This appointment was officially announced during a cabinet meeting chaired by President Paul Kagame on Thursday, January 25, 2024.
Uwacu has previously served in key positions, including Executive Director overseeing National Unity and Community Resilience at MINUBUMWE, as well as holding the position of Minister of Sports.
The cabinet’s announcements also included the appointment of Emmanuel Bugingo as Rwanda’s Ambassador to Zambia, set to succeed Rugira Amandin upon confirmation. Furthermore, James Ngago has been named as the new Ambassador of Rwanda to Switzerland and the United Nations in Geneva, taking over from Marie Chantal.
In a diplomatic reshuffle, Alison Heather Thorpe has been approved as the High Commissioner of the United Kingdom (UK) and Northern Ireland to Rwanda, succeeding Omar Daair. Lincoln Downer is confirmed as the Ambassador of Jamaica to Rwanda, and Tone Tinnes is approved as the Norwegian Ambassador to Rwanda, based in Dar es Salaam.
Additionally, Adelakin Olugbemiga has been confirmed as the Country Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Rwanda.
The closure disrupts the familiar Ruhwa-Rusizi-Bukavu route, previously used by Burundians and Congolese for various purposes, including commercial activities and medical trips, notably for Congolese seeking treatment in Bujumbura.
With the closure, the new alternative route through Gatumba, Uvira, Kiriba, Kamanyola in Congo, Rusizi in Rwanda, and then Bukavu, is almost three times longer, taking over 8 hours and costing between 60,000 and 80,000 Burundian francs—double the initial cost of the shorter route.
Aside from the increased time and costs, the poor road conditions, marked by potholes, pose significant challenges. Passengers, particularly Congolese seeking medical care in Bujumbura, express dissatisfaction with the discomfort caused by these road conditions.
According to reports, traders, especially those transporting perishable goods, face losses, sometimes being compelled to sell their merchandise en route due to concerns about spoilage during the extended journey.
In response to these difficulties, traders and transporters are urging Burundian authorities to reconsider the border closure, emphasizing the need to facilitate the free movement of goods and people between neighboring countries.
They advocate for discussions and negotiations as the preferred approach to restore diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Judge Joan E. Donoghue, the president of the court, will read out the order at 1 p.m. local time (1200 GMT) during a public sitting at the Peace Palace.
On Dec. 29, 2023, South Africa filed an application to the ICJ for proceedings against Israel, concerning alleged violations by Israel of its obligations under the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide related to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
In this application, South Africa also requested the court to indicate provisional measures in order to “protect against further, severe and irreparable harm to the rights of the Palestinian people under the Genocide Convention,” and “to ensure Israel’s compliance with its obligations under the Genocide Convention not to engage in genocide, and to prevent and to punish genocide.”
During two-day public hearings held earlier this month, South African representatives accused Israel of “deliberate” and “systemic” genocide against Palestinians. Israeli representatives argued that Israel’s military operation in Gaza was an act of self-defense, and denied South Africa’s genocide accusation.
As the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, the ICJ was established by the UN Charter in 1945. It has the power “to indicate, if it considers that circumstances so require, any provisional measures,” while resolving legal disputes between countries. Its judgment is final and without appeal.
Akufo-Addo pledged while opening the 2024 Africa Prosperity Dialogue in Ghana’s Eastern Region, saying the gesture is in line with the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to create a seamless single market on the continent to drive economic growth, job creation, and poverty eradication.
“The government of Ghana is committed to ensuring visa-free entry for all Africans traveling to our country,” Akufo-Addo said such policies are needed throughout the continent to ensure the free movement of people, goods, and services to use trade as a catalyst for economic transformation in Africa.
Akufo-Addo also suggested that the implementation of AfCFTA should be more representative, benefiting different strata of African society.
The Africa Prosperity Dialogue, organized by the AfCFTA Secretariat and the African Prosperity Network, a think tank, serves as an annual platform for Africa’s leadership to engage, forge partnerships, and commit to achieving the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
Doumbouya, who received an official invitation from President Kagame, was accompanied by the First Lady of Guinea, Lauriane Doumbouya.
