Midway to a deadline set by regional leaders, not one FDLR militia had laid down weapon and yet rivalries among African nations are undermining the prospect of UN-led military action against insurgents responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

“If it was entirely up to us, we would be fulfilling our mandate to neutralize armed groups,” says Martin Kobler, head of the 23,000-strong UN peacekeeping mission in the Congo, acknowledging the reticence of some political actors but voicing confidence that military action would ensue if the January 2 deadline is missed.

The FDLR (Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda) fighters have made the hills and forests of mineral-rich eastern Congo their own during two decades of simmering conflict since they fled Rwanda after committing the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.

Some Congolese military commanders retain close ties to FDLR fighters from alliances forged during a 1998-2003 war.

African leaders gave the militias six months in July to disarm and be repatriated to Rwanda or transferred to a transit camp in the Congo while they await resettlement in a third country.

On Monday, the leaders acknowledged no progress had been made and repeated a vague threat of military force if the deadline was missed.

But some powers are keener on that than others. “Everyone wants to go after the FDLR in a different fashion,” says Timo Mueller, an independent researcher in eastern Congo. “It will be the FDLR who will benefit from this cacophony of actors.”

Criticised for years for failing to impose peace in the Congo, the UN peacekeeping mission has been buoyed by the success of the 3,000-strong Intervention Brigade, launched last year, with the mandate and firepower to take the fight to myriad rebel groups.

Officials say there are only about 1,500 FDLR gunmen left after the UN peacekeeping mission demobilised more than 12,000 in the past 12 years, but their integration in Congo makes it hard to separate them from civilians.

Speaking from a bush base in eastern Congo, Victor Byiringiro, the FDLR’s interim leader, said his fighters would not return to Rwanda as a result  of the UN-backed repatriation programme;  thus underlining the militias would not voluntary disarm.

“The FDLR is not a mystery, it’s not a complicated armed group to deal with,” Rwandan Foreign Affairs Minister Louise Mushikiwabo says.

Other African powers have been more cautious, calling for a political solution that could broach a range of thorny issues, including the fate of the more than 100,000 Rwandan refugees remaining in the Congo; whom the FDLR claims to protect despite the reports that FDLR fighters use refugees as their battle field shields.

Tanzania and South Africa are the core of the beefed-up UN brigade, all who have voiced hesitation over a military solution to the FDLR.

Ubwoabanyamabanganshingwabikorwab’imirengen’abandibakozib’akarerebasinyagaimihigoya 2014/2015 kuriuyuwakanetariki 23/10/2014 Umuyoboziw’akarerekaKirehew’agateganyoTihabyona Jean de Dieuarasababurimuntuwesegufataimihigonk’iye.

ImpamvuyogusinyaiyomihigoTihabyona Jean de Dieuaravugakoabuyobozibw’akarerebusinyishaamasezeranon’abanyamabanganshingwabikorwanabamwe mubakozib’akarere mu rwegorwokwegerezaabaturageibyobikorwakukoariibyabobakabashakubigiramouruharebafashijwen’ubuyobozi.

Yakomejeavugakoigikombecy’imihigoy’uyumwakakizataha I Kireheati“umuhigo?twesen’iriyakipeukomwayibonyetwiyemejekotuzakorakuriikigikombeuyumwakagitangwanaPerezidawaRepuburika.”

Abanyamabangashingwabikorwab’imirengen’abandibasinyeimihigobaremezakoimihigoifiteuruharerunini mu kuzamuraiteramberery’abaturage. Baremezakobiteguyekuyesanezabagerakuntegobihayeyogutwaraigikombeuyumwaka.

KanzayireConsoléeumunyamabanganshingwabikorwaw’umurengewaGatorearagiraati“njyewembonaimihigodusinyehariicyoizahindurakumiberehomyizay’abaturage,ntanzeurugerorutokuriporogaramuya VUPitariihasanzwe, icyakabirinkashingirak’umuyoborow’amazitutagiragamuriGatoretukagiraririyavurirotugiyekubona,ririhafiy’abaturage,ndabonaubyobintubitatubigiyegufashaabaturage mu miberehomyiza.”

Umuyoboziw’akarerekaKirehew’agateganyoarasabaabaturagebaKirehekugiraiyimihigoiyabo mu rwegorwokwirindaipfunwen’agahinda.

Yavuzeati“iyoakareregahiguyeimihigonezaabaturagebose baba bagizeishemaakarerekaba aka nyumabikabaipfunwen’agahindakubaturagebosebatuyeakokarerekugirangorerotwirindeipfunwe,nukoabaturagebaKirehetwesetwafatanaurunanatugashyirahamzwetukesaiyomihigo mu rwegorwokwirindaipfunwe.”

Mu mwakaushizew’imihigoakarerekaKirehekajekumwanyawagatanu mu tureremirongoitatutw’ u Rwanda.

Kuri uyu wa kane tariki ya 23/10/2014 habaye inama yahuje ubuyobozi bw’akarere n’abafatanyabikorwa bibumbiye hamwe JAF Komezimihigo Rutsiro (Joint Action Forum), akarere kabamurikira imihigo bihaye uyu mwaka kabasaba kubafasha kuyesa hakirikare.

Umuyobozi w’akarere ka Rutsiro bwana Byukusenge Gaspard  yavuze ko iyi nama yari igamije kwibukiranya imihigo akarere kihaye uyu mwaka no kureba uko yashyirwa mu bikorwa kandi hakanafatwa ingamba zo kuyihutisha ahari intege nke hagashakirwa imbaraga.

Ati” twaganiriye n’abafatanyabikorwa tubereka imihigo twihaye uyu mwaka ndetse tunabibutsa kudufasha kuyesa hakiri kare hagendewe ku ruhare rwa buri wese mukuyihutisha”

Umuyobozi w’akarere kandi yanavuze ko buri gihembwe bagomba kujya bahura nabo hakareberwa hamwe aho imihigo biyemeje igeze ahari ikibazo gishakirwe umuti hakiri kare.

Padiri Ntirandekura Gilibert ni umunyamabanga mukuru wa JAF yavuze ko mu izina ry’abanyamuryango ba JAF babonye imihigo akarere gafite uyu mwaka bakaba bishimiye umwanya babonye ubushize ndetse baniyemeza kuzagafasha kubona umwanya mwiza mu mwaka w’imihigo utaha.

Ati” muri iyi nama nk’abafatanyabikorwa twashimye mbere na mbere umwanya akarere kabonye umwaka ushize ndetse banatweretse ibyo biyemeje uyu mwaka tukaba natwe nk’abafatanyabikorwa tuzafasha akarere kuba kabona umwanya mwiza”

Padiri kandi yakomeje avuga ko akarere nako kagomba gukurikirana abafatanyabikorwa bakababa hafi kugirango bakomeze bibukiranye icyo buri ruhande rusabwa.

