Tag: HomeHighlights

{The cabinet has approved the agreement allowing the government to acquire a €75.9million loan from International Development Association (IDA) upgrading the Ngoma-Nyanza unpaved road that passes through three districts namely Ngoma and Bugesera (Eastern Province), and Nyanza (Southern Province). }

The project is subdivided into two lots: Lot 1: Ngoma – Ramiro (52.8 km) and Lot 2: Kibugabuga – Gasoro (66.55 km).

The loan is to be paid in 21 years at an interest rate of 2.85%.

The IDA loan has been extended for transport projects in countries surrounding Lake Victoria. US$65 million will be provided by Japan, and the government of Rwanda will provide US$23 million.

While explaining to cabinet, the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Amb. Claver Gatete said that the loan is categorized into two phases.

Hon. Mporanyi Theobald observed that the loan will help in establishing infrastructures that will facilitate trading with Burundi, and Tanzania. However, he asked why Government opted for a loan with the very high-interest rate.

In response, Minister Gatete explained that the terms are fair. “This time, we have negotiated, that is why we have agreed upon that cost. Nevertheless, when you get the money at 2.85% interest rate and you take into consideration the 9-year period of grace, paying in a 21 year period is almost equivalent to the money we get from Exim Bank of China, because with Exim, the interest rate is 2%, and a 5 year period of grace, thereafter paying back within a 20 year period.”

{Several leaders from different nations have continued to congratulate President Paul Kagame on his re-election as Rwandan President, the latest being China and Russian governments. }

In his congratulatory message, President Xi Jinping said that China attaches much importance to the development of relations between the two countries and will continue to promote joint efforts by promoting friendly collaboration for more beneficial results to both countries. On March 17 2017, President Xi Jinping held talks at the Great Hall of the People with President Paul Kagame.

Meanwhile, Russia, in a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said that Moscow looks to the presidential election in the Republic of Rwanda to serve the further progressive advancement of Rwandan society towards stable political and socio-economic development.

Bilateral diplomatic relations between Rwanda and China were established 46 years ago.

{Over 123 Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) who were deployed on Saturday, August 5th for Regional Protection Force have been welcomed by UN Peacekeeping Mission in South Sudan.}

The (RDF) Peacekeepers under the command of Major Boasc Ntaganira are comprised of the main body of Reconnaissance Company of the Mechanized Infantry Battalion to South Sudan as part of the Regional Protection Force (RPF) to United Nations Mission in Juba, South Sudan (UNMISS).

The first elements and Contingent Owned Equipment movement was affected by road through Uganda to the South Sudan’s capital Juba left Rwanda on 30 July 2017 and arrived safely last night.

Rwandan troops under RPF were welcomed in UNMISS by the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in South Sudan, David Shearer together with the RPF Commander, Brig Gen JJ Mupenzi, and Commanding Officer Lt Col Vianney Cub.

“The deployment follows a request from the United Nations, the acceptance of Government of Rwanda to deploy a Mechanized Infantry Battalion and the proposal to first send in a Reconnaissance Company as an Advance Party to the near future deployment of the Battalion totaling 920 troops”, Brig Gen Ferdinand Safari, Ministry of Defence DG Policy& Strategy disclosed.

On 12 August 2016, United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution number 2304 (2016) authorizing the deployment of a Regional Protection Force (RPF) to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan to provide a secure environment in and around Juba.
Currently, Rwanda maintains two Infantry battalions in Juba and Malakal and one Aviation Unit serving under UNMISS.

{The State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, Hirut Zemene, has applauded the tremendous achievements Rwanda has registered under President Paul Kagame and congratulated him and Rwandans for his re-election.}

Mrs. Hirut Zemene said this at a ceremony held at the Rwanda Embassy in Addis Ababa over the weekend for a double celebration of Liberation day and the victory of President Kagame in the just concluded elections.

“The people of Rwanda under the leadership of President Kagame have registered extraordinary achievements with unbending determination to do what is right for their nation. Indeed Rwanda as a nation now has come quite a distance in charting its own way, successfully implementing its homegrown policies and registering remarkable results that many want to emulate. I congratulate him and Rwandans for his re- election in the concluded elections,” said Hirut.

The State Minister also said that this year marked another milestone in the bilateral relations between Ethiopia and Rwanda following the State visit of Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn to Rwanda and that her country values its partnership with Rwanda with great commitment.

On her part, Ambassador of Rwanda to Ethiopia, Hope Tumukunde Gasatura, told the gathering, constituting mainly diplomats, that President Kagame has been very central in Rwanda’s liberation and success story and that is why he has overwhelmingly been elected.

“Rwandans through the referendum had requested him to continue leading them for the next seven years to which he accepted and has overwhelmingly been re-elected with 98.66% of the votes,” said Gasatura.

Over 200 diplomats working in Ethiopia, friends of Rwanda and members of the Rwandan community attended the event.

{The King of Morocco Mohammed VI has sent a congratulatory message to President Paul Kagame upon winning a landslide victory as the Rwandan leader for the next seven years. }

Rwandans voted handily for President Paul Kagame confirming him a third seven-year term, with the scale of victory —a 98.6% mandate.

King Mohammed VI said that he wishes President Kagame well in his term in office while leading his country to development.

