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{{The Rwandan Peacekeepers within the Hybrid Mission of the United Nations-African Union in Darfur, UNAMID, have once again demonstrated that they live by the values characterizing the Rwanda Defense Force in regards to the social cooperation with the local population.}}

Besides the mandated tasks of peacekeeping, the Rwandan Contingent in Darfur supports the local population by implementing long lasting developmental projects funded by the UNAMID through Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) that make a difference for the people.

In this regard, on 16 April 2012 Rwanbatt 28 (4Bn) handed-over seven (07) classrooms within its area of responsibility: 02 classrooms, a storeroom, and a toilet in NURSALAM Basic School; 02 classrooms and a veranda in EL SALAAM Basic School, both in KABKABIYA Locality; while in SARAF UMRA Locality, the same Rwanbatt 28 ceremoniously commissioned three classrooms and a staffroom in SAFRA JAMA Basic School.

In the same vein, on 18 April 2012, Rwanbatt 29 (157 Bn) handed over 10 classrooms constructed in the ABUSHOUK Internally Displaced People’s Camp, in El Fasher, North Darfur. The beneficiaries were over joyous for these projects that will support even the future generations.

The local population expressed their happiness and thanked UNAMID for its role in bringing lasting peace in Darfur, but most especially Rwandan peacekeepers who they brotherly called “their real own blood” for enhancing sustainabledevelopment spirit of Rwanda to Darfur.

The Local Leaders in all locations where the Rwandan Peacekeepers constructed classrooms for the needy population expressed satisfaction and praised the enhancement of education in Darfur as a most valuable means of promoting peace.

The Guest of Honor and Provincial Minister of Environment and Tourism, representing the North Darfur State Governor, Mr ADAM MOHAMED HAMID NAHLA remarked that having been personally in Rwanda in the recent past, there is no wonder to see what Rwandans are doing wherever they are.

That, although Rwanda is geographically very small country, it is humanitarian wise a great one.

On behalf of the UNAMID leadership, the Force Commander, Lt Gen Patrick NYAMVUMBA presided over the handover ceremonies in KABKABIYA, SARAF UMRA, and El FASHER, all in North Darfur.

On one side, the Force Commander praised the cooperation that exists between UNAMID and the local community; and on the other side he commended the Rwandan Peacekeepers that work hard to make a difference in the lives of the needy.

He reiterated the commitment of UNAMID in providing everything possible within their means in supporting the local community, and especially the young generation to live and grow in a better environment.

{{President Paul Kagame yesterday received representatives of Christian churches following their request to meet him over the ongoing debate regarding abortion in the penal code.}}

Parliament recently proposed exceptions to the law that criminalizes abortion.

Commenting on today’s discussion Bishop Smaragde Mbonyintege, President of the Rwanda Episcopal Conference (CEPR), who led the delegation, said he was pleased that President Kagame had responded positively to their request for dialogue on the important issue of abortion, which he attributed to the culture of good governance that characterises Rwanda today:

“We will partner with the government on initiatives to prevent unplanned pregnancies and offer our support and guidance to women who conceive as a result of sexual abuse. However, we recognize that ultimately, the choice of whether or not to proceed with the pregnancy belongs to the woman”.

Minister of Local Government, James Musoni who attended the meeting described the discussion with the religious leaders as constructive;

“Rwandan law continues to prohibit abortion, except under the circumstances stipulated in the Penal Code. But we agreed today that the rights of all people, including women facing traumatic situations must be respected”.

{{The National Commission for the fight against Genocide CNLG has commended the repatriation of genocide suspect Jean Uwinkindi to Rwanda for subsequent trial within the Rwanda judiciary.}}

Mucyo Jean de Dieu the executive secretary of CNLG notes in a statement; “This is the first time one of the Genocide suspects at the International criminal tribunal at Arusha will be tried in Rwanda.”

CNLG Commission requests that all genocide perpetrators be pursued and it would be very important if they are brought and tried in Rwanda courts because the genocide crimes were committed in Rwanda.

CNLG further notes that there are those perpetrators that have already been sentenced at the ICTR-Arusha, the Commission requests that they should be repatriated to Rwanda to complete their sentences in Rwanda.

The CNLG commission also requests those perpetrators whose cases are still being heard at ICTR should also be brought to Rwanda as well to continue with their case proceedings within Rwanda judiciary.

CNLG calls upon countries providing safe haven to genocide fugitives to deport and hand them over to Rwanda for trial where they committed genocide crimes.