Akarere mu myaka ishize kakomeje kujya gatunga agatoki bamwe mu bafatanyabikorwa batihutisha gahunda bagombaga akarere bityo bigatuma akarere katabona umwanya mwiza binatewe n’uko hari ibyabaga bitarakorwa bikaba ari muri urwo rwego kiyemeje kujya gakorana inama kenshi n’abafatanyabikorwa.

Akarere ka Rutsiro umwaka ushize kaje ku mwanya wa 18 mu kwesa imihigo ,uyu mwaka kakaba karihaye intego yo kuza mu myanya 3 ya mbere ibona igikombe.

Mu gihe mu minsi ishize  hamwe na hamwe mu gihugu nko mu magereza no mu mazu y’ubucuruzi hagiye hibasirwa  n’inkongi z’umuriro , Abaturage bo mu karere ka Rusizi baboneka mu nzego zitandukanye zirimo abakora mumahoteri ,abashinzwe umutekano n’abakozi b’akarere,  kuwa 23/10/2014, bahawe amahugurwa agamije kubereka uko inkongi y’umuriro ivuka n’uburyo bwo kuyirwanya hagamijwe kwirinda impanuka za hato na hato ziterwa n’umuriro.

Umuyobozi w’ikibuga cy’Indege cya Kamembe Nkurunziza Leon avuga ko bahuguye ibyo byiciro by’abaturage kugira ngo mu gihe bahuye n’inkongi y’umuriro bajye bamenya uko birwanaho mu kuyihosha mugihe ubushobozi bwisumbuyeho buba butarahagera.

Igikorwa cyo kwigisha abantu batandukanye kwirinda no kurwanya inkongi y’umuriro mu gihe ibaye ahantu runaka cyatanze isomo rikomeye kubakitabiriye n’abari bari gutanga amasomo, nubwo bimwe mubikoresho byo kuzimya umuriro bikunze kuboneka mu nyubako za Leta , mu mazu y’ubucuruzi n’ahandi byananiwe kuzimya umuriro watangirwagaho urugero nyamara aricyo biba byarateganyirijwe , hifashishijwe imodoka yabugenewe yari hafi aho kugirango umuriro ubashe kuzima.

Ibyo bikoresho bya kizimyamoto bito ni bimwe mubyo abaturage basabwa kuba bafite byo kwifashisha mugihe habaye inkongi y’umuriro, Life Thadee ni umukozi ushinzwe ibyinkongi y’umuriro ku kibuga cy’indege cya Kamembe yavuze ko icyo kibazo cyatewe n’ibikoresho bikorerwa mu igihugu cy’UBushinywa  biba bitujuje ubuziranenge asaba abaturage ko ibyo babonye bikwiye kubabera urugero rwo kujya bagura ibikoresho bifite ubudahangarwa mubyo kuzimya umuriro cyane cyane ibikorerwa mu gihugu cy’UBwongereza

Bamwe mubitabiriye kumenya uko bakwitwara mu kurwanya Inkongi z’umuriro baravuga ko hari byinshi bungutse byabafasha kwirinda no kurwanya inkongi z’umuriro mugihe bahuye nazo dore ko bigishijwe amoko y’imiriro n’uburyo bwo kuyizimya

Mubutumwa abahuguwe bahawe basabwe gusakaza ubumenyi bahawe muri bagenzi babo kugira ngo nabo bamenye uko bajya birinda inkongi z’imiriro aha kandi bakanguriwe  kujya bicarana ibikoresho byingenzi byabugenewe mu kurwanya inkongi z’umuriro kumazu yabo kandi byujuje ubuziranenge

Igikorwa cyo guhugura ibyiciro by’abaturage kuby’inkongi z’umuriro cyasabwe n’ubuyobozi bw’akarere ka Rusizi kugirango bamenye uko bakwitwara mugihe bahura n’ikibazo nkicyo.

Abahoze babarizwa mu mutwe wacungaga umutekano w’abaturage witwa Local Defence bo mu murenge wa Kivu mu karereka Nyaruguru bahawe ibyemezo by’ishimwe, bashimirwa uburyo bafashije mu gucunga umutekano.

Aba bahoze ari Local Defence basabwe gukomeza kugira uruhare mu gucunga umutekano, kandi bagafatanya n’urwego rwabasimbuye rwa Dasso, kuko bo ngo bari bamenyereye aka kazi.

Umuyobozi w’akarere ka Nyaruguru Habitegeko Francois avuga ko akarere gashimira akazi keza ba local defence bakoze, kandi akabasaba gukomeza gufatanya n’abaturage mu kubungabunga umutekano.

Ati:”ruriya ni urwego rumenyereye gucunga umutekano, n’ubwo batakiri muri ako kazi ariko barabimenyereye, ari nayo mpamvu tubasaba gukomeza gufatanya n’abaturage  ndetse n’ababasimbuye mu gucunga umutekano”.

Uyu muyobozi kandi yasabye aba bahoze ari ba Local Defence kwishyira hamwe bagashaka icyo bakora kibateza imbere, ubyobozi nabwo bukazabafasha gukorana n’ibigo by’imari bakabona inguzanyo.

Ati:”ikindi ni uko tubasaba kwishyira hamwe kugirango bakore ibikorwa bibateza imbere.Nibamara kwishyira hamwe natwe tuzabegera tubafashe gukorana n’ibigo by’imari kugirango bakomeze gutera imbere ariko banacunga umutekano kuko n’ubwo urwego rwa local defence rutakiriho ariko umutekano wo urakomeza”.

Mu murenge wa Kivu abahoze ari local defence 6 nibo bahawe ibyemezo by’ishimwe, naho  mu karere ka Nyaruguru kose ibi byemezo by’ishimwe bikazahabwa abarenga 700.

Le Président de la Corée du Sud, Park Geun-hye et son homologue du Rwanda,  Paul Kagame

Le Président Paul Kagame a été reçu le 29/10/2014 à Séoul par son homologue Park Geun-hye de la Corée du Sud dans son Palais présidentiel « Cheong Wa Dae ». Les échanges des deux Chefs d’Etat étaient focalisés sur le renforcement et l’extension des liens politiques et économiques entre les deux pays.

Park reconnaît en effet les réalisations du Rwanda les deux dernières décennies, comme la reconstruction du pays, la bonne gouvernance, l’environnement des affaires et de la détermination du Rwanda à réaliser la transformation.

Le Président Kagame a signé dans le Livre d’Or

Le Président Kagame s’est félicité de cette rencontre en marge du sommet de l’Union Internationale des Télécommunications (ITU, sigle en anglais) qui se tenait à Busan, 2^e ville de la Corée du Sud. Au cours de ce sommet de l’ITU, le Rwanda a été réélu comme membre du Conseil. Kagame qui copréside ce Conseil de l’ITU est satisfait des avancées de ce sommet.

Park Geun-hye a rappelé que les deux visites successives de son homologue rwandais en Corée du Sud ont joué un rôle important dans l’expansion des relations « plus particulièrement parmi les décideurs politiques ». Park a exprimé sa volonté de voir les deux pays avancer dans le renforcement et l’extension de leurs liens déjà existants depuis des années.

