He has been in the role for two years since 2021 after replacing Rtd Brig Gen Sekamana Damascène who also resigned.
Nizeyimana’s resignation letter was presented to members of FERWAFA on Tuesday 19th April 2023.
“I write this letter to inform you of my decision to resign from the position of FERWAFA President due to personal challenging reasons that make it impossible for me to continue carrying out my duties,” reads the letter in part.
The Head of State made the disclosure during a joint press conference with his counterpart of Guinea Conakry as he concluded his visit to the country aimed to reinforcing bilateral ties.
During his visit to Guinea Conakry, President Kagame met with Doumbouya for a discussion exploring ways to collaborate in areas of mutual interest and witnessed the signing of a joint cooperation agreement.
He also joined his counterpart at the Prytanée Militaire of Guinea where they met with students from across the country’s 33 districts and 5 provinces training to be the next generation of leaders that will transform key sectors in Guinea and attended the inauguration of Kagbélen highway interchange which was named after him.
The agreements are aimed at fostering cooperation in different areas including ICT.
Kagame said that he had a fruitful visit and productive discussions with his counterpart.
“We have had good discussions today and our teams have also held fruitful talks. I commend the ongoing synergyies across areas of common interest in pour two countries. The friendship and determination to work together for the benefit of the people of Rwanda and Guinea is more than ever present,” he noted.
“Sharing knowledge and expertise among ourselves as Africans and with other partners around the world is useful and necessary. We do this to help us create the conditions for our citizens to live long, healthy and productive lives and contribute to the advancement of our countries,” Kagame added.
He further stressed the need for collaboration between countries because working alone cannot lead to desired progress.
“No one has everything needed, all in one place, to succeed alone. So, the cooperation in different fields is indispensable,” President Kagame said.
The President commended Col. Doumbouya, who took office since 2021, for his efforts to restore peace and stability in Guinea and working towards the development of the West African country.
“I want to commend you, once again, Mr. President, for your work to establish peace and stability in your country, again. This is the backbone of sustainable development for all of us,” he said.
Kagame also thanked Col Doumbouya for his earlier gesture to name a highway interchange connecting Kagbélen to Conakry in his honour.
A statement released by the Presidency of Guinea Conakry indicating that the country has a lot to learn from Rwanda considering its development after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
President Kagame arrived in Guinea Conakry after concluding visits to two more West African countries including Benin and Guinea-Bissau.
The ceremony took place on Tuesday 18th April 2023.
Kagame arrived in Guinea Conakry on 17th April 2023 for two-day state visit. Upon arrival, he was received by the Transition President, Colonel Mamadi Doumbouya.
Both heads of state also joined citizens at the launch the major highway.
The event was attended by the host country’s Prime Minister, Bernard Goumou; Minister of Infrastructure, Elhadj Gando Barry; Minister of communication, Ousmane Gaoual Diallo and Minister of Local Government, Mory Condé among others.
Works on the Kagbélen interchange started on April 12, 2021. It was built by a Chinese firm called China Bengbu International Technology and Economic Cooperation (CBITEC).
The completed infrastructure is expected to ease movement between major industrial cities and Conakry as well as with neighboring countries.
Chinese Ambassador to Guinea, Hiang Wei said that the highway interchange is part of a project for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of urban roads and the interchange itself.
The honour given to President Kagame follows a warm welcome he received during his visit to the country in March 2016.
At the time, Kagame was 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.
Global Finance, an international magazine with over 35 years of experience in financial reporting, attributed this recognition to the bank’s exceptional customer service, innovative products, and strong financial performance.
The CEO of Bank of Kigali attributed the award to the bank’s commitment to excellence and its unwavering determination to provide customers with top-notch services.
“We are honored to receive the Global Finance Award for the third consecutive time, and we are grateful to our customers, staff, and stakeholders for their continued support,” she noted.
Dr. Karusisi also emphasized that the bank remains focused on driving financial inclusion and contributing to Rwanda’s economic growth and development.
“We will continue to innovate and adapt to meet the evolving needs of our customers,” she reiterated.
Bank of Kigali experienced several significant developments over the past year, which played a critical role in securing the award for the third consecutive year.
These include the release of the new BK Mobile App, the acquisition of the BK Arena naming rights, the establishment of both the Mortgage Center and the SME Center, as well as the introduction of the IKAZE Feedback platform.
In addition, the bank saw a 15.1 percent increase in net profit worth Rwf59.7 billion in 2022 from Rwf51.9 billion in 2021, mainly driven by the 25 percent increase in non-funded income.
This achievement marks another cause for celebration at Bank of Kigali.
Violent clashes resumed on Tuesday morning near the Sudanese army command, the presidential palace, Khartoum International Airport, and around some RSF bases south of the capital, according to media reports.
The RSF on Tuesday announced that it accepted an international initiative for a ceasefire with the Sudanese army for 24 hours for humanitarian reasons, while the Sudanese army 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.”
In the worsening situation, fighting across Sudan severely limits humanitarian operations, UN humanitarians said on Tuesday.
“There is limited ability to move personnel and supplies,” the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said. “The targeting and looting of humanitarian premises must stop. Attacks on humanitarian assets and facilities will severely impact our ability to resume lifesaving operations.”
World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said there were reports that some medical facilities in Sudan were being looted or used for military purposes, adding that hospitals in the country were experiencing shortages of medical personnel and supplies, as well as power outages, fuel shortages for power generators, water cuts, and other factors that create challenges for health workers and ambulances and put more lives at risk.
“WHO calls on all parties to comply with their obligations under international law. Healthcare facilities and workers must never be a target, especially in a situation like this where there are thousands of civilians who need access to emergency care,” the director general said, adding that “all parties must ensure unrestricted and safe access to health facilities for those injured and everyone in need of medical care.”
Sudan’s Foreign Ministry on Tuesday accused the RSF of attacking the headquarters of diplomatic missions in the capital.
“The desperate moves by the rebel Rapid Support Forces with armored vehicles and heavy weapons among residential neighborhoods and civilian places have put the headquarters and staff of diplomatic missions and international and regional organizations under imminent danger,” the ministry said in a statement.
Fighting between the Sudanese Army and the RSF erupted on Saturday morning.
The two sides have been using tanks, artillery, fighter jets and other heavy weapons in their exchange of fire.
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.
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.
