The development is part of resolutions of a meeting between Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vincent Biruta and his counterpart of DRC, Christophe Lutundula held on Saturday 5th November 2022 in Luanda, the capital of Angola.
They also met with Angolan President, João Lourenço who is the mediator on tensions between Rwanda and DRC.
DRC has been accusing Rwanda of supporting M23 rebel group which captured different areas in eastern part of the country, but Rwanda repeatedly denied the allegations.
On the other hand, Rwanda also accuses DRC of working with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) to destabilize its security.
FDLR is a terrorist group formed by individuals responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
A statement announcing resolutions of the meeting held on Saturday shows that both parties met with a view to restore trust between Rwanda and DRC.
The meeting was preceded by another one between military intelligence chiefs from both countries aimed at resuming the implementation of Luanda Roadmap laid out on 6th July 2022.
As per resolutions of the meeting, both ministers of foreign affairs agreed on the necessity to maintain political dialogue between leaders of DRC and Rwanda as way to end tensions between the two brother countries.
Among others, the meeting resolved on the deployment of troops under the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism (EJVM) to assess the situation in Goma.
The EJVM is a mechanism of the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) composed of military officers from the 12 member countries that is charged with monitoring and verification of border violations between DRC and neighbouring countries.
It has been also resolved that heads of military intelligence will maintain discussions as meetings to mediate both countries through Nairobi and Luanda processes go on.
The meeting takes place a t a time when President Tshisekedi disclosed that he had two options to solve problems with Rwanda: diplomacy and war.
He explained that the first option did not yield good results and requested for mass recruitment of the youth into the military to deal with the enemy.
The decision was reached as Kenyatta, the EAC facilitator on the peace process in the Democratic Republic of Congo visited Burundi where he met with Ndayishimiye on Friday 4th November 2022.
They discussed different issues including the resumption of Nairobi peace talks bringing together DRC and hostile armed groups.
DRC agreed to participate in the talks but rejected any negotiations with M23 which it labeled as a terrorist group.
In April this year, EAC demanded all foreign armed groups operating in DRC including the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), and the National Liberation Forces (FNL) to lay down arms or be annihilated militarily through joint regional force.
Kenyatta and Ndayishimiye have also discussed the plan to send EAC joint troops to eastern DRC.
It is expected that Ugandan troops with work with Congolese Army (FARDC) to fight armed groups in Beni and Ituri regions.
Kenyan forces will be deployed in the outskirts of Goma and Rutshuru, Burundians will be based in Southern Kivu Province while others form South Sudan will be deployed in Haut-Uélé.
Areas of operations for Tanzanian troops have not yet been designated given that it already has soldiers in the country serving under The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).
The head of state delivered the message on Friday 4th November 2022 after commissioning 568 officer cadets who graduated from Rwanda Military Academy in Bugesera District.
Kagame said that the officers commissioned to the rank of Second Lieutenant have acquired knowledge and diverse skills throughout 12 months of training.
“We congratulate you for achieving your dreams. I have no doubt that you are prepared enough and have all it takes to fulfill your duties to safeguard national security and citizens’ development,” he said.
The President reminded new officers that their primary job is to maintain security not fighting wars.
“The Rwandan army and other security organs in our country are meant to protect Rwandans, to protect the country and all its citizens, and safeguard the development we have attained, as we move forward. That is what they stand for. That is where we start. We do not start by thinking that the national army as a profession, is just about fighting wars. That comes last,” he said.
“Their primary duty is security, securing our development gains. When the latter is threatened by war, that is when fighting comes in, that is why I said that is the last resort. What we and our country stand for and the mindset of our army professionals, is that the starting point is to protect what we have achieved. This is different from building an army that just fights wars that would be wrong,” added Kagame.
The head of state highlighted that Rwanda builds the army to protect the nation instead of provoking war. He explained that it is the reason why some recruits undergo science courses before joining RDF.
Since 2015, Rwanda Military Academy (RMA) introduced different university programs to in Social and Military Sciences, Medicine, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering.
In 2022, the academy introduced Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. RMA also plans to introduce more programs in the near future.
