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The Rwanda Meteorology Agency (RMA) has asked government departments in charge of disaster management to prepare for above normal rains with El Niño expected to start next month.

The ministries of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs; Local Government; Defence; Agriculture; and Health should immediately reexamine their contingency plans as the country’s western half is set to have above normal rainfall (more than 430mm) between September and December, according to officials.

Western, Southern and Northern provinces will be most hit.

In what is predicted to be the worst El Niño phenomenon hitting East Africa in five decades, Eastern Province and the City of Kigali will also have near normal rainfall with tendencies to above normal rainfall in few places.

“Authorities responsible for infrastructure and other vulnerable institutions should put in place both preventive and mitigative strategies to minimise loss of life and property,” Didas Musoni, the RMA’s head of climate data division, said during a forum on national climate outlook in Kigali yesterday.

El Niño is a Pacific-wide phenomenon that has had global consequences. Scientists predict that the phenomenon will be particularly severe this year.

Musoni said the highest impact is most likely to be first felt in mid October.

He said floods and landslides, reduced agricultural activity in some areas, damage to infrastructure like roads, and increased cases of water borne diseases could be seen in various parts of the country.

The national climate outlook comes after regional and national climate scientists converged in Nairobi, Kenya, at the IGAD Climate Prediction and Application Centre, last month, to analyse historical data and temperature across the 11 countries of the greater Horn of Africa region that includes Rwanda, said Anthony Twahirwa, the head of forecasting division at RMA.

After deliberations, experts reached a consensus forecast for the IGAD region and the neighbouring countries – Rwanda, Tanzania and Burundi.

“El Niño is real. It doesn’t happen all the time but when it does, the heavy rains are destructive. It could come cumulatively or little but for a long time, or fall for a short time but with great intensity. In all these scenarios, the impact is bad,” Musoni said.
Preparedness

Prof. Telesphore Ndabamenye, the Rwanda Agriculture Board deputy director-general in charge of crop production and food security, said September 20 will be the latest timeline for planting for Season 2016A, adding that it was good RMA has provided the national climate outlook.

Ndabamenye said: “Although we use irrigation, most of the country is hilly and, as such, we are going to plan accordingly. We are, among others, going to step up awareness campaigns targeting farmers.”

Dr Emmanuel Hakizimana, director of vector control at Rwanda Biomedical Centre, said increased cases of malaria, as well as spates of cholera, meningitis and influenza are most likely to hit Rwandans if climate changes for worse.

Between 2010 and 2015, 94 per cent of cholera outbreaks were recorded in the districts along Lake Kivu, while 71 per cent of cholera outbreaks usually are reported in the rainy season.

Musoni called for another stakeholders’ meeting as soon as possible so that an all-inclusive response strategy is designed.

“Every concerned sector needs to sit with us so that we prepare in advance,” he said.

Twahirwa said climate watch on a 24-hour basis is possible and, if required, they can tell the forecast of a single village or sector in the country, to help advance evacuation procedures if necessary.

The Fund for Environment and Climate Change, Musoni said, has a common alert protocol for all stakeholders to use for timely intervention.

The Zambian Minister of Foreign affairs, Hon. Harry Kalaba, is visiting Rwanda from 06 to 09 June, 2015. During his three-day visit, he will hold bilateral talks with her Rwandan counterpart Minister Louise Mushikiwabo and also meet different Rwandan officials. He will visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial and Rwanda free trade zone.

The visit of Minister Harry Kalaba aims at strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation between Rwanda and Zambia.

Rwanda and Zambia build their partnership throughout joint permanent commission (JPC), International and Regional meetings and different official visits. Rwanda recently opened up a High Commission in Lusaka, and Zambia is represented to Rwanda by its High Commission with residence in Dar Es Salaam. It is important to recall that the route KIGALI-LUSAKA by RwandAir was officially launched on 24th April 2015.

