The statement was made by the AU’s Peace and Security Council in a communique issued Saturday that followed its recent meeting, which dwelt upon the current situation in the conflict-hit eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Reiterating its deep concern over the scourge of conflicts across different parts of Africa, the council said these conflict and insecurity situations are obstructing the socio-economic development of the continent.
Against this backdrop, the council underscored the 55-member continental organization’s strong commitment to realizing its 50-year continental development blueprint, Agenda 2063, with particular emphasis on its flagship peace and security aspirations, including silencing the guns in Africa by 2030.
It further stressed the need to realize African leaders’ recent pledge to achieve the goal of a conflict-free continent, to make peace a reality for all of Africa’s citizens and not to bequeath the burden of conflicts to future generations.
Addressing the 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Heads of State and Government of the AU last month, AU Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat expressed similar concern over peace and security challenges in Africa.
Faki specifically highlighted recurrent conflict situations, unconstitutional changes of governments and political and institutional instability as factors jeopardizing the continent’s stability, peace and development.
He noted concerning security challenges in the Horn of Africa, which threaten the sovereignty, integrity, security, and fundamental interests of all countries in the region, saying that the Great Lakes Region of Africa is particularly affected by a worsening security crisis, while the Sahel region is facing a security vacuum following the withdrawal of the United Nations mission from the region.
During a press conference on March 11, 2024, as part of his four-day working visit to Rwanda, Jean-François Ricard, the Head of French National Anti-Terrorism Prosecution Office disclosed that Agathe Kanziga Habyarimana, the wife of the former Rwandan president Juvénal Habyarimana, residing illegally in France, cannot be prosecuted or extradited to Rwanda for crimes attributed to her, as they occurred before the genocide.
Ricard emphasized the complex administrative situation she faces, stating that, under French administrative law, she cannot benefit from refugee status, which was denied to her. However, like others in a similar predicament, she cannot be expelled from French territory.
He explained, “We have a complicated case because, as I mentioned, we are only competent for events postdating the genocide directly from the genocide. We, French judges are not competent for events preceding the genocide, for example, those who may have prepared it.”
Agathe Kanziga was involved in the inner circle of the “zero network” that orchestrated the Genocide against the Tutsi. Despite this, France claims there is no evidence to press charges against her. Ricard stated that the prosecutor’s office would initiate a new investigation to delve deeper into the Kanziga case and present it before the court.
“I can tell you that the prosecution I am heading, on my instructions, asked the investigating judges to follow this case, and new investigations will be carried out to verify everything we could do. Every possible effort will be made. It is a clear commitment that we took,” he underscored.
Ricard refrained from commenting on why Agathe Kanziga cannot obtain asylum or be extradited to Rwanda. However, the French ambassador to Rwanda, Antoine Anfré, revealed in late 2023 that the entire Habyarimana family had been transferred to France on the orders of then-French President François Mitterrand.
“Effectively, Agatha has no status in France; it is by the decision of the president of the republic at the time, François Mitterrand, that she was evacuated, in the very beginning with members of her family. She lives in a Parisian suburb, Les Couronnes, she has no status. At one point, she is neither regularizable nor expellable,” Ambassador Anfré stated.
He added, “Currently, there is no judicial procedure against Agathe Habyarimana, mainly because there is no concrete evidence, real evidence that would involve Agatha, despite all we know or imagine. It’s the very principle of the law. I often share your feeling of regret because I frequently face situations where one is convinced of someone’s guilt without having the means to prove it. It’s a sad reality, but that’s how the law works. I think we should not dwell on these cases because otherwise, we risk leaning towards a justice guided by emotion rather than by law.”
Discussions between French prosecutor Jean-François Ricard, Rwandan Prosecutor General Havugiyaremye Aimable, and ICTR prosecutor Serge Brammertz have resulted in an agreement to continue sharing evidence on cases of various individuals suspected of genocide crimes. This aims to increase the number of prosecutions and ensure cases with sufficient evidence.
France asserts that it is making every effort to bring to justice anyone suspected of committing Genocide against the Tutsi residing on its territory.
To date, the Rwandan prosecutor’s office has issued 1,149 arrest warrants against genocide suspects in different countries.
The services sector played a pivotal role, expanding by 11%, constituting 44% of the total GDP. Notable contributions came from information and communication activities, air transport, as well as hotels and restaurants, which saw improvements of 39%, 29%, and 18%, respectively.
Yusuf Murangwa, NISR Director General, highlighted the significant role of increased calling and internet usage as primary drivers for the growth in information and communication activities.
The industry and agriculture sectors also saw positive growth, with increases of 10% and 2%, contributing 22% and 27% to the GDP, respectively.