Selon Park, pendant que les échanges commerciaux n’ont pas encore atteint un niveau satisfaisant, les aspirations de la croissance économiques du Rwanda et ses potentialités devraient inspirer plus d’échanges dans le domaine économique. « L’Afrique centrale en particulier produit le café de la meilleure qualité, ce qui pourrait promouvoir les échanges commerciales entre les deux pays ». La Corée du Sud est le premier pays qui importe le Café dans le monde.

Les échanges des deux Chefs d’Etat entourés de leurs délégations respectives

Ils ont aussi échangé sur l’engagement de l’autonomie grâce à des initiatives internes comme l’Umuganda (Travaux communautaires) ainsi que le renforcement des liens du secteur privé des deux pays.

Le Président Kagame était à Busan, comme Co-Président du conseil de la connexion à haut débit lors du sommet de l’ITU. Un peu avant, Kagame avait effectué une visite au siège de Korea Telecom et a eu des entretiens avec l’administration de cette entreprise qui est en train de mettre en place un réseau de connexion rapide utilisant 4GLTE, (Rwanda’s Fourth Generation Long-Term).

Le Président Kagame lors de sa visite au siège de de Korea Telecom

Park Geun-hye est à la tête de la Corée du Sud, un pays riche ayant une économie de marché et qui se classe au 15e rang mondial en rapport avec PIB. Née le 2 Février 1952, à Daegu, Park est la fille de l’ancien président sud-coréen Park Chung-hee, qui a dirigé le pays de 1961 à 1979. Non seulement elle est le 11^e président de ce pays mais aussi la première femme à être élue à la présidence en Corée du Sud. Elle est également la première femme Chef d’Etat dans l’histoire moderne de l’Asie du Nord-Est.

Abitabiriye inama y’umutekano

Ubuyobozi bw’akarere ka Nyamasheke buratangaza ko hagikenewe imbaraga nyinshi mu gukaza amarondo, abayobozi bakagira uruhare rugaragara mu gufasha abaturage kutadohoka mu kugumya kwicungira umutekano.

Ibi babisabwe mu nama y’umutekano yaguye y’akarere ka Nyamasheke, kuri uyu wa gatatu tariki ya 29 Ukwakira 2014 ku cyicaro cy’ako karere.

Umuyoboozi w’akarere ka Nyamasheke, Habyarimana Jean Baptiste, yavuze ko kuba hari umutekano usesuye mu karere byatumye imirenge hafi ya yose yirara icogora mu gukora amarondo, bikaba ari ikimenyetso kitari cyiza kuko umwanzi ashobora kuboneraho akaba yakwangiza ibyiza abaturage bamaze kugeraho.

Umuyobozi w’akarere yavuze kuba nta raporo zitangwa n’abayobozi z’uburyo amarondo yakozwe ari ikimenyetso cy’uko amarondo atagikorwa neza, kuko yemeza ko uwaraye irondo atabura kugira icyo agaragaza cyabaye muri iryo joro bityo kuba bidakorwa bikaba byerekana ko hari ikitagenda neza mu ikorwa ryayo.

Yagize ati “ikintu cyose cyabonetse nijoro kiba gifite igisobanuro cyacyo niyo wabona imbwa biba bifite icyo bivuze ku buryo ushobora kuvuga uti ese iyi mbwa nta muntu bari kumwe, bityo kumenya buri kimwe bahuye na cyo mu ijoro bifite icyo bifasha mu gucunga umutekano”.

Umuyobozi w’akarere yavuze ko abaturage badakwiye kwirara ngo biryamire ahubwo ko bakwiye gukora urutonde rw’uburyo bazajya bakora amarondo bityo bagashobora kwirinda bataraterwa.

Agira ati “kubera hari umutekano usesuye hari abaryama bakibagirwa amarondo bakayasubiraho ari uko bumvise  ko hari inka yariwe cyangwa yibwe birakwiye ko bahora biteguye kandi bakabikora mu buryo butabavunnye”.

Muri rusange inama y’umutekano yavuze ko umutekano ari mwiza mu karere kose, uretse bimwe mu byaha bike bikiboneka birimo ubujura buciye icyuho, ubusinzi, amakimbirane mu ngo no mu miryango, imfu zo mu mazi, gukubita no gukomeretsa, abayobozi batara aho bakorera, Ibiza biterwa n’imvura n’ibindi, bakaba biyemeje gukomeza gukaza ingamba zo kubikumira cyane bakaza amarondo.

Muri iyi nama bashimye umurenge wa Bushekeri uburyo ukora amarondo kandi ugatanga raporo z’uburyo bakoze, ku buryo bafata abanyabyaha mu ijoro ndetse n’abakoze ibyaha ahandi ,bagafatirwa muri Bushekeri.

Niyinbizi Jean Claude Umuyobozi w’Umurenge wa Nyagihanga

 Mu gihe Ukwezi kwahariwe imiyoborere myiza kugenda gusozwa hirya no hino mu gihugu, abaturage bo mu mu murenge wa Nyagihanga mu karere ka Gatsibo, barishimira ibikorwa by’iterambere bamaze kugera birimo nko kwibumbira muri za koperative ndetse no kwitabira gukorana n’ibigo by’imali.

Ibo aba baturage babigaragaje kuri uyu wa 27 Ukwakira 2014, ubwo bari bateraniye mu nteko rusange y’umurenge wabo barebera hamwe ibyo bagezeho muri uku kwezi, ndetse banatanga ibitekerezo kubyo ubuyobozi bwafasha kugira ngo bazabashe kwesa imihigo baba barahize ku rwego rw’umurenge bityo n’akarere kagatera imbere.

Bamwe muri abo baturage twaganiriye nabo, badutangarije ko bimwe mubyo bamaze kugeraho babikesha ubuyobozi bwiza bw’igihugu ndetse bakagira n’uruhare mu gutegura imihigo no kuyishyira mu bikorwa.

Muri uku kwezi kwahariwe imiyoborere myiza kandi uyu murenge ngo wakiriye ibibazo by’abaturage 96 hakemukamo 70, mu bitarari byabonerwa umuti ngo ni ibishingiye ku mitungo y’ubutaka bigakurura amakimbirane mu muryango, nk’uko bitangazwa n’umunyamabanga nshingwabikorwa w’umurenge wa Nyagihanga Niyibizi Jean Claude.

Niyibizi agira ati:”Twagerageje gukemura bimwe mu bibazo twari twagejejweho n’abaturage gusa turacyahura n’imbogamizi mu bibazo bijyanye n’imitungo, aho usanga abantu babana badasezeranye bagirana amakimbirane ugasanga hazamo ingorane zo kubagabanya umutungo, icya mbere tubashishikariza ni ukubana mu buryo bwemewe n’amategeko”.

Ibi bibazo uko ari 96 bigaragara ko ari byinshi ugereranyije n’uko byabonetse muri uko kwezi kumwe gusa, ubuyobozi bw’akarere ka Gatsibo bukaba busaba abayobozi binzego z’ibanze, kongera ingufu mu gukemura ibibazo by’abaturage batarinze gutegereza ukwezi kwahariwe imiyoborere myiza kuko ari inshingano zabo.

