The 23 deportees dumped at the border by Ugandan Migration officials around 8a.m include nineteen men, three women and one kid.
The reason for deportation has not yet been communicated but Uganda has been illegally detaining and deporting Rwandans accusing them of espionage.
Rwanda, Uganda relations worsened since 2017. Rwanda has been expressing concerns over Rwandans who travel to Uganda for business purposes but are abducted, imprisoned and tortured accused of being spies.
Rwanda also accuses Uganda of hosting dissidents that are posing a threat to national security.
In March 2019, the Government of Rwanda officially advised citizens not to travel to Uganda for their security following testimonies of over 1000 Rwandans tortured and deported from Uganda.
Since the beginning of this year, Uganda has dumped 42 Rwandans at Kagitumba border five times following days of torture in Uganda’s prisons.
In August 2019, President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame signed memorandum of understanding ‘Luanda Agreement’ in a bid to solve conflicts between both countries.
Despite efforts to sign the agreement between both heads of state witnessed by mediators including the President of Angola, Joao Lourenço and Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the situation is still worsening as Uganda’s Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence continues with arbitrary detention of Rwandans who are subjected to torture in its facilities.
The event took place last evening at Kigali Convention Center.
Touadéra arrived in Rwanda on Thursday 5th August 2021 for a four-day state visit.
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport; he was welcomed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vincent Biruta.
Touadéra was also received by Kagame at Urugwiro Village where both heads of state held closed-door meeting and later witnessed the signing of four bilateral agreements before addressing members of the press.
These agreements were signed in the areas of mining, transport development, security and economic development.
As they delivered remarks, both heads of state recommitted to further strengthen bilateral ties for mutual interests.
On his first day in Rwanda, Touadéra also visited the Campaign Against Genocide Museum located at the Parliament Building in Kimihurura where he received explanations on Rwanda’s liberation journey.
On Friday 6th August 2021, Touadéra will visit the Kinigi IDP Model Village, which was inaugurated on 4th July 2021. The model village consists of homes for 144 families, a secondary school, an Early Childhood Development Center (ECD), health center and other facilities.
Touadéra will also tour several conservation and eco-tourism destinations before his departure on 8th August.
Rwanda and CAR have been for long enjoying cordial relations whereby Rwanda is helping the country engulfed by wars to restore peace. Rwandan troops have been deployed to CAR peacekeeping mission since 2014.
On 20th December 2020, Rwanda deployed more special forces to CAR under existing bilateral cooperation signed in 2019.
Ahead of Touadéra’s visit, Rwanda started the deployment of an additional Infantry Battalion of 750 military personnel on Tuesday 3rd August 2021 to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Central African Republic (MINUSCA).
These agreements were signed this afternoon in the areas of mining, transport development, security and economic development.
After witnessing the signing of agreements, Kagame and Touadéra highlighted that both countries have built strong ties.
In a joint press conference, Kagame said that Rwanda has been happy to join hands with people of Central African Republic, in pursuit of peace, reconciliation and prosperity.
“The signing of these agreements and the joint communiqué will serve to further cement our bilateral ties and deliver on the immense potential for the social economic transformation of our nations,” he stated.
Kagame also emphasized that sustained cooperation across the continent ‘is essential for all of us to be able to succeed’.
“Rwanda is committed to expand our strategic partnership with tangible results in the years ahead,” he affirmed.
President Touadéra also thanked Kagame for inviting him to Rwanda noting that it is of great significance to both countries’ relations.
“This visit is a testament of cordial relations between Central African Republic and Rwanda,” he said.
Touadéra stressed that the people of CAR and Rwanda share common ambitions adding that his visit to Kigali is an opportunity to further strengthen relations and exchange ideas in priority areas.
Among others, Touadéra thanked Rwandans and Kagame for contribution to restore peace, security and economy in his country.
He also told Rwandans that CAR is open for investments in different areas.
Touadéra arrived in Rwanda today for four-day working visit.
During his stay in Rwanda, Touadéra will visit the Campaign Against Genocide Museum located at Parliament before being hosted at a State Banquet.
On Friday 6th August 2021, Touadéra will visit the Kinigi IDP Model Village, which was inaugurated on 4th July 2021. The model village consists of homes for 144 families, a secondary school, an Early Childhood Development Center (ECD), health center and other facilities.
Touadéra will also tour several conservation and eco-tourism destinations before his departure on 8th August.
Rwanda and CAR have been for long enjoying cordial relations whereby Rwanda is helping the country engulfed by wars to restore peace. Rwandan troops have been deployed to CAR peacekeeping mission since 2014.
On 20th December 2020, Rwanda deployed more special forces to CAR under existing bilateral cooperation signed in 2019.
Ahead of Touadéra’s visit, Rwanda started the deployment of an additional Infantry Battalion of 750 military personnel on Tuesday 3rd August 2021 to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Central African Republic (MINUSCA).
CAR covers a land area of about 620,000 square kilometres and has an estimated population of around 4.7 million. As of 2020, the country was the scene of a civil war, ongoing since 2012.
