In 2020, preliminary research confirmed the presence of Lithium in Ngororero District, leading to Rwanda’s interest in developing a refinery for the mineral.
Amb. Karitanyi recently revealed in an interview with CNBC that Rwanda already has refineries for gold, tin, and tantalum, and they have plans to establish a Lithium refinery as well. The country aims to collaborate with regional partners to ensure sufficient reserves for the refinery to operate at full capacity.
Until 2020, Lithium was not as widely known or in demand due to its relatively low price. However, its value began to rise significantly as of December last year. In January 2018, a kilogram of Lithium cost US$20.5, but by December 2020, it had dropped to US$9 (Rwf9000). The decrease in value was mainly attributed to increased production coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since then, the price of Lithium has experienced a substantial surge. In April 2021, it increased by over 600% and reached US$78,000 (over Rwf78 million) per ton. This surge can be attributed to the growing production of electric vehicles, which rely on large energy-saving batteries that require Lithium. In 2021, 6.6 million electric vehicles were sold, double the number sold in 2020. Experts in the mining field predict that Lithium will continue to be an excellent investment, as it is estimated that over 26 million electric vehicles will be sold by 2030.
Considering these trends, the price of one tonne of Lithium is expected to rise from US$44,090 in 2022 to US$61,520 in 2023. Rwanda’s plans to establish a Lithium refinery align with the increasing demand for the mineral and the potential for significant growth in the electric vehicle market.
The Head of State made the revelation on Sunday as he received his counterpart of Hungary, Katalin Novák who is on a visit to Rwanda.
Hungary is among countries neighboring Ukraine and hosts over 2 million refugees from the country.
Speaking to members of the press after discussions with Hungarian President Katalin Novák, Kagame was asked to comment on the contribution of Rwanda and Africa in ending the war that has occasioned devastating consequences.
The Head of State said that Rwanda’s possible contribution is little but highlighted that the country can intervene through peaceful dialogues because the war cannot totally solve the problem.
“For us , what we can contribute to is the debate of moving towards peace because there is instability, war in that part of the region but which doesn’t stop an end in that region. It spreads across the world to the extent that it reaches here in Rwanda as it reaches the whole African continent,” he said.
“Now for me, we can contribute to the debate but there is little else we can really do as Rwanda. Since it is just giving an idea towards that, we can always say irrespective of the cause and who is right here, who is wrong there, at the end of the day when the war is up and running there are more wrongs than rights. When you move towards peace and get it then, you start moving towards more rights than wrongs,” added Kagame.
The president highlighted that winning a battle with the means of weapons doesn’t itself guarantee a durable solution.
The United States and European countries continue to supply weapons to Ukraine during the war with Russia.
President Kagame has stated that looking at peace as the end goal should be the main focus instead of keeping powering arms and ammunition, not who defeats the other.
“To keep fighting , powering arms and ammunition of all types in the situation and hoping that one side defeats that other, may take too long first of all, and the damage trail of that is already too costly. So you can imagine what it will look like if you can go for another two or three years. That is why there is a compelling need for those who have power, those involved in the war to really think about what is this give and take process they can be involved in to bring settlement. Inevitably, everyone will have something to give and everyone will have something to gain from that,” he noted.
It has been over 500 days since the Russia-Ukraine war began, inflicting significant devastation on Ukraine. The conflict has resulted in the loss of lives among both soldiers and civilians, while also leaving a trail of destruction across the nation’s infrastructure.
As of March this year, the World Bank reported that Ukraine had suffered approximately US$135 billion in damages to its infrastructure, underscoring the extensive scope of the destruction. To recover and rebuild the damaged infrastructure, Ukraine requires a staggering sum of over US$400 billion.
Besides, the war has had a profound impact on other parts of the world, given that both Russia and Ukraine were among major exporters of essential commodities such as grains and cooking oil. The disruption in these exports has had ripple effects on global markets and supply chains, influencing the availability and prices of these commodities in various regions.
The Head of State made the disclosure on Sunday 16th as he received his counterpart of Hungary, Katalin Novák who has spent days during her visit to Rwanda.
Kagame said that discussions with Katalin Novák focused on making bilateral ties even stronger for the benefit of both countries’ people.
“At this point, I want to mention that Rwanda intends to open diplomatic presence in Budapest very soon,” he stated.
The President disclosed that the aim is to enable the creation of jobs, foster an enabling environment for businesses.