“Rwandans have shown the trust that they have in you at the helm. It is a reflection of the confidence that they have in you; it shows they understand the development program that you have for the country and the established position in the region and the continental at large.”

He continued; “We shall continue to patner with President Kagame through activities that demonstrate and strengthen relations between the people in the two brotherly countries through building peace and security in Africa.

Last year, Morocco signed 20 bilateral cooperation agreements with Rwanda

The agreements are concerned with the different sectors as agriculture, housing, vocational training, finances, taxes, and banking sector, new technologies, air transportation, tourism and renewable energy and legal framework governing bilateral cooperation.

{Tanzanian President Dr. John Pombe Magufuli has congratulated President Paul Kagame, on his victory during the 4th August 2017 Presidential elections as President of Rwanda for the next seven years.}

President Magufuli, wrote on Twitter congratulating Kagame when he wrote: “President Paul Kagame, I hereby thank you for having been reelected for another term, to lead Rwanda, on behalf of all Tanzanians I wish you the best.”

“We will further develop and enhance the cooperation and relations between our countries, in particular, the business and the lives of our citizens. Congratulations to Rwandans.”

In response, President Kagame replied to him, thanking him, and wishing him blessings too.

{Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, has been the first East African President to thank President Paul Kagame, who emerged victorious to lead Rwanda for the next seven years.
}

President Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta sent a congratulatory message to President elect Paul Kagame as Rwandan President for next seven years.

Through twitter, Kenyatta wrote, “Brother I wholeheartedly congratulate you, for having been re-elected, as the President of Republic of Rwanda. God bless you, God bless all Rwandans.”

National Electoral Commission announced that Paul Kagame was leading his opponents with 98.66%, followed by Mpayimana Phillippe, with 0.72% and Frank Habineza who came last with 0.45%

National Electoral Commission, has revealed that the 2017 presidential polls had a total voter turnout of over 96 per cent during the 2017 Presidential elections that just concluded.

More than 6.8 million Rwandans voted in the just concluded presidential elections NEC told the media during a news conference during the final provisional results announcement.

President Paul Kagame, won with 98.63 per cent of the vote after 6,650,722 Rwandans cast their ballots in his favour.

Democratic Green Party of Rwanda candidate Frank Habineza with 31,633 votes (0.47 per cent) and independent Candidate Phillippe Mpayimana garnered came second with 49,117 votes (0.73 per cent). According to the law, NEC has up to seven days to officially announce the final results after reviewing the election results

The NEC Executive Secretary, Charles Munyaneza, said that the commission will not take the 7 days and are likely to make the official announcement on Tuesday August 8.
Munyaneza said they have not received any complaints from any of the candidates in respect to the elections results.

He pointed out that some of the election observers like COMESA praised and were satisfied with the good organization of elections and during the campaigns period.

{The head of the electoral observatory mission of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), Bishop Mary Nkosi has said that they have not encountered any security related issues and that security organs have since been operating and enabling smooth campaigns. }

The 15-member COMESA observers are in Rwanda since July 30 to monitor today’s presidential elections.

Speaking during a meeting with the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Emmanuel K. Gasana, yesterday, Bishop Nkosi said: “From the time we arrived in Rwanda, we have been following campaigns of the three candidates, and so far, security is very elaborate.”

“We have not encountered any issue and looking forward to safe and secure elections,” said Nkosi.

“The efficiency level at which the police has been operating is an indication that the security plan is well drawn out.”

IGP Gasana briefed the COMESA delegation about the security preparations before, during and after elections.

The Police Chief explained that the force works closely with all parties involved in the elections, including the National Electoral Commission as well as other security organs to ensure that Rwandans cast their votes in a calm and secure environment.

“Together with NEC, we have established effective coordination mechanisms for close follow up on compliance with the rules and regulations governing elections,” he said.

The IGP emphasized that well-equipped police officers have been deployed at all 2341 polling centers to ensure security and safety of the electorate before during and after the elections.

He further said that RNP also provided escort services and guarding of all electoral materials right from NEC headquarters to the polling centers.

He assured observers that all is set for smooth and safe elections.

Presidential campaigns ended on August 2, with all candidates commanding security organs for ensuring that their rallies are conducted in a secure environment and incident-free.

{Rwandans are today exercising their franchise in elections to choose a president from among three candidates.
}

The incumbent Paul Kagame leading the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), is facing two other contenders; Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party and Philippe Mpanyimana, an independent candidate.

It is Rwanda’s third presidential election after the 1994 genocide. Kagame has won the previous polls (2003, 2010) with over 95%.

Over 6.8 million citizens are expected to participate in the elections. There are over 2,340 polling stations set up across the country. Voting started at 7 am and it will close at 3 p.m to pave way for the counting process with over 70% of the primary election results to be released by 11 p.m tomorrow.

Yesterday, Rwandans in the Diaspora cast their vote at 98 polling stations in different countries. Over 44,000 registered Diaspora are expected to have voted yesterday on August 3rd, 2017.

NEC officials said about 2000 observers will be closely following the election inside the country.

Kagame cast his vote from his home area, at APE-Rugunga polling station, in Kigali’s Nyarugenge District, while Mpayimana voted from Camp Kigali Primary School, also in Nyarugenge.

Habineza voted from Kimironko II Primary School polling station in Kigali’s Gasabo District.