The objective of the exercise is to promote the EAC integration agenda by enhancing joint state of readiness and interoperability of EAC partner States’ Armed Forces, Police, Civilian Components and other stakeholders in responding to complex security challenges.
The Division Commander, Mechanized Division, Maj Gen Wilson Gumisiriza, briefed the departing contingent on behalf of the RDF leadership reminding them to uphold RDF values of patriotism, honour, valour and integrity and also maintain discipline throughout the exercise.
The two-week long exercise is attended by 6 EAC member states’ armed forces, police personnel and civilians from Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.
The ceremony was also attended by the Programs Director at Ibuka Rwanda, Olivier Brave Ngabo, who explained the history of the place during the Genocide.
Nyanza-Kicukiro Genocide Memorial is home to more than 105,000 victims, many of whom were killed from different parts of Kigali City.
While explaining the uniqueness of the killings at the place, Ngabo said that in 1994, at ETO-Kicukiro (currently IPRC-Kigali) there were troops serving under UNAMIR, a reason to why many Tutsis in the surrounding sought refuge, hoping to be protected by these well-armed UN soldiers.
However, he said, the Belgian contingent left the country, leaving Tutsis in the hands of Interahamwe militia who took them to Kicukiro-Nyanza to kill them.
“The perpetrators brought Tutsis here because they feared they could be seen by foreigners who were passing near Sonatube heading to the Kigali International Airport. Some Tutsis were killed along the way to Nyanza, and those who were brought at this place were also brutally murdered. Of more than 3,000 Tutsis who were escorted from Eto Kicukiro to Nyanza, only 90 people survived,” he explained.
In his remarks, Ambassador of Israel to Rwanda, Dr. Ron Adam said that the Genocide against the Tutsi and the Holocaust have many things in common.
“As a second generation Holocaust survivor, I can tell what it feels like to expect death at any time, to find no safe place to hide and to be gathered in a single place with a single intention; killing you because of how you were born. My thoughts and prayers go to the victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi, and we stand in solidarity and comfort those who survived,” he said.
The Ambassador also stressed that genocide survivors should share their personal testimonies as much as they can and put them in writing where possible, noting that it is a long-lasting weapon to fight genocide denial.
“This will also help the post-genocide generation to know the truth of what happened during the genocide and be able to confront genocide deniers,” he added.
After laying wreaths at the memorial site, the staff of the Israel Embassy in Rwanda visited ‘Jardin de la Mémoire’ (Garden of Memory).
FDLR is rebel outfit comprised of remnant masterminds of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi who at different times plotted hit-and-run attacks to Rwanda and repelled back.
RDF has through a statement disclosed that kidnapped soldiers include Cpl Nkundabagenzi Elysee and Pte Ntwari Gad being held by FDLR in Eastern DRC.
“Following the provocative aggression by FARDC on 23 May 22, where multiple rockets were fired on Rwandan territory, FARDC with FDLR attacked RDF along our border, and two Rwanda Defence Force soldiers were kidnapped while on patrol,” reads part of the statement released on Sunday 28th May 2022.
RDF has also called upon ‘authorities of the Democratic Republic of Congo that work closely with these genocidal armed groups to secure the release of the RDF soldiers’.
It has been quite some time since FARDC was reported to be working with different rebel groups based in eastern part of the country including FDLR to fight M23 rebel outfit.
The fighting erupted in March this year and later halted for a while. It however resumed towards the end of last week.
During the fight on Monday 23rd May 2022, FARDC shelled projectiles on Rwandan territory which injured residents in three sectors including Kinigi and Nyange (in Musanze District) and Gahunga in Burera District. The shelling also left houses destroyed.
On Thursday this week, the Spokesperson of the Government of Rwanda, Yolande Makolo requested the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to explain why Congolese Army has collaborated with FDLR.
She stated that ‘the fighting between FARDC and M23 is an intra-Congolese conflict’ noting that Rwanda has no interest of being dragged into the matter.
