Tshisekedi secured a dominant 73.47 percent of the vote, while main opposition candidate Moise Katumbi trailed behind with 18.08 percent, according to the court’s declaration.
The president-elect is scheduled to be sworn in on Jan. 20 after the Constitutional Court approves the election results.
According to the Independent National Electoral Commission that oversaw the general elections, over 18 million Congolese, from a total of 44 million registered voters, cast their ballots in the elections for the president, the National Assembly and the 26 provincial assemblies.
However, the process was not without controversy as opposition candidates raised allegations of irregularities, which the electoral commission said would not impact the election outcome.
This election was significant as it marked the second peaceful transfer of power in the country’s history since independence in 1960. In 2018, Tshisekedi ascended to power after winning the election, marking the country’s first peaceful transfer of power since its independence from Belgium.
The pass-out ceremony was held at the Canine Brigade headquarters in Masoro, Gasabo District and presided over by Commissioner for Training in Rwanda National Police (RNP), Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Barthelemy Rugwizangoga.
At least 11 new sniffer dogs were also trained in detecting explosives and narcotic drugs.
ACP Rugwizangoga said that the training is part of the RNP capacity building programmes particularly to equip dog handlers with the required standard skills and knowledge.
“This course is in line with capacity building for K9 brigade to be able to safe guard our country. Training is one of priorities of the RNP to ensure that the force is always ahead of criminals,” ACP Rugwizangoga said.
He thanked the trainers and challenged the trainees to live to the expectations to drive the RNP ambition towards sustainable security.
The two-week training covered key areas such as; vehicle search, luggage search, scent wall and open area search, among others.
His political party, Ensemble pour la République, asserts that preventing him from leaving his home in Haut-Katanga province amounts to a “de facto house arrest.” The 59-year-old businessman and former governor of Katanga province received 18 percent of the votes, while the incumbent President Felix Tshisekedi secured 73 percent, as reported by the electoral commission (CENI).
Various opposition candidates and observers raised concerns about irregularities and logistical issues during the elections, where Tshisekedi sought a second term. In a statement on January 6, Katumbi claimed that the election was tainted by “massive fraud and treachery” and called for the resignation of CENI’s head, Dennis Kadima.
On January 8, Katumbi’s party revealed that he was prevented from leaving his residence and surrounded by heavily armed soldiers. Videos circulated on Congolese social media allegedly showing Katumbi in his car conversing with policemen who obstructed his passage.
According to Olivier Kamitatu, Katumbi’s spokesperson, the situation amounts to de facto house arrest and reflects a dictatorial escalation of power, aiming to suppress democratic opposition peacefully. Kamitatu emphasized that Katumbi, as a free citizen, has the right to express himself and move freely within his country, asserting that the encirclement of his residence lacks legal justification.
The government’s actions are perceived as an attempt to intimidate a political leader who merely demands the annulment of what he considers the most fraudulent elections ever held in the country.
Despite the electoral commission annulling votes for 82 candidates, including three ministers and four governors, on January 5 due to fraud and violence, the announcement did not address the irregularities raised concerning the presidential polls. Katumbi accused the electoral commission of aiming to uphold the current regime in power.
The satellite named Einstein Probe (EP), which uses new X-ray detection technology inspired by the functioning of a lobster eye, was launched by a Long March-2C carrier rocket at 3:03 p.m. (Beijing Time) from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China’s Sichuan Province.
Weighing about 1.45 tonnes and as large as a full-size SUV, the satellite is shaped like a lotus in full bloom and features 12 petals and two stamens.
“This is the most beautiful satellite I’ve ever seen,” said Yuan Weimin, principal investigator of the EP mission and a researcher at the National Astronomical Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).
The 12 “petals” are actually 12 modules consisting of wide-field X-ray telescopes (WXT), while the two “stamens” consist of two modules of follow-up X-ray telescopes (FXT).
These telescopes form a space observatory which is aimed at helping scientists capture the first light stemming from supernova explosions, search for and pinpoint X-ray signals accompanying gravitational wave events, and discover dormant black holes and other faint transient and variable celestial objects at the far reaches of the universe.
“Since black holes and gravitational waves are predictions made by Einstein’s theory of general relativity, the satellite is named after the great scientist,” Yuan said.
{{Violent universe}}
The starry sky visible to human eyes is quiet and peaceful, but in reality, there are many fierce celestial activities in the universe, such as explosions triggered by the death of supermassive stars, black holes tearing apart and devouring stars, and collisions between bizarre neutron stars and black holes, Yuan said.