Rwanda-Zambia bilateral relations

Rwanda and Zambia, both Commonwealth member countries enjoy good relations and support each other in terms of International and Regional meetings. Rwanda is represented to Zambia by its freshly Mission in Lusaka, and Zambia to Rwanda by Zambian High Commission with residence in Dar Es Salaam. The Ambassador of Zambia to Rwanda Her Excellency Judith KANGOMA presented her credential letters in December 2012.

After 1994 the two countries revived ties by conducting High level and working visits in each other’s capital. The last 5th Joint Permanent Commission was held in Lusaka from 14th to 15th October, 2010 and agreed up on various areas of cooperation such as trade and industry, communications and transport, agriculture, mining and culture as well as refugees and immigration.

Former Rwandan refugees in Zambia

The Cessation Clause for Rwandan refugees which took effect on June 30, 2013 affected more than 4000 Rwandan refugees living in Zambia. In a bilateral meeting held in Lusaka from July 4-5, 2013, the two countries agreed to join their efforts to facilitate former Rwandan refugees to get alternative legal status in line with the durable solutions stipulated in the Cessation Clause including voluntary repatriation or local integration in the asylum country.

It was noted that voluntary repatriation remain open and efforts to encourage it will continue, though former Rwandan refugees who wish to stay in Zambia will be facilitated by both Governments to get Rwandan national passports and consular cards in order to facilitate processing and issuance of immigration permits in Zambia.

Passport Application Forms for Rwandan former refugees are available in Zambia through the Office of the Commissioner for Refugees (COR) and online to ensure easy access for applicants to local integration.

BRUSSELS – Campaigners are calling for the Belgian authorities to reverse a decision that they say could led to the early death of a terminally ill five-year-old boy.

Joel Munezero suffers from bone dysplasia, a rare disease that prevents his bones from growing and his lungs from developing, and faces deportation to Rwanda.

On Wednesday, Joel’s classmates and teachers were among dozens of people who gathered in Brussels outside the immigration office to protest against his deportation and deliver a 12,000-signature petition calling for him to be allowed to remain in Belgium.

“We are here today so that Joel can live tomorrow,” Marielle Lambert, a curator at Joel’s school, told Anadolu Agency.

Joel arrived with his mother Uepo Epis in 2010 on a medical visa to seek treatment for his condition.

Two years later, the Belgian immigration office decided to return them to Rwanda, where Joel will not be able to receive the same level of care he currently gets in Brussels.

Using an article in Belgian law that grants terminally-ill foreigners residency if they cannot get comparable medical treatment in their home country, Epis appealed the decision but the authorities rejected the bid, saying medical reports suggested Joel was unlikely to suffer unduly if he returned to Rwanda.

“If we are sent back to Rwanda then my son will die,” Epis said. “The same quality of medical treatment cannot be provided in Rwanda.”

Joel is currently being treated at a children’s hospital in Brussels and has already undergone several operations.

His potential deportation comes as the EU is struggling to save migrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea.

The European Commission plans to resettle 40,000 Eritrean and Syrian migrants across the 28-member bloc in a move criticized by several member states, including Germany and France.

Agencies

Thousands of Burundian refugees accommodated in Mahama camp in Kirehe District in the Eastern Province of Rwanda have reason to smile after getting enough water in the camp.

On Tuesday June 2, 2015, running water was inaugurated in Mahama refugee camp. This additional water reached the camp following one-week intensive works by the Water and Sanitation Corporation (WASAC) to extend the existing water system from 1.4 Km.

This initiative was funded by the UNDP.

As of June 2, 2015, Mahama refugee camp hosted 23,736 Burundian refugees. Water shortage had been the most impeding challenge for refuges welfare in that camp that have been established five weeks ago.

“Water shortage in this camp was an alarming issue weighing on the minds of both government, UNHCR and other partners. When refugees arrived here, there was no water and we used tankers to bring water from long distances. However, that mechanism couldn’t solve the problem because sometimes water tankers could get stuck and delay to reach the camp especially when it rained. The situation got worse when one person could hardly get 9liters of water per day while the international standards require at least 15 to 20 liters per person per day” said Antoine Ruvebana, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs.

