“Following the proclamation of final electoral results by the Constitutional Council of Mozambique, South Africa has noted with concern the ongoing violence and the subsequent disruptive protests in reaction to the announcement,” the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) said in a statement.
“South Africa calls on all parties to commit to urgent dialogue that will heal the country and set it on a new political and developmental trajectory,” the department added.
The DIRCO further said that South Africa stands ready to assist Mozambique in facilitating this dialogue.
“The South African government will continue working with the Southern African Development Community and other multilateral agencies to support a lasting solution to the current impasse,” it said. “South Africa calls on all parties to exercise restraint and remain calm.”
On Monday, Mozambique’s Constitutional Council declared Daniel Chapo, the presidential candidate of the ruling party Frelimo, as the winner of the general elections held on Oct. 9.
Due to election-related protests in Mozambique near the border region, South Africa’s Border Management Authority temporarily suspended operations at the Lebombo Port of Entry earlier this month. The crossing point was reopened on Dec. 12.
The event is set to celebrate sports, showcase Africa’s growing role in hosting major competitions, and highlight the historical significance of cycling.
Lappartient shared these remarks on December 24, 2024, in a message addressed to the global cycling community.
He emphasized that the past year had been remarkable for UCI events, notably with the UCI Road World Championships including races for para-cyclists for the first time.
Reflecting on the upcoming championship in Kigali, he described it as an extraordinary event.
“The very first UCI Road World Championships will take place in Africa. This will take place in Kigali in September. It will reflect the growing role of Africa in this cycling both in terms of sports and the organization of international events,” Lappartient said.
“We are very much looking forward to this unique UCI World championship which promises to be extremely exciting. We eagerly anticipate the year ahead in particular, the event in Rwanda, which beyond the sporting aspect, will have symbolic strong significance,” he added.
Lappartient concluded his message by extending his best wishes for a successful end to 2024 and a prosperous 2025.
The arrears included Frw 52 billion from customs services, with 64.8% of this amount coming from public entities and 35.2% from private companies. Domestic tax arrears amounted to Frw 608.7 billion, including Frw 34.5 billion paid by public institutions, while Frw 574.2 billion was paid by private enterprises.
RRA’s report highlights that tax campaigns and monitoring of domestic taxes contributed Frw 177.1 billion to tax revenue, a 3.7% increase. Additionally, individual income tax grew by 93.3% in 2023/2024, reaching Frw 37.9 billion, up from Frw 19.6 billion the previous year.
Despite significant progress in recovering tax arrears, Frw 126 billion remained outstanding by June 2024. Of this, Frw 5.6 billion from large taxpayers had not been overdue for more than three months, while Frw 44.1 billion from small and medium taxpayers fell into the same category.
Furthermore, Frw 24.5 billion was paid for arrears that had been outstanding for between three and six months, while Frw 58.4 billion was overdue for between six months and a year. Arrears that had been outstanding for more than a year amounted to Frw 476 billion.
To improve tax collection, measures have been implemented, including an increase in the use of electronic billing machines (EBM). Data shows that in 2023/2024, the number of large and small traders using EBM software increased by 122.6%, reaching 109,314, up from over 49,000.
The number of users of the ‘EBM Mobile System’ for issuing receipts via SMS grew by 49.7%, reaching 43,800, while the number of users of the ‘Online EBM’ system for service providers increased by 44.8%, reaching 9,788.
In total, RRA collected Frw 2.639 trillion in taxes for the 2023/2024 fiscal year, representing 14.6% of the national GDP and 53% of the government’s budget.
The event was attended by Rwego Ngarambe, appointed as the State Minister in the Ministry of Sports, a position created for the first time since the ministry’s establishment, and François Régis Uwayezu, who was appointed as the Permanent Secretary, among other staff members.
Nyirishema has been reassigned to the Rwanda Water Resources Management Authority, where he will serve as the Executive Chairperson of the Rwanda Water Resources Board.
Due to the refugee life, Tito and his peers spent four years unable to attend school, but eventually, they resumed their studies. He completed his secondary education and part of his university studies in Uganda before continuing his education in France.
In an interview with IGIHE, Tito Rutaremara, currently the Chairperson of the Rwanda Elders’ Advisory Forum, shared that life as a refugee was extremely difficult, with refugees receiving much worse treatment compared to the support they receive today.
“When you are a refugee, you have nothing. Back then, refugees had to fight for survival. You’d find that they were given food only for three months, and after that, people had to fend for themselves,” he said.