Makolo also inquired into the motive behind cooperation with FDLR comprised of remnants of genocidaires forces that still have intentions to destabilize Rwanda.
Meanwhile, DRC has announced ‘conservative measures’ against Rwanda where the country blocked flights from RwandAir accusing Rwanda of supporting M23.
The decision comes at a time when the fighting between FARDC and M23 is escalating where Congolese Military continues to loose its strongholds.
Among others; RDF recently requested urgent investigation by the regional Extended Joint Verification Mechanism (EJVM) to investigate this week’s cross-border shelling in Musanze and Burera Districts.
Headquartered in Goma, the EJVM was launched in September 2012 in Goma and comprises of military experts from the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) Member States. It monitors and carries out investigations on security incidents.
Different analysts have told IGIHE that the repetitive attacks of FARDC are meant to drag Rwanda into a fight.
The decision to ban RwandAir flights has been taken during an extraordinary meeting of the Superior Defence Council chaired by Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi.
“It was decided to immediately suspend flights from the RwandAir aviation company to the Democratic Republic of Congo,” said Communications Minister Patrick Muyaya.
The council also summoned Rwanda’s ambassador to DRC to provide explanations on the allegations.
In a statement released on Saturday 28th May 2022, RwandAir responded by cancelling “with immediate effect” all flights to Kinshasa, Lubumbashi and Goma.
“Following the decision of the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo to suspend RwandAir flights, RwandAir has decided to cancel all flights to Kinshasa, Lubumbashi and Goma with immediate effect,” reads part of the statement.
“We are sorry for the inconvenience and disruption this may cause to our customers and we will waive change of reservation fees and offer re-issues or refunds for those affected,” adds the statement.
RwandAir has also revealed that it will update customers and be in touch with them where it can.
On Monday this week, Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) announced that Congolese Army (FARDC) in collaboration with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) shelled rockets on Rwanda’s land in Musanze and Burera Districts.
The projectiles injured residents and left houses destroyed.
Following the incident, RDF requested the regional Extended Joint Verification Mechanism (EJVM) to launch probe into the incident.
On Thursday 26th May 2022, the Spokesperson of the Government of Rwanda, Yolande Makolo also requested Congolese Foreign Affairs Minister to explain why his country shelled Rwanda’s land.
She revealed that Rwanda would be legitimate to respond to those attacks but highlighted that the country has no intentions to do so calling the situation in DRC ‘an internal matter’.
Rwanda Defence Force has this Saturday announced that FARDC in collaboration with FDLR have kidnapped two Rwandan soldiers on patrol.
Political analysts who spoke to IGIHE have said that the repetitive attacks of DRC are meant to draw Rwanda into a war.
The fighting erupted in March this year and later halted for a while. It however resumed towards the end of last week.
Since the fighting erupted between FARDC and M23, sources reveal, the government’s army continues to loose military bases.
M23 is one of more than 120 armed groups that roam eastern DR Congo.
The rebel group had captured Goma town in 2012, before the army quelled the rebellion.
However, M23 resumed fighting this year, accusing DRC of failing to respect a 2009 agreement under which its fighters were to be incorporated into the army.
On Friday, the United Nations reported that the recent clashes between Congolese military and M23 rebels in eastern part of the country have left more than 72,000 people displaced.
Sometimes it is better to do different and new activities that will help you relax but also help you learn something new.
Much of these activities can be done at home and they are an exciting way to help you relax and pass time.
{{1. Painting}}
For people who like to do things that are calm and not too tedious, you can start painting. The benefit is that you can paint in many different ways and techniques.
You can do it on a normal white canvas on old clothes, stones or even on unused wood, this helps you relax and enhance your creativity in your own way.
You can design a variety of things from objects to people to even what’s on your mind. You can easily learn from home using social media.
{{2. Drawing}}
There are so many types of drawing like line drawing and figure drawing. It is relaxing and fulfilling.
You can do expressive drawing where you draw to express your emotions. You can do realistic drawing where you just draw real things like objects and people.
