“While it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term,” Biden said in a statement posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
He noted that he will speak to the nation later this week in more detail about his decision.
In another post, Biden said he wants to offer his full support and endorsement for Vice President Kamala Harris to be the nominee of the Democratic Party this year. “Democrats – it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this,” he said.
Biden’s announcement, which ended weeks of speculation over his decision, came after reports emerged that a growing number of Democrats had urged him to step down, including prominent figures such as former U.S. President Barack Obama, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.
A sitting U.S. president and presumptive nominee has never dropped out of the race this late in the election process before. Biden’s decision highlights the gravity of the crisis his campaign faced following the debate against former President Donald Trump, who formally accepted the Republican nomination on Thursday.
In the weeks following the debate, the president attempted to push back, asserting his commitment to remain in the race through various public appearances and meetings with Democratic officials. Even on Saturday, he said on X that it’s the most important election of Americans’ lifetimes, and “I will win it.”
According to the latest Real Clear Politics poll averages, Trump leads Biden in all the key battleground states, including key swing state Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania.
The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security in Namibia said that the King’s continued stay had generated much controversy and raised security concerns for diplomatic staff in various countries.
Government was angry with widespread allegations instigated by his subjects that His Royal Highness was being illegally detained in Namibia, thereby throwing him out immediately.
By press time, King Mutebi had already arrived in Uganda’s capital Kampala.
In a detailed statement, Etienne Maritz, the Executive Director at the Ministry disclosed that a decision was made as a sovereign State with a right to implement the laws of the Republic of Namibia and other international laws.
Maritz described how the King entered Namibia on 14 April 2024, on a private medical visit and was stationed at an undisclosed location in the country.
“In terms of Section 29 of the Immigration Control Act, 1993 (Act No. 7 of 1993), His Royal Highness was granted a maximum stay of ninety (90) days applicable to non-Namibians,” the statement reads.
Whilst the visit of His Royal Highness Mutebi II was purely private, trouble emerged when some of his subjects who seemed not to have been briefed about the travel raised concern and began demonstrating at Namibia’s Diplomatic Missions around the world.
“They started allegations and demonstrations that the Namibian Government conspired with the Ugandan authorities in abducting their King, and thus demanded his unconditional release from detention in Namibia,” Maritz said.
As such, these demonstrations threatened the security of Namibian diplomatic officials, and infringed on the nation’s right as a Sovereign State- a taboo under international law.
This did not only put at risk the security of Namibia’s personnel abroad, but also interfered greatly with the operations and security of Namibia’s diplomatic missions.
The Namibian government argued that such malicious allegations were not only meant to tarnish its respected international reputation but also undermine the good bilateral relations that exist between Namibia and Uganda.
They explained that the visit of His Royal Highness was purely private, and did not have an intention to interfere with his medical stay, but certain unscrupulous elements started a rowdy diplomatic brawl, leaving them with no other choice.
Based on this, the Government on Saturday July 20, 2024, declared a non- extension of the King’s Visa and sent him parking straight way.
Ruto re-appointed the ministers of interior, defence, environment and lands and changed the portfolios of two other ministers.
Davis Chirchir, who served as Energy Cabinet Secretary, takes over the Roads and Transport docket from Kipchumba Murkomen.
Ruto mentioned that further consultations are ongoing, with more nominations to come.
“I will be issuing next week a clear roadmap on the assignment that the new cabinet is going to have, with clear timelines and deliverables,” Ruto said.
He acknowledged recent challenges to Kenya’s democratic integrity, citing Gen Z-led protests as a moment for reflection and renewal.
These protests, driven by dissatisfaction with governance, development, economic management, and national finances, have tested the nation.
The President emphasized the government’s commitment to meeting the people’s aspirations and serving with efficiency and integrity. He expressed optimism about Kenya’s ability to recover from the current crisis, which stems from multiple complex factors.
The Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi advised that discontent towards the government can be expressed in different ways without necessarily engaging in violence.