Both countries also signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) on the training of Rwandan experts on atomic and peaceful use of nuclear energy, a Stipendium Hungaricum agreement as well as a loan facility agreement on upgrading of the Karenge water treatment plant in Rwamagana.
Kagame said that the cooperation between Rwanda and Hungary in the field of education is very important where 41 Rwandans have so far received scholarships to study in Hungary universities noting that it was agreed to extend the programme during discussions with Novák.
“We appreciate that. We’ll also be working with Hungary to train Rwandans in the field of nuclear energy, an important component of our future energy plants,” Kagame said.
“Through the new agreements signed, we are committed to build on this shared vision and create mutually beneficial opportunities for the people of Rwanda and Hungary. We appreciate the significant loan provided by Hungary to upgrade the Karenge water treatment plant. We hope to benefit from Hungary’s expertise in water management,” he added.
President Novák who is the first Hungarian President to visit Rwanda said that her country is a doorway to the European Union, just like Rwanda is a doorway to the African continent, that makes the situation of the two countries unique.
“Hungary is bigger in size, but our population is almost similar. We need to focus on how we cooperate based on a mutual respect because that is what we can offer as Hungarians, the respect for you, for your way of life, for your people and for your nation; and that is what we expect also from our allies. It is this mutual respect background which our corporation already lies on and which it is going to fly on in the future as well,” she said.
Hungary recently opened a trade and counselor mission in Kigali. Novák expressed delight that Kagame has also expressed willingness to open diplomatic presence in Budapest and welcomed the move.
Novák who is also in Rwanda to attend the ongoing Women Deliver Conference and she told President Kagame that: “Your Invitation to women deliver proof for our common commitment to empowering women. I thank you for what I have done in this respect.”
Novák also hailed Rwanda’s progress after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi owing to President Kagame’s visionary leadership.
Rwanda and Hungary enjoy diplomatic relations in the fields of investment, trade and air transport among others.
In today’s fast-paced world, filled with demanding work schedules and endless responsibilities, it’s all too easy to neglect taking care of ourselves, only to be reminded that we too matter when we start feeling unwell or develop an illness.
However, this shouldn’t be the case. By adhering to the following health tips, you can go about your day to day routine healthy and wealthy.
{{1. Get adequate rest daily}}
People with the best health and longevity get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep daily. According to the The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP), getting enough sleep comes with countless benefits with the main ones being; lowers risk for serious health problems like diabetes and heart diseases, reduces stress and improves one’s mood in addition to enabling one think clearly and perform better at school or work.
{{2. Regular physical activity}}
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), physical activity refers to any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires energy expenditure. Popular ways to be active include; walking, running, cycling, wheeling, and other forms of sports. WHO recommends that adults between the age of 18-64 years do at least; 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity, 75-150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical intensity or an equivalent combination of moderate and vigorous intensity activity throughout the week so as to prevent/manage non communicable such as; heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and several cancers.
{{3. Having a balanced diet}}
Like it is said, ’we are what we eat’, but, how do you tell what to eat and what not to? Especially with ‘misleading’ proverbs like; ‘what goes in is not bad, what comes out is’. Nevertheless, if you’re to have a healthy lifestyle, a balanced diet is key. This means eating meals that contain all food values. Things like; fruits, vegetables, seeds, legumes, nuts, and whole grains. Without a balanced diet, one’s body is prone to; disease, infection, fatigue, and poor performance.
{{4. Staying hydrated}}
The phrase ‘water is life’ is known to many of us. How we interpret it is what may change. Other factors constant, it is highly recommended that one drinks plenty of water as it is essential for their health. The U.S National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine indicates that an adequate daily fluid intake is; 3.7 liters of fluids a day for men and 2.7 liters for women.
{{5. Say no to smoking and alcohol}}
Much as alcohol and smoking can be considered fun and relaxing for some people, their consumption is dangerous to one’s health. As per report by Dr. Godwin Meredith, MD, Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians (FAAFP), whether smoked or chewed, tobacco is harmful to one’s health. This is so because it contains unsafe substances like; acetone, tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide which when inhaled, affect one’s lungs and organs. Alcohol on the other hand if consumed excessively can cause high blood pressure, liver and heart disease, and digestive problems.
{{6. Manage your stress}}
WHO defines stress as a state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation. Given our daily struggles, it is inevitable to not stress. However, how we respond to stress is crucial as failure to manage stress affects both one’s mental and physical health.