{{Wednesday, 18 April 2012, a Cabinet Meeting, chaired by the President of the Republic, H.E. Paul KAGAME, was convened in URUGWIRO Village. }}

1. The Cabinet Meeting approved decisions taken in its earlier meeting of 04/04/2012, after some amendments.

2. The Cabinet Meeting was briefed on the current status of computerized sharing integration system in Local Government and requested all concerned institutions to further sensitise private operators and the citizens in general to embrace this program.

3. The Cabinet Meeting was briefed on the status of market food prices and requested all concerned institutions to devise strategies to ensure increased production and availability of sufficient food on markets.

4. The Cabinet Meeting heard a progress report on jatropha biodiesel production project and requested all concerned institutions to address problems that hinder its progress.

5. The Cabinet Meeting was briefed on the operationalisation of the Kigali National Library and commended the progress made since it started operating. The Cabinet Meeting requested all concerned parties to speed up completion of unfinished stages and encouraged people to acquire a reading culture.

6. The Cabinet Meeting was briefed on fertilizer access program and its sustainability and requested beneficiary farmers to pay for their fertilizers on time.

7. The Cabinet Meeting approved a Declaration accepting the competence of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights to receive petitions involving the Republic of Rwanda, filed by individuals and Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) with observer status before the African Commission of Human and Peoples’ Rights.

8. The Cabinet Meeting approved the following draft laws:
– Draft Law establishing the Rwanda Management Institute (RMI) and determining its responsibilities, organization and functioning;

– Draft Law governing architecture and engineering services in Rwanda;

– Draft law modifying and complementing law no 16/2005 of 18/08/2005 on direct taxes on income.

9. The Cabinet Meeting approved the following orders:
– Prime Minister’s Order determining the mission, functions, organizational structure, and summary of job positions in the Prime Minister’s Office;
– Prime Minister’s Order determining the mission, functions, organizational structure, and summary of job positions in Rwanda Public Procurement Authority(RPPA);
– Prime Minister’s Order removing from office Ms. MUKAMBERUKA Consolée, the Prosecutor at the Primary Level of MUHANGA for abandonment of office;
– Ministerial Order determining a sitting allowance for members of the Executive Council of National Women’s Council (NWC) at national level attending ordinary meetings;

– Ministerial Order establishing Arbitration rules for the Kigali International Arbitration Centre;

– Ministerial Order determining the denomination of Public Roads in Kigali City.

10. The Cabinet Meeting submitted the candidacy of Mr. MUTSINZI Jean for the post of Judge in the African Court on Human and People’s Rights and requested renewal of his term of office for an additional three years.

11. The Cabinet Meeting appointed staff as follows:

1) IN THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION
COMMISSIONERS

– Mr. HAVUGIYAREMYE Aimable, Vice-Chairperson
– Ms. Judith MBABAZI, Executive Secretary
– Mr. Robert Ssali
– Ms. Alice KAGOYIRE,
– Ms. Claudine NYIRAMIKENKE,
– Ms. Loyce BAMWINE.

2) IN THE NATIONAL PUBLIC PROSECUTION AUTHORITY

Prosecutor at the Intermediate Level:

• Mr. BUTERA Oscar : Chief Prosecutor at the Intermediate Level;

• Mr. RUGEMA Jean Claude : Prosecutor at the Intermediate Level ;

Prosecutors at Primary Level :

– Mr. RWABAHIZI Theogene;

– Ms. MUKANKUSI Grace;

– Ms. BATETA Jeanne;

– Ms. DUSABE Charlotte;

– Mr. UWAYEZU Jean de Dieu;

Team of Prosecutors at National Level
– Ms. NIYONKURU Francoise;
– Mr. MUNYANEZA NKWAYA Eric;
– Mr. AFRICA Frederic.
3) IN THE SUPREME COURT

Intermediate Court of Karongi

Ms. NAMARA Kellen: Internal Resource Manager

4) IN MINECOFIN

Mr. KABERA Godfrey: Director of Policy Evaluation and Research Unit

5) IN THE NATIONAL IDENTIFICATION AGENCY (NIDA)

Mr. NYAMURINDA Pascal: Director General

12. In A.O.B.:

a) The Prime Minister informed the Cabinet Meeting of his recent visit to the Districts of Rubavu, Nyabihu and Musanze on 14.04.2012, following severe rains of 11th – 12th April, 2012 which caused floods in the area leading to the death of 5 people, destruction of 176 houses and crops on Ha 876.