Manufacturing recorded notable progress with an 11% increase, driven by advancements in food processing, textiles, clothing, leather goods, chemicals, rubber, plastic products, and wood, paper, and printing.
Agricultural performance was led by a 7% rise in livestock and livestock products. However, export crop production, particularly in tea and coffee, experienced a 4% decline, attributed to adverse climate conditions.
Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Uzziel Ndagijimana, acknowledged the challenges in the agricultural sector due to adverse climate conditions, emphasizing the government’s commitment to invest more resources to boost tea production, introduce new varieties, and ensure competitive market prices.
Despite exceeding the initial government projection of 6.2%, concerns were raised about the growing depreciation of the Rwandan franc against major foreign currencies.
Minister Ndagijimana linked this trend to Rwanda’s external trade imbalance, exacerbated by last year’s droughts and floods, resulting in reduced food production and increased food imports.
The Rwandan Franc recently depreciated by 0.2% against the US Dollar, closing at Frw 1,285.3 from Frw 1,282.4 the previous week, with a year-to-date depreciation of 1.7%.
As Rwanda’s Presidency posted on X, the leaders focused on addressing the root causes of the conflict, emphasizing the importance of the Luanda and Nairobi processes for regional peace and stability.
Lourenço, mediating between Rwanda and DR Congo, previously hosted Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi on February 27 to address the same crisis.
The meeting responds to calls from various governments and international organizations urging a return to negotiations to prevent the crisis from escalating into a regional conflict.
Despite diplomatic efforts, the Congolese government has been criticized for prioritizing military operations over peace processes.
Tshisekedi accuses Rwanda of supporting M23 rebels, as claim which Kigali denies.
Meanwhile, Rwanda points fingers at the Congolese armed forces for integrating the FDLR, a UN-sanctioned militia linked to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
In a recent meeting in Addis Ababa on February 16, regional leaders, led by Lourenço, resolved to revive the stagnant Luanda process, acknowledging the escalating conflict’s potential regional impact.
Kagame emphasized that addressing the FDLR’s integration into the Congolese army is crucial for a lasting solution. Rwanda also expressed concerns about the deployment of the SADC regional force in DR Congo.
The FDLR, formed in 2000 with Congolese political and military support, poses a threat to both DR Congo and Rwanda.
Despite a Congolese army order in November 2023 to cease contact with the FDLR, the group remained integrated, causing tension between the two nations.
The FDLR has not only jeopardized DR Congo’s security but has also launched attacks on Rwanda for over two decades.
The volatile eastern DR Congo, home to more than 130 armed groups, continues to be a hotspot of violence despite multiple intervention attempts spanning nearly 30 years.
They include a resolution on the government work report, a revised Organic Law of the State Council, a resolution on the work report of the NPC Standing Committee, a resolution on the work report of the Supreme People’s Court and a resolution on the work report of the Supreme People’s Procuratorate.
Lawmakers also approved the 2024 plan for national economic and social development along with the central budget for 2024.
Presiding over the closing meeting on March 11, 2024, Zhao Leji, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, highlighted the successful nature of the meetings, with deputies consolidating their understanding.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) amidst the ongoing implementation of tasks outlined in the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025).
Zhao emphasized the importance of implementing the tasks set by the NPC session and striving to realize this year’s economic and social development goals.
Additionally, he stressed the need for implementation of people-centered philosophy of development, developing whole-process people’s democracy, and respecting the wishes of the people.
Zhao also called for continuous efforts to build China into a stronger country and rejuvenate the Chinese nation on all fronts through pursuing Chinese modernization.
President Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders attended the meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
The second session of the 14th NPC, which concluded today, commenced on Tuesday, March 4, 2024.
For several days, Burundi has been claiming that Rwanda refuses to transfer individuals suspected of being involved in the attempt to overthrow its government in May 2015.
Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye even went so far as to assert that these individuals constitute the “core” of the armed group RED Tabara, responsible for recent attacks in the provinces of Bujumbura and Bubanza, an allegation denied by Kigali.
Rwanda justifies its refusal to extradite these Burundians by their status as refugees, protected by international law.
In an interview with Primo Media Rwanda, Mukuralinda explained that the two countries have not concluded any extradition treaties or agreements on the exchange of criminal suspects.
He also noted that many Rwandans fled to Burundi after participating in the Genocide against the Tutsi in 1994 in Rwanda, just as 16 Burundians had taken part in the genocide.
“Rwanda wanted to conclude an agreement on the exchange of criminal suspects with Burundi, but the latter rejected this request,” said the deputy spokesperson.
Mukuralinda emphasized that while Burundi cannot expel its citizens, it is still responsible for investigating and bringing them to justice. However, this responsibility has simply not been fulfilled.
