M23 sounds the alarm after rights group in North Kivu of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) indicated that over 100 women have been raped within four months in the territory while more than 180 women were killed since the rebel group resumed fighting in November 2021.
The Voice of America has reported that the crimes were committed in Kishishe, Bunagana, Jomba, Kinyandonyi, Bambo and Rugari.
Even though M23 is blamed for the crimes; the rebel group claims that it is part of Congo’s plans to tarnish its image.
The group’s military spokesperson, Major Willy Ngoma has told the media that it was never involved in rape cases.
He explained that its soldiers came from Ugandan cantonments where they were surrounded by beautiful girls in Ankole but ‘the country never accused us of rape’.
Maj Ngoma said that the rebel group lives in harmony with citizens in captured areas noting that Congolese government’s acts to cover rape crimes committed by its army and allies including Nyatura and Mai Mai are ridiculous.
Since 2017, the Government of Rwanda in collaboration with relevant partners introduced the use of cooking gas at the camp, replacing charcoal and firewood.
Mahama is located at the border between Rwanda and Tanzania, at the banks of Akagera River, a tributary to Lake Victoria.
It is a place that knows little rainfall due to its landscape and scarcity of forests.
By 2022, 67% of 120 000 refugees accommodated in Rwanda were using cooking gas.
Mahama and Mugombwa, are the first refugee camps that adopted the use of gas since 2017, to reduce people’s dependency on firewood and charcoal, thus protecting environment.
According to Ministry of Emergency (MINEMA), every household in the camp used to spend Rwf36,000 (US$36) per month to cater for firewood or charcoal.
Concessa Mumararungu fled to Rwanda from Burundi and has been living in Mahama Camp since 2015. She now lives in the camp with her five children who are all students.
“There is a difference between how we used to live in 2015 and now. With cooking gas, we eat on time. It came as a solution to us,” she says while cooking food for her children who have gone to school.
“Once they come back home, I will have finished cooking. They no longer get late, cooking gas helps a lot,” she adds.
According to the Government of Rwanda, 380 hectares were down every week by 2017 in search of charcoal and firewood.
The target is to narrow down the number of those who rely on charcoal and firewood to 42% by 2024 from 67 % in 2017.
“It was difficult to get enough firewood to serve all camps in the country due to the high demand, as well as coping with the government’s policy to preserve our environment,” says Karayenzi Kevin, the Mugombwa Camp Manager adding that gas reduced conflicts between refugees and local population.
The Government of Rwanda together with other partners like the United Nations High commission for refugees (UNCHR) cater for related cost so that refugees get cooking gas timely.
The gas allocated to one family, varies depending on the number of members.
Laetitita Kamahoro from Mahama Camp was returning from gas refilling station inside the camp, carrying her gas cylinder.
The amount of gas she had would last for 21 days.
“It has been three years since I started cooking using gas. It takes few minutes to have food ready. Whenever I want to cook, I do it instantly,” she says.
“For example, it is raining today but I don’t have any worries. I am cooking inside which would not be the case if I were cooking with firewood” she added.
The effort to reduce dependency of charcoal and firewood in Rwandan refugee camps, went hand in hand with planting more trees around the camps.
Cyriaque Rugengamanzi, is a volunteer in charge of environment in Mahama camp.
His tasks include planting trees around the camp which used to be like a desert.
“The trees you see all around, we are the one who planted them. Before, we were prone to heavy winds which would destroy our homes. The situation has changed that we no longer experience heavy winds and we get rain timely,” he narrated.
The Ministry of Emergency also noted the reduction of conflicts between refugees around the camps and the local population.
Pierre Niragira who has spent seven years in Mahama camp recalls the disputes that used to be between refugees and Kirehe residents, due to search of firewood.
“After we started using cooking gas, conflicts have reduced between refugees and surrounding local population. We would go outside the camp to fetch firewood and be in fight with residents. Such issue no longer exists,” he recalls.
In Mahama alone, phasing out the use of firewood went hand in hand with planting more than 250 000 trees, with target of reaching more than 400,000 trees in next five years.
The use of firewood and charcoal are also linked to health problems especially, respiratory diseases.
In 2019, Ministry of Health in Rwanda announced that every year, more than three million Rwandans suffer from respiratory problems of which 13 per cent is caused by air pollution.
The Ministry said that such diseases are mostly caused by cooking with firewood, charcoal, petrol, fuel and ambient air pollution.
Rwanda accomodates more than 120,000 refugees from neighbouring countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi.
Rwanda has also emphasized that border security has been reinforced where its soldiers are standby to defend territorial integrity.
