Mutsindashyaka presented letters of credence on Friday 13th May 2022. He also oversees Rwanda’s interests in other countries including Congo Brazzaville, Cameroun, and Equatorial Guinea.
President Ali Bongo Ondimba was last in Kigali in 2018. At the time, he held talks with his counterpart of Rwanda, Paul Kagame on the future of both countries’ relations.
Ali Bongo has been attending different summits in Kigali. He was also among Heads of State who attended the swearing-in of President Paul Kagame after re-election in 2017.
Rwanda and Gabon enjoy existing cooperation through air transport where RwandAir operates flights to Libreville, the capital of Gabon.
Gabon is rich in natural resources. It also has timber-rich and extensive forest resources.
Members of Rwanda’s Private Sector plan to cooperate with colleagues from Gabon to run businesses in the country to promote Made in Rwanda and create new jobs.
Rwanda and Gabon signed cooperation agreements in 1976 that were revised in 2010.
The decision is part of resolutions of the cabinet meeting held on Friday 13th May 2022 at Village Urugwiro chaired by President Paul Kagame. The meeting reviewed existing health measures regarding COVID-19.
“All measures remain in effect and will be reviewed after one month upon health assessment,” reads part of a statement released by the Office of Prime Minister.
Cancelling the mandatory wearing of face masks is among eased measures of the meeting.
“Wearing face masks is no longer mandatory. However, people are encouraged to wear masks indoors. The public is urged to get frequently tested while continuing to observe preventive measures,” adds the statement.
As COVID-19 emerged, Rwanda was among countries that rushed to implement preventive measures. The country had made the wearing of face masks mandatory since April 2020.
Rwanda bans mandatory use of face masks at a time when efforts to fight the pandemic are yielding good results.
Figures from the Ministry of Health released on Friday indicate that only seven people out of 6702 sample tests were confirmed positive.
The reduction is linked to the number of Rwandans who have been already vaccinated. So far; 9,028,849 people have received the first dose of COVID-19; 8,494,713 received two doses while 4,371,568 have received the booster dose.
Rwandans have been reminded to get full vaccinated to access public places including public transport.
The cabinet meeting reminded people that getting fully vaccinated means having two doses and the booster one when eligible (administered three months after the second dose).
Arriving passengers at Kigali International Airport must present a negative rapid test taken 72 hours prior to the departure.
An additional test will be taken upon arrival at own cost.
“Departing passengers at Kigali International Airport must present negative rapid or PCR test [depending on requirements at destination] taken 72 hours prior to departure. All departing Rwandans must be vaccinated,” adds the statement.
Rwanda cancels mandatory use of face masks following other countries including USA, Ghana, Ireland and France.
The former army officer who was arrested on 11th May 2022, has been living in the Netherlands since 1998. Rwanda had requested his extradition for his involvement in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
In 1994, the man was an officer of the gendarmerie in Rwanda. It is said that he played a prominent role in the killings of Tutsis in Kigali and Mugina in Kamonyi District.
Karangwa is suspected for involvement in the planning and execution of Tutsi killings in Mugina, including by supplying weapons to militias that killed Tutsis.
The man and his accomplices are also said to have led some 80 Tutsis that had managed to escape the killings at a parish in the area to a house that was subsequently set on fire. The man is said to have supplied the fuel.
Sources reveal that the man had chaired a meeting calling for Tutsi civilians to be attacked and killed. He is also alleged to have played a part in the assassination of the mayor of Mugina.
Karangwa received an asylum status in the Netherlands in 1999. Because of his suspected involvement in the Genocide, the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Department (IND) decided in 2013 to revoke his Dutch citizenship, which he had been granted in 2002.
This decision was challenged in court. On 11th May 2022, the Dutch Council of State dismissed the appeal against the revocation of his Dutch citizenship on its merits, thereby removing any impediment to his arrest and ultimate extradition to Rwanda.
Upon his arrest, it was agreed that the suspect will be brought before the examining magistrate in The Hague on Friday 13th May 2022.
Kicukiro Primary Court has taken the decision on the request of the Prosecution.
As the hearing began, the Prosecutor requested the session be held behind closed doors for security of witnesses and abused victims.
Ishimwe has however maintained that the hearing should not be held behind closed doors because his arrest and faced charges were made public.
Ishimwe said that he should be granted his rights in the court case by having proceedings held in camera.
His defence lawyer also objected that the request of the Prosecution has other motives behind not for the sake of witnesses’ security. She revealed that the Prosecution’s reasons pushed forward should be ignored on the basis of being unfounded.
She further explained that her client cannot threaten security of witnesses because he is arrested.
After hearing both sides, the presiding judge ruled in favour of holding the session in camera and asked the crowd including journalists to step out for the hearing session to continue.