“To confront government, you don’t have to copy what Kenyans have done. There are other civilized ways of expressing your dissatisfaction without losing blood,” he said.
Baryomunsi was addressing university students during the launch of student programme season 4 in Kampala organized by the Centre for Constitutional Guidance on Thursday July 18, 2024.
He advised Ugandans especially the young people to use other means to express themselves but within the law.
“Assemblies, processions and demonstrations are guided by the law, yes they can demonstrate provided they comply with what the law requires,” he said.
The call by the Minister comes at a time when hundreds youths are planning a demonstration by marching from Railway grounds in the city centre to parliament on July 23, 2024.
The youths say, they want to express their discontent over rampant corruption in several government institutions including the Parliament of Uganda.
Under article 29(1) (d) of the Ugandan constitution, every person has a right to the freedom of assembly and to demonstrate together with others peacefully and unarmed.
However, Baryomunsi says that his government will not sit back and watch if the planned demonstrations turn violent.
“We shall not look on if we see you trying to burn down the Parliament or causing unrest on the street,” he warned.
The Kenyan youth in recent days brought President William Ruto’s government to its knees, prompting him to fire his entire cabinet following riots over high taxes.
According to media reports; Vice President Mutale Nalumango, who received the relief maize at the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) sheds in Lusaka, emphasized the immediate and significant impact this donation will have on alleviating hunger thereby providing relief to those in need.
She highlighted that the maize will help food-insecure households in the affected districts to get access to sustenance, bringing hope to families struggling during this emergency.
Nalumango noted that this donation symbolizes a bond of friendship between Zambia and Rwanda, signifying Rwanda’s commitment to standing with Zambia during times of crisis.
She expressed gratitude to the Rwandan government, saying that such solidarity reinforces Zambia’s belief in the strength of international cooperation.
“Let us remember the importance of unity in times of crisis. Let us continue to support one another and work together to build a future where no one goes hungry or feels abandoned during their time of need,” Nalumango said.
Rwandan High Commissioner to Zambia, Emmanuel Bugingo expressed confidence that the donation will significantly aid the most affected Zambian families and assured of Rwanda’s continuous support whenever possible.
Rwanda’s Foreign Minister, Olivier Nduhungirehe, also said through his X handle that the donation is part of Rwanda’s tradition of intra-African solidarity.
Rwanda and Zambia maintain a strong relationship and cooperation in various sectors, including taxation, immigration, health, agriculture, investment promotion, fishing, and livestock farming.
This is through the UNESCO Program “Our Right Our Lives Our Future”, aimed at supporting the country to deliver comprehensive sexuality education for adolescents and young people in Sub-Saharan Africa
The program helps young people to access information about Sexual reproductive health, combat and prevent unwanted pregnancies, Gender-Based violence (GBV) and HIV/AIDS.
The study began on June 14th , 2024, and will end in August. It is being conducted in secondary schools and institutions involved in combating and preventing Gender-Based Violence(GBV) and teenage pregnancies.
The research is being conducted across all four provinces of Rwanda and in the City of Kigali.
Currently, the research is being conducted in selected thirty (30) secondary schools and Institutions (Private and Public) dealing with Gender Based Violence (GBV).
Some of the selected secondary schools where the research was conducted include; Saint Joseph Secondary School (ESSJT) and Groupe Scholaire Saint Vincent Palloti Gikondo.
Rafiki Justin Nsengimana, the Executive Director of Happy Family Rwanda Organization (HFRO), says that the Objective of this initiative is to understand the factors that contribute on Teenage Pregnancies and Details related to GBV Cases in Rwanda.
He says that “the Information from this research will be used to respond on preventing and reducing GBV Cases and Teenage Pregnancies in Rwanda”.
Chanceline UWIMPAYE, a student of Saint Joseph Secondary School is one of the participants providing information in this research. She shares a view that youth should be content with their lives to avoid temptations that could lead to unwanted pregnancies.