The statement released on Monday 27th February 2023, reads that Rwanda hails the outcomes of the recent meetings held during the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, on the situation in Eastern DRC.
Rwanda has stated that taken resolutions complement existing ones adopted by regional mechanisms including Luanda and Nairobi processes with a view to find a solution to DR Congo’s problems through dialogues.
The decisions were endorsed by other international organizations including the United Nations (UN), European Union (EU) and US.
On 22nd February 2022, the United States released a statement commending the progress on restoring security in eastern DRC but accused Rwanda of supporting M23, asked the country to halt it and withdraw troops from Congo.
Rwanda has through a released statement insisted that the United States ‘appears consistently out of step with the decisions of the regional processes, and risks undermining them, by continuing to endorse the DRC Government’s false narrative blaming Rwanda for the crisis’.
“The repeated failure by the international community to condemn the DRC Government for the preservation of the FDLR encourages DRC to continue arming and fighting alongside this genocidal militia, which has conducted cross-border attacks in Rwanda while embedded with the Congolese army [FARDC],” reads part of the statement.
“This constitutes a direct and serious threat to Rwanda’s security. The FDLR is not a benign or inconsequential force, and the ultimate goal of its partnership with FARDC is to attack Rwanda,” adds the statement.
{{Congolese soldiers and mercenaries at common border area}}
Recent resolutions reached through meetings of regional heads of state demand concerned parties in eastern DRC to lay arms down to facilitate proper implementation.
Despite the resolutions, Rwanda has revealed, DRC defied the regional decisions.
“DRC has opted for continued military escalation in recent months, in defiance of regional decisions. In the context of increasingly bellicose statements by DRC civilian and military leaders, the DRC is deploying new hardware capabilities and foreign mercenaries in the common border area,” reads the statement.
Rwanda has said that it can’t idly sit by amidst its security threats targeting the country.
“Given Rwanda’s legitimate security concerns, defensive and preventive mechanisms have accordingly been reinforced to guard against violations of our airspace and borders. These contingencies are ready to act to prevent any cross-border threat, proportionately to its magnitude, origin, and nature. We will not allow any spill-over into Rwanda from any armed group, and total security for our territory and our people will be ensured,” Rwanda has affirmed.
The country has also expressed commitment to work within regional frameworks to contribute to stability in the region but insisted that it ‘cannot accept for its security concerns to be trivialized and ignored’.
Patricie Uwase, Minister of State in the Ministry of Infrastructure made the revelation on the first day of the 18th National Dialogue Council (Umushyikirano) held at Kigali Convention Centre.
She explained that the issue of public transport has worsened in Kigali due to transport companies struggling to replace old buses. This has resulted in passengers’ long queues at bus terminals.
“In the near future, we will have introduced over 300 more buses in Kigali City,” said Uwase.
She disclosed that plans to buy new vehicles are in advanced stages.
“Considering the long time passengers spend waiting for buses, it won’t take long to address the issue because we have started negotiating suppliers and have already secured the budget through collaboration with the Ministry of Finance.
We have the money. The remaining thing is to place an order and have the buses used by transport companies upon delivery,” she noted.
“It will be done in no more than three months because placing orders and shipment take time. However, this plan is under consideration and its finalization is in the offing,” added Uwase.
The introduction of new buses will be done through partnership between the government and private sector.
Uwase has also highlighted that there are other alternatives being considered to address woes in public transport upcountry.
In January 2023, President Paul Kagame requested relevant institutions to address citizens’ problems including long dwelling-time for passengers using public transport buses.
He was officiating the swearing-in of new Senate President, Dr. Kalinda François Xavier.
At the time, the Head of State said that the issue needs to be solved durably.
Passengers have been expressing frustration over the delay of buses at bus terminals as it affects their work.
The Head of State made the disclosure as he officiated the opening of the 18th National Dialogue Council (Umushyikirano) at Kigali Convention Centre. The meeting brought together over 1500 participants while others followed it virtually from different sites countrywide.
He reminisced on primitive mindsets of people who always tend to lean on aid like weak people, sick or people with other problems noting that no one should be proud of it.
“I am not sure if there is a Rwandan proud of reliance on assistance forever. Until when they will continue giving us the aid? […] We should not be living this way,” he said Kagame.
He explained that there is no dignity in persistent reliance on aid and reminded that the beneficiary ends up being disappointed.
“They support you and get slapped in return. They get on your wick until they teach you cultures, how to behave and end up in a situation where Rwandans seem to have no culture because of the aid,” noted Kagame.