The Cabinet Meeting approved strategies to support victims of the floods according to their needs (Shelter, food, water and medicine) and prevent future calamities at all national administrative levels.

b) The Minister of Internal Security informed the Cabinet Meeting that starting from Monday, 23.04.2012, the Rwanda National Police will follow up on Road Traffic offences that would lead to the confiscation of vehicles or revoking of one’s driving permit.

He also informed the Cabinet Meeting that jointly with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Rwanda will host a meeting of the Regional Center on Small Arms (RECSA) Focal Points on 03-04/05/2012, with a view to organize an International conference on management of Small Arms.

c) The Minister for East African Community informed the Cabinet meeting that the 10th Extraordinary EAC Summit of Heads of State is scheduled to take place in Arusha, Tanzania on 28th April, 2012 and will be chaired by President Mwai KIBAKI of the Republic of Kenya, and current Chairperson of the EAC Summit of Heads of State.
She also informed the Cabinet Meeting that on the 07th May, 2012 Rwanda will host the EAC Speakers of Parliament forum and also serve as the Secretariat.

d) The Minister for Trade and Industry informed the Cabinet meeting that this year’s Kigali Agricultural Show is scheduled from 4th to 10th June 2012. The Show is organised annually to exhibit innovations and best practices in the agriculture sector.

This year’s theme is: “Accelerating Agricultural Transformation by Promoting Agro Processing Industries and Post Harvest Technologies”.

e) The Minister of Youth, Information and Communication Technologies informed the Cabinet Meeting of planned trainings for the youth aimed at equipping them with skills to start viable businesses and enhance self-employment opportunities.

This statement is signed by Hon. MUSONI Protais, Minister in Charge of Cabinet Affairs.

{{Embattled Genocide suspect pastor Jean Uwinkindi has arrived in Kigali-Rwanda aboard Rwandair.}}

Alain Mukurarinda Spokesperson of the National Public Prosecution Authority (NPPA) said, “NPPA would like to thank the ICTR generally for the significant vote of confidence it has given to the Rwandan justice system, and for the smooth execution of this transfer.”

Uwinkindi’s lawyer Claver Sindayigaya had petitioned the Appeals Chamber of the ICTR to stay at the Arusha facility citing recent developments in opposition leader Victoire Ingabire’s case before the High Court in Rwanda.

Sindayigaya had alleged that compelling evidence had come to the light that the prosecution authority has acted in a manner inconsistent with respect for the defendant’s fair trial and, at the same time, the High Court before which Uwinkindi’s case would be heard has permitted such serious violations of rights to go unchecked.

{{The National Electoral Commission (NEC) volunteers in HUye and Gisagara districts have offered six cows to survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi aimed at supporting them to improve their lives.}}

This was also accompanied by the renovation of Genocide memorial sites on 18th April at Ruhashya in Huye district and Gishubi in Gisagara district of southern province.

Vicent Karekezi 54, was given a cow. He commends especially President Paul Kagame for this one-cow per family program which has transformed their lives and hope for a brighter future.

Kagabo Sylvestre the coordinator of Electoral commission in Huye-Gisagara thanked the volunteers for their selfless act.

{{Police in Karongi district has arrested Theodore Ndagijimana after he was found bribing Police officers with Frw 600,000.}}

The incident took place at Kyakigezi technical school located in Kiniha cell, Bwishyura sector Karongi district during a driving license exam.

Ndagijimana attempted to offer the bribe to enable four people including one of the employees of Hope driving school to pass the exam without sitting for it.

Ndagijimana is currently held at Bwishyura Police station as he waits to be produced in court to answer corruption charges.

{{Rwanda has received Arrest warrant papers for Charles Sikubwabo for his role in the 1994 Genocide against ethnic Tutsi.}}

This was revealed by the Martin Ngoga the National prosecutor General who presented Sikubwabo arrest warrant papers to the Media.

The arrest warrant papers were handed to Rwanda by the representative of the International criminal tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR).

Sikubwabo is a former Mayor of the Gishyita commune in the Kibuye prefecture. He is wanted for taking part in the Rwandan Genocide in the early 1990s.

While serving as Mayor, Sikubwabo directed communal and national police in hunting down refugees who had fled there.

He is said to have taken part personally in an attack on a church where refugees had sought sanctuary and more than 2,000 people were killed.

