The are coming to Rwanda for Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2022 taking place in Kigali.
Clarence House has revealed via Twitter handle the they will land in Kigali in few hours.
Prince Charles will be representing Queen Elizabeth II at the meeting being held in Rwanda.
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2022 takes place from 20-25 June 2022, in Kigali, Rwanda under the theme “Delivering a Common Future : Connecting, Innovating, Transforming”.
Commonwealth leaders will travel to Rwanda to reaffirm their common values and agree actions and policies to improve the lives of all their citizens. Decisions taken at CHOGM also guide the work programme of the Commonwealth Secretariat.
The official opening of CHOGM takes place on Friday 24th June and is followed by the main high-level meetings of Heads from Friday 24th to Saturday 25th June.
These events are preceded by four forums, ministerial meetings, side events and other activities.
Charles Philip Arthur George is the first born among four children of Queen Elisabeth II. He was designated as her successor in 2018.
His siblings are; Andrew Albert Christian Edward (Prince Andrew), Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise (Princess Anne) and Edward Antony Richard Louis (Prince Edward).
Prince Charles was born at Buckingham Palace on 14th November 1948. One month later, he was christened by the Archbishop of Canterbury Diocese, Dr. Geoffrey Fisher.
As the oldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Prince Charles is the longstanding heir apparent to the British throne. Under public scrutiny his entire life, Charles graduated from Trinity College before embarking on a military career which culminated with him commanding the HMS Bronington.
He married Diana Spencer in the summer of 1981 to huge media fanfare, though the couple would eventually divorce in 1996 after years of gossip and scandal. Charles later wed longtime love Camilla Parker Bowles some time after Princess Diana’s death.
He is the father of Princes William and Harry and is also a grandfather. Among his many philanthropic and environmental endeavors are the Prince’s Trust and the Prince’s Rainforest Project.
[{{Click here to read more about the biography of Prince Charles}}->https://www.biography.com/royalty/prince-charles#:~:text=Prince%20Charles%20was%20born%20Charles,King%20George%20VI%20in%201952.]
Makolo’s appointment is one of resolutions of the 78th IATA Annual General Meeting (AGM held in Doha, Qatar on Monday 20th June 2022.
She is expected to assume duties in June 2023, replacing Mehmet Tevfik Nane who served on the Board of Governors since 2019.
Makolo will be chairing the Board of Governors including bosses of world’s renowned airlines including Michael Rousseau, the CEO of Air Canada; Benjamin Smith, the CEO of Air France – KLM Group; Douglas Parker, the CEO of American Airlines, Mesfin Tasew Bekele of Ethiopian Airlines and Pieter Elbers of KLM.
Headquartered in Canada, IATA is the trade association for the world’s airlines, representing some 290 airlines from 120 countries. It provides support in many areas of aviation activity and helps formulate industry policy on critical aviation issues.
Makolo becomes the 81st person elected as Chair of IATA Board of Governors.
Yvonne Manzi Makolo was appointed RwandAir’s CEO in 2018. She joined RwandAir in April 2017 as the Deputy CEO in Charge of Corporate Affairs.
Previously, she worked with MTN Rwanda as the Chief Marketing Officer for ten years.
The meeting is expected to resolve on the deployment of join regional force to restore peace in eastern DRC as requested by Kenyatta who is the incumbent Chairperson of East African Community (EAC).
Rwanda’s Presidency has revealed that Kagame attended the conclave on the security situation in eastern DRC along with Presidents Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, Evariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi, Salva Kiir Mayardit of South Sudan and Felix Tshisekedi of DRC.
Tanzanian President, Samia Suluhu Hassan has been represented by her country’s ambassador to Kenya, John Stephen Simbachawene.
The meeting takes place at a time when tensions continue to escalate between Rwanda and DRC.
The latter accuses Rwanda of supporting M23 rebel group in its clashes with Congolese Army (FARDC) but Rwanda has repeatedly refuted the allegations.
Kenyatta recently called for urgent deployment of regional force to fight rebel groups based in eastern DRC.
Rwanda says that it is willing to contribute to the joint operation but DRC boycotted the support insisting that it doesn’t want Rwandan troops to participate.