Regarding Burundians involved in the attempted coup who are currently in Rwanda, the spokesperson explained that the Burundian administration had withdrawn from ongoing talks on this issue.
Mukuralinda explained that several reasons justify why an exiled crime suspect cannot be extradited immediately, including ongoing case examination, their legal refugee status, and their appeal against the decision to return them to the country they fled from. This was therefore the subject of discussion between Rwanda and Burundi.
“These are the topics we were discussing, but the Burundians are not telling us why they decided to withdraw from the talks,” Mukuralinda lamented.
According to the Rwandan Prosecutor General’s Office, not less than 1,148 fugitives accused of serious crimes, some of whom are hosted in neighboring countries like Burundi, are currently evading justice.
This month-long celebration is not only a time to reflect on the progress made towards gender equality but also an opportunity to acknowledge the challenges women have faced and continue to face.
Let us delve into the rich history of Women’s Month and explore the remarkable journey that has led us to this moment.
{{Early beginnings}}
The roots of Women’s Month can be traced back to the early 20th century.
In 1909, the first National Women’s Day was observed in the United States, as women rallied for better working conditions, the right to vote, and equal pay.
This event marked a significant step forward in the pursuit of women’s rights.
{{International recognition}}
Women’s Month originated from the observance of International Women’s Day, which was first celebrated on March 8, 1911. The idea of dedicating a specific day to honor women’s achievements gained international recognition during the International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen in 1910.
German activist Clara Zetkin proposed that International Women’s Day be recognized as an international holiday, and all 17 countries in attendance agreed.
Europeans began recognizing International Women’s Day on March 18, 1911, while Americans continued to rally for Women’s Day on the last Sunday in February until the 1970s
{{Evolution into Women’s Month}}
The concept of Women’s Month evolved from Women’s History Week, which was first celebrated in Santa Rosa, California, in 1978.
The Education Task Force of the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women organized the event to increase awareness of women’s contributions to society. The organizers selected the week of March 8 to correspond with International Women’s Day.
Over the next few years, other cities across the United States joined Santa Rosa in celebrating Women’s History Week. In 1980, U.S. President Jimmy Carter declared the week of March 8 as National Women’s History Week, urging everyone in the United States to participate.
The aim was to recognize the vital contributions of women throughout history that often went unnoticed or unsung. In 1987, Congress passed Public Law 100-9, designating March as Women’s History Month, and since then, U.S. presidents have issued annual proclamations designating March as Women’s History Month
{{Women’s Month Today}}
Today, Women’s Month is celebrated by numerous countries around the world, each with their own unique events, initiatives, and campaigns. It has become a platform to raise awareness about gender inequality, promote women’s rights, and highlight the achievements of women in various fields.
Throughout Women’s Month, organizations, communities, and individuals come together to honor the extraordinary women who have paved the way for progress. It is a time to acknowledge the accomplishments of trailblazers, activists, and leaders who have fought tirelessly for gender equality, challenging societal norms and breaking barriers.
Moreover, Women’s Month is an opportunity to shed light on the ongoing struggles women face. It serves as a reminder that despite significant advancements, there is still work to be done to achieve true equality in all aspects of life, whether it be in the workplace, politics, education, or personal freedoms.
Women’s Month stands as a testament to the strength, resilience, and indomitable spirit of women throughout history. It is a time to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women, while also acknowledging the challenges they have faced.
As we continue to progress towards a more inclusive and equitable society, let us use this month as a catalyst for change, ensuring that every day becomes a celebration of women’s achievements and a commitment to their rights.
The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has emerged as a prominent example of collaborative development efforts, serving as a crucial platform for mutual growth and connectivity.
Within 23 years, Chinese companies have undertaken awe-inspiring infrastructure projects in Africa.
They have undertaken awe-inspiring infrastructure projects in Africa where they have constructed or upgraded more than 10,000 kilometers of railways, nearly 100,000 kilometers of roads, approximately 1,000 bridges, and 100 ports.
These transformative projects have not only enhanced trade, but they have also created millions of jobs, breathing new life into African communities.
In a bid to continue charting the course, another important milestone was reached last week when African and Chinese Think Tanks endorsed the document known as the ‘China-Africa Dar es Salaam Consensus’ – the “Consensus Among African and Chinese Think Tanks on Deepening Global Development Cooperation.”
It was issued following consultation from both sides during the 13th Meeting of the China-Africa Think Tanks Forum which was held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on March 8.
This document calls on the international community to deepen development cooperation in accordance with the principles of mutual respect, solidarity, cooperation, openness for mutual benefit, and shared prosperity.