Drawing does not require you to purchase any extravagant things, you can do it at home or with other people.
https://www.vectornator.io/blog/drawing-styles/
{{3. Yoga}}
For people who like to exercise, you can also try Yoga. It is a way of relaxing and stretching the body.
Yoga helps relieve back pain, improves strength, balance and flexibility. It benefits heart health, relaxes you and helps you sleep better.
{{4. Watching documentaries}}
For those who like to learn new things, when you have time you can look at different documentaries on different topics depending on what you like.
You can for example watch true crime documentaries, history documentaries, fashion documentaries and many others.
{{5. Make different decorations }}
When you like to make a variety of things you can take time to make a variety of things like home decorations from different objects, necklaces, bracelets and many other different things.
There are also different ways to learn how to do different things by using social media like Youtube and Instagram.
{{6.create a photo album}}
Many photos nowadays are on phones in our galleries but it is fun and relaxing to make your own photo album and different collage, documenting special moments in your life.
{{7. Learning to play an instrument}}
When you can, start learning to play an instrument like the guitar, Piano, violin, trumpet or another one you would like or that fits you.
There are many schools that teach it but in case you want you can also learn it on Youtube or if you know someone who can teach you go for it.
{{8. Salsa Dancing}}
For people who like to dance, you can try to start dancing different kinds of dances like salsa, Zumba or others, you can do this with your friends or even better your husband or boyfriend.
{{9. Swimming}}
Swimming is an activity that helps the body relax and it strengthens the muscles. For people who want to lose weight, swimming can help you. It also helps with maintaining weight and helps your heart rate.
You can go swimming after work or if it is possible you can go for a swim before work or on the weekends when you have time. You can also take kids if you have them or go with friends.
{{10. Biking}}
If you want to do something new that you are unfamiliar with, you can start learning to ride a bicycle and go biking.
You can ride a bicycle as a form of exercise or if you want to have small adventures to different places, you can do it with family or friends.
{{11. Learning to cook something new}}
Learning new things is fulfilling and rewarding, you can take time to learn how to cook something new or cook different types of cuisines.
There are different people who teach it on social media which is a cheaper option but if you want in depth lessons you can hire someone.
{{12. Meditation}}
Doing meditation helps to have a new direction and perspective. It helps in taking some stress off your mind, it helps you take care of your mental health, getting rid of bad emotions, and also helps relax your mind.
{{13. Planting and caring for flowers and plants}}
If you love flowers and plants, you can start planting them and take care of them. You can plant different types of flowers whether outdoor or indoor flowers or plants.
Planting and flowering is a soothing activity that requires patience and warmness but at the end you feel rewarded when they grow big and healthy.
{{14. Learning a new language}}
Learning a new language is not always easy but there may be times in the future where it can come in handy when you least expect it.
You can start by learning the language of the country or place you would like to travel to or the language you think can be useful to you in the future.
{{15. Making your own clothes }}
When you know how to sew, you can start making your own clothes. You can repurpose your old clothes and make new ones. You can also make new clothes for yourself or any other person you would like.
Sankara voiced the message speaking to members of the press during a visit to Mageragere Prison to cover the graduation ceremony of the first cohort of inmates who completed vocational training on Thursday 26th May 2022.
During the ceremony, 603 prisoners from Nyarugenge prison were awarded with various certificates. The inmates were equipped with skills in hairdressing, ICT, automobile mechanics and tailoring.
Sankara was among inmates who attended the graduation ceremony. He was convicted of terrorism charges and sentenced to 15 years after pleading guilty and appealing for leniency.
The convict disclosed that he is treated humanely at the prison where his rights are fully respected and plans to pursue vocational courses.
“I also want to pursue vocational courses. Honestly, my experience in southern Africa has shown me that vocational skills graduates reap big while our pockets are empty yet we have graduated from Law. This pushed me to think that I would have pursued vocational training programs instead of Law,” he said.
