“This was unveiled on Wednesday October 2, 2024 during the data & information engagement workshop for Protected and Conserved Areas at the Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) in Nairobi, Kenya.
“The workshop offers a platform to showcase our progress on data for Protected and Conserved Areas and to explore how data can drive impactful conservation efforts,” said RCMRD Director General, Dr Emmanuel Nkurunziza.
It will serve as a one-stop platform for up-to-date data, interactive mapping, and analytical tools aimed at enhancing ecosystem monitoring and decision-making.
The portal will also enable users to track biodiversity, forest cover, and seascape ecosystems across borders, helping stakeholders respond proactively to environmental challenges.
It is also expected to promote data-sharing between countries and institutions, ensuring cross-border cooperation for effective ecosystem management.
The RCoE data geoportal provides access to key data for the conservation of the ecosystems in Eastern and Southern Africa. It is seen an essential resource for governments, conservation organizations, researchers, and local communities across the region.
At the launch, Dr. Faith Nyokabi the Head of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) at the Ministry of Environment and represented Dr. Eng. Festus K. Ng’eno, Principal Secretary in charge of the State Department for Environment and Climate.
“The ability to track environmental changes in real-time, analyse trends, and predict future scenarios will enable us to make informed decisions that protect our environment while promoting sustainable development,” she said.
The workshop, themed “Leveraging Data Insights for Impactful and Sustainable Ecosystems,” brought together conservationists, policymakers, and data specialists from 24 project countries, including Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Eswatini and Ethiopia.
Other countries represented were Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe and the hosts Kenya.
Dr. Éliane Ubalijoro, the Chief Executive Officer at the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF) and Director General of ICRAF explained that the goal is to equip communities, governments, and organizations with the information and tools they need to manage ecosystems sustainably.
“By bringing together experts from across eastern and southern Africa, we are fostering a culture of shared learning, innovation, and collaboration,” she noted.
The four-day workshop which ends today Friday October 4, 2024, has strengthened relationships with institutions managing data on protected areas and demonstrated the importance of data in decision-making for governance and conservation.
The RCoE’s data management process was showcased and defined its role in helping countries track progress on global biodiversity framework targets under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
The RCoE expressed commitment to providing access to actionable data that will enable various communities to participate in conservation efforts and take ownership of local ecosystem management.
In addition to the five recoveries, it was noted that no fatalities were reported on the same day. Of the 1,009 new tests conducted, one person tested positive, bringing the total number of patients currently receiving medical treatment to 21.
The Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, expressed optimism in a post on X, stating, “Today, five have recovered. They are in good health and will return home tomorrow. Let’s thank the healthcare workers who attended to them. We will defeat Marburg.”
Health officials have explained that Marburg can be contracted without showing symptoms for three to 21 days, although symptoms may sometimes appear sooner.
The initial symptoms of the disease often resemble other illnesses, particularly malaria, and include sudden high fever, severe headaches, joint pain, muscle aches, and digestive problems such as diarrhea and vomiting.
As the illness progresses, symptoms worsen, causing the body to deteriorate. Medical experts note that early treatment can significantly improve the chances of recovery.
To prevent further transmission, health authorities are urging Rwandans to maintain proper hygiene and avoid sharing personal items with individuals showing symptoms similar to Marburg.
Rwandan authorities have also disclosed that efforts to contain the outbreak are underway, with vaccine and therapeutic clinical trials set to begin in the near future.
Additionally, international partners such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the United States, and the United Kingdom have pledged their support for Rwanda’s response to the disease.
Strettch was among over 70 startups that participated in the contest organized by the Ministry of ICT and the Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA) under the Public Procurement for Innovation (PPI) framework, which is currently being piloted. This framework aims to enable public institutions to procure solutions from the innovation ecosystem.
The current research and innovation project is the second of four initiatives funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The first project focused on health.
The first phase of the project implementation began on Thursday, October 3, 2024, with a meeting between the partners and Strettch software engineers at the Rwanda Polytechnic Campus in Kicukiro.
The meeting was attended by key officials including Ephrem Musonera, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor in Charge of Training, Institutional Development, and Research at Rwanda Polytechnic; Parfait Yongabo, the Division Manager in charge of Institutional Development, Research, and Consultancy at Rwanda Polytechnic; Immaculate Mutesi, the Programme Coordinator for ICT at JICA; Dr. Said Ngoga, Technology Innovation Division Manager at RISA; and representatives from PWC Rwanda.