Abana bo mu karere ka Nyamasheke bahagararira abandi bana mu nama nkuru y’igihugu y’abana, bavuga ko batabona uburyo  bategura ibihangano bazasangiza abandi bana mu rwego rw’igihugu, mu gihe basanga abandi bana b’ahandi barabonye uburyo bwo kubitegura.

Ibi byavuzwe mu nama y’abana bahagarariye abandi mu karere, itegura inama y’igihugu izaba ku itariki ya 20 Ugushyingo 2014, kuri uyu wa kabiri tariki ya 28 Ukwakira 2014 ku cyicaro cy’akarere ka Nyamasheke.

Muri iyi nama hari hagamijwe kumenya ibikorwa byakorewe abana mu rwego rwo kubarengera no guteza imbere uburenganzira bwabo no  kumenya ingamba zafatwa ku bibazo bikibangamira uburenganzira bw’umwana.

Niyonkuru Steven atuye mu murenge wa Ruharambuga avuga ko umwaka ushize babashije kwitwara neza bakabona n’igihembo ariko ko ibyo bakoze babikoze mu masaha make byo kwirwanaho ku bw’amahirwe bakabasha kubona igihembo.

Niyonkuru avuga ko nk’uko biba biteganyijwe ko abana bazahagararira abandi ,bazarushanwa mu bihangano bitandukanye, byari bikwiye ko hagenwa n’uburyo , bazashobora kwitoza nk’abandi bana bo mu tundi turere bajya bahura na bo.

Agira ati “tuba mu mirenge itandukanye ntitwabyishoboza guhurira hamwe ngo duhuze ibyo tuba twahimbye, bisaba ko batubonera nk’iminsi nk’ibiri tukabikora ariko biracyari ikibazo kugeza ubu. Ubushize twarabikoze tugira amahirwe turatsinda baduha umupira wa basketball, gusa ntitwahora twizera ayo mahirwe”.

Ujeneza Maurice ni umukozi muri komisiyo ishinzwe  abana avuga ko ibikorwa by’imyidagaduro y’abana byashyirwagaho ariko ko nta mafaranga baba barabigeneye ku buryo abana babasha kwitoza, akavuga ko ubwo byamaze kumenyekana izindi nzego zizabasha kugira icyo zibikoraho, ariko akavuga ko ibintu byose bitaharirwa komisiyo ishinzwe abana ko n’ubuyobozi bw’akarere bwashobora kugira icyo bubikoraho.

Agira ati “ntabwo ibintu byose byakorwa na komisiyo ishinzwe abana n’akarere gashobora kugira uko kabigenza mu gihe amafaranga yo gukora ibyo bikorwa by’abana aba ataraboneka, gusa twizera ko ababishinzwe bashobora kuzagira icyo babikoraho mu minsi iri imbere”.

Umukozi ushinzwe abana mu karere avuga ko kugeza ubu nta ngengo y’imari yateganyirijwe ibikorwa nk’ibyo.

Uretse ibi, abana bavuga ko hari abana bagenzi babo bagita amashuri bakajya kumena amabuye no gukora mu cyayi, abandi bagakora imirimo yo mu rugo ibavunnye, mu gihe abandi bakigumya guhishirwa n’ababyeyi mu gihe bahohotewe, ibi ngo bikaba bigisaba gushyirwamo ingufu kugira ngo abana barusheho kubaho neza.

Umunyamabanga nshingwabikorwa w’umurenge arimo asinyana n’umuybozi w’umudugudu

Guhiga umihigo imbere y’inzego z’ubuyobozi ngo bifasha abayihize gukorera ku ntego no guhigura ibyo bahize.

Ibi byatangajwe ku mugoroba wo kuri uyu wa 29/10/2014 n’abakuru b’imidugudu bo mu murenge wa Byumba aho bari guhigira imihigo imbere y’inama njyanama y’umurenge kugirango bagirane amasezerano ku mihigo biyemeje.

Nsengimana Jean Damascene n’umukuru w’umudugudu wa Ruyaga avuga ko guhigira imbere y’ubuyobozi bw’umurenge ari igikorwa kizabafasha gushyira mubikorwa ibyo biyemeje.

Kuri we ngo umuhigo ashyize imbere nuwo gufasha abaturage kugira isuku ku buryo nta mwana uzajya arwara inzoka zo munda ndetse ngo arware n’amavunja.

Gatemberezi Janvier ni umuyobozi w’umudugudu wa Mugandu mu kagari ka Kivugiza mu murenge wa Byumba yagize ati “ mpize kuzashishikariza abaturage gutanga ubwisungane mu kwivuza bikagera kukigerarnyo 100%. No kuzashishikariza abana bataye ishuri kurisubiramo ku kigereranyo cya 98% no guca inzererezi mu du santere”.

Gusa we ngo umuhigo azashyiramo imbaraga n’umuhigo ujyanye n’umutekano kuko ngo yiyemeje gukumira amakimbirane yo mungo ari nayo ateza umutekano muke uganisha kurupfu.

Abakuru b’imidugudu biteguye guhiga

Ikindi ngo nuko nabo nyuma yo guhiga n’ubuyobozi bw’umurenge ubu bagiye nabo gukorana imihigo n’abaturage nabo bagahigira abakuru b’imidugudu aho buri muturage agomba kuba afite agakayi k’imihigo.

Ibi bizajyana no kujya abakuru b’imidugudu bagenzura niba yamihigo abaturage biyemeje bayishyira mubikorwa.

Iyi gahunda y’imihigo y’abakuru b’imidugudu bahigira imbere y’ubuyobozi ngo inafasha abaturage kugira uruhare mu bibakorerwa.

Umunyamabanga nshingwabikorwa w’umurenge wa Byumba Ngezahumuremyi Theoneste avuga ko ari igikorwa kiba gikwiye nk’uko mu nzego zitandukanye bikorwa.

“Murabibona ko twaje ku mwanya wa kabiri mu mirenge igize akarere ka Gicumbi impamvu tuba duhiga nabo nuburyo bwo kugirango twese dufatanye kwesa imihigo.”

Imwe mu mihigo abakuru b’imidugudu bahize imbere y’inama njyanama y’umurenge wa Byumba harimo imihigo y’imibereho myiza y’abaturage, ubukungu, n’iterambere.

Abafatanyabikorwa b’akarere ka Rulindo, ni bamwe mu bafasha ubuyobozi bw’akarere kugera kuri byinshi bijyanye n’iterambere, ubukungu, imibereho myiza n’ibindi byinshi bifasha ubuyobozi kugera kuri gahunda buba bwihaye.

Nk’uko umuyobozi w’aka karere Kangwagye Justus abivuga ngo nta terambere ryagerwaho byihuse hatabayeho ubufatanye bw’inzego zose cyane cyane inzego z’abikorera .