Rutaremara explained that refugees lacked rights and lived in extreme poverty during those times.
“When you are in a place where you have no rights, you may have studied and be hopeful to get a job, but you only find the job rejected by nationals. To be allowed to study subjects like medicine or law, you would have to lie and register as a native citizen.”
Tito Rutaremara pointed out that the issue of Rwandan refugees was neglected by the international community.
After growing up in adversity and hardship, he decided to enter politics to combat these injustices and to fight for peace for Rwandans.
“The main reason I entered politics was to fight injustice. We lived under oppression, with no country to call our own after being expelled from our homelands. Even in the host countries, we were denied freedom. Such circumstances push you into politics.
“Even if it wasn’t your initial intention, you are compelled to join when you encounter people involved in political movements,” Rutaremara explained.
He revealed that when they decided to return to Rwanda and fight for an end to oppression, they had to set a clear direction and purpose, uniting their efforts to address the challenges they faced.
{{Political legacy}}
In 1986, after being in Europe, Rutaremara decided to move to Uganda. The following year, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) in 1987 and Rutaremara participated in building the organization’s structures. Three years later, the struggle to liberate Rwanda began.
Rutaremara played a significant role in Rwanda’s history, being one of the longest-serving political figures in the country.
He is widely known for his role in the liberation struggle and his contributions after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. He was also an influential figure in the leadership of the RPF and one of its senior members who joined in 1987.
Tito Rutaremara and other members worked to unite Rwandans in exile and find ways to fight for their rights, having grown weary of living in refugee camps and under oppression.
He contributed to promoting democratic values, unity, and reconciliation—core principles of the RPF-Inkotanyi.
In 1990, when the RPF launched a military struggle to liberate Rwanda, Rutaremara was in the party’s leadership.
Though he was not a soldier on the front lines, he played a critical role in providing ideas and helping create strategies that supported the political journey alongside the military struggle.
“Fighters must have supporters. If someone goes to fight, how will they get food? How will they get medicine? And the weapons they use—don’t they require funding to restock? There’s also the sacrifice of being willing to send their own children,” Rutaremara stated.
Rutaremara was one of the leaders who encouraged Rwandans to understand the importance of the liberation struggle and the fight for the rights of every Rwandan, without discrimination or oppression.
“A struggle is not just about shooting. It extends to the elderly woman left behind, gathering small amounts of money and contributing with others so that the fighters can have weapons, medicine, food, diplomacy, and peace efforts, as well as participating in negotiations and other activities,” he noted.
Despite facing moments of doubt during the struggle, Rutaremara emphasized that they remained strong because they believed in their cause, knowing that they were fighting for truth and justice, supported by a vision of good governance.
After the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi was stopped, Tito Rutaremara was pivotal in establishing reconciliation policies, urging Rwandans to unite, work together, and build a new Rwanda based on unity and justice.
His leadership roles include serving in the Transitional National Assembly between 1994 and 2000, heading the Constitutional and Legal Commission from 2000 to 2003, and being the first Ombudsman of Rwanda from 2003 to 2011, where he worked hard to fight corruption and promote good governance.
In 2011, Rutaremara became a Senator before taking on the role of leading the Rwandan Advisory Council in 2019.
He is also known for unity and reconciliation, often speaking about the historical objectives and strategies of the RPF during the liberation struggle.
“The first goal was to fight oppression. Once we defeated it, we could begin working towards transforming the country and building the Rwanda we have today. Now, we continue to work on development and progress,” he stated.
{{Advice for the youth}}
Tito Rutaremara highlighted the significant opportunities that Rwandan youth have, particularly in having young leaders who understand their needs and are able to relate to them.
“They have leaders who understand them—leaders who were once young themselves and recognize the importance of youth. These leaders can relate to the challenges and aspirations of young people because they have been in their shoes and believe in their potential to achieve great things,” he noted.
Rutaremara also revealed that the youth in Rwanda have been given opportunities to study and make the most of these opportunities, with programs designed to help them become future leaders.
He emphasized that Rwanda offers youth opportunities to take on leadership roles and participate actively in decision-making processes.
“They have opportunities that many other countries don’t, where youth begin to lead early and work with others from the grassroots to the parliament.”
Rutaremara urged the youth to seize these opportunities, emphasizing that they should not be squandered, as previous generations including those who were refugees or affected by the Genocide against the Tutsi, did not have such chances.
As of December 15, 2024, Africa has recorded 13,769 confirmed Mpox cases across 20 countries, resulting in 60 deaths, according to WHO’s latest report.
