According to the East African, EACRF Commander, Maj-Gen Jeff Nyagah made the disclosure as he addressed a press briefing in Goma on 18th April 2023.
“We have no evidence that Burundi EAC contingent engaged the M23 because to our understanding, Sake has been verified as an area that M23 vacated,” he said.
However, Gen Nyagah said it is true that there was an incident in an area called Jerusalem, 13 kilometres from Sake, where a Burundi contingent on patrol came under attack.
He underscored Burundian troops conducted themselves in a very professional way where they were able to capture seven members of armed group.
The suspects were handed over to the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism for processing, with the involvement of the DRC government.
Nyagah expressed his confidence in the EACRF’s ability to work with the DRC government and the international community to achieve long-term peace in the region.
On behalf of the RDF Chief of Defence Staff, the Head of Peace Support Operations of Rwanda Defence Force, Brig Gen JB Ngiruwonsanga emphasized that the workshop will allow participants to share their reflections and practical examples that could inform their next course of action.
“It is proven that mounting an effective international response effort can make an enormous difference in reducing human suffering,” he said.
The ICRC Head of Operations in Rwanda and Uganda, Mr Martin Agure said that “warfare keeps evolving and there are many trends that the ICRC follows in order to understand their impact on civilians and to adapt its response accordingly. Today, wars involve a proliferation of actors working together through overlapping alliances, proxies, and support relationships. And working by, with and through partners is likely to remain a blueprint for military engagement.”
The workshop provides a platform for expert exchanges between military practitioners, humanitarians and academic experts on measures that can be taken in designing and implementing PMO to enhance protection of civilians and respect for international humanitarian law/the law of armed conflict, with a particular focus on the ways and means that partners have to influence each other.
Participants in the workshop include serving or retired military officers (primarily colonel/brigadier general rank), as well as civilian experts and ICRC staff.
The Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) in charge of Operations, Vincent Sano, on Tuesday, April 18, briefed the two contingents set to be deployed, at the General Headquarters at Kacyiru.
Rwanda FPU1-9 contingent of 140 officers under the command of Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Venant Rubayiza, will replace FPU1-8 in Bangui.
Rwanda FPU2-8 of 180 officers commanded by CSP Jean Bosco Rudasingwa will also replace Rwanda FPU2-7 in Kaga Bandoro, more than 300kms from the capital Bangui.
DIGP Sano reiterated the readiness of the contingents and urged them to work with passion, commitment and resilience while upholding Rwandan values and in accordance with the UN principles.
“Based on your policing experience, training, commitment and passion; the leadership of RNP and the country has no doubt, you are up to the task,” DIGP Sano told the officers.
He challenged them to always be more than ready for any urgent peacekeeping mission tasks.
Other Rwandan Police contingents that served in CAR since 2014, DIGP Sano said, they were exceptional and that the same feat is expected of them.
“Think about how you are going as a contingent with one mission; to ensure the safety of the people and their property.
We have high expectations on how you will execute your mandate and coming back with the same dignity,” the Deputy Police Chief said.
He added: “When you operate as a team, you succeed together; when one does something wrong, it affects all. Discipline, teamwork, readiness, respect are all key to your mission success.”
DIGP Sano further urged them to relate well and work with other peacekeepers, support the local people in humanitarian and human security activities, and respect diversity.
“The guiding rule is that you are well trained and professional Police officers.
Maintain what you were trained and deployed to do. Represent your country and institution ably.”
He also emphasized force protection and discipline, being innovative, proper handling of equipment, and maintaining sanitation and hygiene.
“You are leaving with high morale; maintain the same spirit throughout your tour-of-duty. We want to see you back home safe, smiling, strong and healthy.”
Rwanda maintains four Police contingents under MINUSCA. Two other contingents; FPU-3 of 180 officers operates in Bangassou, about 725 kms South East of the capital while a Protection Support Unit (PSU) charged with ensuring protection of high profile government and UN officials, operates in Bangui.
“A 24-hour truce has been accepted after communication with friendly countries and the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken,” Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, the RSF commander, said on his Twitter account on Tuesday
The Sudanese army, meanwhile, said in a statement that it was “not aware of any coordination with the mediators and the international community about a truce, and the announcement by the rebellion of a 24-hour truce tends to cover up the crushing defeat it is about to receive within hours.”
The violent clashes renewed on Tuesday morning around the vicinity of the Sudanese army command and the presidential palace, Khartoum International Airport, and around some RSF bases south of the capital Khartoum, according to eyewitnesses.
Sudan has been witnessing armed clashes between the Sudanese army and the RSF in Khartoum and other areas outside the capital since April 15, with the two sides accusing each other of initiating the conflict.
The tension between the two military forces has escalated since Wednesday in the Merowe region in northern Sudan, after the RSF moved military vehicles to a location near the military air base there, a move that the army considered illegal.
Deep differences have emerged between the Sudanese army and the RSF, particularly regarding the latter’s integration into the army as stipulated in a framework agreement signed between military and civilian leaders on Dec. 5, 2022
According to Business Traveller, the service will operate thrice weekly starting on June 27, departing Kigali on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 00:30 and arriving in Paris at 09:30.
On the same days, the return flight will leave Paris at 21:30, arriving in Kigali at 06:00 the next day.
The carrier’s new route will be the only non-stop service connecting Rwanda and France, complementing the current non-stop flights to London Heathrow.
As part of the airline’s growth plan, it aims to increase its fleet size over the next five years and establish a new base at Bugesera International Airport.