Ubufatanye hagati y’ubuyobozi n’abafatanyabikorwa b’akarere ka Rulindo kandi bwazamuye abaturage muri gahunda nyinshi zitandukanye ,aho abafatanyabikorwa bagenda bafasha abaturage kugera kuri byinshi batari bafite bijyanye n’iterambere.

Ubufatanye  bugaragara cyane muri gahunda zimwe nka gahunda ya Girinka Munyarwanda aho abafatanyabikorwa b’akarere biyemeje guha abaturage inka ,bakabafasha kuzivuza igihe zahuye n’uburwayi ,ndetse kababigisha no kuzorora neza nta kiguzi babatse.

Iyi gahunda yo kugabira abatishoboye inka kandi ngo yagabanije ikibazo cy’imirire mibi mu baturage babikesha ubufatanye bw’ubuyobozi n’abafatanyabikorwa.

Ahandi ubu bufatanye hagati y’abafatanyabikorwa n’ubuyobozi bugaragarira ni mu kuba bigisha abaturage guhinga bya kijyambere, babaha imbuto za kijyambere, abandi bakaborohereza kwiga ku bana bakomoka mu miryango itishoboye n’ibindi.

Umufatanyabikorwa mu karere ka Rulindo Sina Gerard uzwi ku izina rya Nyirangarama, aza ku isonga mu gufatanya n’ubuyobozi bw’akarere ka Rulindo kugeza abaturage benshi baturanye ku iterambere nta kiguzi abatse.

akunze kugaragaraho guha abatuye aka karere akazi, abandi akabagabira amatungo nk’inka ndetse n’ingurube mu zo yorora  ndetse n’abana babo bakiga mu ishuri rye ku buntu.

Akaba ari muri urwo rwego ubuyobozi bw’akarere bwamugeneye ishimwe bumuha Certificat y’ishimwe ku bufatanye yagiye agaragaza aha abaturage inka, akabafasha kuzivuza kandi akabigisha n’uburyo bazorora ngo zibashe kubabyarira umusaruro ugaragara.

Umuyobozi w’akarere ka Rulindo, akomeje gushimira abafatanyabikorwa batandukanye bakorera muri rulindo, mu kudatererana ubuyobozi babufasha kuzamura iterambere ry’abaturage batuye akarere kabo, n’iry’igihugu cyose muri rusange.

The Netherlands has signed with Rwanda a €20 million grant to assist the country construct a specialized court for genocide crimes.

The funds are in line with the Netherlands support for creating a strong justice system, reconciliation efforts, promotion of human rights and fighting against the genocide.

Rwanda will construct a specialized chamber of high court in Nyanza, Southern Province.

The chamber tries Genocide and international cases transferred to Rwanda from other countries.

Currently, court improvises space at the High court premises in Kigali, Rwanda’s capital.

According to Rwanda’s Finance Minister, Claver Gatete, part of the grant will also help digitalize Gacaca archives. Gacaca is a traditional court system that was established in 2001 to try thousands of genocide suspects.

Gacaca courts tried over 1.5 million genocide cases, a work conventional courts would accomplish in a century.

Other funds will support training of mediators, another community justice system for community disputes which reduces conventional court workload.

The Netherlands most support started with the 2002 judicial reform. It goes into infrastructure, training and equipment.

The Netherlands has disbursed about €34m over the last two years alone and has promised to donate the sector €30.2 for year 2015-2017.

Since 2010, Rwanda issued 17 arrest warrants for Genocide fugitives in The Netherlands.

The Netherlands sentenced two Rwandans to a life and a-6 year term in jail in The Netherlands for Genocide offences.

Another extradition ruling of December last year is yet to be executed. Dutch officials say extradition is difficult for naturalized fugitives.

Rwanda is tracking over 70,000 Genocide fugitives. Over 200 arrest warrants were so far issued. The target is to issue 160 more next year.

Nine most wanted fugitives include the tycoon Felicien Kabuga reputed Genocide chief financier.

Meanwhile, in 2012, the Netherlands was the first European country to suspend their £3.9m pledged budget support to Rwanda following allegations the country was supporting Congolese M23 militia in eastern Congo.

It did not affect justice sector support.

However, during the signing of the grant this Monday, November 27, Netherlands Ambassador to Rwanda, Leoni Cuelenaere, said “My government convinced the parliament that there were no more reasons to hold the budget support; it was reinstated this year.”

Cuelenaere said Rwanda’s judicial system has improved to international standard, despite criticism.

“Even Netherlands, the hosts of International Criminal Court is criticized and so is America, “she said.

By Jean de la Croix Tabaro

Source: KT Press

Mme Louise Mushikiwabo en compagnie de cette délégation des diplomates dans le District de Rusizi

Les diplomates et les représentants des  Organisations Internationales qui sont Rwanda ont été agréablement surpris par le niveau de développement de la population rurale du District de Rusizi.

La visite de cette délégation de 36 Diplomates et 9 Représentants des Organisations Internationales en date du 01/11/2014,  s’est effectuée dans différentes activités dont le commerce transfrontalier entre le Rwanda et le Burundi, les projets qui unissent les deux pays, ainsi que les milieux touristiques comme les eaux thermiques de CIMERWA.

Ces diplomates ont aussi visité la frontière de Ruhwa, séparant le Burundi du Rwanda. Cette visite qui est faite pour la 3^e fois est organisée par le Ministère des affaires étrangères du Rwanda (MINAFFET).

L’Amb. du Pakistan, Rafiuzzaman Siddiqui surpris par le progrès du Rwanda

Selon Rafiuzzaman Siddiqui, Ambassadeur du Pakistan au Rwanda et au Kenya, ayant comme résidence à Nairobi, ils ont appris beaucoup du Rwanda, en tant que pays qui sort du génocide. Siddiqui a affirmé qu’ils ont été surpris par le développement accéléré pendant seulement 20 ans après le génocide. « Actuellement le développement est remarquable, même dans les milieux ruraux nous que nous avons visités », a souligné Siddiqui en donnant un exemple des routes, des usines, des sites touristiques, des eaux thermiques qui produisent de l’énergie électrique pour la RD Congo, le Rwanda et le Burundi (CINELAC).

Tout en promettant qu’ils vont être des Ambassadeurs du Rwanda, Saddiqui a profité de l’occasion pour s’adresser à ceux/celles qui donnent des fosses informations sur le Rwanda. « Ce sont des gens qui ne voyagent jamais et qui n’ont pas d’information réelle », a-t-il fait savoir, en parant de la propreté qu’il a vue d’où dit-il « le Rwanda pourrait être le premier Pays en Afrique ».

La même chose pour John Moreti,l’Ambassadeur du Botswana au Rwanda qui se félicité du développement du Rwanda surtout dans les infrastructures telles que les routes de qualité qu’ils ont empruntées vers Rusizi. « Je vais faire la publicité des réalisations du Rwanda dans mon pays et partout où je pourrai aller ». Moreti a ajouté qu’il a remarqué que les Rwandais sont accueillants et qu’ils sont gentils.

