The collaboration between FARDC and FDLR has been reported going on since M23 rebel group resumed fighting with Congolese Army demanding the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to respect peace agreements signed in 2013.
FDLR is a terrorist group formed by masterminds responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Mukuralinda said that escalating security problems in eastern DRC results from DRC’s low willingness to abide by established processes to find a solution.
These include Nairobi and Luanda processes and commitments made by both countries’ Heads of State during a recent meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in New York.
The deputy spokesperson stressed that the most important thing is to fight all armed groups as a whole.
“You know that over 120 armed groups are reported to be there but only one is talked about amidst collaboration between Congolese Army with another armed group. Rwanda maintains that FDLR poses a threat in the area, but they overlook the reality and work with it to conduct military operations instead of fighting it,” he said.
“Such acts are not to be tolerated. Rwanda monitors the situation to contain possible threat on its land,” added Mukuralinda.
He further revealed that the violence against Kinyarwanda speaking citizens is also monitored even though some politicians denounced it.
“It is a good move that politicians in DRC denounced the violence but doing so today through social media, and decline to bring to justice individuals behind such acts yet they can be located, is another problem. I think that it is among reasons why such acts do not halt,” stated Mukuralinda.
He however emphasized that leaders continue to engage in discussions where the problems will get a solution whenever DRC’s side demonstrates willingness.
He voiced the concern as the United Nations Security Council convened for discussions on Combating Illicit Trade in Natural Resources That Fuels Conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The meeting took place on Wednesday 26th October 2022, amidst ongoing fight between Congolese Army (FARDC) and M23 rebel group that resumed on 20th October.
Reports indicate that the rebel group is on the verge of capturing Rutshuru territory.
DRC accuses Rwanda of supporting the group, but the country repeatedly denied the allegations.
M23 has been claiming that resuming fighting was triggered by DRC’s stubbornness to implement peace Accords signed in 2013.
Kayinamura explained that Rwanda “knows first-hand what it takes to build a nation from the ashes”, which is why it is committed to carrying out all tasks required by the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework Agreement.
Stressing the need to address the root causes of conflict, he expressed concern about the “dangerous attitude” that characterizes certain communities in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo as “foreigners” who should “go back where they came from”.
Kayinamura highlighted that the attitude is “a seed of unending conflict” which undermines efforts to find a lasting solution.
Another concerning issue pointed out is FDLR, which settled in the Democratic Republic of the Congo after committing the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Kayinamura expressed worries that the armed group continues to recruit and train combatants and commit grave human rights violations, despite several Council resolutions and presidential statements calling for its disarmament and disbanding.
He further called on the international community to build on regional initiatives to achieve sustainable peace ‘by addressing the root causes of crises in the Great Lakes region, including the two-decades-long active presence of FDLR in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’.
On the other hand, DRC’s envoy Georges Nzongola-Ntalaja, said that the town of Bunagana has been occupied by M23 for more than four months, asked the Council to demand that “Rwanda and its M23 immediately withdraw.”
The envoy does not see FDLR as a problem but explained that it is used as a cover to loot minerals in his country.
He demanded the UN Security Council ‘to support the Nairobi process, require all armed groups to lay down their weapons, impose sanctions against internal and external mafia networks which illegally exploited the country’s natural resources, and ensure that each country in the Great Lakes region settles its disputes with the combatants and rebels’.
The envoy of Burundi, Zéphyrin Maniratanga said it is important to ensure that Council members goes beyond the presentation of reports in New York to a visit to the region so as to be able draw its own conclusions.
Burundi underscored the need for cooperation and coordination of military efforts between the armed forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, MONUSCO and the forces of the East African Community.
“When the house of your neighbour is on fire, you must move to contain the fire before it spreads to your own house,” he said.
Maniratanga expressed support for the Nairobi process and said that his country deployed a military contingent of the Burundi National Defence Force.
He said that the deployment is not only in need of political support, but also of technical and financial aid to ensure its effective discharge of its mandate.
Maniratanga also underscored that the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the region is an essential platform to bring together the DRC and the regional countries to arrive at a lasting solution.
Touadéra was hosted at Urugwiro Village on Wednesday 26th October 2022.
