The figures released on Wednesday 3rd May 2023 show that the minerals were traded between January and March 2023.
The RMB report shows that the minerals that contributed the most to the revenue were cassiterite, coltan, wolfram, gold, and other minerals.
In January, cassiterite production was 316,093 kilograms worth US$ 5,436,480, and this increased to 363,701 kilograms worth US$ 5,903,483 in March. Coltan also demonstrated a substantial increase in export revenues, reaching 213,065 kilograms worth US$ 11,415,082 in March, up from 124,514 kilograms worth US$ 5,911,646 in January.
Wolfram, which is also known as tungsten, generated 129,407 kilograms worth US$ 1,723,665 in January and increased to 231,844 kilograms worth US$ 3,261,757 in March.
Besides, gold generated the highest revenue, with 1,465 kilograms worth US$ 90,519,870 in March, compared to 870 kilograms worth USD 53,234,196.20 in January. Other minerals also contributed to the revenue, with 827,041 kilograms worth USD 2,211,749 in March.
The report shows that from January to March 2023, Rwanda exported a total of 5,925,199 kilograms of minerals, with a total value of US$ 247,480,699.40.
The revenues generated from the export of minerals are expected to contribute significantly to the country’s economic development.
The message of comfort sent by Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs reads that the country stands in solidarity with Rwandans during these difficult times.
“We are deeply saddened that more than 100 lost their lives due to the landslides and floods caused by heavy rains on 2nd May 2023 in the Western and Northern Provinces of the Republic of Rwanda,” reads the statement.
“We express our condolences and solidarity to the relatives of those who have lost their lives as well as to the friendly people and Government of Rwanda,” adds the statement.
On Tuesday evening, Rwanda’s Presidency shared a message from President Kagame who condoled with families whose relatives lost lives during the disasters.
He also expressed solidarity with those who were wounded and assured that rescue interventions were ongoing in the affected districts of Rubavu, Ngororero, Nyabihu, Rutsiro, Karongi, Gakenke, Burera, Musanze and Nyamagabe in Western, Northern and Southern Provinces.
Rwanda and Türkiye enjoy vibrant relations reinforced through cooperation in the areas of diplomacy, investment and trade among others.
Both countries are connected through daily flights operated by Turkish Airlines.
In February this year; Turkish Ambassador to Rwanda, Aslan Alper Yüksel thanked Rwanda for having stood in solidarity with the country when earthquake that hit the country took lives of around 60,000 people.
Apart from Turkey, AUC Chairperson, Musa Faki Mahamat has also expressed solidarity with Rwandans.
“My thoughts and prayers go to the families of the more than 127 people who lost their lives and those left homeless by devastating landslides caused by heavy rains in Rwanda’s Southern, Western and Northern provinces. In full solidarity with the government and people of Rwanda,” he tweeted.
Chinese Embassy in Rwanda has also took to Twitter to express ‘deep condolences over those lost their lives in the disasters caused by recent heavy rains and sincere sympathies to their families, as well as to the injured and disaster-hit people’.
“We stand with our Rwanda friends and believe Rwanda will get over the hard times,” reads part of the tweet.
Other well-wishers who expressed solidarity with Rwandans via Twitter include the Country Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rwanda, Coumba Dieng Sow.
She said that she was deeply saddened by the loss of lives and destruction caused by floods in Rwanda and promised support.
“I have assured the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources of Rwanda and FAO ‘s commitment to supporting their efforts to restore agricultural livelihoods affected by this disaster and protect lives,” added Coumba.
The World Bank Group Country Manager for Rwanda, Rolande Pryce, also said that their thoughts and prayers are with the citizens who experienced the severe flooding and particularly those who lost their lives and their grieving families.
“May the departed Rest in Peace eternally,” she noted.
As at Wednesday evening, the death toll had risen to 130.
The official launch of the Kigali Cargo Hub on Wednesday 3rd May 2023 was marked with the arrival of a new Qatar Airways Cargo Boeing 777 freighter that was welcomed with a water salute
The launch was officiated by Guillaume Halleux, Chief Officer, Cargo, Qatar Airways, and Yvonne Makolo, Chief Executive Officer, RwandAir.
As an official release from Qatar Airways Cargo indicates, the Boeing 777 aircraft will operate a biweekly service from Doha to Kigali.
