Since 2020, the Rwandan soldiers have played a pivotal role in ensuring the security of the capital. Patrolling the streets of Bangui, these troops, equipped with armored vehicles, conduct security checks to maintain the tranquility of the city.
Their presence is notably evident in commercial areas where locals continue to sell their products unhindered. Whether offering delectable chicken meat or managing bars and stalls with a variety of items, business carries on smoothly.
The positive impact of this heightened security resonates among the residents. During interviews with IGIHE, a motorcycle taxi driver, a kiosk vendor, and a passerby expressed a sense of peace, engaging in their nighttime activities without concerns.
The motorcycle taxi driver shared a poignant personal story, recounting how he had to flee to Cameroon in 2013 during the turmoil that claimed his father’s life. It was only with the return of security that he could come back and pursue a career as a motorcycle taxi driver.
He acknowledges the reassuring presence of Rwandan soldiers, particularly between 9 PM and 10 PM, contributing significantly to the city’s safety.
Claude, another resident, acknowledges the improvements in recent years thanks to the security control activities of the Rwandan military. However, he emphasizes that specific areas require increased attention due to the presence of security-threatening groups, including former members of armed groups like Séléka, who joined François Bozizé’s CPC.
Despite these challenges, nightlife in Bangui continues to flourish. A money transfer service trader attested to the thriving business, especially during weekends. He revealed that in a week, he can process money transfers of up to 150,000 CFA on his phone, while small merchants can earn up to 200,000 CFA from their stalls.
The nighttime scene in Bangui reflects a delicate balance between rebirth and vigilance. The unmistakable presence of the Rwandan army has undeniably contributed to the city’s stabilization, allowing residents to engage in their nighttime pursuits with a newfound sense of serenity.
Rwanda, a notable participant in this conference, showcased its commitment to advancing women’s land rights. The overarching theme of this year’s CLPA was “Promoting Sustainable Land Governance in Africa for Accelerating Implementation of the AfCFTA” – the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Leontine Kanziemo, Advisor at the African Natural Resources Management and Investment Centre, emphasized the significance of the AU’s 2016 campaign aiming to allocate 30 percent of land to African women by 2025. She viewed this as a catalyst for Africa’s economic transformation, stressing the importance of continued government investment in supporting women farmers.
Investing in agriculture, according to Kanziemo, means enabling women farmers to overcome obstacles, build capacity, and access markets. Research shared at the conference revealed that women constitute a significant portion of cross-border traders, comprise 50 percent of the agricultural labor force along the value chain, and represent 90 percent of the labor force in Africa’s informal sector – a sector contributing 85 percent to the continent’s total economic activity.
The prevailing suggestion is that integrating women’s land rights into the AfCFTA represents a pivotal opportunity to advance gender equality, empower women economically, and foster sustainable development in Africa. By addressing the unique challenges faced by women in accessing and owning land, the AfCFTA can create an enabling environment for women entrepreneurs, facilitate their participation in cross-border trade, and contribute to poverty reduction and inclusive growth.
Rwanda’s success story in this realm is attributed to the implementation of reforms that grant women equal rights to own and use land. Officials stress that it’s not just about establishing national legal frameworks but also aligning them with international human rights standards and enforcing them effectively to protect women’s land rights.
Dr. Didier Milindi Rugema, a Rwandan specialist in land administration and management, who was also a member of the scientific committee that organized the CLPA2023. emphasized the need for ongoing monitoring of implementation on the ground to ensure women truly benefit from their rights.
Dr. Monica Elias Mhoja, Landesa Outreach Director-Africa, proposed specific measures to support women’s land rights further. This includes creating safe spaces for women, documenting their issues, providing legal aid, and sensitizing communities on women’s rights to own land. Addressing social issues such as women’s land rights, HIV/AIDS infections, the status of single women, and women’s ability to work and be breadwinners for the family is also crucial.
The call has been made for more African countries to follow suit, ensuring that women’s land rights are fully integrated into the AfCFTA’s policies, programs, and implementation mechanisms.
