Tag: HomeHighlights

This was announced Monday when the commission submitted to the General Assembly of the Senate its annual report of 2017-2018 and the action plan for 2018-2019.

President of the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission, John Rucyahana noted that last year, there was a deep analysis on unity and reconciliation in some of the religious groups.

He said that in those religious groups, obstacles to unity and reconciliation were at a level of more than 10%.

Among the religious groups, are ADEPR, Methodist Church in Rwanda and Muslim Brotherhood in Rwanda.

In EMLR and ADEPR, there were issues of gender-based divisions, while in Islam there was contradiction on how to establish leadership and worship.

Senator Ntawukuriryayo Jean Damascène, asked why the suspects propagating divisions weren’t arrested as their actions are against Rwandan law.

He said that Rwandans are so fearful of religions that no one dares to rebuke them when they are involved in divisionism.

“If you look, for instance, at EDPR, Muslims and EMLR issues, those are issues that began to surface in 2010. You may ask yourself when the Rwandan society prevents them,” he said.

He added: “If they discriminate against Rwandans based on their origins, even on religion yet the constitution prohibits it, why don’t we punish them?Is it because when it comes to religion, we all stop talking about it?”

Rucyahana said the work of the commission was to highlight problems that could disrupt unity and reconciliation, and the institutions responsible for monitoring should implement the recommendations.

“No Rwandan is above the law; no one should break the law and go unpunished. The problem is in the follow up of the problem and crime committed. What the commission is doing is highlight the problem,” he added.

Conflicts in Islam arise from dissent between the Shia and the Sunni, among others.
In ADEPR, conflicts emanate from leadership, financial mismanagement, and other factors that led some of its officials to prison last year.

There have been accusations from the factions, each accusing the other of working with enemies of the Rwanda state.

Speaking at a ceremony to bid farewell to the outgoing Foreign Affairs Minister in Kigali on November 3, 2018, graced by different officials including African foreign affairs ministers, representatives of their countries in Rwanda and friends of Rwanda among others,

President Kagame talked about the first days of when he heard of Mushikiwabo’s candidacy.

“They requested me to recommend Louise to run for OIF Secretary. In fact, in the beginning, I didn’t understand the reason why they wanted her and how it came about. I tried to understand it and started noticing something. I didn’t see anything wrong with her candidature,” he said.

He said that he even hesitated to decide whether he would let go of Mushikiwabo “who was our minister, did her job properly and let her go elsewhere.”

Moreover, he said, it would not immediately put her in the position because it would also have to go through an election.

Kagame said that he was concerned about what could happen if Mushikiwabo didn’t win the election yet he had been requested to ask her to run for the position.

He said he then approached Mushikiwabo and asked her what she thought about it.

“There are those who told me that they see you as a good candidate. What do you think about it? I couldn’t give any feedback until I had asked you about it. It surprised her. So, I gave her time to think about it,” he said.

Kagame revealed that he as well talked to Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson African Union Commission about it but was surprised that he had also known about it.

“I told him that I was still looking for the reason behind it while awaiting Louise’s response. Finally, we agreed about it and discussed how it should be done,” he said.

President Kagame said that he was shown the benefits that could be gained from the position in terms of deepening relations with other countries and allowed Mushikiwabo’s candidacy, much as he still needed her as a Foreign Affairs Minister.

He said if Louise Mushikiwabo won the election, then they would achieve what they wanted to. If she didn’t for other possible reasons, he would be happy to retain her.

“I was bound to win either way,” he added.

He pledged to continue being close to her.

“I will not forget to call you as I used to do when you were still the Foreign Affairs Minister,” he told Mushikiwabo.

President Kagame praised the unity of African heads of state and other OIF member countries that backed Mushikiwabo.

“Whenever Africa has come together, we have always won. I saw unity in the African leaders, especially of the francophonie part of Africa, all agreeing that Louise is the right candidate and we are going to put our weight behind her. And they did. I thank leaders of our continent and leaders beyond our continent, who supported the African position, which led to this success.” Kagame noted

Mushikiwabo was elected in OIF 17th summit in Yerevan, Armenia between 11- 12 October 2018 after defeating the former holder of the office, Michaëlle Jean, a Canadian.

In her speech, Mushikiwabo thanked President Paul Kagame who trusted her and others who were key to her victory.

