Kagame was speaking yesterday at a working luncheon on the Financing of African Union-Led Peace Support Operations on the sidelines of African Union Heads of States and Governments Summit that was taking place in Nouakchott, Mauritania.
The luncheon was hosted by Mauritania President Abdel Aziz.
It was also attended by France President, Emmanuel Macron and African Union Heads of State and Government.
The Chairperson of African Union stressed that peace support operations is a critical issue for Africa to be a stable continent.
“The issue of predictable financing for peace support operations is a critical one, as we work to ensure security and stability on our continent,” Kagame said.
He said that France is Africa’s important partner in the fight against terrorism in Africa.
“France is an important partner in the fight against terrorism in Africa. This is why we are pleased to have this conversation with President Macron today, to ensure that peace operations on the continent have sufficient and sustainable funding,” he said.
African Union has an organ called ‘Peace and Security Council’. The organ was established for prevention, management and resolution of conflicts.
The signing exercise took place on the sidelines of the 31st African Union Heads of States and Government summit in Nouakchott, Mauritania that took place July 1st to July 2nd.
At the summit, two countries, Chad and eSwatini (former Swaziland) deposited their instrument of ratification while Guinea announced they will deposit their instrument of ratification next week.
President Paul Kagame and the Chairperson of African Union (AU) congratulated the five new signatories which are Burundi, Lesotho, Namibia, Sierra Leone and South Africa.
“Congratulations to the new signatories of AfCFTA,” Kagame said.
Meanwhile 49 member states have signed the AfCFTA and six have ratified it.
“This is significant progress and more is underway. It therefore signifies great progress towards the Africa we want and building it in the manner we have chosen,” Kagame added.
He said that the summit had been very productive and tackled the issues of highest priority for the continent.
“The Africa we want is being built before our eyes piece by piece. Let’s keep it up and do even more and better going forward,” Kagame noted.
The AfCFTA agreement is expected to boost intra Africa trade by 53% through eliminating import duties and non-tariff barriers. The agreement is potentially poised to create an African market of more than 1.2 billion people with an economy worth $2.5 trillion.
Kagame was speaking while introducing the AU Reforms report at the African Union Heads of State Summit yesterday in Mauritania.
The Chairperson of the African Union thanked for the contributions that countries continue to make to the success of the reforms.
“I am pleased to note that robust consultations have been conducted by the Commission in the manner directed by the Assembly,” he said.
He said that AU Member States, Regional Economic Communities and African Union Organs have been included in the process. He said that such effort has enriched the implementation process, deepened the consensus and allowed misunderstandings to be clarified.
“A good amount of the controversy surrounding the 0.2% levy has dissipated as Member States have come to appreciate the flexibility with which it can be applied. Also that they will not necessarily be paying more and certainly not more than their fair share,” Kagame said.
“The reform has always been about preparing Africa for future challenges. That future is now. Because of the changes that have already been implemented, we are stronger and more effective than ever before,” he noted.
Kagame said that the Continental Free Trade Agreement championed by President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger is among the most historic achievements of the AU.
“An African Union capable of delivering a functional free trade area is actually the end point of reform,” he said.
Kagame said that the Continental Free Trade Area will not take long time to become reality
“44 countries signed in Kigali. Four more are signing here in Nouakchott. It is going to become a reality, before much longer,” he assured.
Kagame said that the reform’s emphasis of speaking with one voice as a continent will emerge as the most important provision of all.
“We need to present ourselves as a united front, and defend the interests of our people and our continent,” Kagame urged AU Member States.
He called upon continued support and engagement to bring the process to a successful conclusion as planned.
The attack took place in Cyumuzi Village, Ruhinga Cell of Nyabimata Sector.
A resident in Ruhinga cell has told IGIHE that on arrival, the attackers shot some bullets before they started looting property.
Ruhinga Cell Executive Secretary, Francois Xavier Rubumba told IGIHE that after looting different properties, they fled through Nyungwe forest.
“It was around 11:00pm, they shot some bullets but no casualties have been identified. They looted clothes, two goats and twelve sheep. They also entered different houses looting money. They had also taken nine people hostage for carrying looted stuffs, but they were freed. They immediately fled in Nyungwe forest,” he said.
He said that security personnel responded and followed the attackers.