The President has also reminded leaders to represent citizens’ interests instead of prioritizing personal gains.
Umushyikirano is Kinyarwanda’s equivalent of ‘dialogue’. During the dialogue, participants exchange ideas, share experiences, peer review and question each other. Today Umushyikirano is known as the National Dialogue Council.
As part of efforts to reconstruct Rwanda and nurture a shared national identity, the Government of Rwanda drew on aspects of Rwandan culture and traditional practices to enrich and adapt its development programs to the country’s needs and context.
The result is a set of Home Grown Solutions – culturally owned practices translated into sustainable development programs. One of these Home Grown Solutions is Umushyikirano.
Governed by the Rwandan Constitution (Article 168), Umushyikirano is a forum where participants debate issues relating to the state of the nation, the state of local government and national unity.
The statistics show that Rwandans increased by 2.3% by the time the population census was conducted. Of these, 48.5% are men while 51.5% are women.
The increase corresponds to birth control methods that saw the fertility rate per woman falling to 3.6 births in 2022 from 4.0 in 2012, 5.9 in 2002, 6.9 in 1991 and 8.6 in 1978.
As per released figures, the fertility rate for a rural woman stands at 3.8 births and 3.2 for an urban woman.
The first census conducted in 1978, put the Rwandan population at about 4.8 million. The second census was conducted in 1991, with the population rising to 7.1 million. The population growth rate between 1978 and 1991 was 3.1 per cent.
The third census, in 2002, indicated that the population had grown to 8.1 million.
The previous one, which put the population at 10.5 million, was done in 2012.
They reside in 3,312,743 households with each comprised of 4 members.
Considering the source of income, 2.2 households (69%) depend on agriculture.
Meanwhile; 72.1% Rwandans live in rural areas while 27.9% dwell in urban areas.
The Eastern Province has the largest number of population representing 26.9% (3,563,145), followed by the Southern Province with 3,002,699 (22.7%), Western Province with 2,896,484 representing 21.9%, Northern Province with 2,038,511 (15.4%) while Kigali City has 1,745,555 representing 13.2%.
The census also indicated that the number of youth aged below 30 reduced from 70.3 in 2012 to 65.3% in 2022. The number is also projected to fall to 54.3% in 2050.
Meanwhile, the population aged between 16 and 64 increased from 53.4% in 2012 to 56/0% in 2022. The number is expected to go up to 61.4% in 2050.
The last stage held on Sunday 26th February 2023 saw riders making laps in Kigali before crossing the finishing line at Rebero covering 75.3 kilometers.
Kagame joined cycling fans who attended the final stage of Tour du Rwanda 2023 at Canal Olympia- Rebero.
As the race was concluded, Kagame awarded Eritrean cyclist, Henok Mulubrhan with the Yellow Jersey as Tour du Rwanda 2023 Champion.
Before the start of the race, Henok Mulubrhan of Green Project-Bardiani registered the same time clocked by Walter Calzoni of Q36.5 Pro Cycling Teamand other cyclists including Eric Muhoza riding for Bike Aid, who also stood chance to win the tournament.
Henok Mulubrhan, 23, who continued to ride in the peloton that followed Yemane Dawit after making a break away in the last four kilometers, was the first to cross the finishing line at Canal Olympia clocking 2 hours 4 minutes and 52 seconds.
The Eritrean clocked the same time along with other riders including Joseph Peter Backmore riding for British team, Victor de la Parte from TotalEnergies, Lecerf Junior William from Soudal Quick-Step and Walter Calzoni from Q36.5.
Yemane Dawit from Bike Aid finished the race in the sixth place and was behind six seconds while Kent from South Africa was eight seconds behind.
On the general classification, Henok Mulubrhan wonn Tour du Rwanda 2023 after clocking 28 hours, 58 minutes and 1 second.
Walter Calzoni of Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team also clocked the same time.
Nelgian Lecerf William Junior riding for Soudal Quick-Step finished the race in the third place and was one second behind while Spanish Victor de la Parte of TotalEnergies was four seconds behind.
Henok Mulubrhan had last taken the yellow jersey after winning the third stage from Huye to Musanze.
He becomes the third Eritrean to win Tour du Rwanda since it was upgraded to 2.1 UCI category in 2019.
Others include Merhawi Kudus who won the race in 2019 and Natnael Tesfazion in 2020 and 2022.
Spanish Cristián Rodríguez Martin riding for TotalEnergies also won the tournament in 2021.