The consensus seeks, among other things, to encourage countries to collaborate towards modernization and foster a community with a shared future for humanity.
It comprises eight specific agreements, prioritizing development, global multipolarity, economic globalization, international financial reform, sustainable development, endogenous development momentum, global security development, and knowledge sharing for development.
These agreements provide significant guidance and principles for human development, with a lasting impact on deepening China-Africa cooperation and global development collaboration.
The release of the “Africa-China Dar es Salaam Consensus” comes at an opportune moment especially in a new era where human society requires increased interdependence, greater wisdom, and a broader consensus in knowledge and ideology.
Speaking to journalists during a virtual press conference on Sunday, a Chinese scholar on global development who has participated in the China-Africa Think Tanks Forum meetings, acknowledged the imperative need for global and domestic stability to pave the way for prosperous collaborations.
Prof. Ling, who once served as the Senior Vice President and the Chief Economist of World Bank, underscored the importance of knowledge sharing, particularly from the Global South, in fostering a collective understanding of successes, failures, and pathways to realizing shared dreams.
Moreover, Prof. Ling, Professor Lin underscored the necessity of financial support, access to domestic and international markets, and infrastructural improvements to bolster Africa’s economic landscape.
Hosted by the Secretariat of the Chinese Follow-up Committee of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), the 13th Meeting of the China-Africa Think Tanks Forum attracted more than 300 people.
These include representatives of international organizations in Tanzania, diplomatic envoys, government officials, think tank scholars, media reporters, and entrepreneurs from China and 49 African countries.
The China-Africa Think Tank Forum is among one of the most significant sub-forums within the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
Over the past 15 years, a total of 15 international academic exchange activities, including thirteen China-Africa Think Tank Forums and the inaugural China-Africa Think Tank and Media Seminar, have been successively held in both China and African countries.
The decision was made during an extraordinary congress held at the RPF-Inkotanyi headquarters in Rusororo, Kigali, attended by over 2,000 party cadres on Saturday, March 9.
The party’s list of flag-bearers for both presidential and parliamentary elections, scheduled for July, will soon be shared with the Electoral Commission. Kagame, aged 66, has been Rwanda’s president since 2000 and was re-elected in 2017 with over 98 percent of the vote.
During the congress, the party reviewed the implementation of its 2017-2024 manifesto and adopted a new five-year plan for its candidates.
RPF’s Secretary General, Wellars Gasamagera, highlighted the party’s achievements in economic development, social welfare, and infrastructure despite challenges like the Covid-19 pandemic.
Gasamagera outlined improvements in economic growth, infrastructure, education, and healthcare, emphasizing the party’s commitment to the national Vision 2050 for sustainable development. He also mentioned plans to focus on green transportation, AI-driven economic growth, and education quality.
Speaking at the congress, RPF’s Vice Chairperson, Uwimana Consolée, expressed gratitude for the party’s achievements over the past three decades, recalling personal experiences and thanking Kagame for his leadership.
In his acceptance speech, Kagame expressed gratitude for the party’s trust and acknowledged the weight of leading the nation, likening it to a “shock absorber” against daily challenges. He emphasized the importance of mindset in facing these challenges.
The selection of Kagame as the RPF’s flag-bearer sets the stage for the 2024 elections, with the party aiming to continue its efforts towards national development and improving the quality of life for all Rwandans.
However, in a recent interview with IGIHE in Berlin, Germany, Weck shared a change of heart.
After three decades and witnessing Rwanda’s remarkable progress from afar, he expressed a keen interest in revisiting the nation. His reflection came while attending the International Tourism Exhibition (ITB-Berlin 2024), an event where Rwanda showcased its developments.
Weck recalled the despair he observed in 1994, doubting Rwanda could ever rehabilitate its image.
The sights of devastation and loss marked the lowest point in his 40-year media career.
“I saw many bodies in rivers; it was humanity at its darkest,” he recounted.
This led him to swear off not only Rwanda but the entire African continent, fearing the atrocities could be a common sight elsewhere.
However, Weck acknowledges the transformative power of determined governance and community resilience.
Rwanda, once ravaged by hopelessness, now stands as a testament to recovery and unity, attracting tourists worldwide. “I’ve visited over 140 countries since 1994, yet I’m captivated by Rwanda’s transformation,” he said.
What particularly moved him were the strides Rwanda has made, defying his earlier resolution never to return. He now views Rwanda as a beacon of progress and unity, often referred to as the “Switzerland of Africa.”
Weck is now eager to witness Rwanda’s evolution firsthand and potentially document the experience. He has initiated conversations with Rwandan tourism officials to facilitate his visit, aiming to share Rwanda’s success story with his audience back home.