The Nyaruguru District Vice-Mayor in charge of Social Affairs, Collette Kayitesi confirmed the attack to IGIHE but said that she could not reveal many details as security forces have intervened.
On June 19th midnight, unidentified gangs attacked the same sector, killed two people, injured six including the sector executive secretary, Vincent Nsengiyumva, setting his car on fire.
On June 10th, armed gang also attacked Ngera Sector in Nyaruguru Sector and looted different properties including money, televisions, shoes among others.
RCS spokesperson, SSP Hillary Sengabo told IGIHE that a total of 607 female inmates who had been in the now closed former prison were relocated Sunday.
“The exercise will be completed today, no more services are expected today, those who wish to visit their families will meet them Monday in Mageragere. Simply, no more services than relocation, and lawyers who want to meet their clients, will meet them Tomorrow,” he explained.
The former 1930 Prison surface will be redeveloped into real estates by Champion Investment Corporation (CHIC) under the programme to find affordable houses for city dwellers.
In February 2017, RCS had relocated a total of 3000 male inmates in its first phase of relocation.
The city master plan review budget was announced and approved Friday in the City Council meeting that was aimed at approving the 2018/2019 budget.
Speaking to IGIHE, CoK Vice-mayor in charge of Economic Development, Parfait Busabizwa said that their target is to review the master plan after every five years so that they address challenges faced.
He said that in the budget, they want to address challenges faced in the master plan that was designed in 2013.
“Every five years, we trace back and see whether we implemented the master plan, challenges faced, and what to address so that people of all categories continue to live in the city,” he said.
“Activities to be done have been identified. Among them, include changing where to create the road due to infrastructures that can be affected among others,” he said.
He said that some places were designed for establishment of infrastructure, but investors did not have interest in those places which made the city give them to people to construct residential houses.
The city master plan is also the priority of the new city mayor, Marie Chantal Rwakazina who said during the elections that she will prioritise its review.
The City of Kigali 2018/2019 budget is Rwf22.1 billion. A total of 68% will go to development activities including the construction 54-kilometer roads.
According to the Office of the President, Village Urugwiro, Kagame was received in Nouakchott by his Mauritanian counterpart, Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz.
“President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz of Mauritania welcomes President Kagame to Nouakchott where he will chair the 31st Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union,” the Office of the President said in a tweet.
The AU Heads of State and Government Assembly was preceded by the Ordinary Session of the Executive Council which took place on 28th – 29th June 2018.
The 31st Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union takes place under the theme “Winning the Fight against Corruption: A Sustainable Path to Africa’s.
Ties between Rwanda and Egypt have been strengthened in past years with both countries running fully-fledged diplomatic missions in their two capitals.
Egypt through its Rwandan embassy that was opened in 1975, has contributed quite commendably especially in the areas of health, where contributions were made towards supporting vulnerable Rwandans to access high-tech medical procedures from Cairo, or at several occasions through flying into groups of medical experts from Egypt to treat patients, dominated by poor folks who could otherwise not afford the specialized health care provided.
The great relationship between these two countries kicked off years ago when Rwanda opened its embassy but came to close only to be re-opened again in 2015, where Sheikh Habimana Saleh, the Mufti of Rwanda, became Rwanda’s first Envoy to Egypt.
Every four years, Egypt sends off a new envoy to Rwanda, with the recent one being Ahmed El Ansary who replaced Dr Namira Mohamed El-Mahdi Negm.
In an exclusive interview with IGIHE Reporter, Rwanda’s Envoy to Egypt, Habimana Saleh said that ties between Rwanda and Egypt across several sectors including trade, healthcare and education among others, were at its best peek.
On Education, the envoy said; “Rwandans who come to study in Egypt are either Muslims or are Government-aided, although the latter is rare. There are also few who pay for themselves.”
Today, a total of 63 Rwandans study in Egypt with 51 studying in Al-Azhar University, Cairo. Seven of the rest are sponsored by Alexandria University, while two are sponsored by Rwanda Military Hospital to study in Cairo University. When added up to a few based Rwandans, a total of Rwandans residing in Egypt are 88.
On Healthcare, Sheikh Habimana hinted that in coming days, a deal between the respective Health Ministries of Egypt and Rwanda would see the latter receiving medicines to cure Communicable Diseases – ACPHD.
