Kagame made the string observation yesterday as he participated in the virtual 14th Extraordinary African Union Summit dedicated to the African Union’s 50th anniversary declaration on Silencing the Guns in Africa, which is also the theme of the year 2020.
“The only sustainable way to silence the guns in Africa is to deal directly and swiftly with the political and economic factors that create the conditions for violence and strife in the first place. Accomplishing this is within our power as a continent and it must be our priority,” he considered.
President Kagame observed that there is progress made in strengthening the African Union’s ability to contribute meaningfully to peace and security and observed that more efforts need to be rallied to squarely address the issue.
“Progress has been made in strengthening African Union’s ability to contribute meaningfully to peace and security. One example is the operationalization of the African Union Peace Fund, which has been funded by Member States at the highest level since it was established in 1993, with nearly $200 million. This is a good step but we must recognize that conflict cannot be ended by treating the symptoms of cleaning up messes after the fact,” he said.
Kagame commended the African Union Commission, as well as the High Representative for Silencing the Guns, Ambassador Lamtane Lamamra , for the efforts made toward fulfilling this mandate.
Conflict, violence and insecurity continue to be major threats to realising the African Union’s Agenda 2063. To address widespread instability in Africa, and with the aim of leaving a continent at peace to the next generation, Africa’s leaders committed to working towards a continent free from conflict by 2020.
It has been seven years since the declaration, which has become known as Silencing the Guns in Africa by 2020, and four years since the Master Roadmap of practical steps towards implementing its objectives was adopted.
President Kagame, however, observed that there is still a long journey to end conflict in Africa because backsliding still happens in some places.
“Africans, of course, are the ones who pay the price. The self-evident need to renew this program for another ten years is an acknowledgement that we have collectively fallen short,” noted Kagame.
During the summit, a minute of silence was observed in memory of fallen AU peacekeepers and victims of violence in Africa.
The Declaration on Silencing the Guns in Africa by 2020 was adopted by the assembly in 2013.
Kagame made the remarks today as he joined catholic faithfuls from across the country at Kigali Arena, in a thanksgiving ceremony in honour of the first ever Rwandan cardinal, His Eminence Antoine Kambanda.
Antoine Cardinal Kambanda was officially created on 28 November in the Vatican.
Addressing the congregation, President Kagame expressed gratitude to Pope Francis for trusting Cardinal Kambanda to be amongst the Pope’s closest advisors.
Kagame said that the trust is founded on the wise judgement and proven commitment throughout Cardinal Kambanda’s service to the Church in Rwanda who also showed that he is able to contribute to the Church on the global stage.
“Today, all of us Rwandans have great joy because the Catholic Church of Rwanda has a Cardinal. It’s the first time this has happened in the last 120 years,” said Kagame.
“When a Rwandan rises through the ranks because of his or her proven courage and commendable performances, be it in Rwanda or on the international stage, we are all happy. The trust and dignity that the Pope has given you is also ours as Rwandans,” he added.
President Kagame reflected on Rwanda, Vatican relations which is on good progress and thanked Pope Francis who relentlessly proved commitment to boost relations correcting what went wrong over the past.
This is related to the role of Catholic Church in Rwanda during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Considering the involvement of Catholic Church members during the genocide, Pope Francis made a step further and apologized on behalf of the church.
“His Holiness does this not only in Rwanda but also other countries across the world. We cannot forget to thank him for that. We thank you Cardinal Kambanda for the new step, and we hope you will collaborate with others to serve well the church, Rwanda and Rwandans,” he said.
President Kagame highlighted that, in the long and rich history of the country, the Church in Rwanda has been a partner in improving the wellbeing of Rwandans through education, health, and development. He said that partnership should continue and stressed the need to invest more.
“The downs that characterized the history of Rwanda and the Catholic Church which also destabilized the country’s welfare, should not be given priority,” he said.
“I think we pulled a lesson from that and discovered what missed that time. We seek whatever preventing reoccurrence and helping us to make steps forward towards reconstructive journey building partnership, the country and its citizens,” added Kagame.
He expressed optimism that Cardinal Kambanda will root on his own history with many lessons and leverage the dark past to shape the future.
“We are on the path towards achieving great things and collaboration. We have been through the journey for over the past twenty years and beyond seeking to do great things, improve collaboration and rebuild. It should not stop, we should not feel complacent. We should be always committed to do that,” said Kagame.
President Kagame emphasized that the willingness of Pope Francis is promising for collaboration to draw special attention on good deeds and leave behind evils.
Cardinal Kambanda thanked Kagame for joining The Catholic Church and the congratulation message sent to him after appointment.