The heads of state discussed the political situation in CAR, ongoing bilateral cooperation in various areas including security, governance and economic development as Rwanda’s Presidency revealed.
He comes to Rwanda following the annulment of proposed constitutional reforms.
CAR’s Constitutional Court last month ruled that a commission for constitutional reforms set up previous was “unconstitutional,” dealing the first blow to President Faustin-Archange Touadera’s bid to get through legislation allowing him to run for a third term.
In August this year, Touadera formed the body to draft a new Constitution of the Central African Republic.
But following a petition filed before the court by civil society group bloc for the Defense of the Constitution, the court in the capital Bangui ruled that the “decree was not in compliance with the country’s constitution.”
On Monday, President Touadéra ousted the Head of Constitutional Court, Danièle Darlan and the court’s judge Trinité Bango Sangafio.
Rwanda and CAR have been for long enjoying cordial relations whereby Rwanda is helping the country engulfed by wars to restore peace.
Rwandan Police forces and soldiers are deployed in the country to protect top leaders and major infrastructures in the country.
At the beginning of October 2022, Touadéra and First Lady invited and shared dinner with 200 senior officers, officers and other ranks, of the Rwanda Bilateral Force, at his home in Damara district, Central African Republic.
The troops were deployed to CAR in 2020 under an existing bilateral agreement on defense to reinforce electoral security and protect existing troops.
They have a different mandate from other troops deployed under the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA).
The troops were sent one week before CAR presidential elections when different rebel groups including the one led by François Bozize who was president between 2003 and 2013 planned to disrupt polls and threaten security.
On Election Day on 27th December 2020, Rwandan troops were deployed on different streets and polling stations in Bangui (capital city of CAR) standby to protect voters against security disruptions.
Speaking to the media one day after elections, Touadéra thanked his counterpart of Rwanda, Paul Kagame for support to secure the presidential and legislative elections that took place amidst fears that armed groups would disrupt them.
He thanked Rwanda and President Paul Kagame for contribution to restore peace in the country.
“I thank President Paul Kagame, Government of Rwanda, and Rwandans for their support to secure electoral process which allows nationals to freely choose their leaders. Many thanks for the great support,” said Touadéra.
Apart from security, Rwanda and CAR also enjoy cooperation in the areas of economy and mining.
Rwanda’s Presidency has revealed that Kagame hosted the envoy who brought a message from Col Mamadi Doumbouya on Wednesday 26th October 2022.
Discussions between the Head of State and Minister Gaoual Diallo along with his delegation were also attended by Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vincent Biruta.
Rwanda and Guinea enjoyed cordial relations before President Alpha Conde was ousted.
In 2016, President Kagame was awarded The Grand Croix, the highest honor in Guinea as he visited the country.
Colonel Doumbouya overthrew Alpha Conde in September 2022.
In April 2022, he received credentials from Amb. Zaina Nyiramatama to represent Rwanda to the country.
Upon receiving the credentials, Col Doumbouya said that both countries maintain African solidarity and each country’s history holds solutions to its problems.
He reaffirmed his keenness to work closely with Rwanda, which, he considers a role model country with remarkable social-economic transformation under the leadership of President Paul Kagame.
Col Doumbouya, was the commander of the country’s special forces before overthrowing Alpha Conde.
On Sunday 23rd October 2022, the Government of Rwanda announced suspension of IPRC Kigali for two weeks to allow for investigation into cases of theft and misappropriation of public resources at the school.
Individuals who have been arrested in the saga include the Principal of IPRC Kigali, Eng Diogène Mulindahabi accused of connivance in resources misappropriation and forgery case.
Others include Vander Thomas Muhimpundu, the Director in charge of Administration and Finance at IPRC and Mediatrice Uwantege, the Director of Logistics arrested over connivance in the same case.
Meanwhile, another Jean Claude who served as a storekeeper and Fortune Ndayambaje who worked as the Deputy Director in Charge of Finance and Administration are charged with resources misappropriation.
The Spokesperson of RIB, Dr. Murangira Thierry has told IGIHE that 12 individuals have been arrested under this case. These include top managers and staff at IPRC, security guards and traders.
The dossier was transferred to the Prosecution on Tuesday 25th October for further legal process.
Dr. Murangira has appealed to individuals entrusted with the management of public resources to do it efficiently and avoid misappropriation.
