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The Minister of Youth and ICT, Jean Philbert Nsengimana has called on the Rwandan youth across the country to take part in various activities to mark the 21st Commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi.

The call has been made during the closing ceremony of Itorero for 1032 youth leaders at sector and cell levels of the Eastern Province on Sunday. So far more than 4400 youth leaders in the country have participated in Itorero in last five months in Rwanda.

The Minister of Youth and ICT, Jean Philbert Nsengimana speaking to the press at the closing of Itorero stressed that the youth across the country will participate in various activities in their villages to remember victims of the genocide against the Tutsi and will participate also in walk to remember.

He stressed that “We urge all young people across Rwanda to continue supporting survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi mainly the widows and orphans”.

Celestin Kanani on behalf of youth leaders from across Eastern Province said that “As young people will be participating in different planned activities in our respective villages and we will be near vulnerable Genocide survivors by helping them and we plan to clean different Genocide memorials.”

This year’s Kwibuka activities will be focused at the community level (Umudugudu). This is in line with the decision to hold a commemorative event at the national stadium every five years. Other major national commemoration activities continue as has occurred in the past.

The engagement of communities, in Rwanda and abroad, reflects an important aspect of Kwibuka: education and learning as a preventive measure against genocide.

The National Commission for the Fight against Genocide (CNLG), in partnership with survivor organisations, is spearheading Kwibuka21 activities across the country. These activities are being organised in partnership with local communities, the private sector and civil society groups.

Young people across the country to remember their peers killed during the Genocide against the Tutsi on May 15, 2015.

Dear Mr. President,

The 27th of January, the day of the commemorations of the Holocaust and of the Roma genocide, you were, at the Memorial of the Shoah, and then by the site of the camp of Auschwitz. Your present was just. You have pronounced strong and rightful words on these matters. The 24th of April, the day of the one hundredth commemoration of the Armenian genocide, you will be in Yerevan. There is no doubt that you will once again find the words at the height of the event.

The 7th of April, the day of the commemorations of the genocide perpetrated against the Tutsis in Rwanda in 1994, which left 1,000,000 dead between April and July, you will not be present. You will not speak about the truth. You will not engage with the path of clarity, what your predecessor had begun, to trace on speaking of the “grave errors of judgement, [of] a form of blindness” in Rwanda, particularly by France, and in creating the genocide and crimes against humanity pole at the Tribunal of Grande Instance of Paris. It is therefore the silence that for the past 21 years has persisted in the official French discourse; this silence, which lead to the cancelation of the official representation of France at the 20th anniversary of the genocide last year.

Mr. President, why such different approaches concerning these genocides, these crimes against humanity that, by definition, concern all of us? Why the silence? It is this silence and not the enunciation of the historic truth that dishonors our country.

It is not “France” that is in question in the genocide against the Tutsis, but a handful of people, from the right as well as the left, responsible at the highest level of the state apparatus during the second term of François Mitterrand. Certain individuals, who led a secret politics, continue to play a role on the political stage and are still present in our institutions. These politics, which have never been discussed in Parliament and even less so before the French public, took the shape of political, diplomatic and military support in Paris for the extremist “Hutu Power” movement, before, during and after the genocide; of whom the French state apparatus was aware of the racist, totalitarian and genocidal.

Whilst the knowledge of these facts is established, based in official documents, journalistic investigations, historic research and the 1998 report by the French Parliamentary Commission on Rwanda, the official silence on the genocide against the Tutsi, in particular on the responsibility of a handful of former French high officials, reaches the fundamental pillars of democracy:

• Justice, above all, since France provides shelter with impunity of a number of people highly suspected of genocide crimes. We put great trust in the justice system to say if the responsibility of these people and of certain French people make them guilty, but it is high time that France acts vigorously.

• Transparency of the operation of political power, followed by a necessary conditioning of the democratic character of our institutions, which does not exist as the relationship between leaders and citizens is not marked with the seal of truth.

• Equality, which is martyred when racism hits. Colonial representations crippled by racism, which explain, in part, the secret politics put in to place by certain French people and their indifference towards genocide in Africa withstand. For the relationship between France and Africa, as among the French, of which certain ascendants had emigrated from Africa, this is a burning issue.

• Finally, the possibility to look towards the future, particularly for the younger generation, from both here and there.

It has been 21 years since incredible violence descended upon the Tutsis in Rwanda. Whilst, thousands of kilometers from Paris, the survivors weep for those who they lost, on the hills or in the heart of their towns, they need the enunciation of the truth in order to raise their heads a little, to appease the immeasurable pain, to continue to live, or to survive.

Mr. President of the Republic, for the sake of France and the French people, you must put an end to this silence, and announce with clarity the truth about the genocide against the Tutsis in in Rwanda in 1994.

