The incident took place around 5:20 a.m. on Monday, April 15, 2024.
According to reports, the suspect disobeyed police orders, resisted arrest, and attempted to engage in physical confrontation with law enforcement officers.
CIP Emmanuel Habiyaremye, the Police Spokesperson in the Southern Province, stated that investigations into the incident have commenced, with further details to be provided later.
Gihana Tharcisse, the Executive Secretary of Rugendabari Sector, explained that the suspect, who was found with two bags containing meat, resisted arrest and brandished a machete, prompting the officer to shoot him in self-defense.
The information was disclosed on the 14th of March 2024 by local authorities in Idiofa.
The affected individuals were mainly identified after the landslide occurred on the 13th of March 2024, near a market in Idiofa.
A local leader named Dhedhe Mupasa stated, “Above this market, there is a slope. The rain caused the slope to collapse.”
The Governor of Kwilu Province, Félicien Kiway, announced that emergency aid teams have been dispatched to all affected areas in the region to ensure that survivors are provided with immediate assistance and that those injured are taken to new medical facilities.
Kiway also announced that the injured individuals, mostly critically wounded, will be taken to the hospital for treatment, while the other 60 injured will be given medical attention.
Moreover, one of the local leaders of the region emphasized the need to know the exact number of affected individuals because the area is known for informal settlements where vendors sell their goods and others engage in various activities.
In Rwanda’s security apparatus, collaboration with the populace occurs without intimidation, fostering a culture of disciplined interaction both domestically and internationally, where Rwandan forces contribute to peacekeeping missions.
A study conducted by the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB), tasked with promoting good governance and monitoring service delivery, highlights security as the foremost pillar, with a rating of 93.63%.
Addressing workers from the National Rehabilitation Service, the Office of the Ombudsman, and the National Electoral Commission during the 30th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsis, Gen (Rtd) Fred Ibingira emphasized the soldier’s authority to make decisions while on duty.
Illustrating with an incident in Nyanza, Gen (Rtd) Ibingira recounted how a soldier, after being rejected by a girl, resorted to violence, eventually leading to her death. In response, the soldier was executed by hanging him on a tree, as a demonstration of maintaining discipline within the ranks.
“We administered punishment through hanging and shooting to ensure discipline within our forces,” Gen (Rtd) Ibingira affirmed, citing the existence of an ethics committee and a court martial to address misconduct.
Attributing the restoration of peace in Rwanda to divine intervention, Gen (Rtd) Ibingira stressed the importance of leadership in upholding discipline, particularly during turbulent times such as the genocide.
Recognizing the doubts that soldiers harbored during the genocide, Gen (Rtd) Ibingira expressed gratitude for divine intervention, averting further catastrophe and enabling visionary leaders under the command of President Paul Kagame to restore order and humanity.
In emphasizing the ethos of non-discrimination within the RPA forces, Gen (Rtd) Ibingira underscored the importance of treating all individuals equally, regardless of ethnicity.
He urged citizens with national responsibilities to excel and contribute to the nation’s progress, emphasizing that their actions are pivotal indicators of Rwanda’s development.
Gen (Rtd) Ibingira also implored the youth to uphold the nation’s values, shunning discrimination and genocide ideologies, recognizing that the future of the country rests in their hands.
Guterres, while calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities, stated that neither the Middle East nor the world at large can afford another war.
“I am deeply alarmed about the very real danger of a devastating region-wide escalation. I urge all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid any action that could lead to major military confrontations on multiple fronts in the Middle East,” the UN boss said in a statement shared on Sunday morning.
He added, “I have repeatedly stressed that neither the region nor the world can afford another war.”
Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles against Israel on Saturday night in a retaliatory attack, which the country has attributed to an Israeli raid on the Iranian consulate in Syria a fortnight ago.
The country on Sunday urged Israel not to retaliate, saying “the matter can be deemed concluded.”
Iran, while acknowledging its commitment to resolving the conflict amicably, warned that any further provocations would result in a severe response.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran will not hesitate to exercise its inherent right of self-defense when required. Should the Israeli regime commit any military aggression again, Iran’s response will assuredly and decisively be stronger, and more resolute,” Iran’s Mission to the United Nations warned even as it accused the UN Security Council of failing to stop Israel’s aggression, which claimed the lives of seven Iranian senior military personnel.
{{Foiled}}
Israel’s army on Sunday declared the Iran attacks “foiled”, insisting that it had shot down 99 percent of the drones and missiles with the help of the United States and other allies.