{{7. Limit screen time}}
A report by Jai Medical Institute published in 2023, indicates that, “too much screen time can impact everything from one’s mood to their sleeping habits. These effects extend to the whole body affecting not only their eyes, but also; the brain, posture, sleep quality, and increases risks of obesity.
{{8. Keeping in shape}}
Life can be funny sometimes, you gain some weight then you ask to lose it, you lose it and then you wish you can gain just a little extra. Never though, do we wish to be out of shape. The desire is to always have a ‘perfect’ size. Keeping in shape has a positive impact on one’s lifestyle as it comes with a lot of ease when going about daily activities, not to mention the confidence one gets when their clothes fit comfortably. The first six tips, if followed regularly can help you achieve this.
{{9. Spend quality time with friends and family}}
If there’s anything the pandemic taught us, it’s the value of being around our dear ones. There’s so much that’s added onto someone if they spend time with people they love. From learning to sharing and being cared for all which boost our mental and physical health.
{{10. Maintain a clean and healthy environment}}
A clean place is a safe place- safe from diseases and infections. There’s no way one can have a healthy lifestyle when their surroundings are cluttered with all kinds of ‘rubbish’. Furthermore, A healthy environment goes beyond what surrounds us (houses, trees, animals, etc.).
It also encompasses one’s mind and the people they spend their longest time with.
Like American writer Byron Katie says, “ if you want to clean up your environment, start with your mind- it starts there.”
Amb. Busingye’s response comes after Margaret Owen, founder and director of Widows for Peace Through Democracy, wrote a letter arguing that Rwanda was not safe for asylum seekers.
Owen’s letter followed the verdict of the UK Court of Appeal on 29th June, which ruled that sending asylum seekers to Rwanda was “unlawful” and described the country as unsafe.
In a letter published in The Guardian, Amb. Busingye stated that Owen’s claim that Rwanda is not safe for refugees “is yet another example of an archaic view of Africa as a land of darkness and danger.”
He invited her to visit Rwanda and witness firsthand the modern, hopeful, and progressive nation that is being built.
“Our treatment of refugees has been recognised as exemplary by the UNHCR and others. We were commended for stepping in to evacuate refugees from detention centres in Libya, for welcoming Afghan girls wanting to pursue their education, and for hosting 140,000 refugees in our country,” he stated.
Amb. Busingye also reminded Owen that Rwanda ranks third in Africa for economic freedom and first globally for the percentage of women in parliament (61.3%), with this representation extending throughout society.
“Life expectancy has gone from 49 in 2000 to 70 today, and we are approaching universal access to healthcare and education. By any metric, Rwanda is a safe country,” he added.
Commenting on Owen’s claim that Rwanda invaded the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which resulted in killings, displacements, and sexual violence, Amb. Busingye explained, “The crisis unfolding in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo is an internal affair. Rwanda does what’s necessary to ensure the crisis does not impact the safety of its citizens or anyone we welcome on our territory.”
“The DRC government and armed forces, far from providing security for their citizens, have instead formed heinous alliances with genocidal militias such as the Forces Démocratiques de Libération du Rwanda [FDLR], one of more than 130 active illegal armed groups in eastern DRC,” added Amb. Busingye.
FDLR is made up of former perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Amb. Busingye further explained that Owen’s commentary inexplicably seeks to minimize the threat of FDLR’s extremist ideology and the ethnic cleansing of Congolese Tutsi communities. “Rwanda will continue to do what it takes to maintain our safety, security, and socioeconomic development,” he affirmed.
The plan, known as the “Migration and Economic Development Partnership,” was established in April 2022 to facilitate the transfer of migrants and asylum seekers who are illegally present in the UK to Rwanda.
The initial timeline for the first migrants to arrive in Rwanda was set for July 2022, but this was delayed due to a complaint filed by organizations advocating for migrants’ rights. The Court of Appeal reviewed the case and made the recent ruling.
The court’s decision contradicts the position of UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who have consistently defended the deportation plan, highlighting Rwanda’s successful management of refugee and migrant crises.
It is worth noting that the UK has been granted permission to challenge the ruling of the Court of Appeal.
He made the disclosure on July 13, 2023, upon the completion of the Ingobyi Activity project, which aimed to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates.
