BBC has reported that the flight was stopped after a late intervention from the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) led to fresh challenges in the UK courts.
The cancellation of the flight followed days of arguments in UK courts, ending with the home secretary getting the go-ahead to begin transporting some of the asylum seekers.
After the judgement from the ECtHR, passengers were removed from the plane which had to take off on Tuesday at 11:30 p.m. of Kigali Time.
BBC has reported that the Boeing 767, chartered at an estimated cost of £500,000, had been due to take off from a military airport in Wiltshire.
UK Home Secretary Priti Patel said she was “disappointed” but added that preparation for the next flight continues.
“I have always said this policy will not be easy to deliver and am disappointed that legal challenge and last-minute claims have meant today’s flight was unable to depart,” she said.
“We will not be deterred from doing the right thing and delivering our plans to control our nation’s borders. Our legal teams are reviewing every decision made on this flight and preparations for the next flight begins now,” added Patel.
The human rights court said that one migrant from Iraq onboard the plane was not supposed to be deported.
It also maintained that UK must wait for the final courts’ judgement next month before further action.
Valentin Habyarimana, 36, who was found with a forged RDB service card, was guising as a member of the team fighting outlawed and expired goods, and traders, who are not using Electronic Billing Machine (EBM).
Superintendent of Police (SP) Hamdun Twizeyimana, the Police spokesperson for the Eastern region, said that Habyarimana had issued receipts to two traders, whom he had threatened to pay a fine of combined Rwf620,000.
“Habyarimana first went to two shops owned by Theoneste Nkuranga and Clementine Mukankusi, whom he was trying to defraud Rwf320,000 and Rwf300,000, respectively. He issued them receipts and continued to other shops, but the first two would-be victims called the Police immediately after suspecting him to be a conman.
Police arrested him red-handed as he received the money and handed him over to RIB at Kibungo station,” SP Twizeyimana explained.
Article 279 of the law determining offences and penalties states that; any person who, without title usurps public, civil or military functions or poses the acts of one of these functions or falsely attributes to himself/herself the quality of a public official or publicly wears a costume, a uniform, badge or an emblem with an intention to mislead the public, commits an offence.
Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than two years and not more than three years, with a fine of not less than Rwf300,000 and not more than Rwf500,000.
Obtaining property of another person by deception, under article 174 of the same law, is punishable with imprisonment for a term of not less than 2 years and not more than 3 years, and a fine of not less than FRwf3 million and not more than Rwf5 million.
The arrest is part of the ongoing Rwanda National Police operations to break drug supply chains.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Hamdun Twizeyimana, the Police spokesperson for the Eastern region, said Manizabayo was arrested in Rugazi Village, Kanyangese Cell of Rugarama Sector with small sacks of cannabis concealed in a big sack, which he was carrying.
“The ANU officers responded to information from residents that Manizabayo was carrying a suspicious luggage which they believed to be cannabis. Manizabayo was intercepted in Rugazi Village at about 3pm and taken into custody after officers found the sack he was carrying containing cannabis weighing 8.5kgs,” SP Twizeyimana said.
Manizabayo, who was handed over to RIB at Rugarama station for further investigations, claimed that the narcotics belong to one Olivier Niyibizi, also a resident of Rugazi Village.
He added that the said Niyibizi had contracted him to deliver the narcotics to clients.
The narcotics are trafficked into Rwanda from Uganda through porous borders, according to Manizabayo, and delivered to Niyibizi by a motorcyclist.
“Niyibizi is a suspected major drug dealer in Gatsibo and law enforcement organs are still searching for him,” said SP Twizeyimana.
The said Niyibizi was released from prison about four months ago after completing his sentence at Ntsinda prison for the same crime.
SP Twizeyimana thanked the resident, who reported the criminal act and urged the public to maintain the same spirit by reporting anyone they suspect to be a drug dealer.
Cannabis is classified as a very severe narcotic drug with a sentence ranging from 20 years and life imprisonment, and a fine of between Rwf20 million and Rwf30 million.
Rwanda’s Presidency has revealed that the National Order of Honour awarded to Houlin Zhao is in recognition of his distinguished service as the leader of ITU during a very consequential period for the globalization of telecommunications technology.
Zhao has been awarded with the National Order of Honour during a ceremony that took place today at Urugwiro Village.
It was attended by officials including the Minister of ICT and Innovation, Paula Ingabire and the Political Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Rwanda, Xing Yuchun among others.