President Kagame has said that the officers are equipped with a skill-set of knowledge in diverse disciplines that enables them to fit in other professional roles beyond military service in Rwanda and beyond in collaboration with partner countries.
“They are ready for that and have been adequately trained. However, even fighting any war where necessary, requires knowledge,” he said.
He also urged them to deliver on their duties and uphold discipline.
“It would not make sense for you to spend all this time here training and then after, you end up being dishonourably discharged or punished in any other way because of indiscipline,” he emphasized.
Among the 568 officers commissioned today, 475 were bachelor degree holders trained for one year while 93 graduated after four years of both academic and military training.
The 93 graduates combined military training and university studies in Social and Military Sciences, Medicine, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering.
Of the 475 officers enrolled in one year program, 277 were in-service soldiers while 198 were civilians before joining the military training.
They were joined by 24 graduates who completed military training in partner countries to take the commissioning oath before serving in RDF.
These countries include the United Kingdom, United States of America, Russia, Qatar, Srilanka, Kenya and Italy.
Tshisekedi made the revelation in the evening of Thursday 3rd November 2022 as he delivered state of the nation address.
He delivered the remarks at a time when the fighting between Congolese soldiers and M23 rebel group is ongoing.
Tshisekedi has called on all citizens, security personnel and politicians among others to unite against M23 and defend territorial integrity.
Tshisekedi said that the rebel group is receiving support from Rwanda in terms of resources and reinforcement troops.
Congolese Army (FARDC) in collaboration with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) continues to lose bases during the ongoing fighting with M23 rebel group.
The defeat has seen Congolese citizens and politicians externalizing the country’s problems and accuse Rwanda of supporting the rebel group, a claim which the latter has repeatedly rejected.
The accusations were followed by protests against Rwanda where Congolese continue to speak ill of the neighbouring country instead of exerting pressure on the national army to quell rebels.
M23 resumed fighting early this year requesting DRC to implement signed peace accords to give leadership positions to members of the group as a gesture to put an end to discrimination against Kinyarwanda-speaking people in the country.
DRC failed to respect the peace accords signed in 2013, labeled M23 as a terrorist group and refrained from engaging in talks with its members.
Congolese Army is gradually losing different bases to M23 which continues to advance towards Goma town after capturing strategic areas including Bunagana, Rutshuru and Rumangabo among others.
Tshisekedi has said that his country tries to maintain relations with nine neighbouring countries and elevate partnership with Rwanda and Uganda, ‘but surprised by the resurgence of M23 which had been defeated in 2013’.
“Through the false accusations of FARDC support to FDLR, Rwanda has intentions to hoard our minerals. To achieve this, it has opted to destabilize eastern DRC to create a lawless zone for its own interests,” he said.
Alluding to waging a war on Rwanda, Tshisekedi said that his country had two options to address security problems in eastern DRC: diplomacy and war.
“I have resolved to prefer the first option over the second. So, the diplomatic option has been implemented,” he said.
“It is worth reminding that our commitment to the pursuit of peace is in no way a sign of weakness, or an admission of our country’s inability to fight tries abusing our patience by means of war. It is an expression of our peaceful and hospitable character,” added Tshisekedi.
Through the diplomatic process, Tshisekedi said that he met with heads of states from East African Community (EAC) on 20th June 2022 in Nairobi, and later met with President Paul Kagame along with Angolan President João Lourenço on 6th July 2022.
In September this year, Tshisekedi also met with his counterpart of Rwanda and French President Emmanuel Macron in New York.
The Congolese President has said that these efforts yielded no tangible results towards achieving peace.
Tshisekedi explained that he has powers granted to him by the constitution to defend territorial integrity until the supreme sacrifice.
He urged Congolese to stand united and in solidarity with security forces to show the highest sense of patriotism in defending the country’s integrity and ensure security of nationals against attacks from wherever.
Tshisekedi also sent a warning to those who betray the country working in the interests of the enemy that they will face the law.
He ordered the Congolese army commander to establish dozens of military training centers as part of preparations to respond to alleged Rwanda’s support to M23.