Dr. Nsanzimana also disclosed that the ministry intends to enhance the capabilities of health centers to perform Cesarean surgeries with minimal complications, thereby eliminating the need for long-distance patient transfers to referral hospitals.
Besides, the minister emphasized the reinforcement of primary healthcare services to decrease maternal and infant mortality rates. As a result of these initiatives, hospitals will primarily focus on complex cases, leading to a reduction in ambulance traffic transporting patients to hospitals.
One of the factors contributing to maternity and infant mortality is the scarcity of healthcare professionals in Rwanda. A shortage of healthcare providers has resulted in a single doctor attending to multiple patients, leading to delayed access to healthcare for some individuals.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a minimum healthcare workers per 1000 people. However, only a few African countries reached the target, with the number sometimes dropping to one healthcare worker.
“The plan has been finalized and approved. We are going to increase the number of healthcare workers by four times over the next four years,” stated Minister Nsanzimana.
The plan encompasses the recruitment of nurses, midwives, medical laboratory scientists, and other healthcare professionals.
The Ingobyi Activity project was implemented in 20 districts across Rwanda, covering 325 health centers and 27 hospitals.
The initiatives included research to identify the causes of maternal and infant mortality, training for healthcare workers and community health workers in malaria prevention, equipment donations, and the establishment of toll-free lines that will remain operational beyond the conclusion of the project.
As a result of these interventions, infant mortality rates have significantly decreased from 177 in 2018 to 87 in 2022 and further down to 59 in 2023 at the health centers and other hospitals involved in the project.
These figures include over 7.2 million subscribers of MTN Rwanda and more than 4.4 million subscribers of Airtel Rwanda.
It’s important to note that these numbers represent the mobile phone ownership among a total population of 13,246,394 in Rwanda.
The data reveals that postpaid subscriptions increased from 168,243 in May 2023 to 169,697 SIM cards in June 2023. Additionally, prepaid subscriptions increased from 11,380,900 SIM cards in May 2023 to 11,545,285 SIM cards in June 2023.
The report states that as of June 2023, the Mobile Penetration Rate, which refers to the number of active SIM cards per the total projected population, has risen to 87.4% compared to 86.4% in May 2023.
In June 2022, the mobile penetration stood at 80.7%.
Regarding market shares as of June 2023, MTN Rwanda Ltd saw a decrease of 0.7 percentage points to 61.9%, while AIRTEL Rwanda Ltd experienced an increase of the same margin, reaching 38.1%. These figures reflect changes compared to the statistics from May 2023.
The increased mobile phone penetration in Rwanda has resulted in a higher usage of mobile devices for daily activities and cashless transactions.
In the fiscal year 2021/2022, the number of funds transfers through mobile payment channels increased by 58% from 196 million to 310 million transactions. The value of these transactions also rose by 41%, from Rwf4,707 billion to Rwf6,616 billion, as reported by the National Bank of Rwanda (NBR) in November last year.
BNR further reported that transfers through mobile banking channels increased by 35% from 6 million to 8 million transactions. The value of these transactions rose significantly by 140% from Rwf917 billion to Rwf381 billion.
Besides, the number of mobile banking subscribers increased by 18% from 2,080,549 in June 2021 to 2,244,652, and Internet banking subscribers grew by 32% from 106,312 to 140,662 in June 2022. Active mobile payment subscribers also increased by 9% from 5,079,232 in June 2021 to 5,528,109 in June 2022.
In terms of the distribution of cashless transactions, transfers through mobile payment channels accounted for the largest share at 70%, followed by transfers via mobile banking at 26%. As for transaction value, transfer through mobile payment accounted for 51% of the total, followed by internet banking at 32%.
The attack by unknown assailants on the patrol from the MINUSCA mission occurred just a few kilometres from the town of Sam Ouandia.
The mission has immediately opened an investigation into the exact circumstances, said a statement issued by the UN Spokesperson for António Guterres on Tuesday.
“The Secretary-General expresses his deepest condolences to the family of the fallen peacekeeper and to the people and government of the Republic of Rwanda”, it continued.
The UN chief recalled that attacks targeting peacekeepers “may constitute war crimes under international law. He called on the Central African Republic authorities to spare no effort in identifying the perpetrators of this attack and bring them to justice swiftly.”
MINUSCA was deployed in 2014 to help end intercommunal violence that erupted a year earlier when mainly Muslim militants ousted the then president, prompting reprisals from mostly Christian militias.