Agaciro is awarded to a Head of State/Government, the head of an international organization, or another high-ranking official who has distinguished themselves through actions that significantly promote the common good, in Rwanda and beyond, in political, economic or social domains.
Agaciro is among five National Orders in Rwanda. The remaining four include; the National Order Of Friendship (Igihango), National Order Of Performance (Indashyikirwa), National Order Of Culture (Indangamirwa) and National Order Of Bravery (Indengabaganizi).
The International Telecommunication Union is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for many matters related to information and communication technologies. It was established on 17th May 1865 as the International Telegraph Union, making it the oldest UN agency.
ITU’s global membership includes 193 Member States as well as some 900 companies, universities, and international and regional organizations.
The current Secretary-General of ITU, Houlin Zhao,72, hails from China.
He was elected for the first time in 2014 and re-elected for another term in 2018.
Houlin Zhao is a great friend of Rwanda who stayed closer to Rwanda along its journey to accelerate use of technology in different areas.
Despite the deployment of forces under the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), citizens in eastern DRC have been experiencing unrest for several years due to incessant wars between rebel groups operating there and Congolese Army (FARDC).
Recently, M23 resumed fighting with FARDC which teamed up with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) and other groups.
As of today, M23 has captured Bunagana town while DRC soldiers have massively fled to Uganda.
FDLR is comprised of remnant masterminds of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi which plotted hit and run attacks on Rwanda and repelled back.
The recent collaboration between FARDC and FDLR triggered mixed reactions among people questioning how the Congolese Army decided to work with the group whose members perpetrated Genocide against Tutsi.
Tito Rutaremara, a political expert and the Chairperson of Rwanda Elders’ Advisory Forum has via Twitter handle pointed out DRC politicians as the root cause of security threats in eastern part of the country.
During colonial rule in DRC, there were people who used to seek shelters in forests as they fled torture by colonizers.
After the death of Patrice Lumumba, many people staged protests and took arms against the regime of Mobutu Sese Seko installed by white people.
The fighting took place in different places including Kitwit Murele and Kisangani where a rebel group known as Mai Mai was created. Members of this rebel group used what they called blessed water with a belief that it protects them against bullets.
The fighting erupted from Kisangani and spread out to the entire eastern DRC.
Many rebels were defeated where few groups including the one led by Laurent -Désire Kabila stayed in the forests of northern Katanga, excavating minerals that were sold in Tanzania.
Mobutu seemed to have ignored the rebel group because it stayed in forests without directly threatening his security.
When Laurent -Désire Kabila took power after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, he trained and recruited Interahamwe militia, and former soldiers of the Armed Forces of Rwanda (FAR) among others into Congolese Army.
He promised them that they would liberate eastern DRC, capture Rwanda and install them on power but failed to do so.
After replacing his father; Joseph Kabila, the son of Laurent Désiré Kabila decided to cease fire and agreed to take part in peace accords held in Sun City of South Africa.
They established a government sharing the power with all rebel groups. At the time, Kabila became president while Azarias Ruberwa and Jean Pierre Bemba who headed hostile groups became vice presidents.
However, Kabila took all the soldiers from FAR, Interahamwe militia and others who had joined FARDC, provided them with arms and money and dispatched them to North and South Kivu.
He encouraged them to fight for their country of origin and promised support.
At the time, they lived independently in DRC, committed rape, murders, and looted properties among others.
{{How rebel groups are controlled by politicians}}
After the creation of Mai Mai groups, Tito Rutaremara has said, many DRC politicians worked with them to secure mining sites so they can obtain enough money to participate in electoral campaigns whether at provincial or national level.
The money helps them in their ‘lobbying’ activities among ministers and parliamentarians from the United States of America (USA) and European countries to get international recognition.
That is why, DRC politicians rush to blame Rwanda for crisis erupting in the country which white people digest without verifying authenticity of provided information.
As he started the process of solving security issues in northern and eastern parts of his country; the incumbent DRC President, Felix Tshisekedi mulled the support from Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi to bring it to an end.
However, politicians rejected his plans claiming that Tshisekedi wanted to leave DRC under the control of Rwanda.
These claims discouraged Tshisekedi given that next presidential elections draw near in DRC.
As DRC joined the East African Community (EAC), member countries sought how to solve the issue in collaboration with Tshisekedi and designated Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya to follow up.
