Spiro was named alongside giant car manufacturers Toyota and BMW in the coveted list unveiled on Thursday, May 30, 2024.
Other renowned firms on the list include Microsoft, Google, Rappi, Huawei, Amazon, Airbus, Tata Group, OpenAI, Pfizer, and Bank of America.
Kenya’s asset financing platform M-Kopa and Food4Education, which supplies subsidized nutritious meals to primary school children, also made the list.
The Time 100 Most Influential Companies list celebrates businesses making extraordinary contributions in their fields, shaping the future of industries and society.
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Founded in 2019, Spiro launched in Togo and Benin in 2022, followed by Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and Africa’s most populous country, Nigeria, last year.
In Uganda, the e-bike and battery swapping provider has partnered with the government to replace its emission-heavy moto taxi fleet, known as boda-bodas, with electric two-wheelers.
Spiro bets on commuters’ needs in populous African cities to double its fleet of 14,000 electric bikes by the end of 2024.
Commenting on the Time’s recognition, Kaushik Burman, CEO of Spiro, said, “This recognition for Spiro in the Time 100 list is humbling and will catalyze our efforts to demonstrate our ability to innovate and deploy affordable mobility to customers, thereby fostering financial inclusion and empowering the lives of our customers and communities.”
Anish Jain, Group CEO of Equitane, Spiro’s holding company, added, “This accolade underscores the innovative work we are doing in Africa and beyond. We are committed to expanding our services and infrastructure to support the growing demand for sustainable transportation options.”
This is the revolutionary concept behind Canon’s “World Unseen” project. Going beyond the traditional frame of a photograph, “World Unseen” employs innovative techniques to create an inclusive experience of photography, particularly for visually impaired individuals.
In their very first exhibition in Africa, Canon Central and North Africa brought this campaign closer to home at GITEX Africa 2024, the largest three-day technology and startup event in Africa, ongoing in Marrakech, Morocco.
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The technology behind elevated prints, bringing the power of imaging to everyone, includes the Arizona 2300 FLXflow using PRISMAelevate XL software. Thanks to the elevated print, people can feel the different elements of the scenes through shapes, highlighted areas, and textures, allowing them to visualize the images through touch.
At the Canon booth in Marrakech, delegates, both visually impaired and sighted, were able to have multi-sensory experiences connecting them with powerful images and the stories behind them through audio descriptions, soundscapes, and braille.
The exhibition featured a series of photographs taken by world-renowned photographers including multi-award-winning South African photojournalist Brent Stirton, renowned Brazilian Photojournalist Sebastião Salgado, Nigerian photojournalist Yagazie Emezi, sports photographer Samo Vidic, fashion photographer Heidi Rondak and Pulitzer winning photojournalist Muhammed Muheisen.
Hamid Nabil was among the individuals who had the opportunity to experience the power of this innovative technology aimed at fostering inclusivity and deeper appreciation for diverse perspectives.
Visually impaired, Nabil was Morocco’s first visually impaired student to graduate with a doctorate degree in English Studies from Rabat’s Mohammed V University.
Rashad Ghani, the B2C Director for Canon Central and North Africa, said the new innovative project is part of the renowned Japanese imagery brand’s commitment to contributing to a more inclusive society.
“It is Canon’s philosophy of Kyosei, you know, working and living together for the common good. That’s how Canon is. Canon is not only a brand that creates something for, you know, a product to do business. They always look at society and something to enhance in the society.
“Being an imagery brand for so many years, you know, giving products to create photographs. Yes, people can see it. But then also Canon as a brand positions itself that why those people who cannot see should not feel the product or feel the picture. And that’s where I think this has come out as a concept where they can also feel what is around them and they can also sense what exactly the pictures and the images are,” he stated.
Ghani affirmed that the elevated printing feature is just one among many available on Canon printers, and the company will stay abreast of the ever-changing world of technology to keep giving its customers new experiences.
The second edition of GITEX Africa kicked off in Morocco, on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, and will close on Friday, May 31, 2024. The three-day event showcases the latest innovations and trends in tech, with a focus on connecting businesses, entrepreneurs, and investors.