He also expressed delight for joining Christians after his new special appointment to comfort believers.
“ I am excited to join all of you to thank God and share with you the blessing acquired during my installation as Cardinal. Today, I bring the blessing here in Rwanda,” he said.
The President of Rwanda’s Episcopal Conference, Bishop Philippe Rukamba revealed that they were proud for the milestone and good news for all Rwandans.
“His Eminent Cardinal, your installation as cardinal made us happy. We interacted with different people on televisions, radios and social media channels expressing gratefulness because they showed how a person becomes cardinal,” he noted.
“You are adding up another stage to a long sequence of Christians and clerics Rwanda has ever had. Since the past, we are always aware that God spends the day elsewhere and returns to sleep in Rwanda. Your appointment as cardinal convinced us to understand this enough and helped us to understand the impact of Catholic Church in Rwanda globally,” added Rukamba.
He thanked Cardinal Kambanda for his contribution help Rwandans heal from wounds of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi as the head of Justice and Peace Commission among Rwanda’s Catholic Church Bishops.
“We consider your installation as cardinal as something proving that we are on the right psychiatric journey because it helps a Christian to pardon like Christ and God,” he said.
Bishop Rukamba explained that promoting unity and reconciliation under the championship of President Paul Kagame was the enabler to restore peace among Rwandans.
The Mass was also attended by other bishops from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi , diplomats accredited to Rwanda, representatives of different faith based organizations among others.
Kambanda was born on 10th November 1958 in Kigali. He attended Primary school in Buurndi and Uganda and continued with secondary school studies in Kenya. He graduated in theology at Grand Seminaire Nyakibanda in Butare Diocese.
Kambanda is among priests ordained by Pope Jean Paul II on 8th September 1990 during his visit in Rwanda. The ceremony took place in Mbare, in the current Shyogwe sector in Muhanga district, Southern Province.
He was nominated the Bishop of Kibungo Diocese on 3rd May 2013 by Pope Francis.
Kambanda was later in 2018, appointed the Archibishop of Kigali Diocese prior to his installation as Cardinal in November 2020.
The mass organized to celebrate the first-ever Rwanda’s Cardinal took place at Kigali Arena.
Cardinal Kambanda expressed delight for joining Christians after his new special appointment to comfort believers.
“ I am excited to join all of you to thank God and share with you the blessing acquired during my installation as Cardinal. Today, I bring the blessing here in Rwanda,” he said.
The President of Rwanda’s Episcopal Conference, Bishop Philippe Rukamba revealed that they were proud for the milestone and good news for all Rwandans.
“His Eminent Cardinal, your installation as cardinal made us happy. We interacted with different people on televisions, radios and social media channels expressing gratefulness because they showed how a person becomes cardinal,” he noted.
“You are adding up another stage to a long sequence of Christians and clerics Rwanda has ever had. Since the past, we are always aware that God spends the day elsewhere and returns to sleep in Rwanda. Your appointment as cardinal convinced us to understand this enough and helped us to understand the impact of Catholic Church in Rwanda globally,” added Rukamba.
He thanked Cardinal Kambanda for his contribution help Rwandans heal from wounds of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi as the head of Justice and Peace Commission among Rwanda’s Catholic Church Bishops.
“We consider your installation as cardinal as something proving that we are on the right psychiatric journey because it helps a Christian to pardon like Christ and God,” he said.
Bishop Rukamba explained that promoting unity and reconciliation under the championship of President Paul Kagame was the enabler to restore peace among Rwandans.
The Mass was also attended by other bishops from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi , diplomats accredited to Rwanda, representatives of different faith based organizations among others.
“The Continental Free Trade Area is the lifeblood of our continent’s integration and prosperity. It will also be the primary portal through which Africa engages with its partners around the world on trade and investment. We must therefore work together continuously to protect and strengthen this pact for the sake of the generations that follow us.”
Kagame made the remarks on Saturday as he participated in the 13th Extraordinary Sessions of the Assembly of the African Union (AU) which took place virtually.
The 13th Extraordinary AU Summit began on the morning of 05th December 2020 to finalise the instruments of African Continental Free Trade Area so that trading may commence on 1st January 2021. After the opening ceremony with statements by the Chairperson of the AU, President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, and the Secretary General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, Wamkele Mene, participants moved into closed session.
President Kagame made a statement during the closed session stressing the importance of the AfCFTA to Africa’s integration and prosperity agenda.
He congratulated the African Ministers of Trade, the African Union Commission, and the new AfCFTA Secretariat for successfully overseeing the technical negotiations.