Sankara said that people outside the penitence establishment have mindsets that prisoners are always in cumbersome situation being harassed and whipped, which he says is different from the reality.
“Some people think that we are beaten every morning, night and do frog jumps. It is not true. I can say that I am living in better conditions considering what I went through outside the country because I can interact with relatives and sisters visiting me,” he said.
“While outside the country, I spent six years being unable to meet with my family […] I would rather stay in prison instead of returning to refuge,” added Sankara.
Sankara admits that correcting criminals is necessary noting that disciplined prisoners stand chance to write to President of the Republic seeking prerogative of mercy which he also plans to do.
“People should not see me through the mirror of Sankara they knew in the past. Sankara has become a changed man. Some people assume that I might repeat what I did if released. Only the person unaware of troubles we went through can put it that way. I get sleep in this place which I had lacked outside the country,” he said.
Taking into account his experience, Sankara gave an example of Kayumba Nyamwasa noting that he can’t sleep comfortably because he is fighting the government.
{{Message to Rwanda’s detractors }}
Sankara has requested Lt. Gen Habimana Hamada known as Komada, who was one of top commanders of FLN and his colleague Gen Jeva, the commander of FLN to give up on their intentions because they can’t succeed.
“My special message to top leaders of FLN rebel group like Gen Hamada and Jeva, if they are still alive, is that their future is obscure. I did everything within six years I spend in the opposition,” he noted.
“We made attempts since 2013 at the regime of Kikwete. Karegeya and Kayumba warmly welcomed me when I joined the opposition. We met face to face and made several attempts to destabilize this government but our efforts ended up in vain,” Sankara added.
He also sent a message to dissidents advising them to abandon their plans to threaten Rwanda because the country has strong leadership and intelligence.
“The Government of Rwanda has strong intelligence and powerful leader. This government is smart and has money. They won’t win the fight with it,” he said.
Sankara said that he doesn’t care about critics blaming him for having submitted himself to the leadership of Rwanda as he is convinced that ‘one must obey rules of an opponent who is stronger than you are’.
“I have become compliant. I am ready to be rehabilitated at this prison so that I can return to Rwandan community and join others to build the nation,” he stated.
Following the launch, Airtel Money and Mobile Money Rwanda Limited customers will be able to send and receive money to each other instantly with their respective wallets, thanks to the integration of both institution’s platforms through the RNDPS without additional cost.
This milestone is one of the use cases of the interoperability project under the name of Rwanda National Digital Payment System (RNDPS).
The RNDPS is an interoperable and instant payment between all financial institutions including Commercial Banks, Mobile Network Operators, Microfinances, SACCOs as well as other FinTech Companies. This is in line with the Government vision of achieving the cashless economy in Rwanda.
Rwandan consumers will benefit from improved customer convenience, lower transaction costs and increased value from the improved range of products and services through digital payments by enabling service consumers to transact seamlessly and with ease from anywhere.
{{How it works:}}
● To start using the service, each customer is required to accept the Terms and conditions of their respective Mobile Network Operator by Dialing *182*11# and follow instructions.
● To send money to another Mobile network operator, the user shall Dial *182*1*2# and follow instructions.
Recognising the challenges brought by the Covid-19 pandemic, the AMI Resilience Prize celebrates the achievements and persistence of entrepreneurs who completed at least one of AMI’s programmes.
Graduates eligible for the prize included those who completed either the AMI Business Survival Bootcamp, Survive to Thrive programme or Take Your Business Online programme. These programmes are offered by African Management Institute in partnership with Mastercard Foundation.
To celebrate these impressive entrepreneurs, the African Management Institute organised a series of countrywide outreach events and heard how the skills acquired from AMI’s programmes improved their business performance, enabled them to network with each other and grow their businesses.
During these events, the top fifteen entrepreneurs (selected from more than 600 AMI graduates who applied for the prize) reflected on how they overcame a range of business challenges by adapting to market changes and creating jobs – while also contributing to the country’s economic recovery.
