Umaro arrived in Rwanda in the morning of Monday 7th March for three-day working visit. Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, he was welcomed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vincent Biruta before his reception at Urugwiro Village.
After hosting Umaru, the two Heads of State sat down for a tête-â-tête before holding bilateral talks with officials from both delegations. They also witnessed the signing of agreements focused on strengthening key areas of cooperation between the two countries.
The memoranda of understanding were signed in the fields of economic and trade cooperation, education, tourism, business events and conservation.
The agreements have been signed by Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and his counterpart of Guinea-Bissau, Suzi Barbosa.
President Kagame has said that the African Free Continental Trade Area (AfCTA) offers huge opportunities for countries to engage with one another constructively even though there are transnational threats that affect ‘us all’.
“Joining forces and learning from one another can only make us much stronger,” he observed.
Kagame thanked his counterpart of Guinea-Bissau for coming to Rwanda and promised a reciprocal visit soon.
President Umaro said that both countries are close to one another where he only traveled six hours to reach Kigali.
He said that both countries can exchange experience in various aspects where Guinea-Bissau can learn from Rwanda’s best practices in the education sector.
Umaro also invited President Kagame to visit his country.
The decision takes effect from Monday 7th March 2022. The resolution to reopen borders also reads that incoming passengers might be tested for COVID-19, if need be, before crossing to Rwanda.
Except the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), other land borders between Rwanda and Burundi, Tanzania and Uganda have been under closure for quite some time.
For instance, the border with Burundi was under closure for seven years since the onset of spoilt relations between both countries while borders with Uganda were closed in 2019.
The Minister of Local Government, Jean Marie Vianney Gatabazi has told the Voice of America that air borders had been opened before.
“Citizens were only allowed to cross the border on DRC side. The reopening concerns free movement between Rwanda and Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and Congo. All regulated borders are open for outgoing and incoming passengers,” he said.
Gatabazi has however advised citizens against crossing through illegal entries noting that whoever caught doing so will face the law.
He explained that the borders are open for people and goods.
Even though the borders have been reopened, there is need for collaboration between the neighboring countries to ease free movement.
For instance, Gatuna border was opened towards the end of January 2022 but did not ease free movement immediately due to discussions that had to be held between both countries regarding measures to contain the spread of COVID-19.
“When we open borders, it should also be noted that other countries have collaboration with emigration and immigration officials as well as services offered through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The decision to reopen borders is a positive development but there will also be several considerations between concerned ministries of foreign affairs and ministries of health,” he said.
As Minister Gatabazi revealed, these considerations include unique governance system and processes to receive passengers.
The recent cabinet meeting also resolved that businesses will operate 24 hours per day instead of the previous curfew set at 12:00 midnight.
However, concerts, night clubs, bars, gaming activities and other reception venues shall close at 2:00 a.m.
Speaking to RBA, Minister Gatabazi has urged citizens to continue adhering to instituted COVID-19 preventive measures and make sure they are full vaccinated.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni appointed Maj Gen (Rtd) Robert Rusoke as Uganda’s High Commissioner to Rwanda with residence in Kigali in December 2021. He replaced Oliver Wonekha who was transferred to China.
Other ambassadors approved on Friday include Zahra Ali Hassan of Somalia with residence in Tanzania, Firas F. Khouri of Jordanie with residence in Nairobi, Kenya and Isatu Amina Bundu of Sierra Leone with residence in Nairobi.
Esmond St. Clair Reid of Jamaica will also represent his countries interests in Rwanda with residence in Abuja while Pauline Okumu has been approved to represent World Vision International in Rwanda with residence in Kigali.
Kaori Yasuda has been approved to represent the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office with residence in Kigali.
Maj Gen Robert Rusoke was among UPDF senior officers sent to retirement in August last year.
Except activities set to close by 2.a.m, others businesses will run operations 24 hours per day from the previous curfew that was set at 12:00 midnight.
Public buses are allowed to continue operations at full capacity with seated passengers and 75% of non-seated passengers.
Places of worship, restaurants, bars, gyms and stadiums, swimming pools and massage parlors are permitted to operate at full venue capacity while all attendees and clients must be fully vaccinated.
Only children aged below 12 are not allowed to present vaccination proof. Among others, people attending a wake/ vigil and funeral gatherings must be fully vaccinated.
In 2010 MIGEPROF released its vision 2020 policy regarding gender balance. The policy has been revised to address remaining gaps in mainstreaming gender across sectors.
The new policy also proposes mechanisms expected to address the persistent cultural norms and stereotypes hindering the effectiveness of gender equality and equity.