“I wish to congratulate the African Ministers of Trade, African Union Commission and the new AfCFTA secretariat for successfully overseeing the technical negotiations. The remaining negotiations should be completed as soon as possible in order to maximize the benefits of higher trade volumes for all of us,” he said.
Kagame stressed that the African Continental Free Trade Area will always be associated with the name of President Mamadou Yusuf of Niger ‘who has led this process on behalf of the assembly’ and thanked him for outstanding contributions.
Among others, Kagame observed that it is a collective achievement which could not have happened without the strong support of the African heads of state and Government who have remained steadfast throughout the journey.
He noted that such level of commitment ‘will continue to be necessary to sustain the agreement and make it successful’.
A World Bank report released in December 2019 on the AfCFTA showed that the common market would benefit the African continent in different ways.
The African Continental Free Trade Agreement which was signed by 44 African countries on March 21st, 2018 in Kigali shows that a single market for goods and services across Africa will lead to poverty reduction. At least 30 million Africans (1.5% of Africans) will rise above the poverty line.
The report shows that 12 million people in West Africa, 9.3 million in Central Africa and 4.8 million in East Africa will rise above the poverty line. The AfCFTA has the potential of lifting 67.9 million Africans (3.6% of Africans) to middle income status by 2035. That is a $5.50 income per day.
The AfCFTA will connect 1.3 billion African citizens from 54 countries and is expected to generate $3.4 trillion annually. This trade bloc will improve Intra-African trade and definitely solve the problem of food import in Africa.
The Continental Free Trade Area was expected to start operating on July 1st, 2020 but was delayed due to Covid pandemic. The starting date has been extended to 1st January 2021.
Gasana, 58, served as Rwanda’s ambassador to the United Nations in New York since 2012 until 2016. At the time, Rwanda replaced Gasana and summoned him but never returned to the country.
Since then, he was reported for involvement in different activities intended to destabilize Rwanda’s security. He is said to have coordinated RNC members’ discussions with the President of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in which he was asked to join their activities.
In March 2019, Gasana was part of discussions that brought together President Museveni and Charlotte Mukankusi , the head of diplomacy in RNC.
The letter from the family of Gasana to which IGIHE has a copy, signed by his sister Alice Gasana shows that the entire family was shocked to hear a relative involved in wrongful acts.
Apart from cooperation with dissidents intending to destabilize Rwanda’s security, he was recently reported to have raped two times, a Rwandan girl who was conducting an internship at the embassy in 2014.
“On behalf of the family, I, Gasana Alice wishes to take this opportunity to share my heartfelt feelings with Rwandans over things talked about my brother Eugène-Richard Gasana for more than four years,” reads part of the statement.
As the eldest sister in the family of four, she narrated a bit of Gasana’s history recounting how they lived together in Burundi and Europe.
She explained that, during his teenage hood, Gasana was kin on Laws though other people wanted Gasana to become a diplomat which finally came true.
“Concerning the brother I am telling you, it has been four years hearing bad news against him discomforting me, the entire family and other relatives. He was reported to have committed some acts individually and conspiring in other activities all of which disturbs the family and relatives,” noted Alice Gasana.
As the eldest and head of family, Alice Gasana, reacted on behalf of the family and relatives to condemn acts reported to her brother noting that it is against virtues acquired during childhood.
“That is why, I take this opportunity on behalf of the family to condemn and distance myself from shameful acts reported to my brother because they are against virtues we acquired during our childhood,” she said.
Alice Gasana highlighted that her brother should be held accountable individually because the family was not involved.
“We have been shocked as a family. We were extremely shocked to hear the name of a sibling reported in such shameful acts. I take this take to declare that the family is completely against the acts,” she said.
“Brother Gasana, I know well that you used to respect myadvises. As your commitment to apologize is still pending, I apologize on your behalf as a sibling.”
Kagame made the remarks yesterday as he addressed the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Business. He noted that the Covid pandemic has delayed the start of trading and advised all to stay on course.
“Two years ago, we signed a historic agreement, and together wrote a new chapter in the story of African integration. The Covid pandemic has delayed the start of trading but we must stay on course,” he said.
Kagame revealed that doing more business with each other will be mutually beneficial for countries adding that it will also help to build the capacity to compete internationally.
“In Africa, we will start trading amongst ourselves in a few weeks. We need the private sector to be fully involved. That means, all of you gathered here with us today. We have to work closely together, to ensure the right frameworks are in place for the success of this process,” he noted.
“In addition, we must continue to communicate the benefits of free African trade to our citizens, especially, young people and mobilize them to remain engaged for the next phases of African Integration,” added Kagame.