Ishimwe, the CEO of Rwanda Inspiration Backup which organizes Miss Rwanda beauty pageant was arrested recently accused of sexual abuse.
He faces three charges including rape, soliciting or offering sexual favours, and harassment connected to sexual relations.
Following the visit, Lt Gen Muhoozi revealed via Twitter handle that he was delighted to receive the delegation.
“Yesterday, I was honoured to receive a senior delegation of our RDF brothers, led by Brigadier General Nyakarundi, Director of DMI. The relations and close cooperation between UPDF and RDF continue to grow,” he tweeted on Thursday.
Rwanda and Uganda relations that had deteriorated since 2017 are currently on the mend as evidenced through exchange of visits and willingness to solve pending issues.
In reaction to the announcement on Thursday 12th may 2022, IRMCT Chief Prosecutor Serge Brammertz stated that accounting for the last of the major ICTR fugitives – Protais Mpiranya – is an important step forward in the court’s continued efforts to achieve justice for the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Mpiranya was a feared and notorious fugitive, leader of the Presidential Guard during the Genocide and later a top commander in the FDLR.
Prosecutor Brammertz has revealed that confirming his death provides the solace of knowing that he cannot cause further harm.
He went on to explain that the results of this investigation are also a testament to the United Nations’ relentless pursuit of accountability for those indicted for the most serious crimes.
“Nearly three decades after the Genocide, my Office continues to track fugitives and prosecute our remaining cases, like the trial of Felicien Kabuga, while also giving our support to national prosecutions in Rwanda and elsewhere,” Brammertz noted.
He also extended gratitude to partners whose contributions were essential.
“The Government of Rwanda continues to be among our strongest supporters and played an important role in this investigation. Law enforcement agencies and prosecution services from Belgium, France, Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States, Zimbabwe and elsewhere also provided assistance.
My Office would like to further recognize again the excellent forensic support provided by the Netherlands Forensic Institute, which conducted the DNA analysis of Mpiranya’s remains,” said Brammertz.
As Commander of the Presidential Guard, Mpiranya was indicted by the ICTR in 2000, which was made public in 2002. He was charged with eight counts of genocide, complicity in genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.
Notably, he was charged with responsibility for the murders of senior Rwandan leaders at the start of the genocide, including Prime Minister Agathe Uwilingiyimana, the President of the Constitutional Court, the Minister of Agriculture and the Minister of Information. He was also charged with the murders of ten Belgian United Nations peacekeepers during that same period.
Following a challenging and intensive investigation, the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) has determined that Mpiranya died on 5th October 2006 in Harare, Zimbabwe.
After the publication of the ICTR indictment against him, Mpiranya fled to Zimbabwe in late 2002, where he resided until his death.
The OTP also maintained that Mpiranya’s presence in Zimbabwe, and later the fact of his death, were deliberately concealed by the concerted efforts of his family and associates, including up to the present.
Mpiranya becomes the second Genocide fugitive confirmed dead after Augustin Bizimana (who served as the former Minister of Defence) was confirmed dead in the recent past.
The meeting is taking place between 20th and 26th June 2022 after it was postponed two times due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Different business deals are also expected to be signed during the meeting.
It is expected that some roads will be closed or diverted as guests will be driving to the meeting venue or returning to their accommodations to avoid traffic congestion.
To this end, new roads are needed to find an alternative and ensure free movements.
Speaking to RTV, Eng Patricie Uwase, the Minister of State at the Ministry of Infrastructure has said that a lot had been done in preparations of the meeting even before COVID-19 emerged.
A total of Rwf10.5 billion had been earmarked to upgrade infrastructures including roads and airports.
{{Airport }}
Eng Uwase has said that preparations have been done from the airport where guests will land to hotels designated to accommodate them.
“We started preparations with Kigali International Airport where guests will land and take off. We have expanded it enough and upgraded parking capacity to accommodate 50 aircrafts,” he noted.
{{Roads}}
Eng Uwase has explained that there might be traffic jam from the airport during the meeting.
To address this issue, she underscored that the Government put much effort in the expansion of existing roads and creating new ones.
“Almost all have been completed – eight roads covering more than 12 kilometers. There are more nine large roads [under construction]. These include Sonatubes-Gahanga road currently at 96% and the road in Itunda with construction activities at over 70%. They will all be completed before CHOGM. Many of them are expected to be completed towards the end of this month and more efforts are being expended,” noted Eng Uwase.
Residents to be affected by closure of the road from the airport in Kanombe for safe passage of guests include those from Masaka, Kabuga, Gasogi and other areas along the road to Eastern Province.
Eng Uwase has stressed that there are alternative roads in Nyarutarama and Technique to Kimironko among others that might be used by people driving to the city center or Nyabugogo.