Qatar Airways Cargo has also introduced an intra-Africa service connecting Kigali and Lagos (thrice per week), and a weekly service from Istanbul via Doha to Kigali, both operated by an Airbus A310 aircraft. New destinations from Kigali will be announced shortly, according to the release.
In preparation for the Kigali Cargo Hub launch, QAS Cargo, a subsidiary of Qatar Airways, provided consultancy support to RwandAir Cargo to enhance its cargo handling performance.
QAS Cargo visited the cargo handling facilities and presented RwandAir with a detailed action plan for operational improvements and handling performance.
Both teams are now working together on a future roadmap, which includes a proposed improvement plan for warehouse infrastructure as part of a long-term strategic plan for RwandAir’s cargo division.
Halleux commented on the partnership, stating that Africa is one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, requiring investment in logistics infrastructures.
Qatar Airways Cargo’s support for RwandAir’s cargo ambitions is a logical step considering the long-standing bilateral trade agreements between Qatar and Rwanda.
Customers will benefit from a reliable intra-African network via the Kigali hub, enhanced service levels, and cost synergies. The partnership aims to establish Kigali as the Central African hub in preparation for the next generation of air cargo on the rapidly growing continent.
Qatar Airways Cargo currently serves 28 cities in Africa, carrying up to 2,800 tonnes to and from the continent with a combination of freighter and belly-hold services.
The airline’s freighter fleet comprises two Boeing 747-8 freighters, two Boeing 747-400 freighters, 26 Boeing 777 freighters, and one Airbus 310 freighter. Qatar Airways Cargo covers a global network of over 60 freighter destinations and 150 passenger destinations utilizing freighters and belly-hold passenger flights.
The CEO of RwandAir, Yvonne Makolo told the media that the new Kigali Cargo Hub will open up new cargo opportunities across Africa.
“Africa is home to a hugely diverse economy, with businesses and entrepreneurs looking for better connections to create new markets and expand inward investment. Together, we have created a fantastic new facility to meet this growing demand across Africa.”
The disasters have claimed lives of 127 people not including injured people, ravaged crops and infrastructures.
In a message released by Rwanda’s Presidency, President Kagame also expressed solidarity with those wounded.
The Head of State said that rescue interventions are ongoing in the affected districts including Rubavu, Ngororero, Nyabihu, Rutsiro, Karongi, Gakenke, Burera, Musanze and Nyamagabe in order to secure enangered citizens.
They include evacuation and temporary relocation of residents from affected and high-risk areas while rains are ongoing.
“Teams are already deployed to affected districts to provide required assistance,” reads the message adding that the command center is actively coordinating emergency response.
“Relevant institutions will continuously liaise with districts to coordinate all required interventions. We thank the residents of the affected districts for their collaboration, and we are making every effort to ensure their safety and wellbeing,” adds the statement.
Rwanda Meteorology Agency (Meteo Rwanda) recently released data forecasting a heavy rainfall in May 2023.
According to the agency’s weather forecasts, rainfall is expected to range from 50 to 200 millimeters, which is well above the usual average recorded during this time of year.
This increase in precipitation is anticipated to impact various sectors across the country.
According to a recent report by the ministry in charge of emergency management, more than 60 people were killed by disasters in the country between Jan. 1 and April 20.
Munyeshyaka who has been living in France since 1994 was granted assylum on 30th July 2021. His dismissal was communicated by Bishop of Evreux, Christian Nourrichard, on May 2.
The letter addressed to Wenceslas Munyeshyaka reads that he is exempt from ‘all obligations arising from sacred ordination, automatically loses all the rights specific to the clerical state, is excluded from the exercise of the sacred ministry and cannot function as lector or acolyte, nor to celebrate communion nowhere’.
It further reads that the dismissed priest should avoid places where his previous status is known.
Bishop Nourrichard noted that the Pope’s decree took immediate effect.
The reason for the Pope’s decision was not communicated in the letter sent to Munyeshyaka by Nourrichard, but Munyeshyaka had previously been suspended from clerical duties in 2021 after it was discovered that he had sired a son in 2010.
Munyeshyaka is accused of masterminding Genocide against the Tutsi in various parts of Kigali, including at Saint Famille Catholic Church, where he was a priest in 1994.