The President also congratulated and welcomed Wamkele Mene , the new Secretary-General of the CFTA Secretarial and thanked the African Union Commission, for organising this Business Forum, which has become a tradition with each Summit.
A World Bank report released in December 2019 on the AfCFTA showed that the common market would benefit the African continent in different ways.
The African Continental Free Trade Agreement which was signed by 44 African countries on March 21st, 2018 in Kigali shows that a single market for goods and services across Africa will lead to poverty reduction. At least 30 million Africans (1.5% of Africans) will rise above the poverty line.
The report shows that 12 million people in West Africa, 9.3 million in Central Africa and 4.8 million in East Africa will rise above the poverty line. The AfCFTA has the potential of lifting 67.9 million Africans (3.6% of Africans) to middle income status by 2035. That is a $5.50 income per day.
The AfCFTA will connect 1.3 billion African citizens from 54 countries and is expected to generate $3.4 trillion annually. This trade bloc will improve Intra-African trade and definitely solve the problem of food import in Africa.
The Continental Free Trade Area was expected to start operating on July 1st, 2020 but was delayed due to Covid pandemic. The starting date has been extended to 1st January 2021.
Places of worship are required to accommodate 50% of their capacity and respect all COVID-19 control measures including social distancing, washing hands, and wearing of face mask.
Under the newly issued guidelines, the Ministry of Local Government has revealed that ‘faith-based organizations can organize religious gatherings for more two days of choice per week and inform local leaders from the sector in which a church is located’.
The two days will be additional to existing proclaimed days of worship especially, Friday for Muslims; Saturday for Adventists and Sunday for other churches.
Burial and wedding ceremonies will also continue to be observed anytime respecting COVID-19 guidelines.
The guidelines also indicate that religious gatherings for people in advanced ages from 65 and above should be exclusively held except those leading church services.
Children from six and above have been also allowed to go to pray together with their siblings or parents.
Baptism and other sacraments will be ordained respecting COVID-19 health guidelines.
Ambassador Rwakazina is Rwanda’s ambassador to the Holy See with residence in Geneva, Switzerland. She also represents Rwanda to the United Nations and various organizations.
During the ceremony, other ambassadors from nine countries including Denmark, Estonia, India, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Madagascar, Mauritania, Uzbekistan and Zambia also presented letters of credence to represent their countries.
After presenting credential letters to Pope Francis, Amb. Rwakazina held bilateral talks known as ‘Concordat’ with the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin which focused on strengthening bilateral relations between Rwanda and the Holy See.
A concordat is a convention between the Holy See and a sovereign state that defines the relationship between the Catholic Church and the state in matters that concern both the recognition and privileges of the Catholic Church in a particular country and with secular matters that impact on church interests.
Diplomatic relations between Rwanda and the Holy See were established 56 years ago but were profoundly affected with involvement of members of the Catholic Church in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Rwakazina’s presentation of credentials comes only a week after Cardinal Antoine Kambanda was installed cardinal by Pope Francis in the consistory held on 28th November 2020.
Her candidature was announced on Thursday evening during a ceremony in which Dr Biruta hosted members of the African Diplomatic Corps for dinner.
The position is currently held by a Ghanaian, Quartey Thomas Kwesi who took office in 2017. Like the Chairperson of the African Union, the deputy holds the right for four-year term renewable once. Their term will terminate next year.
President Paul Kagame recently revealed that Rwanda supports the candidature of Moussa Faki Mahamat, the current Chairperson of the African Union Commission for the second tenure.
He made the revelation as he took part in the Second Mid-Year Coordination Meeting of the African Union, Regional Economic Committees and the Regional Mechanisms alongside President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa who chairs the AU and Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chair of the African Union Commission.
As he concluded his remarks, Kagame said: “I wanted to join the President of Tchad, my brother President Déby, in support of Moussa Faki, who has come back as the candidate running for chair of our African Union Commission. I also join in support of Dr Ngozi as the candidate for the director-general of the World Trade Organization.”
Mahamat, former Tchad’s Minister of Foreign Affairs was elected to chair the African Union Commission in January 2017.
Dr Nsanzabaganwa, 49, introduced as Rwanda’s candidate to deputize Mahamat, holds honorary doctorate received from Stellenbosch University in South Africa for her contribution to Rwanda’s development.
She is the Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Rwanda since May 2011. Prior to that, she served as Minister of Trade and Industry (2008-2011) and Minister of State in charge of Economic Planning in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (2003-2008).