During the visit, the leaders are expected to engage in fruitful discussions on various topics as per statement from Guinea’s presidency.
This diplomatic exchange follows Kagame’s previous visit to Guinea in April 2023, during which an agreement was signed to establish a joint cooperation committee covering areas such as agriculture, ICT, education, mining, and security.
The significance of President Doumbouya’s trip lies in its potential to strengthen economic and diplomatic relations between Kigali and Conakry.
The statement also emphasizes the joint efforts of both leaders to encourage cooperation, fostering investments, peace, stability, and prosperity in their respective countries.
This visit builds on the foundation laid during Kagame’s earlier visit to Guinea, highlighting the commitment to a continued partnership between Rwanda and Guinea.
China has grown into an indispensable force to drive the development of the world’s clean energy, said the NEA’s Pan Huimin at a press conference.
The briefing was held a day ahead of the first-ever International Day of Clean Energy created by the United Nations.
Clean energy investment abroad by Chinese enterprises has spread across major countries and regions, covering wind, photovoltaic and hydro power, which, on the basis of mutual benefit and win-win results, has assisted the locals in their low-carbon growth, Pan said.
Meanwhile, China continues to promote technological and product innovation, and actively integrates itself into the global clean-energy industrial chain, she added.
China’s wind and photovoltaic power products have been exported to more than 200 countries and regions, helping in part to greatly reduce the costs of electricity generation over the past 10 years, according Pan.
The acquisition, which was finalized on November 17, 2023, marked a strategic move by the National Cement Company to enhance CIMERWA’s production capacity from 270,000 to meet the rising demand in the region.
During a press conference on January 25, 2024, Dr. Narendra Raval emphasized the completion of the $85 million payment for the shares and announced plans for a further investment of $60 million to improve services and advance cement production capabilities. The primary objective is to reduce cement prices in Rwanda, making it accessible for every Rwandan to build their homes.
Dr. Narendra expressed a commitment to elevate CIMERWA to become a source of pride for Rwanda, ensuring that the country no longer relies on cement imports. He highlighted that the shares, acquired at $0.12 each, would likely see an increase in value in the near future.
Addressing the issue of regional competition, Dr. Narendra acknowledged the presence of cement from neighboring countries on the Rwandan market. However, he affirmed that the company’s efforts would gradually phase out imports and contribute to Rwanda’s self-sufficiency in cement production.
Dr. Narendra emphasized the company’s familiarity with the region’s challenges and commended the active leadership of Rwanda’s President in promoting self-sufficiency. Drawing from the success of their efforts in Kenya and Uganda, he pledged to collaborate with the government to ensure Rwanda no longer imports cement, prioritizing the country’s self-sufficiency over immediate profits.
Among others, Dr. Narendra Raval reiterated the company’s dedication to making CIMERWA a symbol of national pride and contributing to Rwanda’s economic resilience by reducing reliance on foreign imports.
This man has been apprehended by the police for asserting responsibility for a fire that claimed the lives of 76 individuals last year. His startling admission occurred during his testimony at an inquiry investigating the causes of the catastrophic blaze in August at a Johannesburg apartment building, one of the nation’s worst disasters.
The unidentified man disclosed that he started the fire while attempting to dispose of the body of a man he had allegedly strangled and beaten to death on the night of the incident. Reportedly, he doused the victim’s body in gasoline and set it ablaze with a match, following instructions from a drug dealer residing in the building.
The police later confirmed the arrest of a 29-year-old man who had confessed to his involvement in the fire during the inquiry. The individual, facing charges of 76 counts of murder, 120 counts of attempted murder, and arson, was not named by the authorities.
The inquiry, established to probe the fire’s potential causes, granted the man anonymity after his testimony, with legal assurances that it could not be used against him in criminal proceedings.
Referred to as “Mr X” by South African media, the man claimed responsibility for igniting the fire that swept through a dilapidated five-story building, causing numerous casualties, including at least 12 children, and leaving over 80 people injured.