This move is not only perceived as benefiting women but is also seen as contributing to the overall success and sustainability of the AfCFTA and accelerating Africa’s broader development agenda.
The ceremony that took place at Bangui’s Camp Kassaï was presided over by Prof. Faustin Archange Touadera, the President of Central African Republic and was attended by Maj Gen Wilson Gumisiriza, RDF Mechanised Division Commander on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff.
In a statement to the media after the ceremony, President Touadera thanked his counterpart, Paul Kagame and Rwanda Defence for their support to stabilize Central African Republic.
Speaking during the event, the Rwandan Bilateral Contingent Commander, Col Alphonse Gahima said that the new soldiers were trained to become professionals and change makers in their country.
“I want to point out that the discipline, bravery, enthusiasm and stamina you’ve shown throughout your training are very reassuring for the work you’re about to do. For our part, as Instructors, we will continue to provide you with the support you need, to facilitate your learning and enable you to become professional soldiers worthy of the name, as requested by the leadership of FACA and RDF,” said Col Gahima.
Rwandan troops first deployed to CAR in January 2014. Rwanda now has more than 2,000 soldiers serving in CAR under the UN Peacekeeping mission. Rwanda also maintains more than 1000 soldiers deployed in CAR under bilateral agreement.
The Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) Prize competition, in its fifth consecutive year, is a philanthropic initiative sponsored by the Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Philanthropy.
Munyabugingo, among the ten finalists, was selected from a pool of over 27,000 applicants spanning all 54 African nations after months of meticulous evaluation by a panel of esteemed judges.
The finalists represented eight countries: Rwanda, Benin, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, and South Africa.
Munyabugingo, is one of ten African entrepreneurs who will share a grant of US$1.5 million from ABH. The grand finale, coinciding with the celebration of ABH’s fifth anniversary, saw three entrepreneurs from Egypt, Kenya, and Nigeria emerge as the top winners of the 2023 grants.
The grand prize of $300,000 went to Dr. Ikpeme Neto, the CEO and founder of Wellahealth Technologies in Nigeria. The first runner-up, Thomas Njeru, CEO and co-founder of Kenyan agriculture company Pula Advisors Limited, secured $250,000. The second runner-up, Ayman Bazaraa, CEO and co-founder of Egyptian education and training company Sprints, received $150,000.
In addition to Munyaneza, the other seven innovators were awarded $100,000 each. Notable among them are Bola Bardet, CEO and co-founder of Susu, a Beninese healthcare company; Ismael Belkhayat, CEO and founder of Moroccan fintech company Chari; and Mohammed Ali, founder and CEO of Egyptian electrical company iLock.
The list also includes Sierra Leonean Nthabiseng Mosia, co-founder of energy distributing company Easy Solar, and Theo Baloyi, CEO and founder of South African retail company Bathu, along with Christina Mawuse Gyisun, CEO and co-founder of Sommalife, a Ghanaian agriculture enterprise.
Since 2019, six Rwandan entrepreneurs have received a total of $485,000 in funding from the Alibaba initiative.
These include Albert Munyabugingo, founder of Vuba Vuba; Francine Munyaneza, founder of Munyax Eco; Yvette Ishimwe, founder and CEO of IRIBA Water Group; Christelle Kwizera, founder of Water Access Rwanda; and Kevine Kagirimpundu, co-founder and CEO of UZURI K&Y.
The intervention was prompted by the formation of the armed group Séléka in the North, whose coup attempts had failed. Initially part of the African Union mission (MISCA), the RDF later integrated into the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), assuming expanded responsibilities that included protecting civilians, UN infrastructure, and the head of state and his family.
In 2020, a bilateral agreement facilitated the deployment of Rwandan military reinforcements to CAR. Brigadier General Ronald Rwivanga, spokesperson for the Rwandan Defense Force, highlighted the positive developments during an exclusive interview with IGIHE.