“In response to the appeal of young people to enroll massively in our Armed Forces, I reiterate the instruction given to the Chief of Staff to accelerate the establishment of training centers through the twenty six provinces in our country,” he said.
“The war imposed on us by our neighbours demands sacrifice from each of us. It is time to silence our political differences to defend our motherland together,” added Tshisekedi.
Officer Cadets from the academy have been commissioned to the rank of Second Lieutenant today by President Paul Kagame who is also the Commander-In-Chief of RDF.
Ian Kagame graduated at the Royal Military Academy in the United Kingdom (UK) recently in August 2022 where he was commissioned to the rank of Second Lieutenant.
He had to be sworn-in before serving in RDF.
Ian Kagame had completed his Master’s degree in economics at Williams College in the United States in June 2019.
The Commander of Rwanda Military Academy said that commissioned officers include 568 officer cadets trained in Rwanda of whom 53 are girls.
They were joined by 24 graduates who completed military training in partner countries for the swearing-ceremony before serving in RDF.
These countries include the United Kingdom, United States of America, Russia, Qatar, Srilanka, Kenya and Italy.
Among the 568 officers commissioned today, 475 were bachelor degree holders trained for one year while 93 graduated after four years of both academic and military training.
The 93 graduates combined military training and university studies in Social and Military Sciences, Medicine, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering.
Of the 475 officers enrolled in one year program, 277 were in-service soldiers while 198 were civilians before joining the military training.
During the ceremony, three best students were awarded for outstanding performance.
Gen Kabarebe makes the disclosure at a time when Congolese Army (FARDC) in collaboration with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) continues to lose their bases an ongoing fighting with M23 rebel group.
The defeat has seen Congolese citizens and politicians externalizing the country’s problems and accuse Rwanda of supporting the rebel group, a claim which the latter has repeatedly rejected.
The accusations were followed by protests against Rwanda where Congolese continue to speak ill of the neighbouring country instead of exerting pressure on the national army to quell rebels.
M23 resumed fighting early this year requesting DRC to implement signed peace accords to give leadership positions to members of the group as a gesture to put an end to discrimination against Kinyarwanda-speaking people in the country.
DRC failed to respect the peace accords signed in 2013, labeled M23 as a terrorist group and refrained from engaging in talks with the rebel group.
Congolese Army is gradually losing different bases to M23 which continues to advance towards Goma town after captured strategic areas including Bunagana, Rutsuru and Rumangabo among others.
On the other hand, Congolese continue to accuse Rwanda of being behind M23 and call for a war with Rwanda.
The Spokesperson of DRC recently told the media that ‘Rwanda made a wrong choice because the war it waged against our country will backfire’.
{{No fight with a mad person}}
Gen Kabarebe has said that provocations and accusations of DRC are nonsense because Rwanda’s borders with the country are safeguarded.
“There are many people declaring war against Rwanda but do not do it. When that person becomes talkative the whole day, you listen and wait for actions. That is nonsense,” he said.
Gen Kabarebe was responding to a question raised by one of participants of talks that brought together youth volunteers and students from the College of Science and Technology at the University of Rwanda (UR-CST) in the evening of 2nd November 2022.
“Rwanda can’t be drawn into war because Congolese go mad, throw stones at border or speak ill of it. We fight strategic wars, not wars of provocation […] you don’t fight a mad person […] you ignore him/her but set a red line,” he said.
Gen Kabarebe further revealed that Rwanda can’t be dragged into war by simple provocations.
“Rwanda fights strategic wars to protect its interests. It can’t be involved in provocations and reprisals over nonsense,” he noted.
The Government of Rwanda recently announced that it is closely monitoring the situation in DRC where security forces at the border are on alert.
Latest figures from NBR’s report for the year 2021/2022 released on 31st October, shows that the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 8.9% in 2022 from 4.4% of the previous year registered in June 2021.
The report also indicates that Rwandan franc depreciated by 3.8% in June by the end of June 2022, compared to 5.3 percent depreciation recorded in the corresponding period of 2021.
On another note, the banking sub-sector’s aggregate net profits increased by Rwf18.5 billion to Rwf74.4 billion during the first half of 2022 from Rwf55.9 billion during the first half of 2021.