“The AMI Resilience Prize recognises the achievements and resilience of entrepreneurs who completed AMI’s business programmes. Around 600 graduates applied for the prize – demonstrating the passion and dedication that exists in our growing network of graduates.
Today, we announced the top six entrepreneurs who have had a great impact on their businesses and the community. I congratulate the AMI Resilience Prize winners. It was an incredibly difficult task to select the winners because all AMI Thrivers are winners. You inspire us every day,” said Allen Ingabire, Partnership Manager at AMI Rwanda.
The six entrepreneurs awarded at the grand finale of the AMI Resilience Prize at Norrsken Kigali House, each received a cash prize of Rwf 1,000,000 and will gain extended access to AMI tools and professional support to keep their businesses thriving. Norrsken House Kigali has also offered to support their entrepreneurship journey by availing a working space for the top six AMI Resilience Prize winners.
“When the Covid-19 pandemic started, AMI responded by supporting almost 4,000 businesses in all 30 districts of Rwanda. This represents more than 8,000 people who kept their jobs. As the Mastercard Foundation, we are humbled by the partnership with AMI which brings us a step forward to achieving our vision of providing 300,000 dignified and fulfilling work opportunities to young people, especially young women, in Rwanda by 2030,” said Livingstone Nkuusi, representing Rica Rwigamba, Country Head of the Mastercard Foundation in Rwanda.
At the event held on Friday, 31 finalists from the 2021 HangaPitch Fest also graduated from AMI’s Survive to Thrive programme. The HangaPitch Fest is an annual competition organised by the Ministry of ICT and Innovation and the Rwanda Development Board.
The Hanga Pitfest graduates now have the opportunity to join AMI’s Take Your Business Online programme, a one-month business programme that supports entrepreneurs in Rwanda leverage social media and other online platforms to gain brand visibility and engage directly with clients.
As part of its long-term commitment to enable ambitious businesses across Rwanda to thrive, AMI Rwanda recently opened a new office in Musanze District in partnership with Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA).
Young entrepreneurs, especially those with micro, small and medium businesses in the tourism and hospitality sector as well as the creative industry from Musanze District, will be enrolled in AMI’s programmes, offered under the Hanga Ahazaza initiative in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, and be equipped with skills and tools to help them seize new business opportunities.
{{AMI Resilience Prize Winners }}
{{● Eastern Province:}} Juvenal Kabagambe, Founder and Managing Director of Urban and Rural Farming Development Company Ltd, a youth association based in Rwamagana District, which designs and implements innovative agricultural projects and supports post-harvest handling and management.
{{● Northern Province:}} Jeanne d’Arc Nyirampakaniye, Chief Executive Officer of Tuberwe Knitting, Tailoring and Handcraft Centre, a company which makes clothes with locally made accessories and provides sewing training to both women and youth in Musanze District.
{{● Southern Province: }} Thierry Rushema, Founder of Better Fashion and Design Ltd which designs and produces Made in Rwanda clothes, and offers sewing training to young people in Huye District.
{{● Western Province:}} Marthe Niyonshuti, Owner of Amahoro Farming Business Ltd, a chicken farm which raises and sells chickens in Karongi District.
{{● City of Kigali: }} Claudine Niyonzima, Co-founder of SAN Tech Ltd, a tech hub based in Kigali that equips young IT technicians, especially women and girls, with innovation and development skills.
{{● People’s Choice Entrepreneur: }} Marthe Niyonshuti, Owner of Amahoro Farming Business Ltd, a chicken farm which raises and sells chickens in Karongi District.
{{About the African Management Institute}}
The African Management Institute (AMI) enables enthusiastic businesses across Africa to thrive through practical tools and training. We equip entrepreneurs with tools to build their businesses, help companies train their teams and run work readiness programmes for young people starting their careers. AMI’s programmes combine online and mobile tools with in-person workshops and on-the-job practice and support. During the Covid-19 period, AMI has delivered fully virtual programming across the continent.