He also added that there were Egyptian investors interested in Rwanda’s hotels, while others were working on an Amusement/theme park dubbed “Kigali Dream Park & Resort”, and others who were interested in Rwanda’s Industrial sector, mainly in the clothing sector, Wood and Furnitures, and Home Appliances – like Refrigerators, Ironing machines, Television, and others.”
Among these awaited projects, the Amusement park to be built over an area of 200,000 sq. meters that will be dubbed “Kigali Dream Park & Resort” will be allocated in Rusororo, Gasabo District. The wonderland project led by Bahgat Group will feature various attractions, such as rides and games, as well as other events for entertainment purposes.
Aside of performing Trade projects, Bahgat Group is in a drive of supporting citizens, where the group chairman Ahmed Bahgat announced that 60 households will receive electricity from solar-energy with the Group’s support.
Commenting on these projects, Egypt’s Envoy to Rwanda, Ahmed El Ansary, noted that nothing specific had been yet done, but that in coming days, most will be launched. He further gave an example of the ongoing Egypt and Middle East expo, saying that it was only one of their many projects.
Every year, the Egypt and Middle East expo is organized in Rwanda, during which products made in Egypt are showcased and it is also seen as a gateway for Egyptian investors in the Rwandan market.
Both Rwanda and Egypt share common interests on the regional and international scene, besides their membership in many organizations and regional gatherings such as COMESA, the NEPAD initiative, the African Union, and the Nile Basin Initiative.
In August 2017, President Abdel Fattah el Sisi was the first Egyptian leader to visit Rwanda, where he was welcomed by President Kagame, before proceeding to a guided tour of the Kigali Genocide Memorial where he paid tribute to victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
In Rusizi District of Western Province, Ephrem Kayumba has been elected the new mayor with 91.7% of the total vote, while his opponent Djuma Kajigo got 8%.
Kayumba who had been the Executive Secretary of Nyamasheke District replaces Frederic Harerimana who resigned in May citing personal reasons.
In Nyagatare District of Eastern Province, Claudian Mushabe was elected the new mayor replacing George Mupenzi who together with both vices resigned in May.
Mushabe had been the Executive Secretary of Gakenke District in Northern Province.
In Huye District of Southern Province, Ange Sebutege was elected the new mayor with 225 votes of278.
Sebutege had been the Head of Communication and Customer Care in Rwanda Directorate General of Migration and Emigration.
André Kamana has been elected the Vice-mayor in charge of economic development and Annonciata Kankesha, the vice-mayor in charge of social affairs.
In Bugesera District of Eastern Province, Richard Mutabazi has been elected, the mayor replacing Emmanuel Nsanzumuhire.
The former Rwanda Basketball Federation Secretary General Mutabazi acted on the docket after Nsanzumuhire and both vices resignation in May.
In Gicumbi District, Felix Ndayamabaje was elected the mayor replacing Juvenal Mudaheranwa who together with the vices resigned in May.
The elections also took place in Nyabihu District and saw Antoinette Mukandayisenga elected the mayor. Mukandayisenga replaces Theoneste Uwanzwenuwe who resigned in May.
Worth Rwf2,5 billion, the facility is located in Busasamana Sector.
The facility houses the High Court Chamber of International and Cross-border Crimes, the High Court Chamber of Nyanza, the International Crimes Unit of the National Public Prosecution Authority and the primary court of Busasamana.
Speaking at the ceremony yesterday, Rugege requested justice sector players to use the facility for justice delivery.
“We hope that judges and prosecutors will effectively perform their jobs. I am optimistic that the job that will be performed from here will meet expectations of people through good justice delivery,” he said.
Nyanza District mayor, Erasme Ntazinda welcomed the court in the district saying that Nyanza continues to be the hub of justice.
“As Nyanza is the town of culture, we should not forget that it had been the hub of justice from long ago as it hosted the royal court,” he said.
The construction activities were funded by the Netherlands and the Government of Rwanda.
The Netherlands Ambassador to Rwanda, Frédérique de Man commended the achievement and said that their government will continue to partner with the government of Rwanda in different activities including justice.
She urged Rwandan justice sector players to uphold professionalism. The court will host the cases of Genocide fugitives transferred to Rwanda for trial from different countries.