BNR indicates that transfers through mobile banking channels increased by 35 percent from 6 million to 8 million transactions and the value of transactions increased by 140 percent from Rwf917 billion to Rwf381 billion.
Meanwhile, funds transfers through internet banking increased by 42 per cent from 1,552,080 to 2,205,107 transactions and the value of transactions increased by 57 per cent from Rwf2,672 billion to Rwf4,200 billion.
The number of mobile banking subscribers increased by 18 per cent from 2,080,549 in June 2021 to 2,244,652 and Internet banking subscribers increased by 32 per cent from 106,312 to 140,662 in June 2022. Active mobile payment subscribers also increased by 9 percent from 5,079,232 in June 2021 to 5,528,109 in June 2022.
Among others; the number of card based Point-Of-Sales (POS) increased by 14 percent from 4,635 POS in June 2021 to 5,263 POS in June 2022 while the number of mobile POS increased to 49,975 in June 2022 from 45,627 in June 2021. On the other hand, Virtual POS (QR based POS) moderately increased from 4,280 in June 2021 to 4,295 in June 2022.
The number of agents providing banking services increased by 33 percent from 6,555 to 8,720 agents while mobile payment agents slightly increased by 2 percent, from 144,250 to 146,930 agents. The number of automated teller machines (ATMs) remained stable with only 1 percent of increase from 338 to 344 ATMs at end June 2022.
{{Overall performance}}
As per released report, the overall value of retail e-payment to GDP increased by 16.4 percent during the period to reach 111.9 percent.
The usage was dominated by mobile payment (transfer and acquiring services) and internet banking services, which account for 67.4 percent and 35 percent of the GDP respectively.
Transfers through mobile payment channels occupied the largest share of the total number of cashless transactions with 70 percent followed by transfers via mobile banking with 26 percent.
In terms of value, transfer through mobile payment represented 51 percent followed by internet banking with 32 percent of total value of transactions.
Rwanda is among countries with segments of the population using traditional cooking fuels. Figures from the Ministry of Environment indicate that 79.9% of the population depends on charcoal and wood as a source of cooking fuels and among the rural populations those using wood is over 90%.
The Ministry also indicates that Rwanda needs at least over US$1.37 billion by 2030 to achieve the target of reducing charcoal and firewood use from 83 percent of 2019 to 42 percent of population.
The government says that the target can only be achieved through collaboration with members of the private sector and donors.
Apart from their effects on the environment, some parts of Rwanda still struggle to access charcoal and firewood as the sources of fuel depending on their topography and the fact that there has been significant deforestation over the years making wood fuel scarce.
The majority of such areas are from Eastern Province, mainly in the districts of Ngoma, Bugesera and Rwamagana.
The issue has been also pointed out by the Governor of Eastern Province, Emmanuel Gasana who revealed that residents sometimes use dry weeds to cook food.
“When it comes to cooking fuels, our province understands it easily because residents in districts including Ngoma, Rwamagana and Bugesera are sometimes hit hard and use dry weeds as an alternative for cooking fuel,” he said.
Residents also explain that they struggle to prepare food for those with no woodlots as they spend a long time roaming around hills to collect wood sticks.
Ernestine Umutesi is a mother of four residing in Mwulire Cell, Rwamagana District.
She revealed that they hardly get cooking fuels as her family has no woodlot.
This pushed parents and children to roam around hills and bushes to be able to prepare food because they cannot cover the cost for a sack of charcoal usually sold between Rwf8000 and Rwf10000.
“Apart from charcoals, firewood bought at Rwf500 is used once. This highlights how getting cooking fuels is a serious problem,” said Umutesi.
Other residents explain that those with means to buy a sack of charcoal cannot use it for more than two weeks.
{{Interventions of Tubeho Neza }}
In a bid to cut expenses, reduce CO2 emissions and save forestry, the ‘Tubeho Neza’ (Live Well) project distributes energy-efficient cooking stoves which rely on wood but in much smaller quantities. It cuts wood use by 71%, and on project completion, will save 64km2 of forestry every year.