Rwandan journalists, visiting CAR, observed the tangible improvements made by the RDF, particularly in a school in the city of Bangui’s Kina district.
The positive impact of RDF’s efforts on the ground became evident as they witnessed the resurgence of education. For instance, the Kina primary school, once affected by conflict, now accommodates over 2,400 students, symbolizing restored confidence among parents and a return to normalcy.
Beyond combating insecurity, the RDF has actively contributed to broader aspects of security and community well-being. Health centers, including three maternity centers, were established, and various community initiatives have been successfully executed.
In response to IGIHE’s inquiry about collaboration, Brig Gen Rwivanga outlined the synergy between the RDF troops deployed under the UN and those sent through bilateral cooperation.
While UN forces focus on protecting civilians and ending armed conflicts, Rwandan forces under bilateral cooperation initially confronted specific threats, such as François Bozizé’s forces in 2020.
Their role expanded to securing the population, peacekeeping, and crucially, enhancing the capabilities of the Central African Armed Forces.
When asked about the mission’s duration, Brig Gen Rwivanga emphasized a flexible approach, citing ongoing training efforts to empower Central African forces for autonomous defense. Despite acknowledging the impossibility of ensuring absolute security everywhere, he reassured that the overall security situation in the country remains stable.
Addressing concerns about insurgents, Brig Gen Rwivanga reported that groups like Anti-Balaka and Séléka, though dispersed, are actively being located and disarmed as part of the RDF’s ongoing initiative.
In the heart of the mission, the RDF stands as a beacon of hope, contributing significantly to the restoration of peace and security in the Central African Republic.
The call was made on Thursday at the 2023 Conference on Land Policy in Africa at the African Union (AU) headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopian capital.
The conference discussed the implementation of cross-border land policies and ways to address conflicts arising from the movement of pastoral communities across the continent.
Hubert Ouedraogo, one of the speakers and land policy experts in Burkina Faso, said the pastoral communities in Africa are under threat due to dwindling pastoral resources and widespread conflicts as they cross borders searching for pasture land and water bodies.
“The continental frameworks, regional protocols and conventions as well as cross-border legislations have been poorly or not implemented and failed to address problems faced by pastoral communities in Africa,” Ouedraogo said.
According to figures released at the conference, the population of pastoral communities in Africa is 265 million.
Ouedraogo urged African governments and regional economic communities to promote the continental land agenda and work on the implementation of those frameworks and conventions or adopt new ones that will bring about lasting solutions.
Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) expert and one of the speakers Esther Obaikol said pastoral communities in Africa are facing conflicts as they go deeper and deeper into neighboring countries in search of water and pasture.
She said the conflicts are on the rise due to the impact of climate change and drought.
“Climate change has exacerbated conflict and that has led to a lot of instability in terms of resource sharing, and African governments and regional communities as well as civil society organizations should find common cross-border solutions to the movement of people and the movement of cattle across the continent,” Obaikol said.
According to the expert, new protocols aimed at establishing cross-border land policies, finding alternative conflict solutions and sharing resources among the pastoral communities across borders are nearing ratification by AU and regional blocs.
The United Nations House is intended to house the 34 UN agencies based in Senegal. UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed and Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, who is on an official visit to Senegal, were present at the ceremony.
“This inauguration ceremony of the United Nations House once again marks the renewed attention of our country to the United Nations, which embodies the ideal of peace and the aspiration of peoples to collaborate for a better world,” Sall said during the inauguration ceremony.
Mohammed said that the United Nations House is an expression of the common vision on cooperation between Senegal and the United Nations to push for a future of peace and unity for the Senegalese people.
She made the remarks during the annual symposium organized by the Rwanda Institute of Architects (RIA) on November 21, 2023. This event, a convergence of diverse stakeholders aimed to explore and innovate the construction landscape in Rwanda while underscoring the critical importance of environmental conservation.
In her address, Fatima emphasized Mr. Roof’s dual commitment; not only to delivering enduring products to society but also recognizing the pivotal role companies must play in mitigating environmental pollution stemming from construction activities.