IGIHE has learnt that Rukundo Tumukunde, Nepomuscene Mugenzi and Venuste Habimana are among other suspects facing resources misallocation while Eugene Yambabariye, Nzavugejo, Daniel Harerimana and a trader identified as Alphonse Manirafasha are charged with theft.
Rwanda’s penal code stipulates that funds misallocation attracts a sentence between seven to ten years and the fine worth three to five times the embezzled funds.
Meanwhile, a public servant convicted of forgery is liable to a sentence between seven and ten years and a fine between two or three times the misallocated funds or of the two.
The crime of theft also attracts between one and two-year sentence and a fine between Rwf1 and Rwf2 million.
Rwanda being one of the African countries most affected by the impact of climate change, a total of 39.5 million euros of the financing commitment will be allocated to Rwandan-German Climate and Development Partnership launched on 1st March 2022.
Commitments include funding of key climate change mitigation and adaptation projects by the Rwandan Green Fund (FONERWA), but also important activities to support sustainable urbanisation – such as making coastal cities along Lake Kivu climate-resilient, where the impact of climate change is particularly evident with flooding and landslides becoming increasingly common.
Activities to improve waste management and circular economy were also agreed upon. The partnership is embedded within global climate initiatives, such as the Taskforce on Access to Climate Finance and the COP27 in November 2022 in Egypt, where Rwanda and Germany will jointly showcase their climate partnership.
Commenting on the development, German Development Minister Svenja Schulze says: “Climate change and social protection are two sides of the same coin. This is why, in addition to climate action, our climate and development partnerships are also about strengthening social justice. We want to provide particular support to those worst hit by the climate crisis.”
Both sides also agreed to promote small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as strengthen the provision of vocational education and training for young people and women.
In this regard, Minister Dr Uzziel Ndagijimana and KfW Regional Manager Ms Bettina Tewinkel signed two agreements worth 29 million euros of German financial cooperation for the TVET sector, which will be used for stipends to increase access to education as well as for school investments in infrastructure and equipment of TVET schools.
Dr Uzziel Ndagijimana, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, noted: “The outcome of the inter-governmental negotiations concluded today is a clear indication of a growing partnership between our two respective Countries as we celebrate 60 years of fruitful and impactful cooperation. The two parties agreed on key sectors of bilateral cooperation including Education with special focus on TVET, Climate Partnership, Social Protection, Vaccine Production and Governance among others.”
Laying the foundations for pharmaceutical manufacturing (including for vaccines) is another priority area of Rwandan-German development cooperation.
Currently, 99 per cent of Africa’s vaccines are imported. On 23rd June 2022, a high-level ground-breaking ceremony for a vaccine production factory of the German company BioNTech launched the construction work in Kigali.
Germany is providing substantial support with regard to training qualified personnel and lending support to the Rwanda Foods and Drugs Authority (with the involvement of the Paul-Ehrlich-Institute and in close cooperation with European partners).
The joint efforts are a key contribution to making access to high-quality, affordable health care in Africa possible and to strengthen the pandemic preparedness of the continent.
As part of the negotiations, Germany and Rwanda also agreed to expand social protection system through a sector budget financing contribution.
Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the cooperation has focused on expanding the Rwandan social protection system.
With the current war in Ukraine and its global implications of massive price increases and growing food insecurity threatening to increase poverty levels, Rwanda and Germany agreed to continue this cooperation.
The package also includes a pro-poor basked fund that aims to strengthen inclusive public service delivery and infrastructure to poor and vulnerable population groups.
Of the total commitment of 98.1 million, euros 31 million euros are subject to approval by the German Parliament.
The Head of State made the remarks on Tuesday 25th October 2022 as he officiated the opening of a three-day Mobile World Congress (MWC) Africa organized by the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA).
The summit held on the African continent for the first time brought together over 2000 participants form more than 50 countries.
These include major players in mobile telecommunication, ministers of ICT, non-profit organizations, investors and researchers among others.
The summit to be concluded on 27th October 2022 is expected to create opportunities for investment and cooperation to increase the number of smartphone owners and internet users in Africa.
President Kagame has said that digital technologies are a catalytic force for development in Africa but pointed out existing challenges where almost half of adults in low- and middle-income countries do not have access to the internet, even when living in areas with broadband coverage.