“We invested necessary efforts to solve the problem and we are now very proud that running water has reached the camp. The required standards are exceeded and the quantity of water we have here can even serve the local community.” Ruvebana added

Refugees in Mahama extolled the efforts of the government and partners to supply enough water to the camp.

“We used to get up in the night and queue for hours to get water. It was really a serious threat to our welfare. But we are happy that today the issue is solved and you can see that there are no people now queuing to fetch water.” said Terence Nzohawenayo, refugees representative in Mahama camp.

In order to definitely solve issues related to water and improve sanitation in Mahama camp and for neighboring community, diversified measures are undertaken including continuing using water tankers and constructing boreholes to drill water from the subsoil.

Rwandan nationals in Uganda have described President Paul Kagame as a unifying factor in Rwanda, who still needs more time to accomplish his vision.

While handing over their petition to the Rwandan Ambassador to Uganda, Frank Mugambage at his office yesterday, the group stressed that Kagame has changed the image of Rwanda worldwide, stressing that he should be allowed to continue his work.

They requested Rwanda Parliament to endorse their request to have a constitutional amendment that would allow President Kagame to stand in the next election.

“They should allow him to come and the vote will tell whether people still want him or not,” the leader of the group, Cilidio Ubitsemunda noted

They urged Parliament to allow the amendment of Article 101 of the Constitution, which restricts a head of state to a maximum of two seven-year terms in office.

The group which totaled to about 150 people included; students, women and the business community.

Ubitsemunda said they decided to come up with one voice to reach out their message.

“We still want President Paul Kagame to stand again in 2017, because of what he has done for the country. He has changed the image of the country and it is one reason we are getting more investments,”he added.

He said, “Rwanda has achieved a lot under his leadership. We cannot risk losing him if he is still ready to serve his people. That’s why we came out with one voice”.

Mugambage (Ambassador), acknowledged receipt of the petition and thanked the Rwandan community in Uganda for expressing patriotism and exercising their constitutional right of participating in matters of their country.

“The achievement Rwanda has registered in a short time is common knowledge all over the world. We shall deliver your message as requested,” he noted.

Rwandan Parliament is expected to get back to business on June 5, from their recess.

The issue of term limits is one of the popular subjects in Rwanda and outside thus expected to be part of the main agenda on the list of debate by in Parliament.

One of the members and a human rights activist, Julie Mutesi, stressed that Rwanda is now recognized internationally in matters of gender equality, peace, infrastructure development, human rights and for its enormous role in peacekeeping missions.

“What we have achieved was mainly due to the leadership of President Paul Kagame, we believe he is still able to take Rwanda to another level,” said Jean Pierre Kamanzi the leader of Rwandan students in Ugandan universities

About three million Rwandan people have already petitioned their Parliament for a constitutional amendment that would allow President Kagame run for a third term in 2017.

Rwanda Peacekeepers serving in the United Nations–African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) and United Nations in South Sudan (UNMISS) together with other National and International Staff commemorated the 70th anniversary of the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers.

Darfur

The commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers was held at Force Headquarters in El Fasher On 28th May 2015.

This is in the memory of the UN peacekeepers that have lost their lives in the cause of peace and pay tribute to all men and women who have served and continue to serve in UN peace operations all over the world.

Among the 100 peacekeepers who lost their lives in 2014 and who will be honored posthumously with the Dag Hammarskjöld medal one is from Rwanda, Corporal Vincent Murangwa who served with the United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur.

In his speech on behalf of the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, the Deputy Joint Special Representative of the UN Secretary General, Dr Kamara Abdul who presided over a wreath laying ceremony to commemorate those who have died while serving under a UN flag said that

“Today we honor the memory of those who gave their lives to the cause of peace, and pay tribute to all men and women who carry on their legacy by serving in the field”, he said. “The risks continue to grow as peacekeepers are targeted by improvised explosive devises and complex terrorists attack”, he added.

On behalf of the Chief of the Darfur Regional Authority, Mr Mamam Issa Abdulgadir sent condolences to those who lost their lives while serving in Darfur. He said that Peacekeeping in Darfur has helped bring peace, reconciliation and has sustained development in Darfur.