Mushikiwabo appelle les étrangers à visiter l’intérieur du Rwanda pour avoir plus d’informations   

Certains lieux touristiques de Rusizi ont été visités par ces diplomates

La Ministre Mushikiwabo était avec cette délégation a déclaré que les portes sont ouvertes pour les étrangers qui veulent visiter le Rwanda pour constater le niveau de développement après le Génocide contre les Tutsis. Mushikiwabo a fait savoir que le Rwanda souhaite que ces étrangers entrent en contact avec les habitants locaux afin qu’ils sachent la vérité sur leur situation post-génocide.

Elle est revenue sur l’importance de cette visite des diplomates parce qu’ajoute-t-elle, ça leur permet de voir l’image réelle du pays et ses activités en générale. C’est une occasion pour certains pays de faire la suivie des projets de développement dans lesquels ils assistent le Rwanda.

Selon Mushikiwabo, ces visiteurs ont constaté que les relations entre population qui habite à la frontière avec la RD Congo est différente de celle lue dans des journaux, selon lesquelles ces deux pays sont en conflits permanents.

Les Ambassadeurs et les diplomates sont souvent à Kigali, c’est dans ce cadre que le Rwanda a réalisé qu’il est nécessaire qu’au moins une fois par an ces diplomates devraient se rendre à l’intérieur du pays pour s’enquérir de la situation. Cette visite permet non seulement à ces diplomates de découvrir le Rwanda mais aussi d’entrer en contact avec la population locale.

Biyemeje kwesa imihigo

Abaturage bo mu murenge wa Ngoma mu karere ka Nyaruguru bafatanyije n’ubuyobozi bw’umurenge bishimiye igikombe bahawe ubwo babaga aba kabiri mu mirenge 14 igize aka karere, mu mihigoy’umwaka wa 2013-2014.

Biyemeje kwesa imihigo

Bamwe mu baturage batuye uyu murenge batangaza ko uyu mwanya bawubonye bavuye ku mwanya wa cumi, ibi ngo bikaba byaratewe ahanini n’uko bihaye gahunda yo kuzuza neza ibyo ubuyobozi bubasaba, kandi ngo bagakora nabo ubwabo bakorera ku mihigo mu ngo zabo.

Kaberuka Eliezer utuye mu mudugudu w’Ururambo  akagari ka Mbuye ho mu murenge wa Ngoma avuga ko abaturage bafatanyije n’ubuyobozi kugera kubyo bari bariyemeje, nah obo ngo nk’abaturage bagerageje gushyira mu bikorwa ibyo ubuyobozi bwabasabye.

Ati:”twebwe uruhare rwacu ni ugushyira mu bikorwa ibyo abayobozi badusaba.Gusa natwe turicara tukareba iwacu mu mudugudu tukareba ibyihutirwa cyane tugasaba ubuyobozi kuba aribyo byibandwaho mu mihigo, hanyuma abayobozi bamara kubishyira muri gahunda, tugafatanya kugirangobigerweho mu gihe twiyemeje”.

Uwimana Gaudiose wo mu mudugudu wa Mutakwa mu kagari ka Fugi, nawe avuga ko abaturage ubwabo aribo bategura ibyo baifuza ko byakorwa aho batuye, ariko kandi ngo imihigo ikanahera mu rugo rwa buri muturage.Uyu mubyeyi avuga ko iyo umuturage akoze neza ibyo yiyemeje kugeraho akabigeraho mu gihe yari yariyemeje, ngo ariho haturuka kuba umudugudu atuyemo, akagari n’umurenge  kuzamura bibasha kuza mu myanya myizamu kwesa imihigo.

Ati:”iyo umuturage afite imihigomu rugoiwe, agaharanira kuyesa,bituma umudugudu ndetse n’izindi nzego z’ubuyobozi zibasha gufata imyanya myiza mukwesa imihigo”.

Umunyamabanga nshingwabikorwa w’umurenge wa Ngoma Jules Habumugisha avuga ko umwanya wa kabiri uyu murenge wawugezeho uvuye ku mwanya wa 10, ibanga rikomeye bifashishije rikaba gukorana n’abaturage, imihigo bakayigira iyabo.

Uyu muyobozi avuga ko bakoresheje imbaraga nyinshi kugirango bagere kuri uyu mwanya, akaba anavuga ko nibakomeza uko bakoze mbere nta kabuza bazaba aba mbere mu mihigo y’umwaka wa 2014-2015.

Ati:”birumvikana ko kugirango tuve ku mwanya wa 10 tugere ku wa kabiri twakoresheje imbaraga nyinshi cyane, twizeye neza ko nituguma gukoresha imbaraga nk’izo twakoresheje, nta kabuza umwanya wa mbere ari uwacu”.

Umurenge wa Ngoma wafashe umwanya wa kabiri uvuye ku mwanya wa 10 mu mirenge 14 igize akarere ka Nyaruguru, abakozi b’umurenge babigizemo uruhare bakaba bahawe ibyemezo by’ishimwe.

Umurenge wa Muhazi mu karere ka Rwamagana ngo ugiye gushyira imbaraga nyinshi mu mihigo ijyanye n’ubukungu nko guhinga ku butaka buhurijwe hamwe kandi hagahingwa imbuto yatoranyijwe ngo kuko bituma imibereho y’abaturage izamuka mu buryo bufatika.

Ibi byatangajwe n’Umunyamabanga Nshingwabikorwa w’umurenge wa Muhazi, Sebatware Olivier, ubwo kuri iki Cyumweru, tariki ya 2/11/2014, yari muri uyu murenge mu nteko y’abaturage n’abafatanyabikorwa mu iterambere ry’umurenge wa Muhazi, yasuzumirwagamo ingamba zose zatuma uyu murenge utera imbere kurushaho.

Sebatware avuga ko imihigo yose izashyirwamo imbaraga kugira ngo igerweho neza ariko akavuga ko imihigo ijyanye n’ubukungu irimo n’ubuhinzi, izibandwaho by’umwihariko.

Iyi nama yareberaga hamwe amahirwe ari mu murenge wa Muhazi ndetse n’imbogamizi zikibangamiye iterambere n’imibereho myiza y’abaturage b’uyu murenge ku buryo zivuyeho bagubwa neza.

Mu bibazo byagaragajwe bigoye abaturage b’uyu murenge, harimo ubuke bw’ibicanwa. Uwimana Odette avuga ko abaturage bihagije ku biribwa nyamara inkwi zo kubiteka zikaba ingume.

Nk’igisubizo, ngo bakaba bafite umuhigo w’uko uyu mwaka wa 2014-2015, ingo 20 zizubaka Biogaz zizabafasha gucana no kubona urumuri.

Ngabonziza Egide, umwe mu baturage b’umurenge wa Muhazi witabiriye iyi nama, we asanga kugira ngo iterambere rya Muhazi rigerweho uko bikwiye, ngo abaturage bakeneye kwemera guhinduka mu mitekerereze babona ko guhinga ku butuka buhujwe ari ingirakamaro kugira ngo ubuhinzi bwabo butere imbere.