For these and other crimes the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, the ICTR, indicted Sikubwabo on charges of genocide and war crimes and issued a warrant for his arrest.

Sikubwabo fled Rwanda in July 1994 and is believed to be living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

He(pictured below) is currently believed to be living in Norway.

{{Greetings to you all people of Ruhango and others from different districts. How are you all? I am delighted to meet you and to thank you for all you are doing aimed at developing yourselves and our country.

Thank you for coming in large numbers to meet and discuss issues that build our country.}}

A lot has been said but allow me repeat some in details in a manner that would allow us to continue developing.

Foremost, we must understand the strength of our capacity if we all gather our will, strength and knowledge; we have the capacity to change our lives into better lives.

We have the ability to achieve the kind of development attained in other developed countries. Such developed nations have more wealth and have surplus from which they donate to take care of Rwandans.

Rwandans are not supposed to be taken care of by surplus wealth from other countries. Do you hear me? Do you want to live like this? No, you cannot go to the dining table and wait to be given the leftovers. This is not proper. You ought to serve yourselves what you have put onto the dining table by yourselves. There are a lot of examples that prove its possible to serve ourselves. Isn’t it?

Before we achieve capacity to serve ourselves, there must be a change in your attitude. The change in attitude makes it easier to transform your lives for the better.

Have you heard what Madam Mukarugambwa has told us? She is like anyone of you. What she can do, you also have the capacity to do it.

She remembers to go to the bank; she remembers to buy a hoe and later uses the hoe to cultivate her land. Why would you buy a hoe if you won’t cultivate?
We had agreed on many things, some have been done while others are underway. We must fulfill all we agreed because it’s in the best of our interests.

The government will provide you with the Vision, means and partnership but the rest is for the citizens to put in action. If the government gave you a cow it won’t also graze it for you. It’s you to graze it. Isn’t it? You must put your effort and graze it well and make it productive and be able to solve your problems.

If the government gives you a hoe, it will not come and use it to cultivate for you. It’s you to use the hoe. Isn’t it? We must share work and everyone must benefit from this to transform lives. When your lives change, the lives of the nation also change.

In the past fifteen years, Rwanda was not where it is today. We have progressed substantially. In the next ten years we must progress further. This is how people live and this is how they accord themselves value. We shouldn’t just talk about it as a parable.

What we have achieved is visible among the citizens. Everyone can see that even on your faces. You are looking good and healthy-that’s how people should be. And always finding solutions of their existing challenges by themselves.

We are gradually leaving behind a lot of problems and heading towards solutions only. Even after here we shall be discussing solutions not problems. Do not bring problems here; come with solutions and this should become your culture. Even the songs you sang have good words. It would also be good if we base on those good words to do better work.

Do not allow anyone to destroy. Always condemn such people. Don’t be lenient with such people. People focused on solutions do not destroy. We left behind such people who only aim at destruction. We don’t want to find such people ahead. They are problematic.

Do not allow anybody to destabilize your security, culture, roads and lives. Lives are not for playing around with or to destroy. Life is for those that have value and it’s in your capacity to accord value to yourselves.

This is all in line with what has brought us here. I have seen a new hospital built here better than other hospitals in the city. It should not only stop at the building alone, you need to handle it well.

The hospital should help save and maintain citizens’ lives. And sensitize citizens on how to prevent diseases and other health issues…. the hospital should provide better services. I will return and inquire from you about the quality of service the hospital will provide to you.

There is also a cassava processing plant. In the past years, Cassava used to be consumed in its raw form. In some cases, they would consume it roasted. And would also boil it. That was the value of cassava at home level.

The cassava factory will add more value to cassava and will be able to export to Europe. This will add value to cassava farmers in Rwanda. You should now grow more cassava and supply to the factory to add value and increase our income.

You requested to acquire shares in the cassava factory. It’s very easy. First form a cooperative and its possible you can secure a stake in the factory. This would improve your lives and promote the factory.

In the past we lost a lot of time, we don’t want to lose anymore. We need to work hard and achieve quick progress without wasting time.

I have also seen a swamp near the factory and wondered why the swamp is just full of water…Why should it be a problem rather than a solution? It should be reclaimed so that it can become productive. Those concerned should make a follow-up on that swamp.

Residents of Ruhango that was the message I had for you and as I promised, I will return. Work hard and develop.

Thank you very much.

{(The Original speech was delivered in Kinyarwanda)}