The Secretary-General reaffirmed the solidarity of the UN with the people and Government of CAR.
The members of the Security Council joined Mr. Guterres in condemning the attack and paid tribute “to all peacekeepers who risk their lives.”
They urged the Government to investigate the killing with the support of MINUSCA, “promote accountability for such acts by bringing perpetrators to justice and keep the relevant troop-contributing country informed of the progress consistent with Security Council resolutions 2518 (2020) and 2589 (2021).”
Ambassadors underlined that attacks targeting peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law. They stressed that being involved in planning, directing, sponsoring or conducting attacks against peacekeepers constitutes a basis for sanctions.
They stressed the importance of MINUSCA being able to fulfill its mandate and fully equip peacekeepers to carry out their duties in safety and security.
Council members reiterated their “strong support” for the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and MINUSCA head, Valentine Rugwabiza, and for the mission to assist CAR authorities and all citizens there in their efforts to bring lasting peace and stability, as mandated by the Security Council.
At the time of the incident, the peacekeepers were on patrol, providing a protective presence in the vicinity of Sam-Ouandja, located in the Haute Kotto Prefecture. In response to the attack, the peacekeepers engaged in defensive action, where they killed three attackers and captured one.
They had been deployed in the area on July 5th of this year, following a previous attack that resulted in the loss of civilian lives.
Valentine Rugwabiza, the head of the UN mission, strongly condemned the attack and assured that peacekeepers would maintain their presence in Sam-Ouandja. The mission is also working closely with local authorities to facilitate the deployment of national forces to the area.
MINUSCA has called upon the authorities in the Central African Republic (CAR) to make every possible effort to identify the attackers involved in the incident so they can be brought to justice.
The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres’ spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, expressed profound condolences to the fallen peacekeeper’s family, colleagues, as well as the people and government of Rwanda.
The Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) also mourned the loss of the Rwandan peacekeeper and reaffirmed its commitment to the ongoing protection of civilians.
UN data indicates that in 2022 alone, a total of 32 troops and police officers from various UN peacekeeping missions lost their lives across the globe, including four in the Central African Republic.
From 1st July 2018 to 30th June 2019, a total of 198 men sought DNA paternity tests to determine the biological fatherhood of children.
These statistics highlight a nearly four-fold increase in demand for DNA paternity tests in Rwanda.
Typically, forensic laboratories employ DNA tests to determine the circumstances surrounding a crime or investigate family patterns. DNA tests can be conducted for the sake of justice or upon an individual’s request.
In addition to the RFL, other institutions such as the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), the army, the directorate of immigration and emigration, or the national identity agency can request DNA tests for specific reasons. The accuracy rate of DNA tests in ascertaining biological relationships is said to be 99.99%.
One of the reasons behind the surge in men seeking DNA test services is attributed to the mobilization efforts carried out by the RFL to raise awareness and encourage Rwandans to utilize their services, including DNA tests.
However, it is essential to note that DNA paternity tests can only be conducted with the consent of both the father and mother.
In Rwanda, an individual who wishes to undergo DNA testing without urgency is required to pay Rwf89,010, and the results are typically released within seven days. Consequently, the test for both the father and child to determine paternity costs Rwf178,020.
For those seeking expedited results within 24 hours, the cost rises to Rwf285,290, with Rwf142,645 allocated to the father’s test and the same amount for the child.
Despite the increasing demand for DNA paternity tests, concerns have been raised by children’s rights activists regarding the potential risks to the children involved, especially when negative results are disclosed.
Evariste Murwanashyaka, the head of programs at CLADHO (an umbrella organization of human rights organizations in Rwanda aimed at defending, protecting, and promoting human rights and social justice) and National Child Rights Observer, emphasizes the importance of considering children’s rights and avoiding any harm to their well-being.
In the event of negative results, he advises that decisions should be made with the best interests of the children in mind, ensuring they receive appropriate protection.
Murwanashyaka emphasizes the need to avoid humiliating children, and if divorce becomes the preferred option, it should be pursued through a legal process that minimizes any negative impact on the children.
He cautions against men who receive negative DNA paternity test results from divulging the information on social media, posting pictures of the child, disclosing it to society, or subjecting the child to oppression.
Similar concerns have been observed in countries like Uganda, where men who receive negative results have been known to abandon their responsibilities towards the child. The police in Uganda have warned against leaking the identification of the child, as it can potentially destabilize them.