Speaking during Kenya’s National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday, May 30, President Ruto said that as a “responsible steward,” there was no way he could spend the colossal amount on the trip, insisting, “I am not a madman”.
According to the Kenyan Head of State, his friends offered the plane after he decided to travel on Kenya Airways (KQ) to the US upon learning that it would cost the taxpayers at least Ksh70 million on a chartered flight.
“I am a very responsible steward believe you me. There is no way I can spend Ksh200 million in fact it cost the republic of Kenya less than Ksh10 million because I am not a madman,” President Ruto defended himself.
“When I was told the cheapest plan was Ksh70 million I told my office, go and book Kenya Airways so when some friends of mine heard that I was going to travel Kenya Airways, and I have built a big reputation as a country, some friends told me how much are you willing to pay? I said I’m not willing to spend more than Ksh20 million they said bring Ksh10 million we give you the plane.”
He emphasized that as president, he was committed to leading from the front in implementing the government’s austerity measures to cut spending.
“Look at me Kenyans, look at me again. I must lead from the front as I tell others to tighten up their belt mine must be where to begin. So relax and the debate must end because I am that responsible and it is going to be that way,” Ruto added.
“My plan is that in 3 years we must have a balanced budget.”
President Ruto’s choice of a luxurious private jet for his trip to the US drew mixed reactions with a section of Kenyans questioning his commitment to cutting government spending by state officers.
Upon his return to the country after the four-day visit, he was forced to clear the air, explaining that travelling on the private jet was way cheaper than travelling on Kenya Airways, the country’s national carrier.
“Fellow Kenyans, I have noted concerns on my mode of transport to USA. As a responsible steward of public resources and in keeping with my determination for us to live within our means and that I should lead from the front in so doing, the cost was less than travelling on KQ,” President Ruto said in a post on X last Sunday.
The local media had reported that State House Kenya charted the luxurious aircraft from Dubai-owned RoyalJet company for the president and his delegation’s trip to the US. According to KTN News, the cost of hiring the jet is about $1.5 million (about Ksh200 million).
The US government had earlier denied reports that it paid for the aircraft the Kenyan delegation used for the US trip.
“Just to be clear: The United States of America did not pay for President Ruto’s jet to the US,” a spokesperson for the US embassy in Nairobi told the press.
Since assuming office in September 2022, President Ruto has imposed several austerity measures including banning non-essential travel by state officials over financial constraints.
The president has also introduced new taxes on various goods and services, even as he and his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, insist that they inherited a “dilapidated” economy from the former administration of President Uhuru Kenyatta.
President Ruto was accompanied by various government officials, members of the opposition, and representatives from the creative economy to the US on May 20. He was the first African leader to make a state visit to the White House in 16 years since Ghana’s John Kufuor visited in 2008.
But after winning election after election for 30 years, the ANC, now led by President Cyril Ramaphosa, is facing its biggest challenge since taking power in 1994. This potentially marks a watershed moment for one of Africa’s most powerful nations and a major test for South Africa’s still-fledgling democracy.
Polling ahead of Wednesday’s election shows that, for the first time, the ANC could fall below 50% of the vote. Although the party would still likely end up controlling the presidency, currently held by its leader Cyril Ramaphosa, it would be forced to enter into a coalition with smaller parties. These smaller parties blame the ANC’s current direction for the nation’s profound problems.
In the years after apartheid ended with the first free, democratic election in 1994, many voters credited the ANC with improving life for South Africans — especially for the black majority that gained basic rights. International sanctions that had hampered the economy were lifted, and the gross domestic product surged.
This year, a record 51 opposition parties are on the national ballot attempting to unseat the ANC. Some of them are new parties, while others are campaigning on specific issues like closing the borders, or appealing to specific ethnic groups. According to the Electoral Commission of South Africa, 27.79 million South Africans aged 18 and above have registered for the elections this year, up from 26.74 million in 2019.
According to the Electoral Commission of South Africa, 27.79 million South Africans aged 18 and above have registered to vote in this year’s elections, up from 26.74 million in 2019.