The areas of Kabeza and Rubirizi also have an alternative road through Itunda linking up to the one from Kanombe.
“It will be completed and currently stands at nearly 70%. Activities are being expedited that it will be finalized,” said Eng Uwase.
“There is a road that should be used most running through the areas of Kabeza from Alpha Palace Hotel. There is another from Niboye. In fact, these roads can be very helpful if they are efficiently utilized,” she added.
Eng Uwase revealed that these roads will be announced before CHOGM.
{{Hotels }}
Frank Gisha Mugisha, the Director General of the Rwanda Chamber of Tourism at the Private Sector Federation (PSF) has highlighted that there are enough hotels’ rooms to accommodate guests.
“We have registered 8000 rooms in Kigali. The meeting will bring together between 5000 and 6000 participants. This shows how the city is ready with enough accommodations,” he said.
Mugisha has said that concerned institutions are working together to secure accommodations because there are instances when one leader can book two hotels depending the number of delegates comprising his team.
{{Services }}
Mugisha has said that they have been inviting international experts to train hotels’ staffs. These are sharpening their culinary arts and equipping them with relevant skills to serve guests better. Drivers are also among other people who were trained.
“During these two months, we helped service providers through trainings by inviting experts from across the world, chefs with experience in preparing foods for Heads of State to meet with our chefs and waiters. Something great has been done,” he said.
Mugisha added that the training goes hand in hand with how best to respect COVID-19 preventive measures.
{{Residential houses’ renovation}}
As part of preparations, Eng Uwase said, residents with living along main roads have renovated their houses.
“Most of residents with houses along main roads have made renovations. We have worked together in some instances like upgrades along the road to the airport [in Kanombe]”.
“These activities also include the painting of houses where traders make possible efforts to make buildings smart. We collaborated in most cases and the activity was successful,” she added.
Eng Uwase urged those who have not yet finalized to fast track renovations.
{{Secondary cities }}
Eng Uwase has also explained that much more preparations have been done in touristic towns like Musanze by improving hotels’ services and upgrading airports.
“This was done so that tourists willing to move by aircrafts can have that alternative. We also invested enough in Rubavu and other major towns,” she said.
“For instance, we completed Kivu Marina Bay, a four-star hotel in Rusizi. In Eastern Province, you know that there is Epic hotel. However, the most important thing is about services because we don’t present beautiful buildings without good services,” added Eng Uwase.
{{Transportation }}
Rwanda has also made preparations for movements of guests to hotels or meeting venues and related activities.
“We work with companies that have entered agreements with the government and ready to serve headfirst. They prepare all needed vehicles to be able to drive guests […]” said Eng Uwase.
“We have also allowed visiting countries to make a list of other companies in which they want to hire vehicles to be helped with urgency,” she added.
{{Beautifying the city}}
Installing new much brighter lights is among activities to be given priority in Kigali.
“We are making installations along 50 kilometers in Kigali so that they will be well lit by the time the meeting will be taking place,” Eng Uwase noted.
This will go hand in hand with decorative lights to be installed at different road junctures, Car Free Zone and others.
Regarding power supply, Eng Uwase revealed that Rwanda Energy Group (REG) inspected all power lines to fix any defects.
Despite the recent water scarcity in Kigali due to damaged pipes, Eng Uwase has explained that more measures have been put in place to ensure enough reserves.
“So far, 21 water reservoirs are full. They are an addition to other reservoirs we already had in Kigali under our plan to upgrade water distribution networks,” she noted.
As he met with President Kagame on Wednesday 11th May 2022; Maj Gen Diarra was accompanied by Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen Jean Bosco Kazura and the Head of the International Military Cooperation (IMC) Brig Gen Patrick Karuretwa.
During his stay in Rwanda, Maj Gen Diarra held talks with RDF Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Kazura and the Minister of Defence, Maj Gen Albert Murasira.
When addressing Media on 10th May, the Chief of General Staff of Malian Armed Forces said the purpose of his visit was to exchange experience and expertise on capacity building of both the Rwanda Defence Force and Malian Armed Forces.
He said that the discussions with his Rwandan counterpart tackled different aspects of cooperation in human resource development, military training and welfare among others.
The Chief of General Staff of Malian Armed Forces paid respect to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi at Kigali Genocide Memorial and also visited the Campaign Against Genocide Museum.
Mali has been faced with insecurity since armed groups attacked the country in 2012.
The defence lawyer of Prince Kid, Emelyne Nyembo, who arrived late, has told the court that she was not well informed about the hearing. Nyembo explained that she only knew the day but was not aware of the exact time the hearing was set to begin.
Nyembo told the court that she needs enough time for preparations to be able to defend her client.
The defence lawyer also objected that the Prosecution is considering the remand of her client based on testimonies given during investigations noting that complete details of the dossier should be communicated to them before further proceedings.