“We should learn to be satisfied with what we have as this will help us to avoid temptations. It will also help us to continue our education without interruption. because when someone becomes a parent at a young age they are not prepared for it, this leads to the failure and sometimes dropping out of the school” she said.
Richard MUSENGIMANA, Other student at Saint Joseph, observes that the role of parents in discussing reproductive health with their childrens reflects the dominant importance as it helps to reduce unwanted pregnancies.
And what can help us to reduce such teenage unwanted pregnancies is that “The parents have to talk to their children about Sexual Reproductive Health and not to be afraid to tell them the truth about their lives because many parents have a habit to avoid this conversation”, he noted.
Promise Divine IGISUBIZO from Saint Vincent Palloti Gikondo reflected on how this research would help her and other students.
She says that “This research helped me to understand the sex education and the importance of self-control with my purpose to encourage my friends to abstain”, she said.
In addition to this initiative, Happy Family Rwanda Organization(HFRO) also provides trainings to the youth through various projects, such as radio drama named “UMUZI”, which conceits on Radio Rwanda (RBA)every Monday at 20;45 PM, and other social media Platforms like Twitter and YouTube as well as recreation and poetry writing competitions.
Happy Family Rwanda Organization has conducted Research in Different Provinces and the City of Kigali, working with over 1,201 students.
The two institutions signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Thursday, July 18, 2024, outlining a cooperation agreement to achieve this mission.
Dr. Ildephonse Musafiri, the Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, and Ms. Kaori Yasuda, the IUCN-Rwanda Country Representative, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective institutions.
Jean Claude Habimana, the Communications Officer at IUCN, stated that this initiative comes at an opportune moment as IUCN is currently expanding the implementation of the IUCN Standards on Nature-Based Solutions in the Eastern Province of Rwanda. Conservation agriculture, climate-smart agriculture, and agroforestry are central to IUCN’s values.
“The MoU represents an official partnership agreement, as some of IUCN’s work aligns with the Ministry’s mandate,” Habimana affirmed.
“This sets the foundation for our future cooperation,” explained Habimana. The aim is to strengthen collaboration on sustainable agriculture initiatives, including conservation agriculture, climate-smart agriculture, and agroforestry.
Habimana further elaborated that upcoming joint initiatives will also focus on contributing to the priorities outlined in the Fifth Strategic Plan for Agriculture Transformation (PSTA5).
IUCN has prioritized the use of agroforestry in all its programs and initiatives to enhance livelihoods, improve soil fertility, and contribute to socio-economic gains among smallholder farmers in Rwanda.
Projects such as Sebeya have already demonstrated the benefits of agroforestry and fruit trees, with communities expressing appreciation for the fruit trees provided.
Other projects such as AREECA, TREPA, COMBIO, and DeSIRA are also highlighting the importance of agroforestry in sustainable agriculture practices in Rwanda.
IUCN is a global organization dedicated to conserving nature and ensuring sustainable use of natural resources.
Founded in 1948, IUCN is one of the world’s most influential environmental organizations, comprising both government and civil society organizations.
Since 2016, IUCN has undertaken various initiatives aimed at restoring landscapes and promoting water resource management in Rwanda.
In 2019, IUCN, jointly with the Rwanda Water Resources Board and other partners, played a significant role in restoring the Sebeya catchment through various activities such as radical and progressive terracing for flood mitigation, achieved through participatory community-based approaches.
Over time, trees with edible fruits have been planted in different parts of the country not only to supplement nutrition but also to boost environmental conservation through afforestation.
MINAGRI has welcomed this as a positive development.
This government faced the enormous task of rebuilding a nation devastated over the preceding three months, with international experts doubting its ability to recover.
The Government of National Unity comprised 17 ministers: eight from the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), three from the Democratic Republican Movement (MDR), three from the Liberal Party (PL), two from the Social Democratic Party (PSD), and one from the Christian Democratic Party (PDC). Fourteen ministers were sworn in on July 19, with the remaining three joining the next day.