The Democratic Alliance, the second-largest party in the 2019 election, is campaigning on a platform of combating widespread corruption and revitalizing the economy. Party leader John Steenhuisen has urged voters to oust the ANC to “rescue” the country, calling this “South Africa’s most consequential election in post-democratic history.” However, the party faces the perception of being predominantly supported by white voters.
The ANC is also challenged by the Economic Freedom Fighters, a party founded about a decade ago. Its core supporters are young people, including many black university students concerned about racial inequality. With polls indicating around 11% support ahead of Wednesday’s election, EFF leader Julius Malema has criticized the ANC’s platform for lacking ambition.
A newcomer to the political scene is uMkhonto weSizwe, or the MK party, named after the ANC’s former paramilitary wing. Formed last year by former South African President Jacob Zuma as a breakaway from the ANC, the MK party faces the obstacle of Zuma’s ineligibility to run for office due to a criminal conviction for contempt of court. Nevertheless, his face will appear on the ballot alongside his party.
As the nation heads to the polls, the ANC faces unprecedented challenges, and the outcome of this election could reshape South Africa’s political landscape for years to come.
President Kagame said that some powerful entities have not been responsive to calls for reforming the existing financial systems due to fears of losing influence and control over the sector.
The Head of State spoke on Wednesday, May 29, during the presidential dialogue on the topic “Africa’s Transformation, the African Development Bank (AfDB), and the Reform of the Global Financial Architecture” at the AfDB annual meetings in Nairobi, Kenya.
He emphasized that it was a “no-brainer” that financial systems designed more than 50 years ago are no longer viable today.
“Things have changed, and therefore, a rethink of a new design that fits the purpose must be put into play. There is no doubt about that. I think everybody understands that point, but there are interests that operate behind it. For us in Africa, we are hard-pressed to see there is a change in the design of these institutions. But maybe the way the institutions are set up benefits some parts of the world. Those in those parts of the world are not interested, or they are being slow in allowing the change to happen because it gives them control and say over other people’s resources,” President Kagame stated.
“Everybody understands [that reforms are necessary]. What is complicated is reaching this understanding and compromising that we don’t lose anything by having everybody benefit as we should benefit, all of us.”
President Kagame also noted that for Africa to achieve the much-needed gains, the continent must be united and speak in one voice.
“Africa’s interests must be taken care of, beginning with ourselves…it has to be with one voice but also loud, clear, and effective. For that to happen, we think about working together,” he said.
“The reform we are talking about is how to disrupt the current architecture so that it includes significantly and visibly the interests of our continent.”
He said the rest of the world can not afford to ignore the African continent as it’s the only region that will have a growing middle-income class in a “few decades”.
“In a few decades, the only place in this world that will have a growing middle class is Africa. So it is even in the interest of the rest of the world that has marginalized Africa to contribute to the wellbeing of our continent. Because the growth of Africa, based on this middle-class, feeds into the growth of the rest of the world,” President Kagame said, adding “But Africa cannot wait to be handed this opportunity by anybody else, we therefore must be on the frontline, fighting for this right, for ourselves but also which contributes to the wellbeing of the rest of the world.”
The presidential dialogue was part of the five-day 59th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the African Development Bank and the 50th Meeting of the Board of Governors of the African Development Fund taking place at the Kenyatta International Conference Center (KICC).
Kenya’s President William Ruto, who was among the panellists, also emphasized that the reforms were long overdue and should solve the continent’s most pressing issues including climate change.
“The issue of reforms is settled; it must be done. We need a financial architecture that has long-term financing, with 40 years or 10 years grace period, low-interest rates, concessional financing, including where possible grants. We also need financing at scale; the quantum is very important. We also need finance that is agile, flexible, and especially climate-sensitive. So, if there are shocks, that financial architecture must be responsive because climate change is the new normal,” President Ruto explained.
“Switching from drought to floods progressively is becoming what it is. In Kenya, we had a drought a year ago that decimated 2.5 million herds of livestock. This year alone, we are on floods that have taken the lives of 200 Kenyans. So, this is the new reality. The financial architecture that must be in place must respond to this climate reality we have.”