PWC Rwanda serves as the Contract Manager overseeing the project on behalf of PWC Japan.
Yongabo stated that the project will create digital solutions for institutional challenges, primarily supporting students and lecturers in their mandate of teaching, learning, and research.
The platform will enable students to document their learning journeys, support the implementation of innovative projects for both students and researchers, and foster collaborations.
The platform will also increase the visibility of students to potential employers through the generation of eCVs or e-portfolios.
“The portal will be able to generate e-portfolios where employers can quickly access a summary of the competencies and skills of the students. If they are interested, they can reach out to them for employment opportunities,” Yongabo explained.
Additionally, the platform will be integrated with Artificial Intelligence assistance to increase its efficiency and save students and researchers time.
Yongabo noted that while many of the companies that expressed interest in developing the platform had good solutions, Strettch provided the best solution that responded effectively to the challenge at hand.
Sauvé Jean-Luc, the co-founder and CEO of Strettch, was ecstatic that their startup won the bid, noting that the victory came after intense preparations and sleepless nights.
“We were very happy to hear that we were among the finalists because we also had to pitch and do intensive work after pitching,” Jean-Luc explained.
“More than 70 startups applied. It was very tough. We had a tight timeline and had to work hard to make the most of every hour. We needed to understand the problem and the client’s needs while being creative, too.”
The 21-year-old made the presentation alongside Libériste Clarance, one of the five founding members of the company. Both are graduates of the Rwanda Coding Academy, an institution they credit for their skills and exposure.
“Rwanda Coding Academy trained us from the ground up as engineers and encouraged us to think outside the box. We gained knowledge across different sectors, including networking, cybersecurity, software engineering, robotics, and artificial intelligence. We learned a lot, so we feel the need to give back more than what is expected,” Jean-Luc said.
The startup founders intend to use the new funding to develop the project and scale up their operations to create even bigger impact.
Immaculate Mutesi, the Programme Coordinator for ICT at JICA, emphasized that the PPI initiative will play a pivotal role in fostering the growth of startups by removing obstacles in traditional procurement.
This will allow emerging companies to compete on equal footing with more established firms, helping them gain valuable experience and contribute to innovation.
“For young startups, tendering their solutions through normal procurement procedures is not possible, as it often requires five to ten years of experience to bid for certain tenders. But with this policy, young startups are being supported to participate regardless of the experience they may lack, so it’s a privilege for JICA to support them,” she quipped.
This follows the 45th Ministerial Conference of the Francophonie (CMF) held Thursday September 3, 2024 chaired by IOF Secretary General Loiuse Mushikiwabo, also attended by Foreign Affairs Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe.
Held under the theme “Create, innovate, and do business in French,” the 19th Francophonie Summit, also called Villers-Cotterêts Summit, will have a special focus on youth employment.
During the preparatory meeting, Minister Nduhungirehe announced to his peers the anticipated reception of the 46th Ministerial Conference of the Francophonie in Kigali in 2025.
On the first day of the Summit tomorrow, the President and First Lady will attend the opening ceremony of the 19th Francophonie Summit in Villers-Cotterêts, a town 80 km north-east of Paris where French was declared the official language of France in 1539, replacing Latin.
Later in the evening, they will join other dignitaries for a dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron at the Élysée Palace.
On the second day of the Summit, President Kagame will attend a closed roundtable session on “Renewed Multilateralism” chaired by President Macron, followed by a closed door session.
The Summit will conclude with the adoption of the Villers-Cotterêts Declaration.
While Israel’s defense systems, supported by the United States, managed to intercept many of the missiles, the situation still posed a significant threat to civilian life.
Speaking with IGIHE, Israel’s ambassador to Rwanda, Einat Weiss, described the situation as “surreal,” with over 10 million people forced into temporary shelters across the country.
This latest attack is seen by Israel as part of a broader strategy by Iran to destabilize the region and support militant groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah.
{{Unprecedented missile attack}}
The missile barrage came just hours after a deadly train station attack in Israel, which killed seven civilians.
Speaking with IGIHE, Ambassador Weiss recounted the events, highlighting the sheer magnitude of the missile strike.