“I owe my victory to President Paul Kagame. I thank you very much,” she said.
She also thanked Chairperson, AU Commission, Moussa Faki, from Chad, for being close to her during her election campaign.

Faki said that Mushikiwabo challenged him for approving her candidacy but succeeded persuading her how much Africa and Rwanda would benefit if she were to be elected.

“Mushikiwabo told me that I had put her in trouble. I explained to her that it was for a good reason because OIF is comprised of 54 countries including 29 African countries that make decisions,” he said.

He said that he also told her that OIF is involved in addressing African pressing issues including peace, democracy, youth and women, and environment among others.

Moussa thanked President Kagame for the trust he has for him by seeking his advice about Mushikiwabo, Rwanda and Africa’s candidate.

“That victory is ours. It bespeaks well of your leadership, your actions and vision. You have built a beautiful country in a short time not only because of the infrastructure but also its inhabitants,” he said.

Mushikiwabo will assume office in January 2019 at OIF headquarters in Paris, France.

This is in line with the theme of the 11th Pan-African Parliament Conference on Women’s Rights under the theme: “Pan-African Parliament fights against corruption” being hosted in Kigali, Rwanda.

The two-day conference scheduled to conclude on November 2, is being held alongside the 1st Ordinary Session of the 5th Parliament currently under-way in the capital Kigali.

Delivering her keynote address at the conference, Mrs. Kagame emphasized that women in leadership play a critical role in curbing corruption and securing the future of African economies by ensuring accountable governance and service delivery.

“Several studies suggest that women are less corrupt and that companies with a higher number of women in decision-making perform better in terms of resource management and maintaining zero-tolerance level for corruption,” she underscored.

She added that; “Therefore, the priority must be to strengthen legal and institutional frameworks and mechanisms that reinforce accountability and ensure that principles of equity and equality are consistently addressed in all areas of our public and private spheres.”

Hon. Roger Nkodo Dang, President of the Pan-African Parliament, spoke of women’s vulnerability to specific types of corruption due to their social, political and economic roles adding that there was a need for the establishment of prudent mechanisms that involve women in uprooting corruption from African societies.

“This conference seeks to draw the attention of women legislators to the existing gaps between policy frameworks, gender policies, anti-corruption strategies, and actions,” said Hon. Dang ‘

Hon. Jamila Ksiksi Debbech, Chairperson of the PAP Women’s Caucus, welcomed the participation of the First Lady of Rwanda, who was recently awarded the African Women of Excellence Awards (AWEA) for her outstanding work on empowering women and her overall contribution to Africa’s development.

“She is a proven champion for women empowerment and the emancipation of Africa. Her contribution will be significant in advancing women’s agenda at this year’s conference; particularly in the consolidation of gains and achievements from women.”

The Pan-African Parliament has been holding its Conference on Women’s Rights since 2008.

The event has become an efficient platform to promote gender-balance, review and debate women’s issues in Africa and ensure efficient monitoring of gender policies on the continent.

In line with the African Union theme for 2018; “Winning the fight against corruption: a sustainable path to Africa’s transformation,” the annual Conference on Women’s Rights focuses on the role of parliamentarians in combating corruption through legislation enforcement; particularly those dealing with the effect of corruption on women and development in Africa.

Sarkozy has been praising Kagame since January this year when he was in Rwanda with a group of French investors to explore investment opportunities in the country. The business mission was composed of investors from French multinational firm Bollore, and they included executive Cyrille Bollore.

He was the first French president to visit Rwanda after the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsis on February 25, 2010. At that time, Sarkozy even admitted that French politicians played a role in the genocide through Opération Turquoise.

In an interview with Le Point, a weekly newspaper, Sarkozy 63, who was president of France between 2007 and 2012 reiterated many points including the one where he was asked whether Africa has strong leaders.

He first talked about two heads of state, Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara whom he referred to as a pacifist leader as well as Senegal President Macky Sall.

“I have liked Paul Kagame, the president of Rwanda a lot. It takes extraordinary efforts to rehabilitate a country like Rwanda that had been torn apart by the genocide. Kigali is now the most connected city in Africa in terms of technology,” he said.

He said that Rwanda has taken significant paces regarding reconciliation after the problems that the country went through.