“Digital infrastructure is key, but it is not enough. To leverage the potential of connectivity, investments in digital skills and literacy must be integrated in our national policies,” he said.
The Head of State pointed out an example of Rwanda, where Kigali Innovation City aims to develop a competitive and productive workforce and a conducive environment for start-ups, with the support of the private sector.
The project to be set up in Kigali Special Economic Zone in Gasabo District will be completed at a tune of US$2 billion.
It comprises buildings that will host international universities, tech companies, and commercial buildings among others. The facility will sit on 70 hectares.
Some of buidlings under this –project including premises of Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) and African Leadership University (ALU) have been completed.
Considering the project under development, Kagame said that Africa is home to creative and tech-savvy youth, looking for the right platform to contribute solutions.
“We cannot afford to reduce them to a statistic, only, or sit idly by, as they seek opportunity outside of Africa. Our young people have a lot to offer. We must do our part, and keep our promise to them,” he noted.
The President highlighted that significant strides have been made on the continent to accelerate the digital transformation, through initiatives spearheaded by the African Union and Smart Africa, among others.
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Kagame also stressed the need to create a more enabling legal and regulatory environment to leave no one behind.
He underscored that everyone, regardless of status, gender, or nationality, must benefit, ‘if we want to create lasting change’.
The President said that emerging technologies are shaping the economic future everywhere in the world, as well as the conditions for peace and security.
“To speed up prosperity, technology has to go hand in hand with good governance,” he noted.
The Director General of the GSMA, Mats Granryd said that the Africa presents a lot of investment opportunities in digital technologies that will contribute to the continent’s economic growth.
Last year, over 500 million Africans had mobile phones. The figures represent 46% of Sub-Saharan Africa’s population. The number is projected to increase to more than 600 million in 2025.
Granryd explained that mobile penetration contributes to countries’ economies considering that fact that the use of mobile phones contributes 5% of the global GDP (US$500 billion).
In the Sub-Saharan Africa, using mobile phones contributed 8% (US$140 billion) to the total GDP in 2021. It also created over 3.2 million jobs.
However, there is still a long way to go as a half of the global population (3.6 billion) has no access to internet.
Despite the presence of armed groups in DRC which have increased to more than 130; Tshisekedi, his country’s cabinet members and Congolese at large have directed their attention to M23 rebel group which has been controlling Bunagana town at the border with Uganda for the past four months.
DRC has been accusing Rwanda of supporting M23 but the rebel group has repeatedly indicated that it wants the Congolese government to implement peace accords signed in 2013.
Rarely, one can find discussions involving Tshisekedi during his recent visit to the UK where he did not hint at Rwanda.
From talks held with King Charles III to his interactions with Congolese diaspora in UK, Rwanda remained on the table of discussions.
The Financial Times recently reported that Congolese continue to accuse Rwanda of waging a war in eastern DRC and blame Western countries for remaining silent on the issue.
Rwanda’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Johnston Busingye has hinted at the reasons why Congolese continue to yell but fail to get attention from targeted countries, mainly from Europe and the United States of America (USA).
Amb. Busingye has explained that DRC’s problems are domiciled in its capital Kinshasa where the country has to own up its problems instead of shifting the blame to others.
He went on to say that there is the presence of over 130 armed groups occupying large swathes of eastern DRC, violating every human right known to law including routinely raping women and girls but overlooked by the country.
“No Government isn’t worried because of violent armed rebel groups that sprout like mushrooms anywhere in the DRC,” Amb. Busingye tweeted.
Figures show that Congolese Army (FARDC) and ADF were main contributors to insecurity in eastern part of DRC from 2017 to 2022.
Reports indicate that ADF was involved in 451 incidents undermining security, FARDC in 416 while M23 was reportedly involved in one.
Considering the situation, Amb. Busingye said no government isn’t worried by the rate of violations of rights, including rape, murder and pillage among others committed by FARDC yet it still the national army still.
The United Nations (UN) Experts Report released in August this year accuses Rwanda of supporting M23 on one hand and blames DRC army for collaboration with FDLR terrorist group during its fight with M23.
The report indicates that the shelling on Rwandan territory in May this year was done on the order issued by FDLR officer who was working with Congolese soldiers.