Meetings begin in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda on Sunday 19 June with four forums – covering youth, women, business and civil society – culminating with the official Retreat for leaders at the Intare Conference Arena on Saturday 25 June. At the Leaders Retreat – unique to the Commonwealth – Heads of Government meet privately to discuss collaboration on global and Commonwealth priorities.
Commenting on the development; Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland said: “Since the last time the Commonwealth family came together for CHOGM in 2018, the onset of COVID-19, new and ongoing conflicts, and the accelerated impact of climate change have fundamentally altered the global landscape and tested our resilience.
This succession of events has changed lives, livelihoods, communities and economies. We know that in times of crises, the poor and most vulnerable are disproportionately affected. Many development gains, likewise, have been thrown off track, while others have regressed.
“That’s why with eight years to go until the Sustainable Development Goals ‘endgame,’ leaders at CHOGM are committed to harnessing lessons learned, working together and taking inspiration from the innovative solutions that we’ve seen emerge over the past few years.
“The Commonwealth is a bedrock for member states, rooted in a shared history, collective aspirations and progressive solutions. At a time when multilateralism is under serious strain, CHOGM offers a vital forum to deliver the objectives of member states and an opportunity to draw upon all the talents of the member states to deliver a smarter, more resilient, prosperous, confident and sustainable Commonwealth.”
A Ministerial Meeting for the Commonwealth’s 32 Small Island Developing States is scheduled for Wednesday 22 June at which economic vulnerability, climate action and access to finance and debt sustainability are expected to top the agenda. The Commonwealth has a long history championing the needs of Small States, which face unique challenges related to climate change and external economic shocks.
The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group – which assesses countries at risk of breaching fundamental political values , will also meet on 22 June.
On Thursday 23rd June, Foreign Ministers will convene ahead of the main CHOGM sessions to review the leaders’ agenda and receive outcomes from the four forums for consideration by Heads. The traditional Commonwealth Sports Breakfast, also on Thursday 23 June, will showcase preparations for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, which begin on 28 July.
Several side meetings will take place during CHOGM and cover topics including violence against women and girls, climate change, access to justice and sustainable ocean protection and economic development.
The formal Opening Ceremony takes place on Friday 24 June at the Kigali Convention Centre and is followed by closed-door Executive Sessions at which leaders will consider a range of topical issues including post COVID-19 economic recovery, debt sustainability, climate change, trade and food security.
The Women’s, Youth, People and Business Forums will run concurrently at different venues in Kigali. Participants will include Commonwealth leaders, government ministers, members of the British royal family, senior UN figures, business leaders, civil society activists and literary figures.
The Women’s Forum will explore the Commonwealth’s role in achieving gender equality in line with UN aspirations and the crucial role women have to play in politics, business and peace building. The theme for 2022 is ‘Delivering a Common Future: Transforming for Gender Equality’.
The Youth Forum, held under the theme ‘Taking Charge of Our Future’ will bring 350 young people together to network, exchange ideas, build skills, and generate solutions to the most pressing youth-related challenges. These priorities will be cemented in a Youth Declaration at the end of the three-day event and will be presented to leaders The six-point plan will be implemented by the Commonwealth Youth Council and youth-led organisations across the Commonwealth.
The People’s Forum is the single largest gathering of civil society representatives in the Commonwealth. It is aimed at discussing solutions and building solidarity around some of the most pressing issues facing Commonwealth people, from the COVID-19 pandemic to the climate crisis. This year’s forum will address the theme: Our Health, Our Planet, Our Future.
The Business Forum is a unique platform for dialogue, bringing together business and government leaders from across the Commonwealth. Hosted as a partnership between the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC) and the Government of Rwanda, the Forum will discuss a range of issues affecting businesses across the Commonwealth with a focus on ‘A Global Reset’, dealing with the impact of the pandemic and the Commonwealth’s role in rebuilding and reinvigorating the global economy.
CHOGM 2022 was originally due to take place in 2020 but has twice been postponed due to COVID-19. The last country to host CHOGM in 2018 was the UK and the host country for CHOGM 2024 will be announced at this week’s summit.