The airport’s first phase is projected to open in 2026, and RwandAir is also examining the possibility of joining the Oneworld alliance.
The CEO of RwandAir, Yvonne Makolo has told Business Traveller that the direct flight to Paris is a significant development for the airline’s expansion and a testament to the importance of the French-Rwandan relationship, connecting two continents via its home hub in Kigali.
She added that French travellers can anticipate a warm welcome onboard.
Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame visited Benin on 15th and 16th April 2023 at the invitation of Talon.
During his stay in Benin, Kagame also invited his counterpart to visit Rwanda.
Beninese Presidency has announced that the visit is aimed at cementing existing bilateral ties.
Kagame was accompanied by officials including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vincent Biruta; Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr. Jean Chrysostome Ngabitsinze; Minister of Environment, Dr. Jeanne D’Arc Mujawamariya and CEO of Rwanda Development Board (RDB), Clare Akamanzi among others.
At the occasion, both countries signed carious cooperation agreements in the areas of ICT, tourism, investment, trade, agriculture, local government and security cooperation.
He made the disclosure on Monday evening as he began his visit to the Western Africa country.
“Every country on our continent has challenges. In Rwanda, we have our own challenges. In Guinea there are challenges. Working together there is no challenge we can’t address,” stated Kagame
Kagame who was received by the Transitional President, Colonel Mamadi Doumbouya upon arrival in Conakry disclosed that he had a wish to visit the country for long and expressed optimism for productive discussions between both countries’ delegations.
President Doumbouya commended his counterpart of Rwanda for the visit noting that it is a great privilege to welcome him in the Republic of Guinea.
In October 2022, President Kagame received Ousmane Gaoual Diallo, the Minister of ICT of the Republic of Guinea, who delivered a message from Colonel Mamadi Doumbouya.
President Kagame last visited Guinea in April 2017 to attend the African Union Summit, having also visited the country in March 2016.
During his 2016 visit, Kagame was warmly received in Conakry and awarded the Grand Croix, the highest honor that can be bestowed upon an individual by the Guinean government.
The Republic of Guinea-Conakry, located in West Africa, has its capital in Conakry. As of 2013, the country’s population was approximately 13.5 million.
The Head of State made the remarks in Guinea-Bissau where he arrived on Monday 17th April 2023 for a one-day working visit.
During his visit, President Kagame who was conferred with the Amílcar Cabral Medal, the highest distinction in Guinea-Bissau. The Amílcar Cabral Medal is attributed to the heads of state of countries that are friends of the country.
He expressed deep appreciation for the honour bestowed on him noting that it is a privilege for him and the country.
On the same day, President Kagame disclosed that he had productive discussions with his counterpart, Umaro Mokhtar Sissoco Embaló where Rwanda and Guinea-Bissau are working together to build a solid foundation for cooperation that will benefit their citizens.
He highlighted that human resource remains the most important one for Rwanda and Guinea-Bissau as well as the entire African continent.
“Like the rest of Africa, the most important resource Rwanda and Guinea-Bissau possess is a young population. Our duty is to ensure stability that allows us to create enabling environments for our youth to utilize their skills, and reach their full potential,” said Kagame.
He appreciated Umaro’s efforts as chair of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) that he applies to regional stability and elsewhere on the continent.
Rwanda and Guinea-Bissau enjoy long-standing relations where both countries have cooperation in the areas of trade, education, tourism and air transport.
Kagame also stressed the need for African countries to deepen their collaboration and reiterated commitment to boost cooperation with Guinea.
“Indeed, at a time where multilateralism is facing multiple challenges, Africa needs to work even more closely together on the issues that matter most to our people.
We will continue working to strengthen friendship and collaboration between Rwanda and Guinea-Bissau,” he affirmed.
Police recovered over Rwf1.4 million from the suspect, who was arrested the following day on April 16, in his home village of Akabukara, Umubuga cell of Ruramira sector in Kayonza District.
On Monday, April 17, Police handed over the recovered money to the rightful owner, Antoinette Nyirakanani, at the Police metropolitan offices in Gasabo District.
Nyirakanani said that earlier on Saturday, she withdrew Frw2 million from the bank and kept it in the shop.
“The money was in the drawer, so I went outside to talk to a client and left my casual employee (suspect) in the shop. When I went back in the shop, the money was gone and my employee was nowhere to be seen; I immediately reported the theft to the police,” Nyirakanani said after receiving part of her money.
She thanked Rwanda National Police (RNP) for the efforts to recover her money, which she said that I would have been a big loss in her business.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Sylvestre Twajamahoro, the Police spokesperson for the City of Kigali, said that the suspect fled to Kayonza District after stealing the money.
“The District Police units worked together to locate and arrest him on Sunday, April 16. At the time, he was found with Frw1,430,000. He had used the other part of the money to buy a smartphone, clothes, shoes and a traveling bag, which were also seized,” CIP Twajamahoro said.
He advised the young people not to waste their energy and time in such criminal activities.
CIP Twajamahoro also urged traders not to keep big sums of money in shops, home or cars.
Article 166 of law determining offences and penalties in general states that; any person convicted of theft is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than one (1) year and not more than two (2) years and a fine of not less than Rwf1 million and not more than Rwf2 million, community service in a period of six (6) months or only one of these penalties.
In article 167, the penalty for theft doubles if the offender committed the crime through burglary, climbing or possession of keys other than the owner; the theft is carried out during the night or the theft is carried out by more than one (1) person.