This Government was established based on the Arusha Accords of 1993. Pasteur Bizimungu became President, Paul Kagame served as Vice President and Minister of Defense, while Faustin Twagiramungu was appointed Prime Minister.
At the time, Kagame as Vice President and Minister of Defense cautioned, on the long journey ahead for Rwandans, urging them to work together rather than becoming contented with what had been achieved.
He stated, “Given where we come from and where we are headed, no one should claim that we have completed our mission and sit back thinking all problems are solved. It is time work together as we did in the past, which brought us to where we are today, enabling us to form a government worth leading the country towards development.”
Initially, they faced challenges, with some members like Faustin Twagiramungu and Jean Marie Vianney Ndagijimana leaving early on.
However, the remaining members worked together to restore security and rebuild national unity. Unity and reconciliation became the primary goals. Initiatives were made to promote coexistence among Rwandans and restore trust within the community. Citizens returned from exile, resettling in their homeland and continuing to live peacefully.
Tito Rutaremara, veteran politician and Chairperson of Rwanda Elders’ Advisory Forum, recently told IGIHE that the first goal was to establish security.
“The first priority was to ensure security because the interim government faced threats from Ex-FAR soldiers and Interahamwe militia who had fled to, Tanzania, and Burundi, but mainly to Zaire with their weapons aided by the French,” he said.
With plans to return and overthrow the government, Rutaremara says that people like Bikindi boasted of how the country would be occupied temporarily and then later handover the country back to him and his fellow Genocidaires
But as fate would have it, security was maintained, insurgent groups aiming to reignite genocide were defeated, and refugees returned from abroad.
This was followed by building unity based on restorative justice. These efforts were grounded in discussions held at Urugwiro Village in 1998-1999, which brought together people from all sectors of society to collaboratively create a vision for Rwanda’s development.
Another priority at that moment was promoting democracy, culminating in the 2003 Constitution, which was preceded by reforms in local governance.
Subsequent elections for the president, parliamentarians, and senators were held, leading to the establishment of democratic institutions. These advancements helped the nation rebuild and achieve sustainable development.
The impact of the Government of National Unity is evident 30 years later in areas such as education, health, social welfare, the economy, and infrastructure aimed at development, as well as in national unity.
The recent Rwanda Reconciliation Barometer 2020 revealed that the unity and reconciliation index had reached 94.7%.
The RNP spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Boniface Rutikanga said that the electoral process was “peaceful.”
“The RNP takes this opportunity to thank Rwandans for their cooperation in this period; campaigns and elections on July 15th and 16th. There were no any unlawful or violent incident as candidates and their supporters exercised their rights in a peaceful, safer and secure manner,” ACP Rutikanga said.
He added that transportation of electoral materials to and from polling sites ended incident-free
The spokesperson thanked other partners, including the National Electoral Commission, security agencies and local leaders for the partnership to make this electoral process successful.
“Rwandans understand their rights and are accustomed to peaceful elections,” he said, calling upon the public to strengthen the spirit of community policing and sharing information on anything that can cause insecurity and the wellbeing of the people.
The Office of the President revealed that Kagame met with the ambassadors on the evening of Thursday, July 18, 2024 and bed them farewell.
The relationship between Rwanda and Sweden has flourished for over 20 years, primarily through cooperation in sectors such as education.
During a ceremony on March 23, 2023, celebrating 20 years of partnership in research and other development activities through the ‘UR-Sweden Program’, Amb. Teague highlighted the importance of continuing this collaboration.
Meanwhile, British High Commissioner Omar Daair has shown keen interest in strengthening the relationship between his country and Rwanda, supporting various initiatives during his tenure.
Notably, Rwanda and the UK signed the Migration and Economic Development Partnership, facilitating the transfer of migrants staying illegally in the UK to Rwanda.
This agreement, however, faced challenges following the new UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s assumption to power and it was terminated.