The project is run by DelAgua and is committed to uplift people’s livelihoods through access to climate and health friendly cooking stoves. The project specifically focusses on rural communities. DelAgua provides the stove free of charge, as such a high performing stove is unaffordable for the rural poor. Even subsidized, less effective stoves are out of their reach. Tubeho Neza is allowing those most in need and previously denied clean cooking, access to the best quality rocket stove available with all the health and environmental benefits it delivers.
In collaboration with the Government of Rwanda, the organization started distributing energy-efficient cooking stoves in 2012 with the target of increasing the number from current 1 million to 2.3 million stoves by 2024,one for every rural household.
On the celebration of the project’s 10th anniversary on Wednesday, October 26 in Mwulire Sector of Rwamagana District, DelAgua donated the 1 millionth stove, marking a milestone in their emission reduction model.
The donation is meant to eliminate the use of open firewood stoves or three stone stoves mostly used in rural areas . The concept and study of the environment friendly stove was designed by DelAgua to perfectly suit the rural families and is manufactured by Burn in Kenya.
Neil McDougall, the Chairman of DelAgua says that the stove’s design and performance will contribute to improved livelihoods of people in rural areas.
“We commissioned studies in collaboration with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. It was observed that the stove can reduce children’s deaths by 47%. It also reduces smoke as it has the capacity to burn wood cleanly and with little ash compared to three stone stoves. Also, the stove saves firewood and can reduce the use of wood sticks from ten to three. This reduces the money spent on firewood or the time spent to collect them,” he said.
Neil McDougal explained that the multi-million project is promising to contribute to the reduction of emissions and improve beneficiaries’ livelihoods as well.
{{Exemption of taxes}}
The Minister of Environment, Dr. Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya said that Tubeho Neza is the largest project all over the world aimed at distributing environment friendly energy efficient cooking stoves.
“In partnership with the Government of Rwanda, DelAgua initiated the Tubeho Neza project, which is the largest across the world. Today, we are halfway to our target,” she noted.
Dr. Mujawamariya revealed that the government exonerated taxes to make the exercise possible.
The stove donated for free is valued at Rwf80,000 including the lifelong education, support and service programme that is provided to every family alongside the stove.
Such is the effectiveness of the programme, independent audits show that 99% of the stoves given to beneficiaries are still in daily use.
Chantal Muhongerwa is among beneficiaries of the stoves who previously used three stone fires.
The woman explained that she would catch respiratory or eye complications due to the use of traditional fire.
Today, Muhongerwa has a different story to tell as her health conditions have improved and her home is always clean, thanks to the clean cooking stove received eight years ago which also reduced time spent in the kitchen.
“Today, I spend a few minutes cooking food and get time for rest. I save the money previously spent on large quantities of wood in a saving group to diversify sources of income. Before, I would use a log bought at Rwf2000 one day but a small amount of wood bought at Rwf500 can cook food the whole day using the energy-efficient stove. We are thankful for the great support,” she said.
Muhongerwa also revealed that the time she used to spend cooking beans has reduced from four hours to 1 hour and 40 minutes.
Premier Ngirente delivered the message at the celebration of World Teachers’ Day marked on Wednesday 2nd November 2022.
In Rwanda, the event was held at BK Arena at national level where Dr. Ngirente addressed over 7000 teachers and delivered the message from President of the Republic.
Premier Ngirente told educators that President Kagame sent him to deliver his message.
“His Excellency, President of the Republic of Rwanda wished to be with you today but could not make it over hectic schedules and other reasons. So, he asked me to represent him at this ceremony,” he said.
“His message is covered in one word. It implies that the Government of Rwanda strongly attaches great relevance to your profession. That is why we continue to call you educators and parents in Rwanda. Keep up the momentum,” added Dr. Ngirente.
The Premier revealed that he is personally proud of the profession which has been the cornerstone for many high profile personalities.
“May the teacher be respected,” he said.
Dr. Ngirente requested teachers to continue to be a good example in their profession and Rwandan society as well.
“I once again request teachers and educators altogether to be defined by good conduct to inspire the children you teach and other segments of the population. People learn from teachers’ good manners but the opposite of this tarnishes their reputation,” he said.