IGIHE has learnt that the dismissal of Munyeshyaka is not related to accusations regarding his role in Genocide against the Tutsi.
Instead, it is associated with punishments he received since 2021 regarding the confirmation of a child he fathered.
In 2018, French judiciary had decided not to sue Munyeshyaka over alleged role in 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi citing lack of enough evidences.
Arrest warrants issued against him indicated that Munyeshyaka was involved in the preparation nd Genocide against the Tutsi and attended meeting that were convened by the former head of Kigali Prefecture, Tharcisse Renzaho and Gen Munyakazi who was convicted of role in the Genocide.
He was also accused of rape, shooting dead four people between April and June 1994 and a role in the murder of 60 people from different places killed at Rugenge Sector.
Munyeshyaka had been convicted of genocide crimes in absentia by Gacaca courts in 2006 and had faced further charges at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda.
The development follows the recent visit by Rwandan President Paul Kagame to Guinea Conakry on 17th April 2023 where he met with Col Doumbouya for a discussion exploring ways to collaborate in areas of mutual interest.
During the visit, both countries signed cooperation in areas including ICT.
On Thursday last week, Col. Doumbouya told his government that he had held talks with his counterpart in Rwanda on different issues beneficial to both countries.
He said that a joint cooperation commission between Rwanda and Guinea was established, in addition to experts’ committees from both parties that will continue to oversee the implementation cooperation agreements signed on 18th April 2023.
Col. Doumbouya requested the Prime Minister to try all means to support the joint commission to begin assuming its functions and ensure signed agreements come into force in the near future.
Vision Guinée news outlet has reported that the Minister in charge of Transport has been instructed to make fast preparations for air flights from Conakry to Kigali.
Guinee Airlines, the country’s airline, was in operation since 1999 but halted in 2004.
Rwanda’s carrier, RwandAir continues to expand to different destinations across the world.
Meanwhile; the Minister of Foreign Affairs was assigned to prepare for the designation of an envoy representing the country’s interests in Rwanda with a view to reinforce friendship and cooperation between both countries.
During his visit to the West African country, President Kagame reminisced on the need of sharing expertise among African nations.
“Sharing knowledge and expertise among ourselves as Africans and with other partners around the world is useful and necessary. We do this to help us create the conditions for our citizens to live long, healthy and productive lives and contribute to the advancement of our countries,” Kagame said.
He further stressed the need for collaboration between countries because working alone cannot lead to desired progress.
“No one has everything needed, all in one place, to succeed alone. So, cooperation in different fields is indispensable,” President Kagame said.
During his stay in the country, the Head of State also attended the inauguration of Pont Paul Kagame Kagbélen highway interchange that was named after him.
The Republic of Guinea is currently led by an interim presidency after a military coup in September 2021 that ousted former President Alpha Condé.
The interim presidency is expected to lead the country until elections can be held in 2024 to establish a permanent government.
Alpha Condé had led the country since 2010. He was ousted after winning the third unconstitutional term.
The Governor of Western Province, François Habitegeko has told IGIHE that emergency assistance is being provided as efforts are underway to identify more residents whose houses might have collapsed on them.
“It rained heavily the whole night that Ngororero, Rubavu, Nyabihu, Rutsiro and Karongi districts have been seriously affected. We lost a large number of residents and families that we have so far registered 95 deaths not considering injured people, and those whose houses collapsed. We are assessing this situation to identify those who need emergency assistance,” he noted.
As Habitegeko said, 14 detahs have been registered in Karongi, 26 in Rutsiro, 18 in Rubavu, 19 in Nyabihu and 18 in Ngororero.
He urged residents in high risk zones to move to safer places.
The rain poured down across the whole province but Nyamasheke and Rusizi districts have not yet registered major ravages.
In Bwishyura Sector, a cliff collapsed on a house where three of eight occupants died on spot while survivors are in critical condition at a nearby hospital.
In the same sector, another incident happened in Bapfune where two people managed to leave a house that collapsed while a five-year old child was still trapped inside by press time.
Two more children died as a house collapsed in Nyarugenge Village in Rubengera Sector.
The downpour has also destroyed infrastructures including roads.
Father Dr. Ntivuguruzwa who is a priest of the same diocese has been serving as the the Vice Chancellor of the Catholic Institute of Kabgayi (ICK), one of higher learning institutions owned by Catholic Church in Rwanda.