The Annual Meetings comprise Member States’ invitation-only sessions, closed bilateral meetings, as well as events open to all attendees, including the press. They provide a forum for Bank Group Governors to share their experiences with managing a mounting burden of public debt, which has surged following the global economic shocks of the last few years.
The meetings also offer a forum for the delegates to examine the African Development Bank’s contribution to Africa’s socio-economic transformation.
Speaking to IGIHE, following the closing ceremony of the festival held from May 20th to 26th, 2024, the youths expressed their commitment to strengthening China-Africa relations.
The event which took place in Ruyi Hall of Your World International Conference Center in Yiwu County, Zhejiang Province, brought together Chinese officials and youth representatives from Africa and China.
A total of 64 youths from 52 African countries, including Rwanda, participated in the festival organized under the framework of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum (FOCAC).
The event also attracted nearly 30 African journalists participating in a four-month media exchange program organized by the China International Press Communication Center (CIPCC).
Throughout the festival, the youths visited significant sites such as the Common Prosperity Belt in Jindong, explored Chinese rural culture, toured the China-Africa Museum at Zhejiang Normal University, and visited Leapmotor, a new energy vehicle manufacturer.
In addition, they experienced traditional Chinese performances by the Zhejiang Wu Opera, visited the People’s Livelihood Conference Hall of the CPPCC, Hengdian World Studios, Yiwu International Trade Market, and Zhejiang Guangsha Vocational and Technical University of Construction.
This immersive experience allowed them to witness firsthand the rapid development and cultural richness of China.
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Ghislain Niyonzima, a representative from Burundi who works with a travel agency shared his insights.
“Observing how China has developed its country, despite still working to achieve envisaged modernization, is impressive and inspiring. This teaches us a lesson about not being complacent, regardless of our achievements,” Niyonzima said.
He emphasized the importance of maintaining the gains achieved in China-Africa cooperation and highlighted the suitability of Chinese democracy in addressing people’s needs.
“We should learn from China’s homegrown solutions, which are suited to their people’s needs, to develop our own countries and ensure these values are deeply rooted in our culture as well,” added Niyonzima.
Danny Vassyli Mugisha, a Rwandan representative was particularly struck by China’s development over the past 40 years.
“A lot has been achieved in different aspects of development. From technological advancements to conserving the culture, everything is a source of inspiration. I also learned a valuable lesson from the commitment and discipline of the people of China, seeing how they have been able to go through tough times and succeed in just a few years. This is what I am taking with me home,” Mugisha noted.
Mugisha observed that the role of the youth is of great significance in consolidating gains attained through China-Africa cooperation, especially considering that the majority of people in Africa are young.
“People like me, who have had the opportunity to participate in such cultural exchanges, should share experiences with a view to uphold the rich legacy and strengthen bonds between China and Africa,” he said.
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Cyprien Kouassi from Ivory Coast had a different impression about China until he got an opportunity to attend the festival, where he witnessed its development, political system, and overall progress firsthand.
“My view has changed. My message to African youth is that they must understand that poverty should not be a barrier, as China has demonstrated that it is possible to eliminate it,” he noted.
In 2021, China declared the eradication of extreme poverty, lifting 770 million people out of poverty since 1978 and establishing a moderately prosperous society.
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Kouassi also appreciated Chinese hospitality, which he described as integral to the Asian country’s identity.
“Chinese hospitality has greatly impressed me. Since our arrival, the assistance of young volunteers who were with us, all the way from Beijing through Yiwu, has been impeccable,” he shared.
Kouassi emphasized that this mentality should be ingrained in African hearts so that such warm reception can be emulated in their countries.
“China has shown that everyone knows what hospitality is and they put it into action through the reception extended to us. Here, hospitality is among the major aspects making China’s unique identity,” he added.
Burundian Niyonzima also expressed his gratitude for the warm reception and hospitality, which has left him with indelible memories of his stay in China.
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Abdul Jabbar Hashim Kolo, a lawyer from Ateef Law Firm in Nigeria, was equally impressed and excited about what he saw in China.