“Good conduct has to go hand in hand with hygiene which should characterize all Rwandans from teachers to students. The country, parents and Rwandan society expect you to play a role in instilling such good manners among them,” added Dr. Ngirente.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Valentine Uwamariya reminded teachers that they do a great job that requires dedication.
“We salute teacher’s dedication to their work. Apparently, teaching is a calling and we have been witnessing the fruits of your work. A lot still needs to be done to promote quality education, work relentlessly, and assess students’ knowledge, take heed of hygiene and work with parents whom we educate their children among others,” she advised.
Rwanda registers over 5603 teachers in nursery schools; 63,788 in primary schools; 29,858 in public and semi-public secondary schools and 7,813 in technical schools while 20,000 are from private schools.
During the ceremony, five outstanding teachers were awarded for promoting quality education while five others were awarded for efficiently utilizing loans from Umwarimu Sacco.
BPR Bank Rwanda Plc is the second largest bank in Rwanda created out of the merger of KCB Bank Rwanda plc and Banque Populaire du Rwanda (BPR) last year while ADHI Corporate Group is a real estate company which uses modular parts pre-made in a factory for faster and more affordable construction.
This method addresses climate change concerns while providing homes that are well-suited to African climates.
ADHI Rwanda runs a Rwf100 billion eco-friendly housing project dubbed ‘Bwiza Riverside Homes’ whose first phase was launched in February this year in Karama, Kigali sector of Nyarugenge District in Kigali City.
The estate expected to give a boost to urban settlement in Kigali, is part of a project to build 2700 affordable housing units.
The project to be completed in five phases came at a time when the government of Rwanda seeks to address low and middle-income communities’ housing challenges with an aim to create 150,000 new dwellings annually to meet the projected demand of 5.5 million dwellings by 2050.
Speaking at the signing ceremony held in Kigali City, the Managing Director of BPR Bank, George Odhiambo said that the agreement aligns with the lender’s ambitions to create an impact to the community it serves.
He underscored that the partnership will last as long as ADHI will be constructing houses.
“BPR Bank is the bank of people. Our customer base is diverse. One of the challenges the country face is decent and affordable housing. This means that many of our customers need houses and we want to come in between and support them,” he said.
“Housing or ownership is something that some people live a life-time without acquiring. One of the greatest impacts we can create in a society is to provide decent houses. We are the bridge where we give them money to acquire the house and pay us over many years.
Our mortgage loan stretch up to 20 years. So, someone whose income is not so high can acquire a house and pay gradually. This is the contribution want to make in partnership with ADHI,” added Odhiambo.
He disclosed that the bank has engaged with many partners from various parts of the world for the last few years to help the growing population own homes but many of them died at the point of concept.
Odhiambo commended ADHI Rwanda for having reached a great milestone to break the ground and begin implementation, which has become a key enabler for the deal to materialize.
Odhiambo further stated that the MoU gives relief to customers who would hardly build houses.
“We are pleased to know that you have made this a reality. This is something that many of our customers that we fund for their personal development do not necessarily come to buy houses because they are out of their reach, To know that there is someone in town who can just deliver a house in a few weeks, or months is a big achievement for us and our customers” said Odhiambo.
As Odhiambo revealed, BPR Bank has over 1.5 million customers of whom ten thousands are rightfully qualified to start getting those houses for staying in or for investment.
ADHI Chairman, Soleman Idd said that BPR Bank becomes the only regional partner for the ongoing project and encouraged the lender to get involved in more relevant activities including training offered to young people to construct ecofriendly buildings.
Normally, an individual willing to buy a house at Bwiza Riverside was required to pay 10% upfront.
According to ADHI Chairman Vice President, Mme Soleiman Sadiya, the MoU removes the barrier as the mortgage loan can be provided without down payments.
“BPR is coming as the only bank that can finance the full ownership. You will only start paying your mortgage, the moment you have your keys. It is like you are having a house as a rental that will become yours in 20 years. This is the difference from other banks. What BPR is doing is very important for us as developers and for the customers,” she said.
The first phase of Bwiza Riverside estate is expected to be completed in July next year and will be comprised of 270 housing units.