Benjamin Abtan, President of the European Grassroots Antiracist Movement – EGAM, Bernard Kouchner, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Noël Mamère, MP, Mayor of Bègles, Richard Prasquier, Vice-President of the Foundation for the Memory of the Shoah, Guillaume Ancel, Former Soldier involved in the Turquoise Operation, Cécile Duflot, MP, Former Minister of Territorial Equality and Housing, Charles Habonimana, President of the Group of the former students survivors of the genocide – GAERG (Rwanda), Marie Darrieussecq, Writer, Dominique Sopo, President of SOS Racisme, Pascal Bruckner, Essayist and novelist, Benjamin Stora, Historian, Roberto Romero, Vice-President of the Paris Ile-de-France Region, Danielle Auroi, MP, President of the Commission of European Affairs of the National Assembly, Jean de Dieu Mirindi, President of the Association the students survivors of the genocide – AERG (Rwanda), C215, street artist, Sonia Rolland, Actress and Director,

Laura Slimani, President of the Young Socialists, Marcel Kabanda, President of Ibuka, Sergio Coronado, MP, Rosalie Salaun, Lucas Nédelec and Nina Lejeune, Spokesperson, Federal Secretary and Member of the Executive Board of the Young Ecologists, Elie Chouraqui, Film maker, Brigitte Allain, MP, Nordine Idir, Secretary General of the Movement of the Young Communists, Patrick de Saint Exupéry, Journalist and writer, Eva Sas, MP, Géraldine Guilpain, President of the Young Center Left, Hélène Dumas, Historian, Laurence Abeille, MP, Yannick Piquet, President of the Young Socialists of Belgium, Yves Ternon, Historian, Jean-Louis Roumegas, MP, Sacha Reingewirtz, President of the French Union of Jewish Students, Gaël Faye, Author, composer, singer, slamer, Corentin Durand, President of the National High-school Students Union – UNL, Christine Priotto, Mayor of Dieulefit, Zoïa Guschlbauer, President of Independent and Democratic Federation of High-schools – FIDL, Frank Demaumont, Maoyr of Chalette sur Loing, Dafroza Gauthier and Alain Gauthier, Co-Presidents of Collective Civic Parties for Rwanda, Pap Ndiaye, Historian and Professor at Sciences Pro, Anetta Kahane, Chairwoman of Amadeu Antonio Stiftung (Germany), Sylvie Coma, Journalist, Djordje Bojovic, Spokesperson of Youth Initiative for Human Rights – YIHR (Serbia), Catherine Coquio, Professor and President of the association for research on crimes against humanity and genocides, Mario Mazic, Director of the Youth Initiative for Human Rights – YIHR (Croatia), Louis de Gonzague Munyazogeye, President of the Rwandan Diaspora of Switzerland, Daniel le Scornet, Former President of Mutual of France and Former Member of the Economic Committee and Social European, Marian Mandache, Director of Romani Criss (Romania), Levent Sensever, Spokesperson of DurDe! (Turkey),…

“The emerging woman …will be strong-minded, strong-hearted, strong-souled, and strong-bodied… Strength and beauty must go together.” ― Louisa May Alcott

As we come to the end of a month celebrating and honoring the economic, political, and social achievements of women, we are reminded once again of one truth that continues to stand out: We are not there yet.

When I reflect upon my own experiences and life lessons, I think of my mother, Jeannette Kagame, who has helped change the women of Africa for the better, starting with me.

The greatest lesson my mother taught me, as her daughter both in blood and spirit, is the truth of what makes someone beautiful. “Beauty,” she told me, “comes from within. Everything on the outside, everything the eyes can see, will fade away in time. The beauty that lasts comes from a woman’s spirit, her mind, and her soul.”

As the first lady of Rwanda, my mother applied this lesson beyond her own family, particularly with her philanthropic work. Her Imbuto Foundation’s original mission was to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS, and to help the many widows and orphans who survived the devastating 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. Today, it has expanded to help the women and girls of Rwanda seize the opportunity to transform their lives and shape their future.

Imbuto (meaning seed) focuses on planting seeds of greatness, which it does through scholarships and awards ceremonies, literacy programs, poverty reduction, and the distribution of empowering technology throughout communities. Imbuto encourages young girls to believe in their abilities as equal citizens, and to demand nothing less than excellence from themselves.

This is particularly important in the context of Rwanda, where, in the aftermath of the horrible genocide of 1994, wives, daughters, sisters, and mothers found themselves picking up the pieces. Women were left in charge of homes and communities, raising the children and working to rebuild their country.

Before, women often retreated to the background, having been told (with gentle condescension) to sit on the sidelines and wait for the men to sort everything out. After, this was no longer an option.

Rwanda’s rebirth meant that no Rwandan was to be left behind.

Having survived a terrible situation with their dignity intact, women now had a chance to make their own choices, and become strong, powerful forces to be treated with respect.

The prominent role of women in Rwanda today is the result of conscious decisions made by the post-genocide leadership, which honors their importance and supports their active participation in all aspects of the nation’s development.

Twenty years later, the women of Rwanda now enjoy unparalleled success, while so many still struggle for recognition worldwide. An impressive 64% of parliamentarians are women — the highest proportion of any parliament in the world. Gender rights are enshrined in the constitution, and women now have the legal right to inherit land, share the assets of a marriage, and obtain financial credit.