“We had 181 missiles launched at Israel for an hour, primarily targeting Tel Aviv. The streets, the country was shut down basically,” she said.
Weiss emphasized that the Israeli government’s decision to instruct millions of civilians to take shelter was not taken lightly.
“Think about it—these ballistic missiles weigh around one ton each. Without our defense capabilities, particularly the Hetz missile system, which intercepted many of the missiles, we would have seen thousands of casualties. It’s no wonder the Home Front Command took immediate action.”
Despite Israel’s ability to neutralize many of the threats, Weiss noted that the silence from the international community has been “mind-boggling.”
She expressed frustration that Iran’s direct assault on civilians has not been met with global condemnation.
“If Israel had launched 181 missiles at another country, the international outcry would have been immediate. But when Iran does this, the world remains silent,” she remarked.
{{Facing conflict on multiple fronts}}
In addition to the missile strikes from Iran, Israel is engaged in an ongoing battle with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Ambassador Weiss outlined the scope of the threat, explaining that Israel is being forced to defend itself from all sides.
“We have Hezbollah in the North, Hamas in the South, and now Iran, 2,000 kilometers to the East. This is not a normal situation.”
Israel’s military operations in Lebanon are a direct response to intelligence suggesting that Hezbollah was planning an attack similar to Hamas’s October 2023 assault on Israel, which left over 1000 civilians dead.
“We had intelligence confirming that Hezbollah was planning an attack on Galilee, using a network of tunnels like those in Gaza. We had no option but to act,” Weiss explained.
She stressed that Israel’s response is driven by the need to protect its citizens and prevent further loss of life.
“These terrorist groups are not leaving us with any option,” she said.
{{Iran’s role in the conflict}}
Following the recent missile attack, Iran’s Chief of Staff, Maj Gen Mohammad Bagheri, announced on state television that Iran would target critical infrastructure across Israel if Israel chose to retaliate.
Bagheri warned that the strikes would intensify and focus on key infrastructure sites across the country.
Iran framed the attack as a response to what it described as the “violation of its sovereignty” and the death of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, who died in an explosion in Tehran in July—a blast for which Iranian officials blamed Israel, though Israeli authorities have not officially claimed responsibility.
The attack is also linked to the killing of Iranian-backed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasralla in Israeli airstrikes on September 27, 2024. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei had vowed to avenge Nasrallah’s death.
However, Iran’s involvement in the conflict is seen by Israel as a clear demonstration of its strategy to use proxies to destabilize the region.
Weiss accused Iran of using Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthi militia in Yemen as tools to further its agenda.
She also pointed out that Iran’s aggression extends beyond Israel, posing a broader threat to international security.
Despite these threats, Israel continues to call for the enforcement of international agreements, particularly UN Resolution 1701, which demands Hezbollah’s disarmament in Lebanon.
“This is an international resolution, not an Israeli one,” Weiss stated. “Yet it is not being enforced, and Hezbollah continues to operate freely in Lebanon.”
{{Frustration with global inaction}}
Ambassador Weiss expressed deep frustration with the international community’s reluctance to hold Iran accountable for its actions.
She highlighted what she perceives as a double standard in how Israel’s actions are viewed compared to those of its adversaries.
As she said, Iran is being embraced by the international community despite their direct involvement in terrorism while Israel is the one facing criticism for defending itself.
Weiss noted that while Israel is doing everything it can to minimize civilian casualties, including issuing warnings before attacks, the international response remains skewed against Israel.
“We go out of our way to avoid civilian casualties, even putting our own soldiers at risk. When we retaliate and people die for collateral damage, because that’s war, then the blame instead of being on Hamas is being on Israel. Now, the expectation that we do not retaliate is insane.”
This, she argued, is contributing to a dangerous precedent, where terrorist organizations like Hamas and Hezbollah are emboldened by the lack of consequences for their actions.
“The biggest winner of this year is Iran. They continue to support terrorism with no repercussions. The international community needs to send a clear message that this behavior will not be tolerated.”
{{A call for global support}}
As Israel continues to defend itself on multiple fronts, it is calling for greater support from the international community.
Weiss emphasized that the world cannot afford to ignore Iran’s actions, as the consequences will not be limited to Israel.