The United Nations Environment Program’s (UNEP) recent report, featured in its GlobalABC annual overview of the world’s buildings and construction sector, underscored the alarming reality that 39% of emissions in the construction sector in 2021 were substantial.
The International Energy Agency, ranking the construction sector as the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, further highlighted its significant contribution to climate change, following the energy and transportation sectors.
Against this backdrop, Fatima passionately advocated for a paradigm shift within the construction industry towards sustainable solutions. “We have actively explored ways to contribute by providing modern and environmentally friendly construction materials,” she stated. “Our roofs and sheets are meticulously measured to meet customer needs, minimizing waste and leftovers.”
Fatima also shed light on Mr. Roof’s innovative approach to reducing emissions from transportation. The lightweight and durable nature of their roofing materials not only enhances longevity and aesthetics but also contributes to cost reduction in transportation, requiring fewer vehicles.
During the meeting, Mr. Roof unveiled an exciting initiative—a reward system for subscribers to their newsletter, named ‘Mr. Roof Newsletter.’ Subscribers stand a chance to win prizes such as 200 square meters of roofing sheets valued at Rwf 2.5 million, a voucher worth Rwf 300,000 for IngCo construction materials at the Lighthouse Store, and a ticket for two at the Kigali Lounge valued at Rwf 100,000. Winners will be announced on Mr. Roof’s social media platform later this week.
Specializing in the manufacturing of modern lightweight steel roofs, Mr. Roof sets itself apart with its unique ‘Self Lock’ roofing sheets. These sheets, characterized by a distinctive shape and structure, require interlocking for enhanced durability and aesthetic appeal. Notably, the lightweight design facilitates easy removal and relocation from one house to another, adding a versatile dimension to sustainable construction practices.
The evaluation framework is structured around three pivotal pillars. The first pillar, contributing significantly to the Human Development Index, meticulously assesses healthcare, education, and the overall well-being of the population. Additionally, this pillar takes into account dedicated programs aimed at enhancing various social aspects of life.
The second pillar hones in on economic factors, scrutinizing trade development, investment facilitation, and legal frameworks within the country. The third pillar revolves around good governance, evaluating the efficiency of public services, the treatment of public servants, the establishment of laws and policies, and the government’s commitment to enforcement.
Combining the insights gleaned from these pillars, Rwanda distinguished itself by securing the fourth position among the 12 African nations acknowledged for harboring the most prosperous citizens. Noteworthy is Rwanda’s score of 0.534 in the capacity-building category, marked as average on the scale. In economic terms, Rwanda attained a commendable score of 52.20%, while in good governance, it excelled with a score of 61.32%, resulting in an overall impressive score of 56.76%.
The top-ranking countries in this comprehensive report are Mauritius, Botswana, and Seychelles, securing the first, second, and third positions, respectively. Following Rwanda in fifth place is Namibia. Zooming into East Africa, Tanzania holds the ninth spot, while Kenya clinches the tenth position among the 12 nations recognized for nurturing prosperous populations.
Despite these notable improvements, Bangui is still shadowed by persistent rumors of attacks and terrorist threats, disrupting the rhythm of daily life. One particularly disruptive rumor circulated, claiming that opposition fighters had infiltrated the city, leading to a temporary evacuation of the president.
The ensuing panic among the population was later quelled when it was revealed that these fears were unfounded. The current stabilization of Bangui can be largely attributed to the timely intervention of the Rwandan army.
Arriving in January 2014 as part of the African-led International Support Mission in Central Africa (MISCA), these soldiers later joined the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA). Their primary mission was to protect civilians, UN facilities, as well as the head of state and his family, contributing significantly to the city’s security, housing nearly a million people within a 67 km² area.
The Central African Republic, with its five million inhabitants and an area of 622,984 km² mostly covered by forests, witnessed the deployment of Rwandan troops following a conflict that began in 2012. This conflict saw the emergence of the armed group Séléka in the north and a foiled coup attempt, ultimately leading to clashes culminating in Séléka’s takeover of Bangui and the president’s escape.