The top performing Rwandan during the final stage was Jean Bosco Nsengimana who took the 21st place. He was 8 minutes 18 seconds behind followed by Vhris Froome of Israel-Premier Tech who was 3 seconds behind him.
Eric Muhoza (Bike Aid) emerged 26th, Samuel Niyonkuru emerged 28th while Félicien Hakizimana (May Stars) took the 29th place followed by Masengesho.
Only 55 out of 95 riders from 19 teams were able to finish the tournament.
Muhoza was the top performing Rwandan on the general classification with 8 minutes 30 seconds behind the winner while Niyonkuru finished the tournament in the 21st place with 26 minutes and 29 seconds behind.
The official handover between IGP Namuhoranye and the outgoing Police Chief, CGP Dan Munyuza was held at the Rwanda National Police (RNP) General Headquarters in Kacyiru and presided over by the Minister of Interior, Alfred Gasana.
The ceremony was also attended by the Deputy IGP in charge of Administration and Personnel, Jeanne Chantal Ujeneza, the new Deputy Police Chief in charge of Operations, CP Vincent Sano, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, Benjamin Sesonga, commissioners and senior officers of the RNP.
Minister Gasana thanked the President of the Republic for the continued support of the RNP to be a professional force that guarantees the safety of the people.
“A lot has been achieved to ensure the safety and security of the people because of good leadership; we can not recline,” Minister Gasana said.
He thanked the outgoing Police Chief for his sacrifice, dedication and immense contribution to the force during his tenure.
IGP Namuhoranye also expressed gratitude to His Excellency the President for the trust and confidence bestowed upon him to continue playing his part in the national security.
“I thank His Excellency for the strategic guidance he gave us to fulfill our obligations.
We will carry on as a team, work with other institutions both in Rwanda and abroad to better provide security as our primary responsibility,” IGP Namuhoranye said.
He thanked his predecessor for his role in building a professional Police force.
“Your contribution to security will always be remembered. We will build on that to work adeptly including increasing the capacity of officers.
Rwanda National Police will do everything possible to maintain the security of Rwandans. We will continue to work with other institutions and the citizenry to achieve these goals,” IGP Namuhoranye reiterated.
The outgoing Inspector General, on his part, thanked the President for trusting him with the Police responsibilities since 2018, and the support rendered by the line Ministry of Interior.
He wished the new IGP and the entire RNP leadership the best of luck in their new responsibilities.
Over the years, a lot was done to further professionalize the force and to offer quality services, including training and to improve the capacity of officers, infrastructure development and to acquire modern and hi-tech policing tools.
CGP Munyuza, who thanked the RNP family for the support over the past years, expressed his commitment to continue playing his part in the security and development of the Police and the country in general.
DCG Namuhoranye was appointed as the Inspector General of Police on Monday 20th February 2023 replacing Dan Munyuza who had held the position since 2018.
At the time, CP Vincent Sano was named the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of operations.
As he officiated the swearing-in ceremony at Urugwiro Village, Kagame requested new leaders to model excellence and put citizens before, if they are to discharge their duties diligently.
He assured that the government will provide necessary support for the institution to deliver to its mandate.
“All our leaders should also understand their duties. They should understand the responsibilities we have related to security, justice, development, all of which are important,” he said.
“There is no shortcut whatsoever to look for. That happens only when people think about themselves more than they about their duties,” added Kagame.
The new Police Chief was appointed DCGP in charge of operations in 2018. He had previously served as the Commandant of National Police College.
Ms. Kacyira brings to this position more than 30 years of experience in a multifaceted career in diplomacy and community and political engagement, as well as in leadership in development and humanitarian assistance, at local, national and international levels. Since 2020, Ms. Kacyira has served as the resident High Commissioner to the Government of Ghana and non-resident representative to Benin, Togo, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire and Liberia.
Prior to that, Ms. Kacyira served as Governor of the Eastern Province (2011), Rwanda’s largest province, and as Executive Mayor of Kigali (2006-2011). Between 2003 and 2006, she served as a Member of Parliament and actively participated in Parliament’s legislative and oversight functions, in addition to community mobilization.
In addition to her political and diplomatic roles, Ms. Kacyira has held several positions in development and humanitarian assistance, notably as Deputy Executive Director with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) from 2011 to 2018, and also in programme and project management with the Ministry of Agriculture in Rwanda, as well as various non-governmental organizations, including Oxfam and Care International.
Ms. Kacyira holds a Master of Veterinarian Science in Animal Production and Economics from James Cook University in Australia, and a Bachelor of Veterinarian Medicine from Makerere University in Uganda.