“Iran is against everything that is liberal or different from them. They will go after anyone who doesn’t align with their ideology,” she warned.
Despite the challenges, Weiss remains hopeful that Israel’s resilience will see the country through this difficult period.
“Our goal is simple: to protect our people and ensure they can return to their homes safely. We want peace, but we cannot allow these terrorist groups to continue attacking us without consequence.”
{{Way forward}}
As the conflict drags on, Ambassador Weiss made it clear that Israel will not back down.
She explained that Israel has to defend itself noting that the international community cannot expect the country to sit by while its citizens are under attack.
Weiss also expressed concern that Iran’s aggression could spill over into other regions, particularly Europe and Africa and called on the international community to take a stand against Iran’s actions.
Daniel Chapo, running for the presidency on the ruling FRELIMO party ticket, is almost certain to win, succeeding Filipe Nyusi, who is retiring after two terms. His challengers include Ossufo Momade, the leader of Mozambique’s main opposition party and former rebel movement, Renamo, as well as Lutero (MDN) and Simango Venancio Mondlane (independent).
The 47-year-old former university professor, campaigning under the slogan “Let’s get to work,” is expected to oversee the revival of two liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects currently stalled due to insecurity in northern Cabo Delgado province.
Local analysts argue that Chapo’s development goals will heavily depend on the continued military support from the Rwandan forces, first deployed by Nyusi in 2021 to assist local troops in containing the insurgency.
“The Rwandans are undeniably competent,” Tertius Jacobs, lead Mozambique analyst at risk consultancy Focus Group, told Reuters. “Mozambique … has little to no better alternative.”
Jacobs notes that Nyusi’s introduction of Chapo to Rwandan President Paul Kagame in June signals a likely continuation of Rwandan involvement.
Rwandan forces, operating in the volatile northern province, are tasked with securing the area around the Afungi site, where TotalEnergies and ExxonMobil are planning LNG projects. TotalEnergies halted its $20 billion project when the skirmishes erupted in 2021.
Robert Besseling, CEO of consultancy Pangea-Risk, emphasized that the presence of Rwandan troops will remain crucial to the next administration’s efforts to neutralize terrorist threats, which have hindered Mozambique’s ambition to become a major gas exporter.
“They have thousands of troops there to protect the LNG sites,” Besseling remarked.
Rwanda began deploying its security forces to Mozambique on July 9, 2021. Initially, the contingent included 1,000 troops from the Rwanda Defence Force and Rwanda National Police.
By late 2022, the Rwandan troop presence had increased to approximately 2,500, reflecting an expanded mandate to pursue and dislodge terrorists from their strongholds.
Since 2021, Mozambique has also received military support from the Southern African Development Community (SADC), but SADC forces began withdrawing in April 2024 as their mandate ended. This withdrawal has left Rwanda with a greater share of responsibility in assisting local forces in addressing the ongoing security crisis.
Before the intervention of Rwandan troops in 2021, the insurgency had claimed the lives of 3,000 civilians, and more than 800,000 people had been displaced. The insecurity also brought all development projects in insurgent-controlled areas to a halt.
Rwanda’s most recent troop deployment to Mozambique was in August 2024, led by Major General Emmy Ruvusha. The troops are responsible for securing several key areas and communities in Mocimboa da Praia, Chinda, Palma, Afungi, Pundanhar, Macomia, Ancuabe, and Pemba.
The event was graced by Khalid Musa, the Chargé d’Affaires at the Sudanese Embassy in Rwanda.
Speaking at the inaugural event to welcome the new students, Dr. Rose Mukankomeje the Executive Director of the High Education Council (HEC) emphasized the importance of education and health for Rwanda’s development.
“Education and health are very key for us as a country and we thank the government’s support in expanding higher education institutions in the medical field,” she explained
“We need more such institutions, but the quality is paramount,” she added, stressing the goal of improving medical services within Rwanda to reduce reliance on foreign healthcare.
She said that Rwanda’s reputation for beauty, security, and cleanliness is not enough. The country is constantly striving to transform into hub for knowledge and welcoming new students like these is a good step in the right direction.
“Health goes hand in hand with wealth to produce better results in terms of development. I welcome you to feel at home here in Rwanda kindly remember to work hard. Work until it hurts and work until it heals,” she told the new students.