The statement released by Rwanda National Police (RNP) reads that the incident took place on Saturday 18th June 2022.
“This Saturday afternoon at around 14:00 hours, armed thugs, suspected to be remnants of FLN operating from across the border, shot at a public passenger bus on the Nyamagabe – Rusizi road in Nyungwe forest, Nyamagabe District,” reads part of the statement.
The statement further reads that the assailants killed the bus driver, one passenger and injured six other passengers who were evacuated to Kigeme Hospital and teh University Teaching Hospital of Butare (CHUB) for medical attention.
“The Rwanda National Police intervened minutes into the incident. The assailants are being tracked down,” add the statement.
IGIHE has learnt that the killed driver is identified as Ibrahim Issa working with Rwanda Inter-Link Transport Company (RITCO).
The declaration has been communicated through a statement released by the Ministry of Communication and Media dated 17th June 2022.
Tshisekedi files the accusations following a High Defence Council on Wednesday this week which resolved to revoke all agreements signed with Rwanda.
Tensions between Rwanda and DRC escalated after the resurgence of M23 rebel group in clashes with Congolese Military (FARDC).
DRC has been accusing Rwanda of supporting the rebel group but Rwanda repeatedly refuted the allegations maintaining that it has no interest in destabilizing the neighbouring country’s security.
M23 recently captured Bunagana town at the border with Uganda and continues to advance towards Rutshuru.
Tshisekedi has said that the situation continues to worsen because Rwanda wants to occupy its land and exploit minerals.
“The security situation in east of the country continues to deteriorate, and fundamentally because Rwanda seeks to occupy our land, rich in gold, coltan and cobalt, for own exploitation and profit,” he said.
Tshisekedi also called on UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson to exert pressure on Rwanda to withdraw troops from DRC.
Meanwhile, M23 recently denied having any connections with Rwanda highlighting that some of weapons used during the battle have been bought from FARDC soldiers while others were kept in their hideouts long ago.
The Government of Rwanda has reiterated commitment to engage in discussions aimed at mending relations with DRC.
On Wednesday15th June 2022, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta who is the incumbent Chairperson of EAC called for urgent deployment of a joint regional force to disarm rebel groups and restore peace in eastern part of DRC as agreed during the Second Regional Heads of State Conclave on DRC in Kenya in April this year.
Following the request, DRC released a statement welcoming the decision but boycotted the intervention from Rwanda.
“The Government of DRC said it welcomed the proposal made yesterday by the President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta of deploying a new regional military force led by the East African Community to enforce peace in the provinces targeted by M23 and Rwanda, but insist they will not accept the participation of Rwanda in this joint force,” reads part of the statement.
DRC makes the statement at a time when Rwanda reiterated willingness to provide troops to support peace operations under the joint regional force.
Speaking to the media on Friday; Prof. Manasseh Nshuti, Rwanda’s State Minister for EAC Affairs said that the deployment of a joint force resulted from agreements between heads of state.
He explained that Rwanda is a member of EAC committed to maintain with security in the region and ready to send forces to restore peace under the joint operation.
The decision to establish a regional force was arrived at in April when Kenyatta hosted the leaders of Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, and the DRC in Nairobi to discuss the crisis.
The regional commanders of the seven-nation EAC bloc are expected to meet on Sunday 19th June 2022 to finalize preparations for the deployment of the joint force.
The East African Regional Force will be deployed to the Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu provinces.
Kenyatta said the regional force will work alongside local provincial authorities and in close coordination with the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) to disarm anyone carrying illegal firearms.
The Director of Immigration and Emigration in North Kivu, Ngoy Mukalay has told members of the press that the directive went into effect from Friday 17th June 2022.
The close at 3p.m. follows a cross-border incident where a Congolese soldier stormed Rwandan territory with a rapid fire and injured two policemen before he was shot dead by Rwandan security forces on guard.
Tension between Rwanda and DRC has escalated following the resurgence of M23 in clashes with Congolese Army.