“No Government wouldn’t be as worried as Rwanda that the FDLR, the Hutu extremist violent genocidal armed rebel militia, whose aim is violent return, is warmly hosted in the DRC since 1994, launches attacks on Rwanda at will, and commits untold crime against DRC citizens,” said Busingye.
Rwanda maintains that FDLR is the root cause for insecurity in eastern DRC, instead of the country’s accusations that Rwanda is behind its security problems.
The terrorist group has been spreading genocide ideology and harassed Kinyarwanda-speaking citizens whom partition history placed in Belgian Congo, Zaire in the current DRC.
This led to the creation of rebel groups including M23 to defend their rights.
Busingye highlights that Congolese government ignores the reality and accuse Rwanda of invading its land, supporting M23, pillaging gold, chimpanzees, and gorillas or quote a non-existent UN report ‘that can’t be remembered even in 12 hours’.
He wondered which position countries can consider or situation that would raise worries yet the country is putting forward baseless accusations.
“No Government isn’t aware that M23 is a DRC issue by identity, history and geography though DRC chooses distraction over reality,” said Amb. Busingye.
“To accuse is one, easy part. To accuse and try to prove is a different other part. But to accuse, regardless of proof, because it is politically expedient to do so, is a completely other part that takes a special type of courage to accomplish,” he added.
Analysts explain that Tshisekedi try to externalize his country’s problems to Rwanda to cover his shame over failing to fulfill promises to Congolese as he seeks to contend for another term next year.
On Monday 24th October 2022, the Government of Rwanda released a statement condemning DRC for continual blame games and contradictory assertions to externalize its problems to Rwanda yet it has not ceased to collaborate with FDLR.
The Head of State was addressing participants of the African Philanthropy Forum (APF) Conference taking place for two days in Kigali.
The African Philanthropy Forum is a strong and vibrant community of partners who through their strategic giving, investments and influence, foster shared prosperity on the African continent.
Established in 2014, PF seeks to promote philanthropies with the involvement of Africans and strive for an inclusive development of the African continent.
It brings together over 1400 philanthropists from across the world.
As he presided over the opening ceremony of the forum’s two-day conference on Monday 24th October 2022, President Kagame highlighted the need to increase Africans participation in philanthropies.
“Increasing philanthropic initiatives by African individuals and organizations is critically important, but not only because of the money. It is about having the dignity, as Africans, to choose for ourselves the future we want, and work diligently towards it, together,” he said.
The conference is held under the theme “African Philanthropists Closing the Gender Gap.” It brought together stakeholders in the African philanthropy community to intensify partnerships for greater impact in the gender equity and empowerment space.
Commenting on the issue of gender inequalities, Kagame said: “Discrimination against women and girls is fuelled by distorted mindsets that perceive women as inferior to men. To begin with, men must reject and reverse this. Now, even women, you must refuse that. They are not inferior.”
Rwanda hosts the meeting at a time when it is among top countries promoting the principle of gender balance.
Currently, Rwanda registers 65% of women representation in parliament and 50% in the cabinet.
Rwanda’s Presidency has revealed via Twitter handle that Kagame met with Graça Machel on Monday 24th October 2022.
She has come to Rwanda to attend a two-day African Philanthropy Forum (APF) Conference taking place in Kigali.
Graça Machel,77, is the Founder of Graça Machel Trust and the Foundation for Community Development.
She is the only woman in modern history to have served as First Lady of two countries; South Africa and Mozambique.
Graça Machel is one of the world’s leading advocates for women’s and children’s rights and has been a social justice and political activist for many decades.
She established the Graça Machel Trust in 2010 as a Pan-African advocacy organisation focused on child health and nutrition, education, women’s economic and financial empowerment, leadership and good governance.
Over the past years, the Trust has worked to “Multiply the Faces and Amplify the Voices” of African women and children.
Through collaboration with partners, at all levels, the organization has helped promote and strengthen women and children’s networks to drive social and economic change.
The Graça Machel Trust acts as a catalyst, working across the continent to advocate for the protection of children’s rights and dignity, and amplify women’s movements by harnessing and promoting their contributions to the economic, social and political development of Africa.
It works with global, regional and local partners who are passionate about creating profound change in the issues of focus.