Ancient Chinese astronomers recorded a bright supernova explosion in 1054 A.D., and the remnants of this event, the Crab Nebula and a neutron star, were found nearly 1,000 years later by modern astronomers.
“These explosive celestial bodies are also part of our universe, and usually at the critical stage of celestial evolution. We are still unclear about many of their physical properties and processes. Studying them can help us better answer the most fundamental scientific questions, such as what the universe is made up of, what physical laws govern the extreme universe, and how stars evolve and die,” Yuan said.
These extraordinary explosions often emit X-rays, which cannot penetrate the Earth’s atmosphere. It wasn’t until humans had the ability to send probes into space that the hot and energetic side of the universe was unveiled in the X-ray band.
{{Lobster eyes in space}}
Only a limited number of such sudden and unpredictable explosive celestial bodies and events, so-called transient sources, have been found in the deep universe beyond our own galaxy. “It’s like fishing in a river. We need a very large net, since we don’t know where the fish will come from,” said Ling Zhixing, a WXT instrument scientist.
WXT on the satellite are the “large nets” used by scientists to capture their “prey” in the universe. The 12 modules can keep an eye on one-twelfth of the entire sky at one glance, according to Ling.
Scientists mimicked the special structure of the lobster eye in developing WXT, which can simultaneously achieve wide-field observation and X-ray focused imaging.
FXT, developed by an international team led by Chinese scientists, feature high sensitivity and are not only suitable for rapid follow-up observation, but also able to independently discover explosive and transient sources, said Chen Yong, a researcher at the Institute of High Energy Physics of the CAS, who is responsible for the development of FXT.
When lobster-eye telescopes receive X-ray signals from a transient source, the onboard computer will process the data in real time and pivot the spacecraft to target the celestial body with FXT. FXT will then conduct high-precision follow-up observation. The two telescopes will complement and cooperate with each other, said Zhang Chen, assistant to the EP mission’s principal investigator.
The team also developed CMOS sensors for X-ray observation in space, which is an innovative X-ray astronomical detector, Zhang said.
The mission aims to conduct a high-cadence survey and monitoring of high-energy transient sources, search for cloaked black holes and study their formation and evolution. The probe will also be used to search for X-ray signals accompanying gravitational wave events and to pinpoint them. Neutron stars, white dwarfs, supernovae and gamma-ray bursts are also observation targets of this mission.
“I’m looking forward to discovering new phenomena and celestial bodies that have never been seen before,” Yuan said.
The European Space Agency and the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics in Germany are also participating in this mission.
This announcement marks Kagame’s fourth candidacy for the RPF Inkotanyi and comes in response to a strong demand from its members and the Rwandan population in general.
The president hinted at his intention to seek re-election during an interview with Jeune Afrique in September 2023, expressing pride in the trust bestowed upon him by the Rwandans and pledging continued dedication to serving them.
In The Choice Live show aired on Isibo TV, Tito Rutaremara, an influential member of the RPF Inkotanyi and a veteran in Rwandan politics, was asked about other potential candidates who could succeed Kagame.
Rutaremara’s reply disclosed his perspective: “While there may be other potential candidates, we strongly requested Kagame to seek reelection. In the journey of life, you come across leaders of varying levels, including mediocre, good, and very good ones. However, exceptional leaders are a rare breed. When you come across such a remarkable individual, it is crucial to retain them for as long as feasible.”
“These extraordinary leaders are scarce, possibly encountered only once in a century. Our current leader belongs to this exceptional category. When you have someone of his caliber, it is wise to have them continue their service for as long as possible, as finding another leader of comparable excellence is unlikely in the near future,” he added.
President Kagame led Rwanda since 2000, initially as an interim president following the resignation of Pasteur Bizimungu, and then elected in 2003 during the first presidential elections after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Under his leadership, Rwanda has experienced a period of stabilization and growth.
The presidential elections this year will coincide with parliamentary elections on July 15. Kagame’s candidacy is a strong indication of the confidence and approval he enjoys within the RPF Inkotanyi and the Rwandan population.
On Monday, January 8, 2024, at approximately 1:15 p.m., a devastating event occurred, claiming the life of one worker, while three others managed to escape but sustained injuries.
Immediate response from the police, Rwanda Investigation Bureau, and ambulances included providing first aid and launching an investigation to determine the cause of the accident.
Witnesses suggested that continuous rainfall may have softened the soil, contributing to the collapse.