Ishimwe has confirmed that he has not yet received his dossier. Nyembo informed the court that one day would be enough to review the dossier.
The Prosecution said that it is the right of the accused to see their dossier but insisted that details were shared with everyone concerned. However, the defence laywer checked and failed to access the file in Integrated Electronic Case Management System (IECMS).
The presiding judge asked the Prosecution to help Ishimwe and his defence lawyer to access their dossier to make preparations.
The court adjourned the hearing to 13th May 2022 at 9:00 a.m.
Prince Kid faces three charges including rape, soliciting or offering sexual favours, and harassment connected to sexual relations.
The secondary cities include Muhanga, Huye, Rusizi, Rubavu, Musanze and Nyagatare.
Under the National Strategy for Transformation (NST1), the Government of Rwanda targets to increase urbanization rate to 30% in 2024 to support economic growth.
Some of infrastructures built in such cities include roads, water drainage channels, electricity, markets, schools, health facilities among other activities supporting national development.
In light of initiatives meant to promote infrastructure development, the country launched the first phase of Rwanda Urban Development Project [RUDP I] in 2016 which was completed in 2021.
Some of activities covered during the phase include the upgrade of slums in Kigali City in the areas of Biryogo on 12.46 hectares, Kiyovu on 20.1 hectares and Rwampara on 26.42 hectares.
Speaking at the launch of the second phase of the project (RUDP II) recently, the Minister of Infrastructure, Dr. Ernest Nsabimana said that the magnificence of Biryogo which has a space reserved for A ‘Car Free Zone’ convinced authorities to consider the extension.
The Minister explained that the upgrading of such slums to be equipped with electricity, water drainage channels and roads installed with lights facilitate movements and enhance security as well.
“It is a very good project that inspired the country to consider how to extend it in Kigali and secondary cities,” he said.
Dr. Nsabimana revealed that Rwf160 billion allocated for the second phase of this project have been secured whereby implementation is expected to begin in the near future.
{{Rwf60 billion earmarked for infrastructures in Kigali}}
The Ministry of Infrastructure shows that Kigali City will receive Rwf60 billion while the remaining funds will be earmarked for infrastructure development in secondary cities starting with Muhanga and Huye.
In Kigali alone, the project will be executed nearby River Mpazi flowing through the sectors of Gitega, Kimisagara na Rwezamenyo of Nyarugenge District. It will also draw emphasis on eliminating slums in Gatenga of Kicukiro, Nyabisindu of Remera Sector and Nyagatovu of Kimironko Sector in Gasabo District.
These slums will get infrastructures including roads, water drainage channels. Parts of the funds will also be used to preserve marshlands in Rwampara, Gatenga, Gikondo and Rugenge among others in accordance with Kigali City master plan.
The Mayor of Kigali City, Pudence Rubingisa said that such activities will transform residents’ welfare and add up to the magnificence of the city.
He further stated that the projects benefit residents who get jobs and improved wellbeing.
Rubingisa pointed out an example of a project rolled out in Agatare of Biryogo where 9-kilometer roads were built and facilitated movements.
More six-kilometer roads were also developed for pedestrians.
“Biryogo residents have started renovating their houses because the value increased. We are set to do the same thing in the four slums and want the project to move fast so that it can be beneficial to residents who will live in decent places with minimized disasters’ risks,” noted Rubingisa.
The Country Manager of World Bank in Rwanda, Roland Pryce thanked the Government of Rwanda for efficient use of received funds while rolling out projects meant to transform residents’ wellbeing.
{{Sensitization}}
The Minister of Infrastructure, Dr. Nsabimana revealed that the relocation of residents triggered mixed reactions in the first phase due to mindsets and circumstances under which they settled in these slums.
To address the issue, he explained that more efforts will be geared towards sensitizing residents on the relevance of such infrastructures and advantages they are set to pull from them.
According to Dr. Nsabimana, the move will facilitate relocation and expropriation.
Stretched on 76 hectares and inhabited by 3,915 residents; Nyabisindu and Nyagatovu are among overpopulated parts of the city.
Under the second phase, the areas will get 7.4-kilometer roads.
More 8.2-kilometer roads will be built over River Mpazi to help residents reach markets, playgrounds and other infrastructures easily.
RUDP II will leave 17,621residents from this area accessing basic infrastructures.
In Gatenga, RUDP II will see 11.8 kilometers roads constructed and help 17,621 residents to reach infrastructures in 500 meters.
The funds will also be utilized to mitigate floods in different parts of Kigali including Rugunga, Rwandex, Gisozi, Kinyinya, Karuruma and Nyabisindu while the wetlands of Rugengerwintare, Kibumba and Nyabugogo will be preserved.