“Even before coming to China, the whole world’s attention has been on what China has achieved in terms of development over the last forty years. But coming here, I have witnessed that seeing is better than hearing,” he noted.
Kolo highlighted that besides development, economic growth, and prosperity, he had also been able to appreciate China’s very rich culture.
“I have participated in activities of arts and crafts, wood carving, and minimal pottery as well, which are very similar to those in Africa. However, China has gone an extra mile by integrating it into educational institutions, allowing people to perfect their art,” added Kolo.
He expressed delight at the flourishing tourism sector of China, infrastructure, and manufacturing, all offering lessons worth replicating.
On furthering Africa-China cooperation, Kolo stressed the need for “a platform to see how we can continue this dialogue going forward so that the door remains open not only for African participants and China but also for Africans to communicate with each other.”
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During their visits, the youths also attended a session of the Representative Discussion Station of the Wuyi County-level Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).
At the Wuyi People’s Livelihoods Consultative Hall, participants discussed a proposal to construct commercial streets.
The discussion included leaders and business representatives to ensure the project’s implementation meets community needs without setbacks.
According to Li Yangyong, Chairman of the Wuyi Committee of the CPPCC, these consultations are part of the CPPCC model and involve several stages, including research and engagements with relevant stakeholders.
The agreed-upon resolutions are forwarded to higher authorities, with the hope of endorsement, considering the thorough consultations and research conducted beforehand.
While the Two Sessions address major national issues, the CPPCC consultations in Wuyi focus on the daily lives of villagers.
Nigerian Kolo disclosed that he appreciated the discursive nature of the CPPCC consultations, as well as their approach to involving people in development and preparing for future challenges.
“They didn’t just come and build it; they made the community understand what they were doing. This creates a sense of ownership of the project within the community and gives insight into the intentions of the people, making it easier for them to embrace and support the project,” he noted.
Kouassi from Ivory Coast also indicated that Africa should learn from the political system of China, which is designed to address the needs of the population through decentralization, from the central leadership of CPC in Beijing to a small village in Wuyi. “I mostly liked the structure that ensures that people’s problems are accurately represented,” he noted.
With a population of 1.4 billion, Africa is the continent with the youngest population worldwide, with over 400 million aged between 15 and 35.
Tanzanian Joseph Brighton Malekela, Chief Operations Officer of the Africa-Asia Youth Foundation, called on the youth to learn and understand the history behind the enduring friendship between China and Africa marked by solidarity and cooperation spanning centuries for them to carry the legacy forward.
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Liu Hongwu, Director of the Institute of African Studies at Zhejiang Normal University, highlighted that Africa made enormous contributions to the development of China and observed that China is always committed to supporting developing African countries.
Liu reminisced about the fact that 80% of the global south are developing countries and stressed the need for joint efforts and ventures for the Chinese and African dreams to materialize.
China, the world’s second-largest economy, has been a major contributor to African development through different initiatives, notably through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which continues to drive remarkable progress in Africa, forging strong ties between China and African nations, while fostering economic growth and cooperation across the continent.
Experts project that by 2040, the BRI could increase the world GDP by $7.1 trillion annually, benefiting world trade by overcoming the frictions caused by inadequate infrastructure.
Over 50 African countries have joined the BRI, embracing the rewards of improved infrastructure, reduced unemployment, and expanded trade opportunities. Driven by the BRI, Chinese companies have undertaken awe-inspiring infrastructure projects in Africa.
Over the period of 23 years, they have constructed or upgraded more than 10,000 kilometers of railways, nearly 100,000 kilometers of roads, approximately 1,000 bridges, and 100 ports. These transformative projects have not only enhanced trade but have also created over 4.5 million jobs, breathing new life into African communities.
Addressing a press conference in Kigali, NBR Governor John Rwangombwa announced that Rwanda’s inflation rate had dropped to 4.7 per cent in the first quarter of 2024 from 8.9 per cent registered in the last quarter of 2023. He added that the bank expects inflation to remain within the target of 5 per cent in 2024 and 2025.