“I can confirm that he (Kagame) is a visionary leader for both his country and Africa. He is now the president of the African Union and has big ideas for it. He knows where he is leading his country,” he said.

In the interview, Sarkozy also said that the African continent today is host to great things not because of the arrival of Chinese but rather because of what Africans are continuously building for themselves.

Sarkozy added that today, the African continent is not comprised of only 54 countries, but rather of more than 50 cities which are continuously crossing colonial boundaries. He observes this as an opportunity because it rides out ethical problems.

Sarkozy was also asked about the leadership of current France President Emmanuel Macron to which he chose not to comment on.

Instead, he said, “Let us give time. French people will express their choice in the next election. The only thing I wish for our country is just good things.”

Asked about how a good leader should be, in his view, he said “In order to lead a country, it requires someone who is visionary. They have to know where they are going in order to plan how they may reach there,” He said.

This interview follows a few days after an appellate court in Paris confirmed that Sarkozy is arraigned before court on money misuse during the 2012 presidential campaign in a case that has been commonly known as “Bygmalion”. It adds to another case where Sarkozy was awarded money contrary to the law during his presidential campaign in 2007.

Kagame made the remarks as he spoke at the G20 Investment Summit alongside other African Heads of State and Government.

Twelve African Heads of State and leaders of German businesses with projects in Africa participated in the G20 “Compact with Africa” initiative initiated by Germany last year in a bid to promote private investment in Africa, including in infrastructure.

The Summit is held under the patronage of German Federal Chancellor, Dr. Angela Merkel.
Kagame who is the Chairperson of the African Union said that since the last summit last year, there have been major developments at the African Union including the signing of the agreements on Free Movement of Persons and the Continental Free Trade Area Agreement which is making Africa a single trade bloc.

The President of Rwanda said that the G20 Compact with Africa, therefore, comes at the right time to reinforce Africa’s enterprise-based development consensus as he explained that the initiative builds on the strong relationships ‘’we enjoy with Germany, the European Union, and other G20 partners, as well as similar programs with the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank.’’

Kagame urged the participants to challenge themselves to go beyond the usual routines as “pouring new wine into old bottles is not a winning formula.”

“After all,” Kagame said, “the best way to speed up business climate reform is to attract more global firms to Africa. This produces a demonstration effect, which in turn generates even more productive investment. In other words, a virtuous cycle.”

He said the Volkswagen “Moving Rwanda” venture is a good example of what is possible in attracting global firms in Africa and highlighted the importance of the regional approach and continental integration in this journey.

“The supply chain involves multiple countries in East and Southern Africa, in a “hub-and-spoke” system. A regional approach is key to achieving economies of scale in Africa. Continental integration is also making this an increasingly viable strategy,” he explained.
Kagame said “Africa can be a global innovation laboratory. East Africa is a young market for new car sales. But we have a great need for mobility solutions, which raise the productivity of the wider regional economy.”

“Volkswagen is not only assembling vehicles in Rwanda, but it is also pioneering next-generation business models for shared, environmentally-friendly transport. Volkswagen’s approach has attracted other major players that might not otherwise be in Rwanda, notably Siemens. But it would not work without local talent’” he noted.

“Volkswagen Rwanda already employs dozens of Rwandans and East Africans. The senior management team includes several Rwandan graduates of German universities. And a youthful Rwandan start-up company is developing the ride-sharing software,” he said.

“There is a tremendous amount that we can accomplish together if we focus on funding and de-risking creative investments led by the private sector, such as the ones we will learn about today,” Kagame said as he concluded his remarks.

The impact of the G20 “Compact with Africa” can already be felt on the continent, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said.

“The point wasn’t just talking about Africa, but with it,” Merkel said as she addressed the conference. “The Compact with Africa follows a different, a new approach – it is about an equal footing type of partnership, aiming to be long-lasting and benefit all equally.”

“Apart from strengthening Africa as a location for investment it is also important to establish fair trade relations between Europe and Africa,” Merkel said, as quoted by DW.

A share will be sold for Rwf270 price, a 6.6% discount to the current traded share on the Stock Exchange sold at Rwf290 price.

The launch of the share sale follows a recent Rights Issue by the Capital Market Authority and Rwanda Stock Exchange.