Juba: Rwanda Peacekeepers in UNMISS culture troop performed at International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers

In South Sudan at UNMISS Force Headquarter, Rwanda Peacekeepers (Rwabatt-6) join the rest of UNMISS Peacekeepers to mark the International day of Peacekeepers. At the colouful event held at UNMISS Headquarters the Rwandan battalion cultural troop entertained the Participants.

At the same event there was a Medal parade of UNMISS Staff officers and UNMISS Police. Among them were three Rwandan two military Staff and one Rwanda National Police all were decorated by UNMISS Special Representative of UN Secretary General Madam Ellen Margret Loej and UNMISS Force Commander Lieutenant-General Yohannes Gebremeskel Tesfamariam.

In the UNMISS games competition to mark the International Day of Peacekeepers organised at Juba Tomping compound (Bangladesh play ground). Rwanbatt 6 finished second in volley ball and foot ball; Rwanda won the second place after Ghana contingent in Volley Ball. UNMISS Civilian Staff won the Competition in Football.

MOD

A total of 1148 recruits in the eleventh intake of the Basic Police Course at Police Training School in Gishari successfully graduated on June 1, as Rwanda National Police (RNP) continues to bolster its force in the face of the emerging security challenges.

188 of the graduands are females.

The graduation ceremony was presided over by the Minister of Internal Security, Sheikh Musa Fazil Harerimana and attended by RNP leadership and government officials.

After successfully completing the seven-months training, Minister Harerimana gave the graduands a rank of ‘Police Constables.

“This is just the beginning. Training at police is continuous to equip officers with adequate skills to harmonise safety and to pursue patriotic objectives that propel Rwanda towards its desired future,” Harerimana told the new constables

“You should always uphold the good name of RNP by being professional and trustworthy at all times. The work of police goes beyond maintaining law and order but having a significant impact on Rwanda’s development and its people.”

He further noted that the training and others that will follow, are designed to develop their competence, moral values and motivation to protect Rwandans against criminals, as well as make them aware of the community policing needs.

“You should be able to examine problems taken from everyday policing activities to enable you develop appropriate decisions to solve community issues that residents report to Police,” he added.

Police Spokesperson, Chief Superintendent Celestin Twahirwa, said that training of recruits is essential in meeting physical and mental requirements necessary for operational policing.

“Training ensures that they understand the national laws and are able to offer professional assistance to residents during operations, while at the same time equipping them with proper techniques and strategies to be successful in different scenarios of any police operation,” he said.

1. The East African Community Heads Of State, Their Excellencies President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete Of The United Republic Of Tanzania, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni Of The Republic Of Uganda, President Uhuru Kenyatta Of The Republic Of Kenya, Hon. Alain Nyamitwe, Minister Of External And International Cooperation Representing The Republic Of Burundi, Hon. Valentine Rugwabiza, Minister For East African Community, Representing The Republic Of Rwanda, Held An Emergency Meeting Of The Summit Of The East African Community Heads Of State On The Situation In Burundi On 31st May, 2015 At The State House Conference Hall In Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.

2. The Summit Was Also Attended By H.E. Jacob Zuma, President Of The Republic Of South Africa And H.E. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson Of The African Union Commission. In Attendance Were H.E. Saidi Djinnit, United Nations Secretary General’s Special Envoy For The Great Lakes Region; Hon. Ministers And Attorneys General Of The EAC Partner States; The Secretary General Of The East African Community; The Executive Secretary Of The International Conference On Great Lakes Region; As Well As Representatives Of The Cooperating Partners.

3. The Heads Of State And Government Met In A Warm And Cordial Atmosphere.

4. The Summit Received The Report Of The Ministers/Cabinet Secretaries Of The EAC Partner States On The Situation In Burundi.

5. The Summit Received and Considered the Report of the Attorneys General/Ministers of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.