The Central African Republic’s economy is based primarily on subsistence agriculture, with important mining and timber industries the main source of export earnings.
Diamonds are the country’s most profitable export, while agriculture occupies most of its working population.
Farmers grow cotton, coffee, and tobacco for export and crops for local markets, but economic development is handicapped by the CAR’s landlocked position, limited infrastructure, and the low education of its work-force. Poor government management and political instability have further weakened the CAR’s economic condition.
The informal sector is important in the CAR, accounting for most economic activity and a large share of the diamond trade.
As he arrived at Kigali International Airport, Touadéra was welcomed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vincent Biruta.
The two heads of state will hold a closed-door meeting before holding bilateral talks with accompanying officials from the Central African Republic and Rwanda.
They will also witness the signing of several bilateral agreements and a joint communiqué before addressing the media.
During his stay in Rwanda, Touadéra will visit the Campaign Against Genocide Museum located at Parliament before being hosted at a State Banquet.
On Friday 6th August 2021, Touadéra will visit the Kinigi IDP Model Village, which was inaugurated on 4th July 2021. The model village consists of homes for 144 families, a secondary school, an Early Childhood Development Center (ECD), health center and other facilities.
Touadéra will also tour several conservation and eco-tourism destinations before his departure on 8th August.
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, Touadéra was welcomed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vincent Biruta.
Touadéra will also be received by his counterpart of Rwanda, Paul Kagame at Urugwiro Village where the two heads of state will hold a closed-door meeting before bilateral talks with accompanying officials from CAR and Rwanda.
The heads of state will then witness the signing of several bilateral agreements and a joint communiqué before addressing the media.
During his stay in Rwanda, Touadéra will visit the Campaign Against Genocide Museum located at Parliament before being hosted at a State Banquet.
On Friday 6th August 2021, Touadéra will visit the Kinigi IDP Model Village, which was inaugurated on 4th July 2021. The model village consists of homes for 144 families, a secondary school, an Early Childhood Development Center (ECD), health center and other facilities.
Touadéra will also tour several conservation and eco-tourism destinations before his departure on 8th August.
He was sworn in for his second five-year term in March 2021.
According to sources, both countries will sign cooperation agreements during his visit to Rwanda aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and cooperation in the areas of security and investment.
Kagame previously met with Touadéra in April this year as they attended the second regional meeting on the political and security situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) in Angola.
In 2019, Kagame held one-day state visit to CAR which was concluded with the signing of agreements focusing on defense, oil, investment promotion, mining and oil and established a joint commission, which organizes regular meetings between delegates from both countries.
While in Bangui, Kagame attended a State Luncheon hosted in his honor by President Touadéra, where he was awarded the highest decoration “Grand Croix de la Reconnaissance” and a symbolic key to the City of Bangui as the city’s honorary resident.
Kagame welcomed the award and commended the signing of bilateral agreements noting that it was an indication of a new chapter in bilateral ties between the two countries.
Rwanda and CAR have been for long enjoying cordial relations whereby Rwanda is helping the country engulfed by wars to restore peace. Rwandan troops have been deployed to CAR peacekeeping mission since 2014.
On 20th December 2020, Rwanda deployed more special forces to CAR under existing bilateral cooperation signed in 2019.
Ahead of Touadéra’s visit, Rwanda started the deployment of an additional Infantry Battalion of 750 military personnel on Tuesday 3rd August 2021 to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Central African Republic (MINUSCA).
CAR covers a land area of about 620,000 square kilometres and has an estimated population of around 4.7 million. As of 2020, the country was the scene of a civil war, ongoing since 2012.
The Central African Republic’s economy is based primarily on subsistence agriculture, with important mining and timber industries the main source of export earnings.
Diamonds are the country’s most profitable export, while agriculture occupies most of its working population.
Farmers grow cotton, coffee, and tobacco for export and crops for local markets, but economic development is handicapped by the CAR’s landlocked position, limited infrastructure, and the low education of its work-force. Poor government management and political instability have further weakened the CAR’s economic condition.
The informal sector is important in the CAR, accounting for most economic activity and a large share of the diamond trade.
CAR has had a turbulent economic history. Since gaining independence in 1960, the economy has endured intermittent periods of economic decline caused in part by poor management.
Today, the advance party of the contingent composed of 300 peacekeepers led by Lt Col Patrick Rugomboka were airlifted from Kigali International Airport to Bangui.
The peacekeepers were seen off by the 1 Division Commander, Brig Gen Eugene Nkubito on behalf of the RDF leadership.
They were briefed by the Army Chief of Staff, Lt Gen Mubarakh Muganga, on Monday 02 August 2021 at Gako. He urged them to maintain discipline and observe RDF values. He told them that their colleagues had already done a good job in the mission area and that this contigent should strive to perform even better.
Upon arrival at Bangui Airport, Rwandan peacekeepers were welcomed by the MINUSCA Force Commander, Lt Gen Sadiki Traoré accompanied by the Chief of General Staff of Central African Republic Armed Forces, Maj Gen Zephlin Mamadou.
