The Office of the President, Village Urugwiro, stated that both leaders revisited the bilateral relations between their countries, discussed the results of their existing cooperation, and explored ways to further enhance this partnership.
The heads of both state also delved into the problems in the East African region, including those in Eastern Congo where government forces, supporting countries, and armed groups calling themselves ‘Wazalendo’ have been fighting with the M23 group.
President Kagame and his counterpart reaffirmed that the path of political dialogue is the only solution that can end the longstanding security issues and conflicts in Eastern Congo.
Currently, there are two main dialogue initiatives aimed at resolving the situation in Eastern Congo, including the Luanda and Nairobi process, both aimed at helping Congo find internal solutions to its security problems.
These discussions have been significantly hindered by the Congo government, which often downplays the grievances of the Kinyarwanda-speaking population, particularly the persecuted Tutsis.
Congo has often stated that it will not negotiate with M23, leading the group to intensify its combat and take over many areas in North Kivu.
The body of this woman was discovered by locals on Monday, April 23, 2023. Residents told IGIHE that the woman might have been killed by criminals.
Police spokesperson for Kigali City Police, SP Sylvestre Twajamahoro, stated that the woman’s body was found on the side near Kimisagara, adding that an investigation has been initiated to determine the cause of her death.
Amb. Karabaranga delivered this message during a discussion named ‘Igicaniro,’ which revisited the events leading up to the execution of the 1994 genocide plan against the Tutsi.
During the April 22, 2024 event hosted by the Rwandan Embassy in Senegal, Ambassador Karabaranga stressed the importance of rejecting genocide ideology. He advocated for historical education by the older generation to the youth, emphasizing early patriotic education.
The Ambassador urged young people to emulate the exemplary leadership of President Paul Kagame, to pursue the greater good and take on early responsibilities as future leaders.
Ambassador Karabaranga underscored the significance of commemorating the genocide against the Tutsi, both to honor the victims and to illustrate the devastating effects of hatred. He praised the survivors for their enduring resilience over the last three decades.
He confirmed that the nation remains committed to addressing the psychological and other effects of the genocide, with the goal of fostering a nation based on unity and resilience.
Lt. Col. Angeline Kamanzi, responsible for West Africa and Sahel, reflected on the genocide against the Tutsi, detailing its preparation and execution. She discussed the historical ethnic divisions entrenched by colonial identity systems, which were exploited by subsequent governments leading up to the genocide in 1994, which claimed over a million lives.
Dr. Rwogera Munana Yves, president of IBUKA Senegal, expressed gratitude for the partnership with the Rwandan Embassy in Senegal in organizing the inaugural ‘Igicaniro’ session, emphasizing the critical role of mental health preservation to avert trauma.
Further insights were provided by the director of the mental health department at Dakar’s ‘Hopital Principal,Col Dr. Serigne Modou Ndiaye, along with Cpt Dr. Karim Pouabizan and Rebecca Helcom. They elaborated on mental health, trauma symptoms, and the supportive care provided to those impacted to facilitate healing and prevent the intergenerational transmission of trauma.
The incident, which occurred on the morning of Monday, April 22, 2024, involved workers Bucyanayandi Evariste, Niyitegeka Etienne, and Twizeyimana Emmanuel.
Later that day, around 6 p.m., Bucyanayandi Evariste was successfully rescued from the debris and promptly taken to the hospital.
The Mayor of Kamonyi, Dr. Nahayo Sylvere, confirmed the rescue and stated that efforts to find the remaining two workers are ongoing.
Dr. Nahayo also expressed his condolences to the families affected by the tragedy and urged compliance with safety regulations in the mining sector to prevent future incidents.
These allegations relate to actions taken around 2016, where Trump is accused of using deception to secure his electoral victory over Hillary Clinton. Central to the charges is a payment of $130,000 Trump made to his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, who has been previously convicted on separate charges.
The controversy centers on Cohen’s use of this money to pay Stormy Daniels, a former adult film star, to prevent her from going public about her alleged affair with Trump during his 2016 campaign. This payment, prosecutors argue, was a pivotal act of deceit aimed at influencing the election outcome.
Moreover, the charges extend to how Trump managed these payments, focusing on alleged falsehoods about financial disclosures, a critical expectation for presidential candidates.