“We expected inflation to ease to around 5% this year, and in the first quarter, we registered an average of 4.7%. We expect this trend to continue for the rest of the year. At least, our average projection for this year is 5%, which is the same projection we have for 2025,” the Central Bank boss told the media.
The governor noted that the economy had recorded good performance in the agriculture sector in the first quarter, adding that normal performance is expected in the second quarter. He noted that the prices of food are expected to remain normal during the period.
“We saw good performance in agriculture in the first quarter of this year. We expect normal performance for season B—not as strong as we registered in season A, but good enough to maintain food prices at affordable/normal rates,” he added.
While acknowledging the positive progress, Governor Rwangombwa warned of several potential risks to the economic outlook. These include global geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Middle East, which could disrupt international commodity prices, as well as adverse weather conditions in Eastern and Southern Africa.
“Within the region, we have had challenges in the southern part of Africa, especially Zambia, which was a main supplier of maize to the region. It was hit by drought, and this might affect the process of food in general. But for now, our baseline shows that the inflation remains around 5%,” Governor Rwangombwa stated.
He added, “With these projected economic fundamentals, the monetary policy committee decided to reduce the monetary policy rate by 50 basis points to 7% from 7.5%, which we had since the last quarter.”
The decision to reduce the country’s monetary policy rate is expected to make borrowing more affordable compared to last year, encouraging increased spending and investments.
The headline inflation rate in Rwanda has declined steadily since January 2023 when the rate stood at 20.7 per cent. By the end of the first quarter of 2023, the inflation rate had dropped to 19.3 per cent.
In April 2023 the inflation rate dropped to 17.8 per cent and declined further to 14.1 in May. By the end of July 2023 the rate was at 11.9 per cent.
In August the rate increased slightly to 12.3 per cent and 13.9 per cent by the end of September. Since then the rate has been on a downward trend hitting 11.2 per cent in October, 9.2 per cent in November, 6.4 per cent in December, 5.4 per cent in January 2024, 4.9 per cent in February and 4.2 per cent in March.
The management of the state’s agency responsible for the procurement and distribution of medicines and medical supplies indicates that agreements have been made with over 16 types of drug manufacturers, including those within Rwanda, the region, and various continents, to supply Rwanda directly.
Towards the end of 2023, the government intensified efforts to source medicines and medical supplies directly from manufacturers without intermediaries. Medical expert Prof. Stephen Rulisa stated that this initiative will lower healthcare service costs, noting that sometimes 10% of the costs were a significant burden on citizens due to the services provided.
Dr. Abel Dushimimana, the Head of the Association of Private Importers of Medicines and Medical Supplies, mentioned that they have begun organizing themselves to explore ways to also approach these manufacturers.
The Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, noted that since the government started direct negotiations with manufacturers, there have been instances where costs have decreased by up to 50%. He assured private importers that they will also benefit from these opportunities.
Rwanda imports between 3,000 to 4,000 different types of medicines and various medical supplies, with an annual cost exceeding 100 billion Rwandan Francs.
According to NEC, elections are scheduled for July 15, 2024, for Rwandans in the country and July 14, 2024, for Rwandans living abroad.
On that day, 53 deputies will be elected from political parties and independent candidates, followed by elections for special categories, including women, youth, and people with disabilities, the next day.
Many often confuse elections for special categories with general elections in which all citizens participate, although they are different.
For special category elections, deputies are not elected by all citizens as will be the case on July 15. Instead, they are elected by representatives of those categories.
The law stipulates that, for the women’s category, the electoral body includes members of the executive committees of the National Women’s Council from the village level to the national level, members of the sector councils in the electoral area, and members of the district councils in the province.
Among the 24 elected deputies, the Eastern Province elects six women, the Western Province six, the Southern Province six, the Northern Province four, and the City of Kigali two women. Currently, NEC has received over 135 women applying to enter Rwanda’s Parliament.
For representatives of people with disabilities, one person is elected by the executive committee of the National Council of People with Disabilities from the district level to the national level, and coordinators of the council at each sector level.
Since May 17, 2024, when NEC started receiving applications for the position of one deputy representing people with disabilities, 11 candidates have applied for this position.