MINUSCA Force Commander expressed his gratitude to the Rwandan peacekeepers for their unwavering commitment to protecting civilians and maintaining peace and security in CAR.
The troops are deployed following a request by the United Nations to reinforce its peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic.
The main task of this battalion will be to secure the main supply route one (MSR1) connecting Bangui to the border with Cameroon.
With current deployment, Rwanda will have 3 Battalions plus a Level II Hospital deployed under MINUSCA.
Tanzania’s President Suluhu, 61, arrived in Rwanda on Monday 2nd August 2021 for two-day working visit.
He was received by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vincent Biruta upon arrival before meeting with her counterpart of Rwanda at Village Urugwiro where they held bilateral talks and witnessed the signing of four agreements in the areas of information and communication technology, immigration, education and regulation of medical products.
Suluhu also visited Kigali Genocide Memorial where she paid tribute to over 250,000 victims of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi laid there.
In the evening, Kagame hosted her counterpart to the State Banquet at Kigali Convention Center.
Rwanda and Tanzania enjoy cordial relations and cooperation in the areas of politics, infrastructure, economy and security.
Tanzania is considered a major development partner where over 70% of Rwanda’s imports and exports are transited through.
To date, the SEZ has generated US$800 million in exports and created approximately 13,000 jobs.
Some of toured factories as both heads of state visited KSEZ include Mara Phones which manufactures three smartphone models and Volkswagen Rwanda assembling six different models.
In the morning, Kagame and Suluhu also visited Inyange Industries located in Masaka Sector.
The food and beverage manufacturing facility is one of 4 Inyange factories producing a range of water, fruit and dairy related products across the country.
Tanzania’s President Suluhu, 61, arrived in Rwanda on Monday 2nd August 2021 for two-day working visit.
He was received by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vincent Biruta upon arrival before meeting with her counterpart of Rwanda at Village Urugwiro where they held bilateral talks and witnessed the signing of four agreements in the areas of information and communication technology, immigration, education and regulation of medical products.
Suluhu also visited Kigali Genocide Memorial where she paid tribute to over 250,000 victims of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi laid there.
In the evening, Kagame hosted her counterpart to the State Banquet at Kigali Convention Center.
Rwanda and Tanzania enjoy cordial relations and cooperation in the areas of politics, infrastructure, economy and security.
Tanzania is considered a major development partner where over 70% of Rwanda’s imports and exports are transited through.
The sale of new 10-year debt drew more than US$1.6bn of orders, according to bankers arranging the deal.
Investors have been drawn to relatively high-yielding emerging market dollar bonds in recent weeks amid a plunge in developed country bond yields which has pushed US and European borrowing costs to their lowest since February.
Monday’s Rwandan bond follows a second visit to the international bond market by Benin last month, and dollar debt sales by Cameroon, Kenya and Senegal in June.
“Yields for these countries are pretty low considering what’s happened in US Treasuries,” said Kevin Daly, a fund manager at Aberdeen Standard Investments who participated in Monday’s sale.
“It makes sense for Rwanda to do this now.” The sale, which was handled by Deutsche Bank and Citigroup, priced the new debt at a yield of 5.5 per cent. Just over half of the proceeds will go towards refinancing the majority of the country’s other outstanding bond, which raised $400m in 2013 and was due to mature in 2023, with the remainder destined for spending on “key priority projects” to bolster Rwanda’s economic recovery. The larger size of the new bond means it qualifies for “benchmark” status and will be included in widely followed bond indices.
President Paul Kagame who has led Rwanda since the aftermath of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi has sought to develop the country’s tourism sector while transforming the capital, Kigali, into a business hub. The economy has grown rapidly in recent years, although it contracted last year due to the impact of the pandemic.
Fitch last week gave the new bond a B plus rating, four notches into “junk” territory, and revised Rwanda’s outlook to negative from stable. The rating agency said a failure to stabilise debt at current levels of roughly 70 per cent of gross domestic product could lead to a downgrade in the future, even though much of the country’s debt is in the form of low-cost loans from international institutions such as the African Development Bank and IMF. Debt levels have leapt from about 50 per cent of gross domestic product in 2019 due to emergency funding to low income countries to help them weather the pandemic.
“These kind of sums are peanuts for the bond market but for Rwanda it’s a lot of money,” said Gregory Smith, a fund manager and author of Where Credit Is Due, a book about Africa’s debt burden. “A yield in the 5 per cent range is low for Rwanda so this kind of liability management is a good idea. But if they started to come back to the market regularly that could be a cause for concern.”
Commenting on the results, the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana said thatRwanda has a strong track record of sound economic policies and reforms that have led to sustained high economic growth, a conducive investment climate, prudent debt management and strong recovery prospects despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Governor of the National Bank of Rwanda, John Rwangombwa also welcomed the positive response from investors in this 2021 Eurobond issuance.
“The lower yield of this issue will result in a reduction in our annual interest payments over the next 10 years, strongly contributing to our debt sustainability strategy. The funds raised will accelerate strategic projects in productive sectors that will further boost the country’s economic transformation efforts,” he said.