6. The Summit Received A Report From HE Saidi Djinnit, UN Secretary General Special Envoy For The Great Lakes Region. The Summit Commended The Efforts Of The Special Envoy With The Support Of The East African Community, International Conference On Great Lakes Region And The African Union To Promote Dialogue And Urged Him To Continue With The Initiative.

7. The Summit Expressed Sympathy With The People Of The Republic Of Burundi Following The Violence In Bujumbura And Other Parts Of Burundi Which Has Resulted Into Death Of Many People, Influx Of Refugees To The Neighboring Countries, Destruction Of Property And Paralyzing Business In Some Parts Of Burundi.

8. The Summit Welcomed The Return To Constitutional Order In The Republic Of Burundi After The Attempted Coup D’état Of 13th May, 2015.

9. The Summit Was Concerned On The Continued Political Impasse In Burundi And Called For A Postponement Of The Elections For A Period Not Less Than One And A Half Months (1 ½). The Summit Appealed To Institutions In Burundi Including The Parliament To Facilitate This Postponement.

10. During This Postponement, Members Of The Summit Led By Its Chairperson, Will Consult With All Stakeholders In Burundi On The Way Forward.

11. The Summit Calls On All Parties To Stop Violence And Exercise Restraint During This Period.

12. The Summit Calls For Urgent Disarmament Of All Armed Youth Groups Allied To Political Parties.

13. The Summit Encouraged The Government In Burundi To Create Conducive Conditions For The Return Of Refugees To Burundi.

14. The Summit Directed The Ministers Of Foreign Affairs Of The EAC Partner States And The Republic Of South Africa To Urgently Communicate These And Other Decisions To The Government Of Burundi.

15. The Summit Further Directed The Ministers To Engage All Stakeholders In Burundi And Continously Report Progress To The Summit.

16. The Summit Expressed Its Solidarity With The People Of Burundi And Decided To Actively Accompany Them In The Exercise Of Their Democratic Rights.

17. The Summit Called Upon The African Union, The United Nations And All Other Partners To Cooperate With The East African Community Towards The Attainment Of These Objectives.

18. Their Excellencies President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni Of The Republic Of Uganda, President Uhuru Kenyatta Of The Republic Of Kenya, And President Jacob Zuma Of The Republic Of South Africa Thanked Their Host, His Excellency President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete Of The United Republic Of Tanzania, For The Warm And Cordial Hospitality Extended To Them And Their Respective Delegations During Their Stay In Tanzania.

Done At Dar Es Salaam, On This 31st Day Of May 2015.

Eac Secretariat
Arusha, Tanzania
May 2015

Following the International Conference on the Protection of Civilians held in Kigali, from 28-29 May 2015 under the theme “Protection of Civilians through Peacekeeping: From Mandates Design to Implementation”; bringing together the top 30 troop and police contributing countries, the top ten financial contributing countries and other stakeholders; and after deliberations on how to effectively implement the Protection of Civilians mandates in peacekeeping operations, the conference pledges the following:

1. To train all of our troops on the protection of civilians prior to their deployment to missions.

2. To ensure that our sector and contingent-commanders, as well as our nominees for mission leadership positions, have a high level of training and preparedness on peacekeeping operations and, in particular, the protection of civilians.

3. To be prepared to use force to protect civilians, as necessary and consistent with the mandate. Such action encompasses making a show of force as a deterrent; inter-positioning our forces between armed actors and civilians; and taking direct military action against armed actors with clear hostile intent to harm civilians.

4. Not to stipulate caveats or other restrictions that prevent us from fulfilling our responsibility to protect civilians in accordance with the mandate.

5. To identify and communicate to the UN any resource and capability gaps that inhibit our ability to protect civilians.

6. To strive, within our capabilities, to contribute the enabling capabilities (e.g. helicopters) to peacekeeping operations that facilitate improved civilian protection.

7. To avoid undue delay in protecting civilians, by investing our contingent commander with the authority to use force to protect civilians in urgent situations without the need for further consultations with capital.

8. Not to hesitate to take action to protect civilians, in accordance with the rules of engagement, in the absence of an effective host government response or demonstrated willingness to carry out its responsibilities to protect civilians.