The trial features Michael Cohen as a potential key witness, which could provide damning testimony given their former close relationship and subsequent fallout. Trump, meanwhile, denies the affair with Daniels, with his legal team asserting that the payments, made through Cohen to Daniels, do not constitute a criminal act.
If convicted, the ramifications for Trump would be severe, tarnishing his image and possibly eroding trust among his supporters, particularly the undecided voters. Despite these challenges, Trump faces three additional serious legal battles, with the New York case being the most pressing.
The trial is expected to last six weeks, though Trump’s defense team seeks to prolong proceedings, suggesting a narrative of persecution aimed at preventing his political return. This strategy might resonate with his base, potentially amplifying their support amidst rising legal costs and the intense scrutiny of multiple ongoing cases.
Comprising many interconnected walls, this grand structure is not only an emblem of resilience and architectural genius stretching across vast landscapes, but also a narrative woven into the fabric of Chinese culture and history.
The Great Wall was declared one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recognized it as the largest man-made structure on Earth.
This colossal structure, spanning more than 20,000 kilometers, not only showcases ancient China’s military brilliance but also serves as a testament to the indomitable spirit of its people.
For travelers and historians alike, the Wall offers a unique blend of scenic beauty and a deep dive into the rich tapestry of Chinese history.
Originating in the 7th century B.C., the Great Wall was primarily a defense mechanism against invasions. Over centuries, it was expanded and fortified by various dynasties, making it one of the most extensive construction projects ever undertaken.
The Wall’s strategic importance was highlighted during early Chinese resistance against Japanese aggression in 1933, where it served as a battleground and a symbol of national pride.
To undertake the monumental task of building, maintaining, and restoring the walls, millions of people were recruited, some mandatorily.
Often, laborers had to manually transport large stones and hefty bricks to elevated mountain ridges, lacking the aid of powerful or advanced machinery in ancient times.
The precise tally of fatalities during the construction remains uncertain, yet historical accounts reveal that exhaustion, hunger, and accidents resulted in numerous deaths.
Each year, the Wall attracts millions of visitors from across the globe. Some of prominent global leaders who visited this wall, include former US Presidents, Barack Obama and George W. Bush; Queen Elizabeth II, late monarch of the United Kingdom; Vladimir Putin, the current President of Russia; and Nelson Mandela, former President of South Africa, among others.
It begins at the eastern seaboard and extends to the remote western deserts, winding through 404 towns in 15 provincial regions throughout northern and central China.
Beijing, the heart of China’s imperial history, houses approximately 520 kilometers of the Wall’s sections.
The Wall encompasses several well-preserved sections like Juyongguan, Badaling, Huanghuacheng, Jiankou, Mutianyu, Gubeikou, Jinshanling, and Simatai, each telling its own story of the past.
Juyongguan, or Juyong Pass, is particularly notable. Nestled in the 18-kilometer-long Guangou Valley (more than 50 kilometers from Beijing), this pass has been a key military fortress since the Qin Dynasty.
Known as one of the Great Wall’s three greatest mountain passes, alongside Jiayu Pass and Shanhai Pass, Juyongguan’s strategic significance is matched by its stunning natural surroundings.
The Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) marked the peak of Great Wall construction, with walls built of sturdy bricks and lime mortar, reinforced with rectangular stone slabs stretching nearly 9,000km.
This period resulted in some of the most formidable and aesthetically appealing segments of the Wall, particularly those north of Beijing. The Great Wall believed to have been built in 220 Before Christ (B.C) is about 7m high and 6m wide.
Beyond its physical form, the Great Wall symbolizes more than just a series of fortifications. It includes a network of watchtowers, fortresses, and guardhouses, each piece playing a crucial role in the defense of the empire. The Wall also embodies the collective effort, determination, and sacrifice of countless individuals who built and defended it through the ages.
The Wall’s inclusion in the national anthem underscores its importance as a cultural and spiritual symbol of the Chinese nation. It has witnessed the patriotism, solidarity, and strength of the Chinese people, enduring as a proud testament to their enduring spirit.
Visiting the Great Wall is akin to walking through pages of history. Each step on its weathered stones evokes images of ancient soldiers standing guard over the rugged terrain, vigilant against invaders. The experience is immersive, allowing one to not only witness but also feel the legacy of China’s past.