Some of the new policies that are being designed are meant to ensure equal access and control of productive resources and economic opportunities for women and men and accelerate women’s economic empowerment.
The policies insist in strengthening the mechanism for promoting women’s meaningful participation in leadership and decision making positions in public sectors.
Research conducted before the development indicated that active participation and engagement of men and boys in women empowerment and gender equality and equity is still low.
The policy which has shifted from vision 2020 to vision 2050 is meant to improve gender transformation to involve the private sector, institutionalize men and boys as partners and also insist on accountability.
Speaking at the event to announce the approved gender police recently, Silas Ngayaboshya, the Director-General of Gender Promotion and Women Empowerment at the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion said that it was a must for the ministry to review and adjust to the ongoing situation after 11 years of constant trend change in the country.
“Although we are achieving a lot, we realized that we still have some loopholes. For instance, we could not see a private sector that fully engaged in gender equality promotion and women’s empowerment,” he said.
Despite efforts expended by Non-Governmental organizations like The Rwanda Men’s Resource Centre (RWAMREC), Ngayaboshya said, men’s engagement was not institutionalized at a desired extent, hence leading to the revision of the policy.
Ngayaboshya underscored that the new policy is addressing existing realities.
“With the revised policy, we are moving from gender sensitivity to gender transformation. Else, the policy is propelling the private sector in the gender mainstreaming initiative. It is also about accountability in public and private institutions,” he said.
Mireille Batamuliza, the Permanent secretary in MIGEPROF said that the ministry is working with partners to ensure smooth implementation of the policy.
“We want to hold every level accountable and every sector to be engaged in the implementation of the policy,” he said.
She explained that gender equality starts from the household where men’s engagement would be a great pillar to achieving the desired outcome.
Among others, Batamuliza urged all participants to use the policy in ‘making the needed transformation and act as agent of change in their respective working places and communities’.
Prof. Rugimbana holds a BSc. (Ed) degree from the University of Dar-es Salaam, a Master of Business Administration from University of Newcastle and a PhD from Macquarie University. He brings to this new role many years’ experience in important university academic roles such as lecturing at Newcastle University, Griffith University, University of Technology Sydney, Macquarie University; and governance roles such as Executive Dean, Campus Rector, Associate Dean, Director of a Graduate School and Head of Department.
As an accomplished academic researcher, Professor Rugimbana’s main research interests are in the areas of International Consumer Psychology, Cross-Cultural Marketing and Poverty alleviation, Enterprise Development & Entrepreneurship, International Marketing Education, Corporate Social Responsibility as well as Diffusion of Technologies in the 4th Industrial Revolution. His works appear in prestigious journals, such as the European Journal of Marketing, the Journal of African Business, Journal of Business Research, International Journal of Non-Profit and Voluntary Sector Marketing, Australasian Journal of Marketing, Journal of Marketing Management, Journal of Financial Services Marketing, Journal of Psychology & Marketing.
He has also published several book chapters and internationally-refereed and accredited journal and conference papers. He completed an edited book on Cross-Cultural Marketing published by Thomson Learning International Business Press – UK in 2002, co-authored an award-winning Principles of Core Marketing textbook published in 2008 by McGraw-Hill, Australia, an adaptation of Kotler & Armstrong – South African edition 2010 and 2015 and recently Applied Strategic Marketing, 5th Edition in 2020. He is currently a co-author of a Marketing Text book titled “Essentials of Marketing” by Routledge Publishing, UK.
Acknowledging welcome messages from members of the Executive Organ, the new Vice Chancellor thanked UoK’s Board of Directors for their confidence in him and assured the team of an inclusive leadership style which will value contributions from the various stakeholder groups of the university.
Russia launched attacks to Ukraine on 24th February 2022. As of today, the crisis has escalated and took many people’s lives. Among others, the attack has left people displaced and infrastructures destroyed.
UN fundamental principles incorporate clauses of peaceful coexistence among countries irrespective of individual security interests.
During the UN General Assembly’s emergency session on Ukraine crisis held on 2nd March 2022, Rwanda disclosed its stand on the situation by voting in favour of the resolution in support of, and with respect for, the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of any country.
Rwanda has called for action to cease military operations in Ukraine immediately noting that the Russian Federation and Ukraine have the key to resolving the conflict and external intervention ‘will only exacerbate the situation’.
“We fully support international efforts to de-escalate the war, including UNSG efforts in seeking a solution to the crisis. We urge all concerned parties to demonstrate calm and seek a solution to the conflict through dialogue to ensure that civilians do not continue to pay the heaviest price of military escalation,” Rwanda’s representative said.