In response, a predominantly Christian faction in the south formed the Anti-Balaka group. Clashes between these two factions plunged the country into profound chaos, marked by intense fighting, national collapse, massive population displacement, and a humanitarian crisis. Despite numerous peace agreements, lasting stability remained elusive.
{{Over 2,000 Rwandan soldiers under MINUSCA}}
Currently, 2,110 Rwandan soldiers play a crucial role in MINUSCA, with a specific group responsible for protecting the head of state since 2014. This duty is entrusted to highly qualified young men and women from the Rwandan army. A member of this elite unit, assigned to President Touadéra’s security, shared impressions with the media IGIHE: “It’s a demanding commitment where vigilance is required at every moment. Our ability to respond effectively to unforeseen situations is the result of rigorous preparation and the inspiring leadership of our superiors.”
Beyond their close protection mission, these Rwandan soldiers are tasked with securing strategic locations such as the presidential residence and M’poko airport, providing a guarantee of security and stability for the capital. The deployment of these forces has had a notable positive impact on the local economy, encouraging entrepreneurs to resume their activities unhindered. This development has also attracted Rwandan investments to Bangui, particularly in the trade and agriculture sectors, showcasing renewed confidence in the region’s stability.
{{Rwandan special forces in CAR}}
In addition to MINUSCA forces, around 1,200 Rwandan soldiers have been deployed to the Central African Republic since 2020, following a bilateral agreement between the two countries. This initiative is part of strengthened cooperation, including the exchange of security knowledge and trade cooperation.
These special protection troops were deployed at a critical moment when François Bozizé was orchestrating plans to overthrow Touadera’s government. Faced with this period of uncertainty and tension, even the Rwandan army operating under the UN encountered major challenges. Their main mission was to thwart Bozizé’s attempts and ensure the protection of UN mission members.
Their arrival coincided with preparations for the presidential election, which saw President Touadéra’s reelection. After arriving in Bangui, these special protection troops expanded their operation to Sibut, Dékoa, Batangafo, and Kaga Bandoro. On December 21, 2020, President Kagame emphasized the strategic importance of these troops in a press conference. He stated that these soldiers had a distinct mandate from that of the UN, aiming to counter any action disrupting the elections and defending against attacks on Rwandan troops deployed in MINUSCA.
According to President Kagame, the Rwandan army’s intervention aimed to maintain order and ensure the smooth running of democratic processes in response to destabilization attempts. This operation underscores the effectiveness and determination of Rwandan special forces in maintaining peace and stability in the Central African Republic, highlighting their crucial role in complex crisis situations.
{{120 Rwandan military trainers: Forging the future of Central African Defense}}
Within the Rwandan forces deployed in the CAR, 120 military personnel stand out with a specific mission: they are responsible for training the Central African army. This strategic initiative aims to ensure that, even after the withdrawal of Rwandan troops, the Central African forces are perfectly capable of ensuring national security.
The first batch of Central African soldiers trained by the Rwandan Defense Forces (RDF) will complete their training on November 24. This group of 513 soldiers will be ready to take on the country’s security responsibilities, including protecting the population and infrastructure, as well as escorting goods to the borders of Cameroon and Chad, tasks currently performed by RDF soldiers.
Furthermore, Rwandan forces are currently stationed in a strategic area on the border between the Central African Republic and Sudan, specifically in Sam-Ouandja. They play an essential role in monitoring activities that could disrupt security, especially in the Damara region, near the border with Chad.
RDF spokesperson Brigadier General Ronald Rwivanga highlighted the positive impact of this military presence: “Security is omnipresent; residents and foreigners can trade with peace of mind, even late at night. The fear of attacks from the Anti-Balaka or Séléka groups has dissipated.”
In addition, Rwandan military patrols maintain constant surveillance around the city, adopting a similar approach to that implemented in Rwanda to ensure the security and well-being of the population.