A statement released by the office of Pope’s Apostolic Nuncio to Rwanda reads that Dr. Ntivuguruzwa was named Bishop of Kabgayi on Tuesday 2nd May 2023.
Msgr. Ntivuguruzwa was born on 15th September 1967 in the district of Muhanga.
After his studies at the Major Seminary of Philosophy in Kabgayi, Msgr. Ntivuguruzwa completed the cycle of Theology at the Catholic University of Kinshasa, and was ordained a priest on 18th January 1997 for the diocese of Kabgayi.
After ordination, he first served as Vice Rector and Teacher in the Minor Seminary of Kabgayi (1997-2000) and Secretary to the Bishop of Kabgayi (2000-2003).
Msgr. Ntivuguruzwa was awarded a Doctorate in Moral Theology from the Université Catholique de Louvain in Belgium.
He went on to serve as deputy parish priest of Saint-Rémy and Sainte-Renelde in the archdiocese of Malines-Bruxelles (2003-2010), and professor and prefect of studies at the major seminary of Nyakibanda (2010-2017).
From 2017 to date, he has been Vice Chancellor of the Catholic Institute of Kabgayi.
According to Clementine Mukeka, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the journey to evacuate Rwandans and foreigners from Sudan began on Tuesday, and the government first took them to Aswan city in Egypt from Khartoum before flying them to Kigali.
The exercise was conducted through partnership between the Rwandan government, the embassy in Cairo, and the embassy in Khartoum.
“We commend Egypt for having welcomed our citizens during these trying times, as well as the Sudanese and the Government of Sudan for their assistance in evacuating these people,” said Mukeka.
The citizens flown to Kigali include five Syrians, one Burundian, one Kenyan, two Ugandans, one Nigerian, and 32 Rwandans.
Mukeka also stated that two Rwandans preferred to stay in Khartoum for personal reasons, but they will receive support where necessary.
Mukeka disclosed that Rwanda is prepared to contribute to efforts aimed at achieving durable peace in Sudan through mechanisms that will be established by the African Union (AU).
Among the evacuees was Kenyan citizen Ogendo Daniel Oganga, who married a Rwandan.
Ogango commended the Government of Rwanda for the support extended to him and his family to leave Sudan.
Rwandan citizen Francis Kihumuro also expressed his relief for being evacuated from an area prone to heavy gunfire.
Since 15th April, Sudan has been mired in military clashes between following days of tension between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and its rival, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The country has been suffering a political crisis since the Sudanese army commander Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan declared a state of emergency in October 2021 and dissolved the sovereign council as well as the government.
The two countries have a shared aspiration to improve the lives of their citizens, and President Kagame emphasized the need to create an enabling environment for Africa’s entrepreneurial youth.
As he said, the relationship between Tanzania and Rwanda continues to flourish.
“The seeds of Tanzania and Rwanda relations were planted decades ago, and they continue to bear fruit today,” he noted.
In August 2021, President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania visited Rwanda to strengthen ties between the two neighboring countries. During her visit, agreements were signed in various sectors aimed at promoting social and economic growth for both nations.
Trade and investment are among the key sectors of cooperation between the two countries. Tanzania’s exports to Rwanda increased to $277.8 million in 2021, up from $60.1 million, while Rwanda’s exports to Tanzania increased to $2.2 million, up from $1.3 million in the same period. Rwanda primarily uses the port of Dar es Salaam for much of its inbound and outbound cargo through the Central Corridor.
Several popular Tanzanian businesses operate in Rwanda, including Azam Group, Bakhresa, and Matelas Dodoma, while Rwandan companies like Sulfo Rwanda and Pharmalab have set foot in Tanzania. Additionally, some of Rwanda’s submarine sea cables for IT infrastructure go through the port of Dar es Salaam.
Both countries have also committed to cooperate closely on border control and crime prevention, information and intelligence sharing on terrorism, and other transnational crimes. In 2018, they agreed on joint construction of a Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Isaka in northwestern Tanzania to Kigali, which will facilitate movement of goods between the two countries.
President Kagame’s visit to Tanzania further strengthens the existing ties of friendship and cooperation between Rwanda and Tanzania.
As the two nations continue to collaborate on various fronts, they are well positioned to achieve their shared aspirations of improving the lives of their citizens and promoting economic growth.