Rwanda revealed that a lasting solution will only be achieved through dialogue by parties, taking into account the concerns of both sides highlighting that the current war does not guarantee that it will bring peace but rather ‘it is likely to generate subsequent crises and human suffering’.
Rwanda also expressed serious concern with the extent of humanitarian devastation and peace and security challenges caused by this war including reports that Africans are being racially segregated and denied safe exit and admission to neighboring countries.
“We call upon all those involved to allow unhindered evacuation without looking at their color or origin.”
Rwanda said that diplomatic options present better solutions to sustainable peace and called for open dialogue and negotiations in good faith.
“Rwanda calls for a sincere commitment to the United Nations Charter and international order. The ongoing crisis poses a severe threat to international peace and security. We encourage concerned parties to give a chance to peace. We wish to underline that a long-lasting solution to the current crisis is primarily in the hands of Russia and Ukraine. Dialogue is their best option to resolve this crisis,” Rwanda’s representative added.
The resolution was voted by 141 of the 193 UN member states. Other African countries that voted in favour of the resolution include Kenya, Ghana, Gabon, Djibouti, Congo, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Among others, 35 countries including 17 from the African continent countries abstained from the vote.
The African countries include Burundi, Senegal, South Sudan, South Africa, Uganda, Mali and Mozambique.
Belarus, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Eritrea, Russian Federation, and Syria form the group of countries that voted against the resolution.
The General Assembly has only held 10 emergency sessions since 1950, in line with the adoption of resolution [{{377A(V),}} ->https://www.un.org/en/sc/repertoire/otherdocs/GAres377A(v).pdf]widely known as ‘Uniting for Peace’.
The resolution gives the Assembly power to take up matters of international peace and security when the Security Council is unable to act due to unanimity among its five permanent members – China, France, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Russia – who have the power of veto.
The partnership was entered on Tuesday 1st March 2022 at a high-level ceremony in Kigali where Germany was represented by Svenja Schulze, German Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development while Rwanda was represented by Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana, the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, and Mr Patrick Karera, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment.
The Climate and Development Partnership is aimed at working together to implement Rwanda’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the Paris Agreement. Under its NDCs the country has committed to slashing its greenhouse gas emissions by 38 per cent by 2030 compared to a business-as-usual scenario – under the condition of international support and funding. Other important parts of the NDCs relate to adaptation matters such as water security, agriculture, land and forestry, settlements and health. The new partnership between Germany and Rwanda gives particular attention to NDC implementation projects with the Rwandan green fund FONERWA and to sustainable urban development measures.
Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Ms Svenja Schulze, said: “The climate crisis affects all of us. We can only tackle this global threat by global cooperation. Fighting climate change is one of the top priorities of the German government and development cooperation is a very important part of this endeavour. Rwanda is a driving force in international cooperation on climate action. Together, we want to move forward into a carbon-neutral and sustainable future.”
Dr Uzziel Ndagijimana, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, welcomed the partnership as a new chapter in the bilateral cooperation: “The partnership we just signed today between the Government of Rwanda and the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany is aligned with our National Strategy for Transformation One (NST1) under the Economic Transformation Pillar with the main objective to accelerate private sector-led economic growth and increased productivity focusing on promotion of sustainable management of the environment and natural resources to transition Rwanda towards a Green Economy. Furthermore, the partnership comes to support Rwanda’s Nationally Determined Contributions targets that is estimated at 11 billion US dollar investment cost.”
Dr Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya, Minister of Environment, has stressed the need to foster an inclusive and locally led approach for climate action: “It is obvious through research that local communities are more vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Our strategies have clear climate resilience measures that are tailored to the communities’ livelihoods. Joining hands to embark on the Climate and Development journey with the government of Germany is a paramount action that will lead to the concretization of our plans.”
The impacts of climate change can already be felt in Rwanda today: Temperatures are rising and weather patterns are changing, landslides and floods are increasing, particularly affecting the poor, rural population. Therefore, climate action is of highest political importance for the Rwandan government. Rwanda was the first African country to submit an updated NDC in 2020, which has gained international recognition. It has also presented a very detailed NDC implementation framework in 2021 for adapting to climate change.
The Rwandan-German Climate and Development Partnership will scale up support for climate measures in the areas of intervention “Climate change mitigation and adaptation” and “Sustainable urban development”, on the basis of the Rwandan NDC Implementation Framework.
This will involve programs combining capacity development and financial support for the implementation of the Rwandan NDCs, strengthening the population’s climate resilience (involving reforestation measures, flood protection and water management enabling climate-resilient agriculture), as well as sustainable waste management and the circular economy.