She encouraged them to prepare for life beyond school, emphasizing the importance of discipline and forward planning for the future.
Today, Rwanda has four medical training schools including the University of Rwanda College of Medicine, School of Medicine at the Adventist University of Central Africa (AUCA), Africa Health Sciences University based at King Faisal Hospital and UMST.
On her part, Dr. Suzan Homeida, the Deputy Chairperson of the University Board of Trustees, implored the students to understand that impacts of joining a university that is deeply committed to excellence in education and healthcare.
“Medicine is a noble profession that requires hard work, compassion, and a deep sense of responsibility to others. In the coming years, you will grow, learn, and develop the skills needed to make a real difference in people’s lives. We are here to guide and support you on this journey,” she said
In the same spirit, Prof Samir Shaheen, the Vice Chancellor at UMST advised the new students to embrace Rwanda’s rich culture and history saying it is a place that values unity, progress, and resilience—qualities that should inspire the students during their time of studies
He reminded them that the path they have chosen is challenging, but also incredibly rewarding and reiterated commitment to help them achieve their goals and dreams
“The University’s dedicated teachers and staff are here to provide you with the best education possible, and to help you become the best healthcare professionals you can be. We believe in your potential to not only succeed but also to contribute to the betterment of healthcare in your communities and beyond,” he said.
Dr. Africa Gasana, the Chairperson of Rwanda Medical and Dental Council (RMDC) says that a moment to receive new medical students at UMST is a milestone not just for the students but the entire healthcare sector in Rwanda.
“We recognize that training and nurturing the next generation of healthcare professionals is a responsibility of immense importance as it addresses the growing need for skilled, dedicated and ethical medical practitioners in Rwanda,” he pointed out.
He tasked the new students with the unique responsibility to set a high standard for those who will follow after receiving the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to navigate the complexities of healthcare.
“One of the most important lessons you will learn throughout your journey is the value of interprofessional collaboration. Healthcare is a team effort that involves working closely with other professionals to provide comprehensive care for patients,” he said.
UMST was established in Sudan’s capital Khartoum in 1996 with a main campus comprising two Faculties namely, Medicine and Medical Laboratory Technology.
From 2 faculties and 60 students, it grew over the years and in 2021 it had 17 faculties and over 7000 students, and more than 27 postgraduate degrees in both medical disciplines and humanities.
Over half of the people displaced are children, said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN secretary-general, at a daily briefing.
He said the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is deeply concerned by rising displacement in recent months, as escalating gang violence deepens the country’s humanitarian crisis.
About three-quarters of the displaced seek shelter in other provinces, with the Grand Sud region alone hosting nearly half of the total displaced population. In Port-au-Prince, the capital, where the security situation remains highly unstable, a quarter of those displaced live in overcrowded sites, with limited access to basic services, said Dujarric.
The school year started in Haiti on Tuesday, and UN humanitarian partners have been working closely with the authorities to support the national back-to-school campaign. Some 1.4 million students and teachers have experienced severe disruptions to education over the past year due to ongoing insecurity.
Dujarric said that in partnership with local organizations, the UN Children’s Fund is offering various forms of support, including by providing cash transfers so that families can cover school-related costs, helping displaced children integrate into host schools, distributing school kits, and ensuring schools are rehabilitated and have adequate supplies.
“However, these response efforts remain significantly underfunded,” he said, adding that just 30 percent of the 30 million U.S. dollars needed to provide education support to children in Haiti this year has been received.
Overall, the humanitarian response plan for Haiti this year remains only 39 percent funded, with 264 million dollars of the 674 million dollars required to provide life-saving assistance to the people of the country, said Dujarric.
This initiative marks a critical step in combating the outbreak that has impacted the country since September 27, 2024.
As of October 2, 2024, the Ministry reported 36 confirmed cases of Marburg in Rwanda. Of these, 25 individuals are currently receiving medical care. However, the disease has claimed 11 lives, including one death recorded on October 2.
Dr. Yvan Butera, the Minister of State in the Ministry of Health, stated that 410 people who have been in contact with infected individuals are being closely monitored for testing to break transmission chains.
Initial tests have shown that none of these contacts are infected, pending further clinical and lab workouts.
The Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC) noted that while no specific treatment or vaccine currently exists for Marburg, promising progress has been made in research.