Politicians from eastern DRC politicians tampered with the process, falsely claiming that Rwanda is disturbing them and excluded M23 from peace talks with rebel groups in eastern DRC.
Excluding M23 from peace talks irked members of the rebel group that had fled to Uganda and returned to its former bases.
It is said that politicians asked FARDC to team up with FDLR to attack M23 which responded, seized weapons from opponents and captured different parts.
The politicians took advantage of the clashes and accused Rwanda of having attacked their country ‘because M23 was defeated without means to obtain light weapons’ yet the group seized them from FARDC soldiers in Rumangabo.
In order to find evidences, they propelled rockets into Rwanda three times, which injured people and destroyed properties but Rwanda did not respond.
“They took children gazing goats to be paraded but people mocked at them insisting that they are not soldiers. They also kidnapped soldiers on patrol but Rwanda request to return them home. Fortunately, they did it accordingly.”
The insecurity in eastern DRC is in the hands of politicians in eastern DRC and Mai Mai protecting mining sites helping them to secure money to continue their lobbying among citizens and politicians from America and Europe.
The students from ordinary level at the school located in Musanze District have said that they want to become entrepreneurs by setting up the plant after graduation instead of applying for jobs.
Ishimwe Mucyo Gloria, a student at the school has said that they have acquired enough skills helping them to produce solid and liquid soaps among others.
“We make solid soap, liquid soap and oil paints. I am able to produce all the products listed above that I cannot stay jobless after graduation. For instance, I produced soaps during lockdown which we used at home and shared with neighbours. During the eight months spent at home, I generated Rwf60,000 in profits excluding the quantities used at home,” she disclosed.
“We feel blessed to study at a school which equips us with theoretical knowledge and help us put into practice. I know how to produce a soap using herbs or chemical substances. Soaps are currently expensive. I am ready to make them at home so we can save the money. I feel competent enough to work at any soap manufacturing plant. This inspired me to start considering how I can establish such plant and provide job opportunities,” said Iranzi Fred, another student at Wisdom School.
Akeza Songa Erica also observed that acquired knowledge will help them create own jobs.
“I thank our teachers very much for equipping us with helpful skills. There are instances when a student can halt studies for improvised reasons. An individual with such skills cannot struggle because he/she can start a business anytime. I want to leverage on my skills to establish a plant manufacturing soaps,” he affirmed.
The Principal of the secondary section of Wisdom School, Evariste Bizimana has said that students are given floor to put into practice theoretical courses.
“Normally, Rwanda’s curriculum recommends theory and practice in class. At Wisdom School, we go an extra mile to explore applicability of acquire skills. Their works here capacitate them to become future entrepreneurs to contribute to individual growth and national development,” he said.
“A parent bringing a child to this school rests assured of her/his better future. It is shocking to see a graduate working as a mason-helper, spending almost all the times watching television or wandering yet he/she should have pursued vocational courses to create jobs,” added Bizimana.
The Director of Wisdom School, Elie Nduwayesu says that the school seeks to prioritize practical sessions among students enabling them to become more relevant to the community.
“Wisdom School is committed to equip students with relevant skills that might pave the way for jobs creation by establishing a plant. A team from regulatory body took samples from students’ products including soaps and oil for test and confirmed that they are of good quality.
The remaining step is to get official approval so that we can establish a plant. All these activities will be carried out by students even though it requires advanced skills. That is why we request parents to be with us throughout this journey,” he noted.
Wisdom School is a private school located in Musanze District with more campuses in Rubavu, Nyabihu and Burera districts.
The school’s graduates have been exhibiting excellent performance since 2012 where it has released 1416 students who continued studies in public schools while others were sent to pursue education overseas.
Minister of Defence, Maj Gen Albert Murasira and Dr Shelly Whitman, the Executive Director of the Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace and Security signed on behalf of both sides on Monday 13th June 2022.
This particular document helps to define the roles that each of the institutions play in creating the African Centre of Excellence that is in Kigali and the various activities that they will continue to carry out together.
The Centre of Excellence exists to strengthen African capacity for research, training, and policy development and to foster innovative, regionally appropriate strategies to prevent the recruitment and use of children as soldiers.
Kagame who is the Chairperson of the NEPAD Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee (HSGOC).
Nardos Bekele-Thomas assumed duties on 1st May 2022.