US President Joe Biden also condemned the Iranian drone attacks on military facilities in Israel and vowed to convene a G7 leaders meeting to deliberate over the matter on Sunday.
“Tomorrow, I will convene my fellow G7 leaders to coordinate a united diplomatic response to Iran’s brazen attack,” Biden stated, further affirming America’s “ironclad commitment” to the security of Israel.
Iran’s attack mirrors that of Israel-Hamas war which started on October 7, 2023.
Hamas launched missile attacks on Israel, saying the attack was in response to the continued Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories, the blockade of the Gaza Strip, the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements, threats to the status of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the plight of Palestinian refugees and prisoners.
The world is also reeling from the effects of the two-year fighting between Russia and Ukraine.
The war started following Russia’s invasion, which began with dozens of missile strikes on cities all over Ukraine before dawn on 24 February 2022.
Some of the global impacts of the conflict include an increase in the prices of commodities such as food and fuel, exacerbating the already soaring inflation.
Neretse passed away in Liège on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. A funeral ceremony was held for him on Saturday, April 13, his family said.
The agricultural scientist was the first person tried by Belgian courts for his involvement in the Genocide against the Tutsi and sentenced to 25 years in prison in December 2019.
He was found guilty of 11 war crimes committed between April 6, 1994 to July 14, 1994.
“All of these facts established points that the accused committed the crime of genocide in Rwanda between 6 April to 14 July 1994 in Kigali, Ruhengeri and Gitarama,” Sophie Leclercq, President of the criminal court, ruled.
Neretse was arrested in France in 2011 where he had rebuilt a professional life as a refugee.
The prosecution had cited Neretse’s appearance at public rallies, where he is said to have incited fellow members of the Hutu ethnic group to slaughter the minority Tutsi community, resulting in the deaths of 13 people in Nyamirambo.
Some of the victims were shot dead by soldiers as they were preparing to flee their homes to join the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR) camp.
While convicting Neretse, the court said there was evidence that the accused created, sustained, and financed militia members of the Interahamwe, who were out to exterminate the Tutsi.
The accused had denied involvement in the atrocities during the trial, insisting and was an inactive party member and a friend to Tutsi.
“I will never stop insisting that I neither planned nor took part in the genocide,” he told the jury.
Neretse’s death comes as Rwanda marks the 30th commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi that claimed the lives of more than a million people.
This district, covering an area of 1,343.5 square kilometers and home to a population of 2.269 million, stands as a testament to Beijing’s strategic evolution from its historical roots to a beacon of modernity.
{{Historical significance and strategic position}}
Located in the northwest of Beijing, bordered by the Taihang Mountains to the west and the Yanshan Mountains to the north, Changping has always been pivotal in the capital’s defense and administration.
Known historically as the “place of strategic importance in the capital,” its role has evolved significantly. Today, Changping is not just about strategic location; it is about strategic development, transitioning into a vibrant, open, and inclusive city with a rich blend of cultural heritage and modern lifestyle.
{{Catalyst of scientific innovation and technology}}
At the heart of Changping’s transformation is its emergence as a leading science city. The district boasts 56 national, provincial, and ministerial key laboratories, alongside 210 engineering technology centers, creating a robust environment for research and development.
This scientific prowess is underscored by the presence of 37 listed enterprises and more than 2,000 high-tech companies, including 464 enterprises focusing on special and sophisticated technologies that produce novel products. Among these, 26 are recognized as unicorn and potential unicorn enterprises.
Changping’s role in global science is further cemented by the establishment of the first national laboratory in life sciences and a pioneering national laboratory in energy research.
The district has achieved notable scientific feats such as the development of cell scorching techniques and the creation of 4500-volt insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) chips.
As part of the Beijing International Science and Technology Innovation Center, the Future Science City in Changping, with a planned area of 170.6 square kilometers, exemplifies an innovative “two valleys and one park” model consisting of Life Valley, Energy Valley, and Shahe Higher Education Park.
This strategic layout not only boosts Changping’s scientific credentials but also facilitates its vision to become a modernized urban area.
{{Academic excellence and educational hub}}
Changping’s commitment to education is evident in its status as a thriving university town. The district is home to 41 universities, including some of China’s top institutions such as Peking University and Tsinghua University, which collectively enroll about 148,000 students.
With 38 academicians and over 200 overseas high-level talents, along with more than 48,000 research personnel, the academic atmosphere in Changping is vibrant and dynamic.