The DRC remains the epicenter, accounting for 9,513 confirmed cases. While the epidemic trend in the DRC has stabilized in recent weeks, WHO warns against overconfidence, citing potential delays in reporting.
The outbreak has been complicated by the emergence of clade 1b, a more virulent and poorly understood variant first identified in the DRC in September 2023.
This strain has since been detected in other countries, including Sweden and Thailand, marking its geographical expansion beyond Africa.
Mpox, caused by the monkeypox virus, is transmitted through direct contact with infected individuals, contaminated materials, or animals. Clade 1b’s estimated mortality rate of 3.6% is significantly higher than that of earlier strains, raising global alarm.
The WHO emphasized the need for continued vigilance, noting the limited understanding of clade 1b’s transmissibility and long-term impact. Efforts to monitor and control the outbreak are ongoing as cases continue to be reported both within and outside Africa.
The celebration of these achievements took place on Monday, December 23, 2024, following the games held in Mombasa, Kenya.
Among the highlights was a Bronze Medal won by Deputy Mukabalisa Germaine in the 800-meter race, along with a Volleyball trophy for men and other various medals.
The Speaker of the Rwandan Parliament, Lower House, Kazarwa Gertrude, commended the participants for making the country proud.
She assured that equipment challenges would be addressed next time, and that preparations would be enhanced.
Deputy Mukabalisa Germaine, who won the Bronze Medal in the 800-meter race, shared that the next goal is to secure Gold Medals.
“The leaders have assured us that the equipment challenges will be resolved, so we are confident things will improve. The aim of these games is to promote unity and cooperation among all Parliaments, and we have achieved that,” she said.
The next edition of the games is scheduled to take place in Burundi in December 2025.
In a joint communique, the organizations praised progress made in 2024, including a sustained ceasefire and steps toward electoral and constitutional planning.
However, they voiced concerns over delays in implementing key transitional tasks, which led to the extension of the transitional period in September.
The statement urged the government to capitalize on this extension—the final one, as assured by President Salva Kiir Mayardit—to accelerate the deployment of unified forces, strengthen transitional security arrangements, and ensure inclusivity in the peace process.
The missions also emphasized the need for expanded civic education to engage political parties, civil society, and the media in addressing implementation challenges.
With elections set for December 2026, the communique highlighted the importance of beginning detailed planning early in 2025 and maintaining global trust by demonstrating commitment to peace and stability.
The AUMISS, IGAD, and UNMISS reaffirmed their support for South Sudan and stressed that the year ahead offers a critical opportunity to solidify peace and lay the groundwork for credible elections.
Ms. Hammarskjöld succeeds Miguel de Serpa Soares of Portugal, who has been commended for his dedicated service to the Organization.
Until Ms. Hammarskjöld assumes her new role, Stephen Mathias, the Assistant Secretary-General for Legal Affairs, will continue as Acting Under-Secretary-General.
Bringing over three decades of experience, Ms. Hammarskjöld currently serves as Director-General for Legal Affairs at the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where she heads the Legal Department.
Her extensive career includes expertise in security policy, international law, human rights, and treaty law.
Throughout her 10 years in senior management, she has held notable positions such as Director-General for Political Affairs, Ambassador of Sweden to Israel, and Deputy Director in the Department for European Security Policy.
Additionally, she represented Sweden at the Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York.
Ms. Hammarskjöld holds a Master of Laws degree in international law from both the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom and the University of Uppsala in Sweden.
She has also pursued studies in peace-and-conflict research, French, and literature.
Fluent in English and Swedish, she is also proficient in French and Spanish, enhancing her ability to navigate the multilingual demands of her new role.
Chapo, representing the ruling party Frelimo, secured 65.17% of the votes, a slight decrease from the 70.67% initially announced by the National Electoral Commission (CNE) in October.
His main rival, Venancio Mondlane of the extra-parliamentary Podemos party, garnered 24.19%, while Renamo’s Ossufo Momade and Lutero Simango of the MDM captured 6.62% and 4.02%, respectively.
Lucia Ribeiro, President of the CC, acknowledged irregularities during the election but noted they were insufficient to nullify the results.
In parliamentary elections, Frelimo retained its dominance, winning 171 of the 250 seats.
Podemos followed with 43 seats, Renamo secured 28, and the MDM claimed 8.
Post-election violence has cast a shadow over the results, with local reports indicating over 100 civilian deaths and hundreds injured.
Despite the unrest, Chapo is set to succeed outgoing President Filipe Nyusi, continuing Frelimo’s long-standing leadership.
