUSCO, exhausted by the conflict.
He urged other FDLR members, “Stop killing Congolese civilians accused of being Tutsis or spies for M23. Lay down your arms and join others in rebuilding the country.” He disclosed that FDLR’s orders before combat often involved targeting Tutsi Congolese as part of their operational strategy.
Born in 1998, Sgt. Tuyizere grew up within the ranks of FDLR but realized he had been exploited by those with hidden agendas, including property acquisition and evasion of justice, under the false promise of conquering Rwanda and claiming luxurious homes in Kigali.
Persistent rainfall over several days had saturated the ground, leading to devastating landslides on April 29. These landslides caused the collapse of two homes, resulting in the deaths of two children from separate families.
Rutsiro District Mayor, Kayitesi Dative, explained to IGIHE that the landslides directly impacted these vulnerable structures. “The homes were structurally weak and could not withstand the landslides, tragically killing two children aged 12 and 16,” she said.
Mayor Kayitesi reported that emergency teams were dispatched to the site early in the morning to provide support and comfort to the grieving families and to help coordinate funeral services. She emphasized the importance of safety, urging the community to prioritize lives over property. “We urge everyone to remain alert and relocate from high-risk areas,” she remarked.
In a separate incident in the Boneza sector, a third individual was fatally struck by lightning, adding to the toll of the severe weather impacts in the area.
The announcement was made on Tuesday, April 30, marking a significant stride in the ongoing restructuring efforts of the RDF aimed at enhancing its operational leadership to better meet its objectives.
Maj Gen Ephraim Rurangwa, previously the Commandant of Rwanda Military Hospital, has been named the Chief of Staff for the Medical Health Service, with Col. Dr. John Nkurikiye, an experienced ophthalmologist, appointed as his deputy.
The RDF will now feature four Chiefs of Staff overseeing the Rwanda Army (Land Forces), the Rwanda Air Force, the Rwanda Reserve Force and Special Units, and the newly-formed military health service.
Additional appointments include Brig. Gen Jean Paul Bitega as the head of medical operations command and Dr. Eugene Ngoga, who has been promoted to Brig Gen and appointed as the commandant of the Rwanda Military Hospital. Chrysostome Kagimbana also rises to the rank of Brig General, assuming the role of commander of medical regional facilities.
In related appointments, Col. Eric Seruyange has been tasked as the director of epidemiology and public health, Lt Col. Leon Ruvugabigwi as the director of drugs and materials, and Lt Col. Vincent Sugira will lead medical training, research, and innovation.
President Kagame confirmed several other critical appointments including Brig Gen. Franco Rutagengwa as the Commandant of the Rwanda Military Academy and Col. Lambert Sendegeya as the Chief J1 responsible for RDF personnel management.
Faustin K. Nsanzabera will serve as the Chief J6, with Colonel Ignace Tuyisenge leading the Military Police Brigade. Furthermore, Col. Patrick Kabanda has been confirmed as the Military Prosecutor General and Col. Seraphine Nyirasafari as the Director of Civil-Military Cooperation.
Lt Col. Eugene Ruzibiza will command the 309 Brigade, and Lt. Col Jean de Dieu Kayinamura has been named the Managing Director at Loyal Trust Company Ltd.
The management and staff, together with the friends and families of former employees who fell victim to the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, along with invited guests, laid wreaths at both the Rubavu and Ntarama Genocide Memorial sites in the past week and followed a speaker program under the Kwibuka30 theme; – Remember, Unite, Renew.
At each memorial site, the participants learned about the history of the genocide and the courageous efforts that were made to end it. They listened to the testimonies of genocide survivors Jeanine Mudenge Uwase and Marcel Nsengiyumva, who shared their harrowing experiences of hiding day and night in deplorable conditions to survive.
Director of Human Resources at Bralirwa, Laetitia Uwera, highlighted the importance of learning from the past and ensuring that such atrocities do not happen again. “As leaders and colleagues, we must be vigilant in promoting peace, harmony and mutual respect for one another in the development of communities,” she said.
In his remarks at the Rubavu Genocide Memorial, the Mayor of Rubavu District, Mulindwa Prosper, emphasized the Government’s commitment to unity and reconciliation and called on everyone to work together to rebuild the nation.
Bralirwa’s Managing Director, Etienne Saada, commended the leadership of the country for promoting a culture of harmony and reconciliation. “We recommend the remarkable efforts of the Government of Rwanda to restore and maintain peace and security in the country. The commitment to good governance has been instrumental in promoting stability and progress,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement, Genocide Commemoration and Coordination Specialist, Anitha Ndayisaba Mweramana, highlighted that Rwandans are now choosing the direction we want to take as a country by refusing to be slaves of our past history and choosing to build a culture of dialogue.
“We must also remember to ensure that those of us who are alive will always remember our history. By doing so, we can ensure that the atrocities committed against our people do not happen again, hence our theme to remember, unite and renew,” she said.
On April 29, 2024, the Mutobo Demobilization and Reintegration Center hosted an event marking the demobilization of 55 former combatants, who were part of the 71st cohort. These individuals hailed from various armed groups in the DRC.
Col Alphonse Uwimana, a former combatant with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), commended Rwanda’s inclusive approach. “The government welcomed us unconditionally, providing training and instilling in us the core values of a productive Rwandan citizen,” he said.
Uwimana emphasized their commitment to eradicating divisive and genocidal ideologies. He appealed to those still in the DRC forests, or contemplating attacks against Rwanda, to disarm and return home, assuring them of a warm reception.
Valérie Nyirahabineza, Chairperson of the National Commission for Demobilization and Reintegration (RDRC), highlighted the success of the Mutobo center, which has trained over 14,000 individuals since its inception, from groups including the FDLR, P5, and RUD Urunana.
The recent demobilization included 46 soldiers and civilians involved with armed groups, along with two children previously engaged as soldiers, all of whom have been prepared to adopt new perspectives.
“They are poised to make significant contributions to the development of a better Rwanda,” Nyirahabineza stated. She added that the training provided at Mutobo covered various trades, resulting in qualifications certified by the Rwanda Technical & Vocational Education & Training Board (RTB).
Upon completing their training, the individuals received identity cards, reintegration certificates, and professional certificates, equipping them for their new lives.
Jean Claude Musabyimana, the Minister of Local Government, reaffirmed Rwanda’s commitment to reintegrating all its citizens. “No Rwandan should remain in exile. We are dedicated to ensuring that everyone works together to build our nation,” he declared.
Musabyimana urged the returnees to uphold Rwandan cultural values, work towards poverty eradication, and participate actively in the upcoming Presidential and Parliamentary elections.
Every year, the RDRC welcomes those who have decided to leave behind the conflicts in the DRC, facilitating their integration into Rwandan society.