Muri iyi nama kandi, habereyemo igikorwa cyo gusinya imihigo hagati y’Umunyamabanga Nshingwabikorwa w’umurenge wa Muhazi na Perezida w’Inama Nyanama y’umurenge; yakurikiwe n’imihigo y’utugari n’ubuyobozi bw’uyu murenge.

Muri iyi nama nyunguranabitekerezo ku iterambere ry’umurenge wa Muhazi, hanatangijwe igikorwa cy’ikusanyamusanzu wo kubaka urwibutso rwa jenoside yakorewe Abatutsi rwa Kabare mu murenge wa Muhazi, aho ku ikubitiro, hahise haboneka ibihumbi 836 by’amafaranga y’u Rwanda.

Mu ngengo y’imari isaga miliyoni 41 y’amafaranga y’u Rwanda yo kuzubaka uru rwibutso, kugeza ubu amaze kuboneka arasaga gato miliyoni 4, ngo hakaba hakomeje ubukangurambaga bwo gushaka inkunga kugira ngo uru rwibutso rwubakwe, bityo birinde ko amazi yazacengera mu mva z’uru rwibutso, akaba yakwangiza imibiri irushyinguyemo.

The East African Community (EAC) Sectoral Council on Legal and Judicial Affairs has been urged to finalise harmonisation of work and residence permits for citizens of the region.

The 21st meeting of the Sectoral Council of Ministers responsible for EAC Affairs and Planning which has concluded in Kigali, noted that failure by EAC Partner States to harmonise national laws with regional integration legislation continues to hinder citizens’ full enjoyment of the benefits of integration.

 Kenya’s Devolution and Planning Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru, who chaired the meeting, reminded delegates that the people of East Africa were expecting to access tangible benefits out of the investment the Partner States continue to put in the EAC integration process.

She said the Sectoral Council needs to ensure the agreed commitments are effectively implemented. Stakeholders have raised concern that though the EAC Common Market Protocol came into being four years ago to enable the free movement of goods, services and people, member-states have done little since to integrate their markets.

They say failure so far, for instance, to waive work permit requirements for citizens of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi has hurt market integration by hampering regional movement of labour.

During the meeting, the EAC Secretariat was also directed to prioritise outstanding Council decisions and ensure that they are factored in the budget. Among other things, the Sectoral Council approved the revised roadmap for the Institutional Review, to run from October 2014 to April 2015.

EAC Secretariat According to an EAC Secretariat statement, the meeting was attended by, among others, Tanzania’s Minister of State in the President’s Office (Good Governance), Mr. George Mkuchika and Minister in the Office of the President Responsible for EAC Affairs of Burundi Leontine Nzeyimana.

Also present were Rwanda’s Minister for East African Community Rugwabiza Valentine and Uganda’s Minister of State for East African Community Affairs Shem Bagaine.

 East African Community Secretary general Dr Richard Sezibera emphasised the role of the Sectoral Council in monitoring and ensuring that the community projects and programmes are carried out in a timely manner for the benefit of the people of East Africa.

On the issue of corruption, the Sectoral Council took note of the initiative the Partner States have undertaken in the fight against the vice and recommended the Sectoral Council on Legal and Judicial Affairs expedite conclusion of the EAC Draft Protocol on Preventing and Combating Corruption by June 2015.

The Secretariat reported 69 Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) were cumulatively resolved whereas 24 such barriers were unresolved and eight were reported as new.

The Sectoral Council approved the road map for the implementation of the EAC video-conferencing project, and directed the Secretariat to develop a comprehensive Operational Manual for the project.

Churches such as this one and night spots have been urged to use sound proof materials to avoid inconveniencing neighbors

Proprietors of churches and leisure spots including night clubs bar and restaurants have been called upon to conduct their businesses in a manner that doesn’t affect other people’s rights and activities and to abide by the law.

Police Spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner of Police Damas Gatare said though some people in this business sector have responded positively to “repeated calls” to lower down the sound of their music system and install sound proofs, there are those that still have “sound nuisance” and violate the law.

“Those that still violate the law on noise pollution and night disturbance are advised to follow suit. We have on several occasion met and explained to them what the law stipulates and what it requires and at this point we expect everyone to do exactly what is required,” ACP Gatare said.

The meetings include one held between RNP and owners of bars and night clubs chaired by the Deputy Inspector General of Police, in charge of Operations, DCG Dan Munyuza; the September meeting of church leaders held in Nyandungu which was also attended by the Inspector General of Police Emmanuel K. Gasana, Mayor of Kigali Fidel Ndayisaba and chaired by the Minister for Internal Security Sheikh Musa Fazil Harerimana, the October 20 meeting of protestant churches under an umbrella ‘Peace Plan’ chaired by the Minister for Local Government Francis Kaboneka and also attended by the IGP and the City Mayor and the October 29 meeting between church leaders, City of Kigali and RNP.

The meetings, partly, resolved that they ‘with immediate effect’ stop or lower the sound of their music instruments, install sound proofs and operate in designated places and facilities.

“The operation against noise pollution and night disturbance is therefore not meant to disrupt doing business as some people want to perceive it; actually it’s meant to facilitate ‘doing business’ to ensure that one business doesn’t affect the other. People’s businesses and belief should be done in a way that other people’s rights are put into consideration,” he added.

“We are simply implementing laws which were put in place to facilitate doing business,” he noted.

Police has in the past few weeks arrested  some  owners of churches and bars, some leisure spots closed temporarily and owners fined for the “noise nuisance” which it says is in contravention with article 600 of the penal code and articles 37 and 108 of the organic law on environment.

Article 37 gives authority to any competent institution to take a decision aimed at stopping any emission of noise that is harmful to health of biodiversity, disrupts the neighborhood or damages the property.

Article 108 also partly penalizes anyone who “makes or facilitates in causing noise that may disturb road users and the neighborhood” with a fine ranging from Rwf10, 000 to Rwf100, 000.

Under article 600, “any person found guilty of making noise and night disturbance in a way that causes trouble among people, shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of eight days to two months and a fine of Rwf50, 000 to Rwf1 million or one of these penalties.

Some bars and restaurants, he said, have turned into night clubs illegally with neighbouring ones playing loud music as a way competing and attracting customers while some night clubs are yet to fulfill all requirements including containing the sound of their music system.

“We expect owners of these business spots to do exactly what the licence specifies because beyond that, you will be conducting the business illegally.”

Reacting on churches, he said, the response is “positive” and appealed to others to also respond as it was agreed in the last meetings.

Following meetings held with church leaders, churches committed to ensure self-regulation to ensure that all holy places operate in accordance with the law.

In case of concerts, they are allowed but they have to go through appropriate channels including authorization by a charged local government entity indicating time and place to help Police to ensure safety of revelers.

President Kagame (3rd from left) with Uganda’s President Museveni on his right, joined President Kenyatta on his left on the official commission of the Mombasa Port Berth Number 19 at Kilindini Harbour – Mombasa, 28 August 2013.

In August 2013, a historical event unfolded on Africa’s biggest Safari land, Kenya.