A significant 44.4% of the district’s population holds a university degree, mirroring the education levels of developed countries. Recent initiatives, such as the three-year action plan integrating schools with the city, underscore the strategic emphasis on education in urban development. This integration has seen the establishment of the Tsinghua University State Key Laboratories Nankou Base and the Peking University Production, Teaching, and Research Integration Innovation Center, further enhancing the district’s educational landscape.
{{Championing eco-friendly development}}
As an eco-city, Changping demonstrates a commitment to sustainability. The district’s terrain, 60% mountainous with a 49% forest coverage rate, forms a significant ecological barrier to the northwest of Beijing. It is the birthplace of the Wenyu River—Beijing’s mother river—which significantly contributes to the city’s top air quality rankings.
Furthermore, Changping is unique in intersecting Beijing’s three cultural belts and is home to three world cultural heritages, including the Ming Tombs, Juyongguan Great Wall, and the Grand Canal, enhancing both its ecological and cultural value.
{{Economic growth and industrial innovation}}
Economically, Changping has seen substantial growth, following a modern industrial system development strategy known as “3+2+1” (continuous and connected cycle of strategy).
This strategy includes leading industries such as medicine and health, advanced energy, and advanced manufacturing, each contributing to a GDP that collectively exceeds 130 billion yuan (over US$18 billion).
The medical and health industry, in particular, has grown rapidly, focusing on cutting-edge technologies like CGT and AI+R&D, and establishing a comprehensive industrial chain that spans basic research to terminal medical care. In 2022, this sector alone generated nearly 80 billion yuan (over US$11 billion), representing a significant portion of the district’s economic output.
{{Creating a business-friendly environment}}
Changping’s innovative and inclusive policies have made it a hotspot for investment and development.
The district leverages the advantages of the “four zones” policies, which include the China (Beijing) Pilot Free Trade Zone and the Capital High-level Talent Highland Core Zone, among others.
This strategic policy framework, combined with a distinctive “1+1+N” industrial policy system, has cultivated a top-tier business environment that is attractive to both domestic and international enterprises.
The recent policy initiatives aimed at promoting sectors such as the beauty and health industry and the energy internet sector are poised to further boost economic development and enterprise growth.
Speaking to foreign journalists recently; Liu Qiang, the deputy mayor of Changping District outlined significant plans for the district’s economic and cultural development.
Key initiatives include advancing synthetic biology manufacturing and enhancing the energy sector, notably through the development of the energy internet and new technologies like hydrogen energy and carbon capture.
The district expects to see substantial growth in advanced manufacturing, with a target output value surpassing 130 billion yuan in 2024, and aiming for 240 billion yuan by the end of the “Fourteenth Five-Year Plan” through new industrialization efforts.
Additionally, Changping is committed to creating an internationally friendly environment, demonstrated by innovative cultural events and improved public and government services aimed at attracting and supporting international talents and enterprises.
According to The Telegraph, the list of 13 military top brass includes three former Chiefs of the Defence Staff as well as a former Chief of the General Staff and a former Chief of the Naval Staff.
In a letter quoted by the British publication, the group sent a strong warning to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, saying deporting Afghans who fought alongside the British army would be a “dereliction of our moral duty”.
“Any brave men and women who have fought alongside our armed forces or served the UK Government overseas must be exempt from removal to Rwanda,” the letter signed by Marshal of the Royal Air Force Lord Craig of Radley, Gen Lord Richards of Herstmonceux and Gen Lord Houghton of Richmond—all former Chiefs of the Defence Staff—was quoted as saying.
The group further accused the government of mismanaging the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy – known as the ARAP scheme – which was launched in April 2021.
The scheme was established to help current or former Afghan staff who were employed by the UK government in Afghanistan.
The military chief’s warning comes amid reports that Afghan soldiers have been subjected to torture and murder by the Taliban after being denied help by the UK Government, despite extensive evidence showing they were paid, trained, and worked “shoulder to shoulder” with British special forces.
The military top brass argue that the Arap scheme was “intended to be a lifeline for brave Afghans who worked alongside UK forces but there is a huge backlog of applications”.
“It is essential that those who have made it to British shores are not unduly punished by being removed to Rwanda when the Government’s scheme is up and running,” the group is further quoted.
The sentiments come at a time Sunak’s Safety of Rwanda Bill, which proposes the relocation of certain asylum seekers from the UK to Rwanda for processing their claims, returns to the Commons on Monday after a series of defeats in the Lords.
Rwanda and the UK signed the Migration and Economic Development Partnership in April 2022.
Officials said the migrants caught trying to enter UK territory illegally by boat or hiding in vehicles would be sent to Rwanda.