Her appointment as the new CEO of AUDA-NEPAD was endorsed by the African Union Heads of State and Government during the Thirty-Fifth Ordinary Session of the African Union held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in February 2022.
She is the first woman to lead the African Union’s Development Agency. Nardos Bekele-Thomas previously served as the former Head and Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in South Africa. She replaced Dr. Ibrahim Assane Mayaki.
RDF has made the disclosure through a statement released on Tuesday 14th June 2022.
“Rwanda Defence Force would like to inform the general public that the defence and security of the Rwandan population, as well as Rwanda’s territorial integrity is assured, and that the RDF will continue to seek guarantees that cross-border attacks on Rwanda’s territory are stopped,” reads the statement.
The statement follows escalating tension between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since M23 rebel group resumed fight with Congolese Army.
DRC has accused Rwanda of supporting M23 and claimed that Rwandan soldiers crossed to the country for the same cause.
During the clashes with M23, FARDC in collaboration with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) have shelled Rwanda territory three times since March this year.
The rockets shelled on Rwanda’s land injured people from Musanze and Burera district and destroyed properties.
RDF’s statement is released at a time when Rwanda is in final preparations ton host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) due in the week starting from 20th June 2022.
Some political analysts indicate that the provocations are meant to tamper with smooth preparations of the meeting.
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat requested Rwanda and DRC to engage in discussions aimed at calming the tension between both countries.
Following the tension between the two neighboring countries; Angolan President João Lourenço embarked on mediation process. His recent discussions with Congolese President, Tshisekedi saw the country releasing two Rwandan soldiers kidnapped by FDLR and FARDC.
On Monday this week, it was reported that M23 captured Bunagana town and border, seized an armoured vehicle from FARDC. The Spokesperson of M23 announced that Bunagana town is in full control of M23 adding that Congolese soldiers in the area fled to Uganda.
Bunagana is located in 60 kilometers from Goma town located at the border between Rwanda and DRC.
They were arrested on Sunday, June 12, by the Police, local leaders and District Administrative Security Support Organ (DASSO) in the sectors of Nzahaha, Bugarama and Muganza.
Gukura Ibyinyo (tooth bud removal) and guca ibirimi (uvulectomy), is usually done on infants, typically performed by self-styled traditional healers in non-sterile conditions using basic sharp instruments like nails, knives, scissors and forks. They believe that this violent practice on children will cure fever, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Uvulectomy is normally a surgical procedure in which all or part of the uvula is removed. The uvula is a bell-shaped organ that hangs from the top of the throat.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, the Police spokesperson for the Western region, said that the operations followed increasing cases of the harmful and fatal traditional practice in Rusizi District, especially in the sectors of Nzahaha, Bugarama, Muganza, Gikundamvura and Butare.
“We have identified eight fake traditional healers in Rusizi District, who are engaged in this traditional harmful practices. Five have been arrested but three others are yet to be arrested,” SP Karekezi said.
He identified those arrested as Emmanuel Gasigwa, 68, Joseph Majyambere, 39, Ignace Ngirinshuti, 40, Elysée Tuyishime, 31, and Rachel Uwamahoro, 44.
“During the operations on Sunday, Police found 14 parents at the home of Ignace Ngirinshuti, who had brought their babies for either tooth bud removal and uvulectomy. Ngirinshuti was using dangerous objects like scissors, knives and forks, which were also seized. The suspects and exhibits were handed over to Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) and Muganza station,” SP Karekezi said.
At least 28 children with these oral mutilation complications have been admitted at Mibirizi hospital in Rusizi District between January and June this year. Of these, 22 were treated and discharged, three transferred, and two fatalities.
“These are unacceptable violent and life-threatening practices done in unhygienic places and methods, which can also cause or transmit other diseases to the infants. We call upon the public to always take their children to health centres and hospitals for medical services instead of risking their lives in the hands of local traditional healers.
Operations against traditional healers engaged in these dangerous and fatal practices are continuous, and we call upon the general public to be responsive against these practices by reporting those involved so as to save lives of children,” SP Karekezi reiterated.
Medical experts say that the Infant Oral Mutilation (IOM) inflicts pain and suffering on child, who may be sick, teething on healthy. The procedure may lead to shock, and loss of blood may lead to anaemia. The unhygienic methods applied during exodontia of decidous canine tooth buds can cause blood infections, tetanus, pass on HIV/AIDS, facial disfigurement and can be fatal.