Dr. Nsanzabaganwa is a holder of a PhD in Economics and a Doctorate of Commerce Honoris Causa, both obtained from Stellenbosch University, South Africa. She is an influential voice in financial inclusion in her country and on international scene as well as a passionate actor in women’s economic empowerment and financial inclusion.
Dr. Nsanzabaganwa is also a member of the Alliance for Financial Inclusion’s Gender Inclusive Finance Committee, an alumna of Women’s World Banking African Advisory Council, and Founding Member and Chairperson of New Faces New Voices Rwanda. She is a wife and mother.
The figures were revealed yesterday during the ‘Police High Council’ held at Police headquarters in Kacyiru and chaired by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Johnston Busingye.
The council was also attended by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dan Munyuza and Deputy IGPs; Juvenal Marizamunda in charge of Administration and Personnel, and Felix Namuhoranye for Operations.
It brought together RNP leadership, heads of departments and territorial units, regional, and district commanders, among others. It also tackled other aspects related to the response to COVID-19, force discipline and welfare.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dan Munyuza said that the Council held towards the end of the year provides a platform to assess what has been achieved, where the force stands and the future prospects in terms of provision of security for the people and their property but in consideration of the law.
He explained that the welfare of Police officers, service delivery, continuous while training aimed at improving skills, acquiring modern policing equipment, infrastructure development are also given emphasis though some members are held accountable for indiscipline cases.
Despite the efforts to further improve the welfare of Police officers, some of them exhibit acts of indiscipline such as soliciting bribes. In this year, 425 Police officers were held accountable for various cases of indiscipline (corruption, desertion, drunkenness, theft and poor services). This number, however, indicates a downward trend from 587 Police officers dismissed from the force in 2019,” noted IGP Dan Munyuza.
In the provision of services, Minister Busingye challenged Police officers to always respect human rights and operate within the limits of the law, adding that whoever acts contrary is held accountable.
“Anyone, who engages in criminal acts, however small or big the crime is, affects the rights and wellbeing of the people; Rwandans have showed, through various platforms, that they cannot stand injustice. When a crime is committed, responsible institutions should act swiftly, comfort victims and bring suspects to book,” he said.
Crime prevention is the catalyst to peace, he said, adding that this should start from households, support efforts to ensure that all children are in school, young people educated to start small income generating activities and to be custodians of the law rather than being lawbreakers.
He pledged the government’s continued support towards Police professional services through training and advanced policing equipment.
In the past days, there has been a spate of public outcry in recent days criticizing some police officers for breaking the law as they enforce lawful orders that includes shooting civilians.
The latter saw President Paul Kagame issuing instructions to police top management to completely address the issue.
Later on, Police Spokesperson, CP John Bosco Kabera said that it was inappropriate for the police to use excessive force, and that the police are going to make efforts to inform Rwandans of how such people are being prosecuted.
He cited examples of police officers who shot dead civilians in Nyanza District and beat a resident of Rwamagana to death, all of whom were being prosecuted.
“Police officers involved in the recent incidents of brutality have been arrested and investigations are ongoing,” CP Kabera said.
“A police officer who shot people to death on March, in Nyanza on a motorcycle, was arrested, is being prosecuted. He is in prison, but people don’t know what happened next.”
Police officer who recently beat a resident of Rwamagana District, Karenge is in courts litigation. Also, another one who recently shot to death a resident of Zaza in Ngoma is under investigation. He further added that in addition to legal penalties, police officers are subject to disciplinary action including those that mistreat members of the public, those who harass citizens, those who provide poor services, and those who neglect duty, among others.
CP Kabera says that Police has the mandate to punish its members that police personnel with punishments lasting over six months are dismissed.
Mistakes attracting dismissal in Rwanda’s Police include desertion for over 15 days, possession of explosives with the intention of destabilizing security, corruption, drunkenness, theft and poor services among others.
56 of police members dismissed in August are officers including three senior officers and one at the rank of commissioner.
The list of 17/08/2020 Presidential Order dismissing Officers from Rwanda National Police includes Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Mutsinzi Eric, and three Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), SSP Vuningoma Alex, SSP Kabanda Emmanuel and Kamali Celestin.
ACP Eric Mutsinzi Spokesperson in Northern Province, commander of Police Battalion on peacekeeping mission in South Sudan in 2016.
SSP Kabanda also served as Police Spokesperson of Traffic Police. In January 2019, he was among 140 police forces on peacekeeping mission in the Republic of Central Africa holding the rank of Chief Superintendent of Police.
Nine Chief Inspector of Police (CIP), Twenty Inspector of Police (IP) and 23 Assistant Inspector of Police (AIP) are also among sacked officers.