The scheme faced headwinds last November after the UK Supreme Court ruled that it was unlawful.
This forced the government to amend the legislation, including a new treaty and stating in law that Rwanda is a safe country.
MPs are expected to vote on those amendments when they return to parliament.
This week, Sunak, while expressing his confidence that the scheme would succeed, faulted the Labour Party for the delays in the implementation of the programme.
“First of all we need to get it through parliament, where the Labour Party has been blocking it for a long time.
“Once it is up and running I am confident we will be able to operationalise the scheme [and] get people on flights because that’s how we set up a deterrent and ultimately end the unfairness of people jumping the queue, coming here illegally, putting pressure on local services and risking their own lives,” he stated in response to a question from the reporters seeking to know when the first flight would depart to Rwanda.
In March 2024, UK authorities announced that the government would offer failed asylum seekers up to £3,000 (Rwf4,866,727) to move to Rwanda under the new voluntary scheme.
In a statement released in the wee hours of Sunday morning, the Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations, however, faulted the UN Security Council for failing to stop Israel’s aggression, which claimed the lives of seven Iranian senior military advisors.
“Upon instructions from my Government and pursuant to our letter dated 1 April 2024 concerning the Israeli regime’s armed attacks against the diplomatic premises of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Damascus, the Syrian Arab Republic, which led to the martyrdom of seven Iranian senior military advisories (A/78/838-S/2024/281), I would like to inform you that, in the late hours of 13 April 2024, the Islamic Republic of Iran carried out a series of military strikes on Israeli military objectives,” the statement reads.
“This action was in the exercise of Iran’s inherent right to self-defense as outlined in Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, and in response to the Israeli recurring military aggressions, particularly its armed attack on 1st April 2024 against Iranian diplomatic premises, in the defiance of Article 2 (4) of the Charter of the United Nations.”
Iran accused the UN Security Council of failing in its duty to maintain international peace and security, which it said had allowed the Israeli regime to “transgress red lines and violate the fundamental principles of international law.”
“Such violations have exacerbated tensions in the region and threatened regional and international peace and security,” the mission stated.
Iran, while acknowledging its commitment to resolving the conflict amicably, warned that any further provocations would result in a “stronger” response.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran will not hesitate to exercise its inherent right of self-defense when required. Should the Israeli regime commit any military aggression again, Iran’s response will assuredly and decisively be stronger, and more resolute,” the mission warned.
Israel said on Sunday that more than 300 drones and missiles were launched at it from Iran, Iraq and Yemen, adding that a majority of them had been intercepted.
Israel further noted that the attacks had resulted in minimal damage but warned people to remain alert.
United States President Joe Biden condemned the Iranian drone attacks on military facilities in Israel, further affirming America’s “ironclad commitment” to the security of Israel.
“Tomorrow, I will convene my fellow G7 leaders to coordinate a united diplomatic response to Iran’s brazen attack,” he said.
Iran’s attack mirrors that of Israel-Hamas war which started on October 7, 2023.
Hamas launched missile attacks on Israel, saying the attack was in response to the continued Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories, the blockade of the Gaza Strip, the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements, threats to the status of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the plight of Palestinian refugees and prisoners.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that precarious conditions and escalating threats facing the displaced people in and around Goma raised concerns.
“More than 500,000 people currently live in displacement sites around the city after fleeing clashes between the Congolese army and armed groups in the Masisi and Rutshuru territories, in North-Kivu,” OCHA said. “Since early March, several incidents of shelling and accidental grenade explosions in and around displacement sites in Goma have killed eight people and wounded 34.”
The office said it is not entirely the proximity to the frontlines that are increasingly putting displaced people at risk but also the presence of weapons within the campsites.
The DRC government requested peacekeepers from the UN mission in the country, known as MONUSCO, to leave, complaining it was not protecting civilians from widespread violence in the easternmost provinces from several attacks on villagers.
The UN Security Council authorized a withdrawal, and the mission is complying. It already is in the stand-down process.
The Associated Press reported on April 12, 2024, that all of them have submitted their resignation requests to President Yoon, but it is still unknown whether he will accept them.
In the elections held on April 10, 2024, the opposition Democratic Party and another allied party won 175 out of 300 seats.
The ruling People Power Party and another affiliated party won 108 seats in the legislature. This is a setback as the standing of the country’s President largely depends on the majority support from their representatives in this body.
President Yoon will continue his term until 2027, but losing the majority in the legislature will hinder his administration’s agenda, as opposition parties may put more pressure on him than before.