Bemeriki, who worked for the infamous Radio Télévision Libre des Mille Collines, is serving a life imprisonment for her role in inciting the Genocide against the Tutsi community in Rwanda.
Speaking on Sanny Ntayombya’s podcast ‘Long Form’, Olojede disclosed that he had an opportunity to visit Bemeriki in prison around 2004 to discuss the events that led to the killing of more than one million people in 100 days between April 7 and July 19, 1994.
The former foreign editor for News Day said at the time of his visit to the prison, unlike several accused persons he had interacted with 10 years after the killings, Bemeriki showed no remorse for her actions.
He recounted that the disgraced hate journalist continued to lie despite evidence of her role in fueling the atrocities.
“What I found was kind of a deprived individual. I met other killers in prison in their flamingo pink uniform who I spoke to. There was a man who I interviewed at length who had said to me that he resisted for two weeks before he succumbed and killed his wife. Let us take him at face value that he was telling the truth. But you could sense at least a level of regret in his actions. He became emotional and tears were in his eyes but for Bemeriki there was no remorse that I could see,” Olojede revealed.
“I just saw her as this unrepentant person still trying, obviously lying because we have the records, to deny that we were forced. It was pathetic because there was no moral repair that was possible with the person like that.”
Bemeriki was among thousands of accused persons tried by the Gacaca Courts over their involvement in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
She was arrested in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on June 13, 1999, nearly five years after fleeing Kigali following the overthrow of the Hutu-led government by the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF).
The former radio journalist was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2009 after she admitted to inciting killing of members of the Tutsi community.
In one broadcast attributed to her she told her listeners: “Do not kill those cockroaches with a bullet – cut them to pieces with a machete.”
She has since pleaded for forgiveness but insists that she was acting under the pressure of her employer.
Reacting to Bemeriki’s change of hurt during the podcast, Olojede said, “Wow! The passage of time gives more clarity… she is 30 years older than she was when she was committing the despicable crimes.”
On claims that Radio Télévision Libre des Mille Collines could not be shut down during the tense 100-day period in Rwanda due to freedom of speech, Olojede dismissed the argument as “disingenuous”.
During the genocide, there are reports that the international community, led by the United States, declined to jam the hate radio after a request by the then commander of the United Nations peacekeeping mission, Roméo Dallaire.
“It is disingenuous to talk about free speech as an excuse not to intervene when a public radio station is mobilizing the population to go and kill their neighbours. We have always had limitations in free speech,” he stated.
Olojede further opined that the international media focus on the end of apartheid in South Africa in May 1994, contributed to less coverage of the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
Olojede, who was in the country for the 30th commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi dubbed ‘Kwibuka30’, was the first African-born journalist to win the Pulitzer Prize in 2005.
He won the American journalism’s highest honor for a series of articles that he wrote for Newsday in 2004 about the aftermath of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.
He has also worked for the New York Times and The Washington Post.
The bill, part of the government’s strategy to deter illegal migrants from arriving in the UK via small boats across the English Channel, passed after securing approval from the Upper House, which had proposed several amendments.
The Lords had refused to pass the bill without further amendments, including the inclusion of a provision exempting agents, allies, and employees of the UK overseas, including Afghans who fought alongside the British Armed Forces, from being removed to Rwanda.
The Lords also demanded tighter checks on the safety of Rwanda for asylum seekers to ensure the scheme had “due regard” for domestic and international law.
But after weeks of parliamentary ping-pong, the Lords gave way and let the bill pass without any formal changes. The passing of the bill paves the way for Royal Assent from King Charles later this week, after which it will become law.
The legislation sailed through the Upper House moments after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the government would force Parliament to sit as late into Monday night as necessary to get the bill passed.
“Enough is enough. No more prevarication. No more delay. Parliament will sit tonight and vote no matter how late it goes. No ifs, no buts. These flights are going to Rwanda,” Sunak said during a media briefing on Monday.
He affirmed that the first flight will take off to Rwanda in July despite strong opposition from the Labour party, which resulted in the missing of March to June deadline initially set by the authorities.
The scheme was first announced in April 2022 by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government following a deal with Rwandan authorities.
The bill was introduced to Parliament after the UK Supreme Court ruled that the government’s scheme was unlawful. The judges argued that genuine refugees being removed to Rwanda faced the risk of being returned to their home countries, where they could face harm.