Gasabo District Executive Administrator, Umwali Pauline confirmed the tragic event, reporting four workers lost their lives, with one fatality, and the injured were promptly transported to Kibagabaga Hospital.
Investigations are underway to uncover the exact cause of this unfortunate incident.
Data from Rwanda’s Ministry of Emergency Management (MINEMA) reveals that, as of January 2024, a total of 13,797 Congolese refugees have sought safety in Rwanda. Distribution among various camps includes 5,526 at Nkamira transit camp, 6,074 at Mahama camp, 1,123 at Kiziba camp, 66 at Kigeme, 43 at Mugombwa, and 786 at Nyabiheke.
These new arrivals joined over 80,000 Congolese who have sought refuge in Rwanda for more than two decades. Many of these individuals fled persecution in their home country, particularly over being Kinyarwanda speakers, with a focus on the Tutsi population. The United Nations has repeatedly warned the Congolese government about potential genocide against this segment of the population.
In May 2023, Rwanda and Congo engaged in discussions in Geneva, Switzerland, regarding the repatriation of long-term refugees. Despite ongoing negotiations and denial by the Congolese government, measures promised to facilitate repatriation have not been fully implemented.
The persistent attacks on Tutsis in the eastern part of the DRC contribute to the M23 rebel group’s determination to continue fighting until Rwandophones are treated equally by the Congolese government.
According to media reports, Education Minister Gabriel Attal, 34, emerged as the leading candidate to succeed Borne, potentially becoming France’s youngest and first openly gay prime minister.
Borne, in her resignation letter, expressed passion for her role, but the presidency confirmed her resignation was accepted. Macron is expected to announce the new prime minister on Tuesday. The reshuffle is viewed as essential to rejuvenate Macron’s presidency amidst challenges, preventing him from becoming a “lame duck” leader.
Gabriel Attal, known for his political acumen, is favored for the position. The reshuffle aims to address crises and position Macron’s government for the upcoming European Parliament elections. The uncertainty extends to key ministerial positions, keeping options open until the last moment, as Macron seeks to navigate a pivotal period in his presidency.
“Various challenges – insecurity, looting, bureaucratic impediments, poor network and phone connectivity, lack of cash, and limited technical and humanitarian staff on the ground – have been affecting the delivery of humanitarian assistance in many parts of the country,” the OCHA said in its latest statement.
“Fuel shortages also affect the movement of humanitarian staff and supplies and the generation of power needed for operations, including maintaining cold chain storage and water supply,” it added.
Despite all these challenges, humanitarian partners continue to provide life-saving assistance to the vulnerable people they can reach, the OCHA said, while at the same time noting that the revised 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan for Sudan is only 40.8 percent funded as of Jan. 4.
Sudan has been witnessing deadly clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces since April 15, 2023. More than 12,000 people had been killed in the fighting, according to a statement by the OCHA in December last year.
According to Teddy Kaberuka, an economic expert interviewed by Rwanda Television, the agreement’s provision for the elimination of double taxation serves as a significant incentive for attracting investments. He explained that this prevents the taxation of profits both in the host country and upon repatriation to Rwanda, fostering a more favorable environment for cross-border business activities.
Kaberuka highlighted Jordan’s advanced industrial level, particularly in medicine, where the country boasts a well-developed pharmaceutical sector. The expert emphasized that Rwanda can gain valuable insights from Jordan’s experiences, especially in the efficient production and distribution of pharmaceuticals.
The collaboration extends to agriculture, with Kaberuka noting that Jordan’s expertise in irrigation stands out. The agreement, while comprehensive, allows for adjustments based on the evolving needs and services provided by both nations, ensuring a flexible and responsive framework.
Furthermore, the thriving tourism sector in Jordan provides another avenue for knowledge exchange. Mukarubega Zulfat, the Chancellor of the University of Tourism in Rwanda, emphasized the value of the Jordanian currency and the economic potential that Rwanda sees in it. Zulfat reported positive outcomes from interactions with individuals in Jordan’s tourism and hotel industry, some of whom expressed interest in investing in Rwanda.
Dr. Gasana Sebastien, a university lecturer, highlighted the international recognition Rwanda continues to receive. He urged Rwandans to leverage this opportunity to enhance their global presence.
The agreement was signed during King Abdullah II’s three-day visit to Rwanda, which commenced on January 7, 2024, reinforcing diplomatic ties. As part of the expanding collaboration, Rwanda is also set to open its embassy in Jordan’s capital, Amman, following discussions between Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vincent Biruta, and King Abdullah II in August 2023.