Presently, patient care focuses on alleviating symptoms, and early treatment which significantly improves the chances of recovery.
Dr. Butera announced that Rwanda will soon initiate trials for both a vaccine and therapeutic treatment, prioritizing those at high risk of infection.
“We are about to start vaccine and therapeutic clinical trials to protect high-risk groups,” he stated.
The Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, disclosed that vaccinations could begin within the next two weeks.
“Yes, we expect to start soon […] though we haven’t finalized the exact date yet,” he said.
The vaccines and treatments to be used are in the final stages of clinical research. Dr. Nsanzimana highlighted that Rwanda is working closely with the World Health Organization (WHO) to fast-track the process.
Those at highest risk of contracting [the virus ->https://en.igihe.com/health/article/5-key-measures-to-protect-yourself-from-the-marburg-virus] include healthcare workers, individuals involved in the burial of Marburg victims, and those who have been in contact with infected individuals.
Early symptoms of Marburg are similar to other diseases such as malaria and typhoid and include high fever, severe headache, muscle pain, fatigue, vomiting, and diarrhea.
The virus spreads through contact with bodily fluids or blood of an infected person or by touching contaminated objects and surfaces.
Following the confirmation of the outbreak in Rwanda, several measures have been implemented to contain its spread.
These include the suspension of [visits to patients ->https://en.igihe.com/spip.php?page=mv2_article&id_article=51529#:~:text=Hospital%20visiting%20suspended%20as%20new%20Marburg%20outbreak%20guidelines%20issued,-0%2030%2D09&text=The%20Government%20of%20Rwanda%20has,Marburg%20virus%20disease%20(MVD).] recovering in hospital wards and [boarding school visits->https://en.igihe.com/news/article/boarding-school-visits-suspended-as-mineduc-issues-marburg-guidelines].
The Ministry of Health announced on Sunday night that only one caregiver per patient would be allowed at a time.
Besides, various countries, including the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK), along with the WHO, have pledged their support for Rwanda’s efforts in combating the disease.
The dinner was attended by high-ranking officials, including Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Olivier Nduhungirehe, and Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement, Dr. Jean Damascene Bizimana.
President Kagame expressed his gratitude to his counterpart of Latvia, Rinkēvičs for the warm reception extended to him and his delegation.
“President Edgars Rinkēvičs, once again, thank you for hosting me and my delegation on this historic visit. I am convinced that Latvia and Rwanda have a lot to offer one another. We look forward to becoming not only friends but also partners,” said Kagame.
The dinner followed a series of discussions between the two Presidents. They covered topics including the strengthening of bilateral relations, addressing security challenges in both Africa and Europe, and enhancing cooperation in international organizations.
Rinkēvičs emphasized the historic nature of the visit, noting that President Kagame is the first African leader to pay an official visit to Latvia.
He also highlighted Latvia’s interest in expanding bilateral cooperation, particularly in economic and trade sectors.
“There is potential for collaboration in the field of information and communication technologies, which is also demonstrated by the growing interest of Latvian companies in the African market,” said Rinkēvičs.
Following their bilateral talks, Kagame told members of the press that Rwanda and Latvia share strong bonds of friendship. He emphasized that the purpose of his visit was to explore new opportunities for the mutual benefit of both nations.
As part of the visit, the two Presidents unveiled a commemorative plaque at the National Library of Latvia, dedicated to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
Rinkēvičs reflected on the genocide, calling it a dark chapter in world history.
“Thirty years ago, the world witnessed one of its darkest moments. The 1994 Rwandan genocide against the Tutsi served as a reminder of how hatred can poison people’s minds. The atrocities of 1994 in Rwanda cannot be described and must not be forgotten,” said Rinkēvičs.
“Three decades later, we continue to remember the victims and honor the survivors of the genocide. Rwanda has demonstrated to the world how to overcome an unimaginable tragedy by making a determined effort to heal society and forge unity,” he added.
Drawing a parallel with Latvia’s history, marked by wars, occupations, and violent repressions, Rinkēvičs remarked that Latvia deeply understands the importance of preserving historical memory.
President Kagame’s official visit to Latvia is set to conclude on October 3, 2024. Diplomatic relations between Rwanda and Latvia were first established on April 10, 2007.