A traditional Kinyarwanda saying defines the Rwandan woman as umutima wu rugo, which means the heart of the home and nation. It was their compassion, their willingness to forgive the unforgivable, their courage to rebuild, and the strength of their spirit that contributed to the transformation of Rwanda.

This is the inner beauty that my mother told me about.

The story of women in Rwanda has proven that how we empower women contributes to the evolution of modern society. But ultimately, this is about more than one nation. We are a global community, and what happens in one region impacts others. There is, of course, much more that needs to be done. Too many women achieve less than they could, and feel like much less than an empowered human in the eyes of many — including themselves.

As Hillary Clinton said: “Too many women in too many countries speak the same language — of silence. We need to understand that there is no formula for how women should lead their lives. That is why we must respect the choices that each woman makes for herself and her family.” Every day we must strive to undo the harm of inequality towards women.

At the end of Women’s History Month, in the shadow of International Women’s Day, as we stand on the shoulders of giants ― those who have come before us, and those who live among us ― it’s a good time to take a moment and reflect on all we have achieved. But, not for too long. After all, we are not quite there yet.

Ange Kagame is the second child and only daughter of Paul Kagame, the sixth and current President of the Republic of Rwanda and the leader of Rwanda’s majority party, the Rwandan Patriotic Front. Her mother, Jeannnette Kagame, is the founder and chairperson of Imbuto Foundation, a non-profit organization whose mission is to support the development of a healthy, educated, and prosperous society. Currently, Ange is a major in political science and a minor in African studies at Smith College, pursuing her philanthropic interests in female empowerment, education, sports, and public health. Ange intends to lead other young adults around the world to pursue socioeconomic change and job creation.

Source: Refinery29.com

African countries should do better in mobilising local resources, advance their regional integration, and involve the private sector if the continent’s resources are to benefit all Africans, President Paul Kagame has said.

Kagame delivered the message, yesterday, while addressing Africa’s ministers of finance at their eighth Annual Meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

“We have become used to thinking about development as something we do with money, or other means, coming from outside our countries, or our continent. However, we must continue to challenge ourselves, focusing on and making better use of what we already possess or can mobilise domestically. And there is plenty,” the Head of State said.

He explained that the advancement of the financial sector in Africa, including the creation of national and regional capital markets, is an encouraging sign.

Meeting in the Ethiopian capital under the auspices of the African Union Commission (AUC) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (Uneca), the ministers of finance explored how they can integrate the African Union’s Agenda 2063 into their national, regional and continental development plans.

Agenda 2063 is an international strategy to optimise use of Africa’s resources for the benefit of all Africans.

It aims to encourage discussion among all stakeholders of Africa’s development on how to effectively learn from the lessons of the past, build on the progress now underway and strategically exploit all possible opportunities to ensure positive socioeconomic transformation of Africa within the next 50 years.

President Kagame said Africans seem to have everything they need to achieve the Agenda 2063, except that they need to have a sense of urgency and ownership.

“External support should not determine the right choices. When we are able to build something that works for us, no matter how small, that solves real problems, we are in a better position to invite partners to join so they contribute to scaling up a proven solution,” he said, explaining that such an approach would allow Africans to stop accepting frequent excuses regarding capacity, skills, and funding.

The EAC integration way

Giving the example of the East African Community (EAC) where, in less than two years, the Northern Corridor Infrastructure Projects initiative has already led to freer movement of East Africans, significant reduction in non-tariff barriers, and a big drop in the cost of mobile phone roaming within the region, President Kagame urged African governments to put regional integration on high priority.

“We will achieve our aim of a united Africa faster if we intensify our efforts toward regional integration. There are quick wins to be made by simply applying political will,” he said.

The President reminded fellow African leaders that they need to involve the private sector in all their plans if they are to succeed in taking their countries forward.

“We are used to taking the big decisions, as governments. But we will not get the prosperous economies we seek unless the private sector plays a prominent role. For Public Private Partnerships to be a reality, government and the private sector need to work together, not only on financing, but also planning and implementation, right from the beginning,” he said.

At the meeting of Africa’s finance ministers, yesterday, the African Union Chairperson, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, hailed Rwanda for both scrapping visa restrictions for residents of African countries and being an example for women empowerment.

“It is important that we see investment in our people as the first prerequisite for Agenda 2063 to happen,” Dr Dhlamini-Zuma said.

In reaction to her recognition of Rwanda for empowering women and scrapping visa restrictions, President Kagame said it was a matter of translating political will into actions.

“The empowerment of women is a question of rights and it makes sense when they are more involved, whether in economic activities or parliament,” Kagame said.

He added: “Regarding visa restrictions, initially there were worries. People thought there would be many threats.

But we decided that the risks were worth it because these risks were neither new, nor greater than those that already existed.”

All African nationals visiting or transiting through Rwanda get their visas at the point of entry.

While in Addis, President Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame will also be attending the first day of 18th Comesa Heads of State and Government meeting.

Mrs Kagame yesterday spoke at First Ladies roundtable on women’s economic empowerment.

Source: The New Times