DRC accuses Rwanda of supporting the rebel group but Rwanda has repeatedly refuted these claims and asked the country to seek a solution to its internal matters without dragging it into the war.
M23 has so far captured Bunagana town bordering with Uganda.
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.
RDF has through a statement released today indicated that the attacker who also opened fire on civilians crossing the border was shot back in self-defence.
“This morning at around 0845 am, an unidentified Congolese soldier armed with an AK 47 rifle crossed the “Petite Barrière” border in Rubavu District and began shooting at Rwandan security personnel and civilians crossing the border, injuring two Rwandan police officers. A Rwanda National Police officer on duty shot back in self defence, to protect civilians crossing the border and border agents,” reads part of the statement.
RDF has also disclosed that the Congolese soldier was shot dead 25 metres inside Rwandan territory and requested probe into the circumstances.
“The RDF has invited the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism (EJVM) to investigate the incident. Rwanda has informed DRC authorities, and DRC-Rwanda border officials are visiting the scene,” adds the statement.
Following the incident, the general public has been assured that the situation is calm at the border.
IGIHE has learnt that the killed soldier stormed Rwandan territory tutting that he wants to revenge for colleagues who lost lives during FARDC fighting with M23.
The attack follows recent incident at the border between Rwanda and DRC in Goma where Congolese took to street in large numbers for protests against Rwanda accusing it of supporting M23 rebel group in clashes with Congolese Army.
Rioters mounted demonstrations at Petite Barrière on Tuesday this week where they threw stones on Rwandan territory.
They also attempted to storm Rwanda but Rwanda National Police foiled them.
DRC continues to accuse Rwanda of being behind the resurgence of M23 claiming that the neighbouring country helped the rebel group to seize Bunagana town.
Rwanda has repeatedly refuted these allegations and urged DRC to solve its internal problems without dragging it into the war.
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[{{Congolese soldier shot dead at Rwanda’s border in Rubavu}}->https://en.igihe.com/news/article/congolese-soldier-shot-dead-at-rwanda-s-border-in-rubavu]
[{{RDF confirms another shelling by FARDC on Rwandan territory}}->https://en.igihe.com/news/article/drc-fires-rockets-into-rwanda]
It is said that the soldier of Congolese Army (FARDC) was equipped with AK 47 gun when he opened the rapid fire on the police officers who responded to the shooting for self-defence.
The border is located in Gasutamo Village, Mbugangari Cell of Gisenyi Sector in Rubavu District.
Sources reveal that the Congolese soldier stormed Rwandan territory shooting at Rwanda’s Police officers and injured one of them.
The policemen fired one bullet as a warning to the attacker and later shot him on the head after declining to stop.
A source has told IGIHE that the body is laid on Rwandan side close to metallic bars at the border.
Officials have not yet commented on the incident but media houses in DRC have reported that the country’s authorities have launched probe into the case.
Some media houses in DRC have revealed that the killed soldier stormed Rwandan territory tutting that he wants to revenge for colleagues who lost lives during FARDC fighting with M23.
The attack follows recent incident at the border between Rwanda and DRC in Goma where Congolese took to street in large numbers for protests against Rwanda accusing it of supporting M23 rebel group in clashes with Congolese Army.
Rioters mounted demonstrations at Petite Barrière on Tuesday this week where they threw stones on Rwandan territory.
They also attempted to storm Rwanda but Rwanda National Police foiled them.
DRC continues to accuse Rwanda of being behind the resurgence of M23 claiming that the neighbouring country helped the rebel group to seize Bunagana town.
Rwanda has repeatedly refuted these allegations and urged DRC to solve its internal problems without dragging it into a war.
Meanwhile, the rebel group recently denied having any connections with Rwanda highlighting that some of weapons used during the battle have been bought from FARDC soldiers while others were kept in their hideouts long ago.
DRC provocations on Rwanda have escalated in the past few weeks where it has been abusing Kinyarwanda-speaking citizens.
The citizens accused of having connections with Rwanda have also seen their belongings looted.
[{{Related story: RDF confirms another shelling by FARDC on Rwandan territory}}->https://en.igihe.com/news/article/drc-fires-rockets-into-rwanda]