“The BK Rights Issue, the first of its kind on Rwanda’s Stock Market presents a unique opportunity for Shareholders, totaling to over 3,800, to invest more in BK Shares. Buy 1 Share at Rwf270 for every 3 held,” said BK Group CEO, Dr. Diane Karusisi on Monday.

“The Board and Management have decided to give priority to you the existing Shareholders to Share Our Success. You now have the opportunity to up your stake in BK Group PLC,” added Dr. Karusisi.

Karusisi said that the shares that will not have got subscriptions by November 9 will be taken to Nairobi Securities Exchange “in a bid to extend our market share and approach and attract other investors.”

Dr. Karusisi said BK Group will officially cross-list on the Nairobi Securities Exchange after they have learnt that some of their shareholders won’t invest in BK Group PLC again.

The shareholders include the Government of Rwanda which was usually the biggest shareholder. However, Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB), another major shareholder will increase its shares in BK Group PLC.

BK Group PLC first listed its IPO on the Rwanda Stock Exchange Market in 2011 and since then it has seen a ‘phenomenal growth’.

Dr. Diane Karusisi said that “With a minimum share subscription of 100 shares, each selling at Rwf125, the BK IPO then generated Rwf37.5 billion from 300.3 million shares. This was indeed phenomenal!”

The money yielded in the bought shares contributed to growing the Bank’s activities, and enabled the Bank to finance big projects that include the finishing of construction of Kigali Centre and Marriot Hotel buildings.

The Executive Director of Rwanda Capital Market Authority, Eric Bundugu said that the Rights Issue Launch is a good step for the Bank of Kigali and for the economy of Rwanda.
He said that the fact that BK Group Plc has listed its Initial Public Offering (IPO) on the Nairobi Securities Exchange because the Bank “trusts its management which also pushed it to unveil it to other investors.”

The Chairperson of the Private Sector Federation, Robert Bapfakurera said Bank of Kigali should be emulated by other financial institutions in Rwanda.

As of December 2017, BK Group PLC’s fixed assets were Rwf10.5 billion.

First Lady who is also the Chairperson of Unity Club, Intwararumuri, an association that brings together current and former members of cabinet and their spouses, made the remarks on Friday as she concluded the 11th Unity Club Forum at Intare Conference Arena.

She said: “If we had gone everyone alone, we would have been divided into parts that would outnumber us. Due to our choice, we can sit down together and set a vision for our country, looking in each other’s face with no fear and open wide eyes to face our continent and the world in general.’’

Mrs Kagame said the elders should first heal wounds caused by Rwanda’s history and then be able to help the youth heal. Different from this “wounds will be transmitted from generations to generations,’’ she said.

The First Lady said that Rwanda establishes good politics and leaders teach it to younger generations but one way that will help the nation achieve that is “to strive to preserve our history and stand firm on it, teach it to younger people who will also convey it to their descendants.’’

Mrs Kagame said the there are so many things the youth has seen with childish eyes and they have now become heavy for them while what they didn’t see ere also a heavy load for them.

“Dear Children of ours, you need care and everybody of you needs to be accompanied at every stage he reaches. We assure you to do that. We as elderly will accompany you as you commit to seek answers for questions we ask ourselves,’’ she said.

She urged the youth to “benefit opportunities set up by the leadership of our country and seek what would bring durable peace. That is the richness indeed.’’

During the 11th Unity Forum, some youth shared the experiences on how the history has left them wounds but they later healed.

Iréné Mizero, 33, is a son to the former Deputy ‘Bourgomester’ of Satinsyi Commune, former Gisenyi Prefecture in current Ngororero District. Mizero’s father was sentenced to life imprisonment with his mother sentenced to 30 years imprisonment after both were convicted of genocide related crimes.

Mizero said he was very sad due to crimes his parents committed during the genocide.

In 1994, Mizero with his family fled to Democratic Republic of Congo and when he got back to Rwanda, he used to hide from authorities but he was surprised that the Government paid his school fees and later he got the Government sponsored scholarship, he graduated and got a job while he was never discriminated.

This so much touched Mizero’s heart and he felt liberated as he could not imagine ‘the government that imprisons parents and later help their children.’’

Mizero founded Mizero Care Foundation that cares for the orphans and other children with history led wounds.

Charles Habonimana lost all his siblings during genocide and survived the ‘particular death’ he had to be killed by the Interahamwe militias.