Another special category in these elections is the two deputies who represent the youth in Rwanda’s Parliament.
So far, 19 candidates have applied for this category, including well-known names such as Mucyo Samson, known as Samu Zuby in cinema, and Fiston Niyitanga, who works in tourism, among others.
Here, the electoral body includes members of the executive committees of the National Youth Council at the district and national levels.
On the other hand, among the deputies elected by the general public, there are already 13 independent candidates, including one woman and several young people.
There are also candidates presented by various political parties, with the PDI party presenting 55 candidates, PL presenting 54 deputies, PS Imberakuri presenting 80, PSD presenting 66 candidates, the Green Party presenting 65, and others presented by the FPR Inkotanyi organization.
For the Presidential position, three candidates have applied, including Paul Kagame representing RPF Inkotanyi, Dr. Frank Habineza presented by the Green Party, and Manirareba Herman as an independent candidate.
The process of receiving candidacies is expected to end on May 30, 2024, followed by the verification of whether the candidates meet the requirements before announcing the final list of approved candidates.
Speaking during a recent interview with Al Jazeera Net, Makolo said there are more than 200 illegal militia groups in the country that continue to pose a security threat to Rwanda, especially in the eastern part of DRC.
Makolo explained that the militia includes FDLR group which comprises remnants of the Interehamwe group that fled to Congo after committing the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
She said the group, comprising former military officials in Rwanda, fled to the DRC with army weapons and attempted several times to destabilize the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) administration that overthrew the genocidal regime.
“Let’s go back to 1994. There were militias that committed genocide against the Tutsis here in Rwanda and then fled to the Congo with their weapons, and the French forces allowed them to cross with these weapons… All the weapons they were using here were taken with them, and they were allowed to keep them in refugee camps in the Democratic Republic of the Congo,” she said.
Makolo lamented that the militia group had for many years used Rwandan civilians as human shields in refugee camps under the watch of the international community.
“For years after the genocide against the Tutsis, these Rwandan civilians were hostages of the former army and the militias, now known as the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda.
“In the late 1990s, these groups resumed their attacks on Rwanda, and there is evidence of France’s involvement in supporting them with weapons. However, the Rwandan army managed to push them back and thwart their attacks,” she stated.
According to the official, Rwanda has done everything possible to show the international community that the situation in the eastern DRC was serious, however little has been done to get to the bottom of the problem.
“We started efforts to convince the international community of the need to support Rwanda in repatriating the refugee civilians to their homeland, instead of leaving them trapped as hostages in camps controlled by armed groups. We had to carry out an operation in the late 1990s and succeeded in bringing back more than two million civilians to Rwanda, some of whom are now deputies and ministers,” Makolo stated.
“These militias not only pose a significant security threat to us at our borders but also represent an ideological threat advocating the extermination of the Tutsi ethnicity. This ideology is a continuation of the genocide that occurred here in 1994.”
She insisted that the international community had not learnt any lessons from the 1994 atrocities committed by the groups in Rwanda and revealed efforts by the government to build a strong professional army to protect its people.
“Unfortunately, they have not learned the lesson. We have come to realize that we are on our own and must do our utmost with the resources we have to ensure the security of our communities and nations.
“For this reason, we have worked to build a professional and strong army. We also cooperate with regional countries. The lesson we learned is that we must do everything we can and not rely on an international community that has not learned the lesson,” the spokesperson said.
Makolo emphasized that different methods have been used to solve the problems between Rwanda and DRC, but Congolese leaders lack the political will.
“There have been several attempts to succeed in political paths, including what was called the Luanda Roadmap, or the Luanda Protocol, or the Luanda Process, but they all lacked the political will to implement them from the republic’s side. There was a second path through what is called the Nairobi Process.
“The Nairobi Process involves disarming illegal armed groups in the eastern republic, demobilizing them, or integrating them into the army and society. However, this path has stalled. There are also attempts to support the state in reforming its security sector. All these initiatives are essentially political processes, but the Democratic Republic of the Congo is determined to take a military path, which is impossible.”