AMI has worked with a range of businesses and organisations to support entrepreneurs and managers build and grow their businesses across Africa including Uber, Nestle, Radisson Blu, RwandAir, Mastercard Foundation, USAID, Shell Foundation and Equity Bank. AMI has directly trained more than 30,000 people in over 30 countries and has offices in Nairobi, Kigali and Johannesburg.
{{About the Mastercard Foundation}}
The Mastercard Foundation works with visionary organisations to enable young people in Africa and in Indigenous communities in Canada to access dignified and fulfilling work. It is one of the largest, private foundations in the world with a mission to advance learning and promote financial inclusion to create an inclusive and equitable world. The Foundation was created by Mastercard in 2006 as an independent organisation with its own Board of Directors and management.
Commissioner of Police (CP) Vianney Nshimiyimana, Commissioner for Cooperation in RNP presided over the pass-out in Rubavu District.
The training was conducted by scuba dive trainers from the Carabinieri Scuba Diving Centre in Genoa, Italy under the cooperation framework between RNP and Carabinieri.
The Carabinieri are the national gendarmerie of Italy.
CP Nshimiyimana said that the training is part of the Rwanda National Police capacity development of officers, including divers.
“These are fruits of cooperation, which is partly aimed at exchange of modern policing knowledge and skills,” said CP Nshimiyimana.
RNP and Carabinieri signed a cooperation agreement in 2017 to partner in capacity development, including environmental protection and marine in particular, peace support operations, counter-terrorism, aviation security, public order management, VIP protection, cybercrime, traffic and road safety.
“This is a crucial training in marine operations, which also requires high-tech equipment. More officers will be trained, including a training of trainers,” he added.
He reminded the trainees to utilize the acquired skills in ensuring security of water bodies as well as the safety of people in waters and their property.
“You have a duty to protect water bodies and the safety of people using these water bodies; to ensure that the law and regulations are respected, to fight smuggling, illegal cross-border, illegal fishing and other crimes committed in water bodies,” CP Nshimiyimana said.
He further urged them to use the equipment well, be disciplined, and to refrain from any form of corruption.
Colonel Francesco Sessa, one of the trainers, thanked the trainees for their discipline and commitment to learn, during the two weeks.
“They were committed to learn throughout the training and they are now professionals with advanced skills in underwater search,” said Col. Francesco.
The divers acquired skills in short-range search visual or non-visual methodology (tactile), circular, spiral, transverse, and seine.
Other areas include search diving with transverse, seine, circular and spiral methodology; searchers with bathymetric lines and line to ground methodology; setting metal detector and diving with metal detector; survey and measurements with GPS and video camera; and recovery of an object on the bottom with hydrostatic lifting flask.
The remains were buried decently during a commemoration event held on Thursday 26th May 2022.
These include 9000 exhumed in Masaga Sector of Kicukiro District at a place known as Gahoromani and more 181 remains found in Nyarugenge District at premises of Kigali University Teaching Hospital (CHUK), in Gitega and Mageragere sectors.
The Mayor of Kigali City, Pudence Rubingisa has said that having concealing whereabouts more remains are dumped is among hindrances to the country’s journey to promote unity and reconciliation.
“We are convinced that that according decent burial to victims is a way of honouring them and contributing to the process of healing wounds among Genocide survivors. This is because not laying to rest a relative leaves a shock. That is why we continue to ask people knowing whereabouts victims were dumped to share information with us to bury them decently,” he said.
Rubingisa also revealed that there are more remains of victims of Genocide against Tutsi found in Rwezamenyo Sector of Nyarugenge District as the search and gathering of information continues to have other victims buried decently.
The Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement (MINUBUMWE), Jean Damascène Bizimana has comforted genocide survivors, requested them to remain strong and avoid sinking into sorrow even though some of them have not yet found remains of fallen relatives.
Claire Ingabire, one of survivors whose relatives were buried during the event said that knowing the place where they are laid to rest soothed her heart after experiencing a sorrowful life over the past 28 years, due to lack of information about where my relatives had been dumped.