The incident drew global attention to Johannesburg’s persisting issue of “hijacked buildings,” taken over by squatters and neglected by authorities. The building in question, owned by the city but under the control of illegal landlords, housed hundreds of impoverished individuals, many of whom were suspected illegal immigrants.
Mr X also testified that the building was a hub of criminal activity, primarily orchestrated by drug dealers. Emergency services officials highlighted the perilous conditions during the fire, emphasizing that most fire escapes were locked or chained shut, exacerbating the tragedy.
Witnesses recounted desperate attempts to escape, including jumping from windows several floors high. The building’s occupants, predominantly immigrants, faced a myriad of challenges, from broken limbs to back injuries.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa initiated the inquiry, which commenced in October, beginning with testimony from emergency services personnel who responded to the early morning blaze on August 31. The acting chief of emergency services in Johannesburg labeled the building a “ticking time bomb,” citing overcrowding, makeshift wooden structures, and the absence of firefighting equipment as contributing factors to the disaster.
In a significant development, the inaugural UK-Rwanda Business Forum, scheduled for January 29-31, 2024, will be jointly hosted by the British High Commission Kigali and the Rwanda Development Board (RDB).
This event aims to bring together senior policymakers and business leaders from both nations, fostering trade and investment. Led by UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Rwanda Lord Popat and His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Africa, John Humphrey, the forum anticipates the participation of over 100 UK investors.
Focused on key sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, financial and professional services, the green economy, infrastructure, and critical minerals, the forum aligns with the Vision 2050 ambitions of Rwanda. It will provide a platform for high-level dialogue, networking, and discussions on business opportunities, offering UK investors insights into Rwanda’s potential.
With a commitment to inclusivity, the forum aims to empower underrepresented groups and showcase female-led businesses.
The event will feature expert keynote addresses, panel discussions, business pitches, case studies, and networking opportunities. Attendees will also have the chance to experience Rwanda’s renowned coffee through a competition and visit sites of interest and thriving businesses.
Through an article run in The East African, British High Commissioner, Omar Daair shed more light on the forum.
Kigali, emerging as a regional and continental hub, is well-connected globally, facilitated by RwandAir with six weekly flights to London. The city has gained prominence in hosting conferences and events, ranking second in Africa for the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector.
Additionally, the country’s infrastructure, marked by extensive mobile phone coverage and a growing fiber optic network, is conducive to business activities.
He continues that the United Kingdom and Rwanda have enjoyed a robust partnership spanning many years.
“Collaborating on various development initiatives, our focus has been on fostering trade, investment, and shared global objectives.
Over the past five years, bilateral trade has surged from $25 million in 2017 to $51 million in 2022, they believe there are significant untapped opportunities for further enhancement. We eagerly anticipate welcoming numerous guests to Kigali and witnessing local businesses exhibit their achievements.”
This official announcement, featured in the Official Gazette on January 23, 2024, emphasizes that the coordinating council, led by the Minister of ICT and Innovation, will supervise the implementation of the digital ID card project.
The composition of this council includes the Minister of Local Government (also the Vice President), the Director General of the National Identity Agency (Secretary), the Minister of Interior, the Minister of Health, the Director General of Immigration and Emigration, and the Chairperson of the Private Sector.
Addressing the challenges of scattered card and personal data storage, the SSDID system for Citizen’s Registration in Social Security ID has been introduced. This digital ID will store essential information such as facial photos, fingerprints, witness photos, names, birthdates, birthplaces, parental details, email addresses, phone numbers, and more.
Users can obtain this ID through traditional card issuance, on mobile devices or computers via a QR Code, and even share it with others. Ingabire Musoni Paula, the Minister of ICT and Innovation, has highlighted that the Rwandan government anticipates the system streamlining the delivery of various services.
The government asserts that the introduction of a new law pertaining to citizen registration through National Identity Card technology will enhance identity verification. This, in turn, is expected to optimize service provision in both the private and public sectors. The ambitious ID system project is set to receive an investment of over Rwf40 billion from the World Bank, with the Ministry of ICT and Innovation estimating a minimum of three years for the entire Rwandan population to obtain their digital identities once funds are secured.