As the President of Rwandan Graduates Genocide Survivors, GEARG revealed that when Ndi Umunyarwanda programme was initiated, he was not happy of what he saw as forgiveness given to mass groups of people but now his aim is to see this programme reach young children.

Mr. Edouard Bamporiki, Chairman of the National Itorero Commission said people should not fall in a trap to say that things were already said and that history is not very much told while there are growing youth who don’t know it.

He asked the intellectuals to write books on the history of Rwanda so that people should share their life experiences.

Besides the youths who shared their history experiences, others who delivered speeches include the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Richard Sezibera, Minister of Local Governance, Prof. Amastase Shyaka and former Minister of Sports and Culture, Julienne Uwacu.

The four awarded include Cyprien Rugamba, Bishop Célestin Hakizimana, Dorothée Mukandanga and the Association of Rwandan Students Survivors of the Genocide (AERG) who were awarded Friday night marking the end day of the 11th Unity Club Forum at Kigali Convention Centre.

Names of the four Protectors of Friendship pact were read out by the President of the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission, Bishop John Rucyahana who spoke of acts of valor done by each one of them.

Bishop Rucyahana explained, that to be recognized as the protector of friendship pact, considered is the role one has had in the fight against the divisions and the genocide ideology. He said awarding them is to recognize and value their acts and also valorize the ‘Ndi Umunyarwanda’ program.

Among the awarded on Friday is Cyprien Rugamba, an author and songwriter who was killed with his wife and their six children by the then-presidential guards, on April 7, 1994. His award was received by his first son, Olivier Rugamba.

Cyprien Rugamba, through his artworks (30 books and over 150 songs he wrote) argued Rwandans on values of the Rwandan culture, hard work, and unity.

Rugamba dared to request that the ethics should be removed from the identity cards and asked for the banning of hate media houses which operated in Rwanda prior to genocide including RTLM (Radio Television des Milles Collines).

Also awarded is Sister Dorothée Mukandanga who was represented by the Bishop of Kabgayi Catholic Diocese, Smaragde Mbonyintege.

Killed during the 1994 genocide, Dorothée Mukandanga is recognized for having protected 50 students who had remained at Ecole des Sciences Infirmieres de Kabgayi, a nursing school she headed, from Interahamwe militias who wanted to rape and kill them.

In the night of May 12, 1994, alerted by the school guard, Mukandanga intervened and stopped the soldiers and the militias from killing her students. Realizing that they failed to achieve their plot, the killers took her to her office house where they killed her.

Bishop Célestin Hakizimana is recognized for having saving protected over 2000 Tutsis who had taken refuge at St Paul Parish Chapel at Sainte Famille Parish in Kigali City.

Hakizimana had to offer money to the Interahamwe militias so that they should not kill the Tutsi who he also he provided with shelter, food and drinking water.

AERG Foundation is recognized for having sought and found solutions for problems of caused the 1994 genocide that faced the survivor students.

The problems included the lack of homes for students who used to stay at schools in holidays, trauma and depression. The organization was commended for having become as a family to them and restored their hope for their lives in the future.

Speaking on behalf of the awarded, Bishop Hakizimana, thanking Unity Club and NURC, said that according to the masses killed in the genocide, they didn’t deserve the recognition because they did nothing extraordinary.

“Whatever was done was not due to human power, it is only God who enabled us. Praised be the Lord God. We humans should just be humble,” he said.

Bishop Hakizimana further thanked his parents who brought him up and never taught him divisions, the priests and those with whom they lived together at St Paul Centre at Sainte Famille Parish for everyone’s role played in saving lives of those who had taken refuge there.

Thanking the protectors of a friendship of pact in general, President Paul Kagame thanked Bishop Hakizimana who refused to leave the refugees that they should not be killed until his parents were buried in his absence.

“Those who were awarded tonight demonstrated what it means to value the life of others. They put their life on the line to rescue fellow human beings,” Kagame said, emphasizing that “No one has the ability to choose who they are born as. But it is up to us to define our values, to treat each other as equals and to use our individual strengths to work together for our mutual benefit.”

On the Rwandan identity, President Kagame said “Our identity is filled with values and dignity” and asked, “What is the meaning of being Rwandan? What is your answer when asked, so what if you are Rwandan? What are you contributing?”

“If you have nothing to contribute, your identity becomes meaningless,” he said.