The UK plans to offer failed asylum seekers up to £3,000 (Rwf4,866,727) to move to Rwanda under the new voluntary scheme.
Post-expansion, the hospital will renovate its existing structures to specialize in pediatric and women’s health, while maintaining its existing services. This significant upgrade is supported by funds from the Rwandan Government and international partners.
Frederic Ngirabacu, the Deputy CEO of KFH, highlighted the project’s focus on enhancing treatment for non-communicable diseases and expanding the hospital’s capacity to meet patient demands projected over the next three decades.
The plans also include broadening organ transplant services beyond the current kidney transplants to potentially include liver and pancreas transplants after thorough planning and preparation.
Ngirabacu emphasized the ongoing training of Rwandan doctors in kidney transplants as a foundation for future expansions in organ transplant capabilities. The new hospital layout will feature 600 additional beds, divided equally between single-patient rooms and double occupancy, reducing infection risks—a direct response to lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The expansion strategy aligns with a long-term vision to address both current and future health challenges. Specialized departments for heart disease and advanced cancer treatment facilities, including imaging and radiation therapy machines, will be key features of the expanded hospital.
With a current staff of over 800, including 600 medical practitioners and 80 specialists, the hospital expects these numbers to rise as it scales up to meet the growing healthcare needs of Rwanda.
However, statistics show that Rwanda still has a long way to go, as a child may spend an average of 6.9 years in school but only show the equivalent of 3.9 years of learning.
{{World Bank Human Capital Index}}
A World Bank report on human capital—knowledge and skills relevant to the labor market—highlights the measures countries take to prepare their citizens through education and health, aiming for them to enter the job market successfully.
The report underscores the need for substantial investment to ensure a child born today grows up with adequate resources to be productive.
It reveals that a child born in 2020 globally has a 56% chance of becoming productive in adulthood if given quality education and health. In Rwanda, a child provided with high-level education and health is predicted to have a 38% chance of productivity.
{{Education Progress and Challenges in Rwanda}}
Statistics show that in 2018, a child starting school at four in Rwanda was expected to spend 6.6 years in education, rising to 6.9 years by 2020, completing their studies before turning 18.
This situation is influenced by high enrollment rates in primary education, reaching 135%, while only 46% transition to secondary education, with numbers declining as students progress through the system.
Enrollment rates for primary school stand at 94%, with 76% completing the level. However, the dropout rate, especially among boys, is significant at 62.6%.
World Bank metrics from 2018 indicate that a student would have effectively received 3.8 years of education out of 6.6 years spent in school. By 2020, this had slightly improved to 3.9 years out of 6.9.
These figures suggest that despite attendance and teaching efforts, the actual educational process is not being executed as it should be.
{{Observations and Reforms}}
This gap is attributed to the recent introduction of nursery schools and the recruitment of many non-professional educators who have not been adequately trained. This lack of quality training means it takes longer for a new teacher to reach the desired level of teaching proficiency.
Emma Rubagumya Furaha, President of the Commission for Education, Technology, Youth, and Culture, has pointed out that educational outcomes are unsatisfactorily low despite reforms that should have improved them.
He noted, “Metrics related to school dropouts, repetitions, and the basic skills in reading, arithmetic, or English are concerning. When you reduce classroom overcrowding and the student-to-teacher ratio, educational outcomes should improve significantly.”
{{Improvements and Future Prospects}}
Between the 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 school years, dropout rates decreased from 10.3% to 9.2%, and repetition rates increased from 8.3% to 14.3%.
On April 18, 2024, Prime Minister Dr. Edouard Ngirente told the Legislative Assembly that the educational reforms are aimed at addressing these issues and should show positive changes within a few years.
He confirmed, “The first group of students who have gone through these new reforms are just now finishing their fifth year of secondary school. They have not yet entered the workforce or university to assess the full impact of these reforms.”
Currently, 132 teachers from Zimbabwe are assisting in Rwanda’s 16 teacher training schools, as part of these educational reforms.
{{Stunting}}
Stunting remains a significant issue, with 33% of children under five in Rwanda affected, severely impacting their learning capabilities. The national school feeding program, launched in 2020 from preschool through secondary education, aims to combat stunting and has shown success in bringing children back to school and enhancing their learning.