9. To demand clarity from the UN and mission leadership on our rules of engagement, including under which circumstances the use of force is appropriate.

10. To seek to identify, as early as possible, potential threats to civilians and proactively take steps to mitigate such threats and otherwise reduce the vulnerability of the civilian population.

11. To seek to enhance the arrangements for rapid deployment, including by supporting a full review of the UN’s standby arrangements, exploring a system in which earmarked units from troop and police contributing countries could be placed in readiness in order to ensure rapid troop deployment, and encouraging the utilisation of partnerships with regional organisations such as the African Union and its RECs.

12. To be vigilant in monitoring and reporting any human rights abuses or signs of impending violence in the areas in which our personnel serve.

13. To take disciplinary action against our own personnel if and when they fail to act to protect civilians when circumstances warrant such action.

14. To undertake our own review, in parallel to any after-action review, in the event that our personnel are unable to protect civilians, and identify and share key lessons for avoiding such failures in the future.

15. To hold our own personnel to the highest standard of conduct, and to vigorously investigate and, where appropriate, prosecute any incidents of abuse.

16. To better implement protection of civilians mandates and deliver on our responsibilities, we request better, regular and more extensive consultations on the mandating of peacekeeping missions. When mandates of peacekeeping missions are under review and may change, it should also be mandatory for the Security Council to consult all troop and police contributing countries deployed to the mission. We commit to bring our own ideas and solutions to these consultations that can strengthen the implementation of protection of civilians mandates.

17. To urge the Security Council to ensure that mandates are matched with the requisite resources, and to commit to support a process that addresses the current critical resource gaps in several missions. We support a more phased mandating process that can ensure a better alignment of resources and mandates.

18. Noting that any well-planned mandate implementation may be undermined by inefficient mobility, logistics or support; To call for effective support of all military plans, including contingency plans; and to commit to work with the Secretariat to review the current support arrangements, including possible transfer of authority over more of the logistical capability to the military component, where appropriate.

Recommend that these principles be endorsed on a voluntary basis and that the signatories meet once each year to discuss how to further improve the implementation of the Protection of Civilians mandate in UN peacekeeping operations.

President Kagame has officially opened the International Conference on Protection of Citizens taking place in Kigali. The two day event brings together top peacekeeping contributing countries, financial contributing countries and the United Nations to discuss how UN Peacekeepers can effectively implement the protection of civilians’ mandate.

President Kagame pointed out that the responsibility of peace operations is the protection of civilians before anything else:

“The central purpose of peace operations is the protection of civilians. It is not the protection of peace agreements or U.N. mandates, even peacekeepers for that matter, much less the protection of politicians. The mission is to protect the ordinary people most at risk.”

“The responsibility to protect our citizens lies first and foremost with the state concerned but it does not stop there. Military intervention is always the last option. Other forms of engagement can be effective provided we act early enough. We therefore need to keep improving our ability to detect and share critical information about threats to civilian life. We all have a stake in more effective peace building,” President Kagame added.

Citing the essential role of inclusion in Rwanda’s reconstruction, President Kagame noted that to peacekeeping should enable dialogue to ensure peaceful transition:

“People need to be able to stay together, and talk to each other, for however long it takes to find lasting solutions to their own problems. Without security, it is impossible to conduct the inclusive dialogue and consensus-building upon which every sustainable post-conflict transition rests. Peacebuilding cannot be a euphemism for wishful thinking or procrastination in addressing root causes of conflict,” President Kagame added.

President Kagame concluded by challenging all participants to address challenges still facing peacekeeping including slow deployments, vague mandates and unclear rules of engagement.

The meeting is a follow-up to the high-level summit on peacekeeping operations co-hosted by President Kagame alongside the US Vice President and the UN Secretary General in September 2014, on the margins of the 69th UN General Assembly.

The Kigali conference and the numerous regional peacekeeping conferences that have taken place will in September 2015 conclude with a High-level Summit co-hosted by President Kagame and President Obama.