In the field of climate-smart urban development the focus lies on the construction of a new settlement “Green City Kigali” with a high urban density and affordable housing for up to 8,000 inhabitants, quality and green urban infrastructure including nature-based solutions for drainage and heat absorption, rainwater use and fresh water supply as well as waste water treatment. This is complemented by measures to increase access to environmentally sustainable energy supply, by establishing hydropower and new energy lines.
The partnership will also enhance the climate policy dialogue on jointly fighting climate change with the aim of achieving global climate neutrality, initiate cooperation with the scientific community, the private sector and civil society, and foster an inclusive and locally led approach for climate action.
At the signing ceremony , Rwanda and Germany also kicked off the implementation of priority projects of the new partnership of a total envelope of 56 million euros (over Rwf63 billion): Agreements for the urban development project “Green City Kigali” (30 million euros) and for the implementation of the Rwandan NDCs through the NDC Facility at FONERWA (26 million euros) were signed with the German Development Bank KfW.
Complementing climate adaptation and mitigation projects in Rwanda, both countries also cooperate in international climate initiatives, particularly in the Taskforce on Access to Climate Finance and the NDC Partnership.
The new Climate and Development Partnership builds on the existing portfolio, which adds up to a total of 163 million euros. Germany intends to make further funds available in 2022 and also thereafter.
The exhibition consists of archives that were borrowed from ‘les archives Nationales de France’ and were adapted at Kigali by Iriba center.
The archives comprise some of the trials of the organizers and perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
These include the trial of Pascal Simbikangwa in 2014, Octavien Ngenzi and Tito Barahira after their appeal in 2018.
The exhibition also shows the trials held after World War II including those called the Nuremberg trials between 1945 and 1946 one of the first trials regarding Genocide crimes.
Nuremberg was also known for the ‘Nuremberg laws’ which defined who is a Jew and who is not a Jew. These laws played a big role in what the Nazi called the final solution to the Jewish question.
We can also see in the archives for the trial of Adolf Eichmann in 1961. He was apprehended by Mossad in 1960 and brought to Israel to stand trial.
These two trials were called the pioneering trials because they were the first to hold accountable these sorts of crimes.
These archives were initially shown in Paris, later in Berlin and are currently in Rwanda.
There is also a special part of the Gacaca trials under Gacaca courts, which are referred to as the semi-traditional justice system to help clear a backlog of Genocide related cases.
The Government of Rwanda launched Gacaca in 2002 to expedite reconciliatory and restorative justice as well as establish the whole truth about the Genocide.
The courts were closed in 2012 after settling nearly 2 million cases including 1,266,632 related to properties looted during the Genocide.
How the archives were recorded
It all started with a man not very known in Rwanda, Robert Banditer- a child of Russian-Jew immigrants who lived in France. His father fell victim to the Auschwitz extermination camps where after the tragedy prompted him to dedicate his life to justice first as a lawyer and later as a politician.
He is one of the people who participated in the abolition of the death penalty in September 1981.
It is in that same spirit of reform that he made it possible to record another type of archive, an audiovisual archive ‘les archives audiovisuelles historiques de la justice’. After that decision, it was possible to record more than 2600 hours of trials.
These historical archives take the public into another perspective, to witness the atrocities that have been committed.
These trials not only shows the faces of unremorseful and inhuman perpetrators but also these trials show the denial and narcissism. It is point blank unbelievable.
The most astonishing thing about these people standing for trial is the lack of empathy towards their victims. The question that comes to mind is if these people are really human or not.
The public dives into history but also how it is represented in our world today.
{{Why should young people visit the exhibition?}}
I come from a generation that wants to be engaged in conversation, we like to be woke and aware and most importantly, we are the future of this world.
This exhibition will enlighten some of the things that you have never sat down and thought of, it will leave you with questions and also answers to this exhibition.
Rwandan Historian Assumpta Mugiraneza, one of the founders and Director of Iriba center said the objective of the exhibition is to give access to Rwandans and anyone who wishes to take a look into this portion of history and acquire knowledge.
“We want people that come into this exhibition to learn something new and most importantly we want the youth to think of their future by learning from the past. These archives are a very valuable manual for those that seek information,” she said.
She continued to say that crimes against humanity not only affect the perpetrators and the victims, it also affects the children that are born in that environment.
“If you do not educate these children and give them authentic information, they end up being victims of misinformation and lies. Showing this to the youth is the first step to help them learn and get informed,” she said.
The trials prevent misinformation because they are done with objectivity and lawfully, which is why people should revisit them and take a look.
Mugiraneza hopes that Iriba will take part in educating our children and preventing misinformation.
The exhibition is open for anyone and everyone and it is totally free of cost. It is is running until 14th July 2022.