President Uhuru Kenyatta invited Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame, Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni, and South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir, to commission one of Africa’s biggest Port of Mombasa, along the Indian Ocean.

At the colorful ceremony, a massive docking facility enabling larger vessels to dock was opened to cater for the increasing volumes of regional imports and exports.

President Kenyatta would later set heads to roll with an unexpected revelation.

He authorized Kenya Port Authority to open up a special office in Rwanda’s capital Kigali, allowing Rwandan traders to clear their goods instantly without facing a painful drive of 2000km to Mombasa.

Why of all countries, would Kenya choose to invest in a special office in Rwanda, yet the country has consumed only 5% of Kenya’s exports in five years? Why not Uganda that covered 70% of Kenya’s regional trade in five years? Why not in South Sudan, not forgetting it is a strategic oil country.

The Kenyan business community has an answer, and President Kenyatta has one.

The strategic front

Kenyatta is aware that Rwanda does not consume the large volumes of its exports. Kenya’s total transit traffic for regional exports and imports to Rwanda has been only 5% in five years.

But Rwanda is strategic entry into DR Congo and Burundi where Kenya accesses two extra markets that create an aggregated 30% market for trade.

Between 2009 and 2013, Kenya Port Authority handled about 3.5 million Dead Weight Tonnage (DWT) of both imports and exports to Rwanda, Burundi and DRC. Three quarters of the cargo went through Rwanda.

On a more strategic standpoint, though, Rwanda remains Kenya’s primary link to eastern DRC, the world’s mineral rich region.

Minerals that cannot be airlifted obviously end up at the seaport to industrial China or India, Kenya’s leading global trade partner.

The numbers

For individual business, there is a pragmatic interest in Rwanda, one of its kind.

Records from Rwanda Development Board (RDB) indicate Kenya is Rwanda’s top investor and trading partner.

The United States leads by volume, but for Rwanda, Kenya’s private investments have a cutting edge and a bigger social-economic impact.

As of September 8, according to RDB records, 1,302 Kenyan companies had been domestically registered into Rwanda, directly employing close to a quarter a million Rwandans; relieving the government of increasing youth’s unemployment pressure.

In fact, more than 2000 Kenyan expatriates have also gotten jobs, serving not only the hundreds of Kenyan companies in Rwanda, but also government agencies. Many of them have transferred the knowledge to Rwandans.

Since 2000, RDB records indicate 55 Kenyan investors have sunk in roughly $400m into Rwanda and helped the government mobilize close to $1b from external sources over the last 15 years.

They are investing in banking, manufacturing, insurance, hospitality, construction, information communication technology, retail stores, media, real estate, and many more.

For example, Kenyan bank subsidiaries, Equity Bank Rwanda and KCB Bank Rwanda alone have invested more than $100m combined over the last five years.

KCB, a 100 years old bank worth $2.7b, for example, placed an initial investment of $15m in Rwanda in 2008. By November 2011, the bank had already accumulated assets worth $46m and shareholders’ equity of approximately $13m.

By September 2011, the bank was experiencing some growth, realizing $90m in assets before the fourth quarter of 2011.

Maurice Toroitich, KCB’s Managing Director, is happy for he has managed to capture approximately 7% of the industry. The bank’s loan book had grown from about $15m in 2010 to $40m in 2011 (174% increase).

Also, says Toroitich, “KCB group has made direct lending to projects in Rwanda to the tune of over $200m using resources mobilised from outside Rwanda.”

As for Equity Bank, Kenya’s $1.6b leading lender by market value, in July the bank announced that despite stiff competition in Rwanda’s 11 million population, they still register impressive numbers.

The Bank’s CEO, James Mwangi, an ardent admirer and friend of President Paul Kagame, was in Kigali in July to inspect progress and speak to the President about his investments in Rwanda.

He said his bank has registered about half a million subscribers in just 24 months, with an initial capital investment of $30m that has helped the bank successfully roll out a retail banking approach with more than 700 agents pinpointed across the country.

The agent footprint has given the bank a muscle to conduct about 10,000 transactions a day.

More investors

Another giant investor, the Nakumatt Holdings, a Kenyan mega retail chain of stores, and among 30 global retailers, in 2008, opened shop in Kigali.

A few months before their maiden launch in Rwanda, they had announced the plan to expand to East African countries of Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. The plan was to spend about $20m.

Right off the bat, the retail giant chose to begin the roll-out plan from Rwanda with a $7m investment.

More than 20,000 products mainly imported from Kenya, sit on Nakumatt shelves, providing  business to merchandise producers and creating jobs in Kenya. The store has since opened up another store employing more than 100 Rwandans.

Mr. Price, another retail shop, specializing in clothing, is enjoying dominance, with barely any competition.

But its competitor back home, Uchumi Supermarket, is also on the way. Uchumi has already leased a massive building under construction in Kigali and is desperately looking forward to taking a big bite on the Rwandan growing middle class consumers.

And the academia, stock market?

Kenya’s biggest universities have already set campuses in Rwanda. Mount Kenya and Jomo Kenyatta universities have a combined number of about 10,000 students.

Three Kenyan companies are listed and dominating Rwanda’s young Stock Exchange. The market has only six listings, but growing at more than 100% rate.

Kenya’s Nation Media Group is not only listed, but has invested into a newspaper, a Radio Station and soon a TV station, currently employing more than 50 staff.  The list of investors goes on and on.

The small sharks

Putting aside the big investors, though, more than 1000 small and medium businesses (SMEs) are entrenched into the Rwandan economy than the eye can see. They are silently cutting through the economy and expanding so fast.

They are growing at a terrific rate and employing thousands of Rwandans day by day. Maurice Ogutu is the country manager for Phone-Xpress, a retail shop worth $0.5m dealing in electronics and mobile phones.

He started with one small shop in Kigali’s downtown 24 months ago. He says he has made good profits and now opened up two extra shops.

In hospitality, the story is even intriguing. Rwandans have a joke that at every restaurant or a bar, there is one Kenyan. Most popular and vibrant bars and shops belong to Kenyans. Ask a taxi driver where “Car Wash Pub” is located or “Wahome’s Nyama Choma (grilled meat) ”and that’s enough for direction.

What drives the thirst?

Obviously there are reasons why Kenya is attracted to Rwanda, of $8b GDP compared to Kenya’s $35GDP. Thirst for the Rwandan market is openly vivid. Not to mean that other countries are not investing into Rwanda, but the question is, what could be driving the Kenyan thirst to the extent of toping the investment portfolio?

Why are Kenyan investors not rushing to Burundi, Uganda or DRC and taking over the economy like they are doing in Rwanda? Why Rwanda?

Clare Akamanzi, RDB’s COO, says one can trace the answers from when Rwanda launched its economic development agenda 20 years ago. The tag line was and still is, “Rwanda is open for business,” Akamanzi says. The opportunities that came with the ambitious agenda are uncountable, she says.

During the inaugural ceremony in Kigali, Nakumatt’s Operations Director, Thiagarajan Ramamurthy, said the company was delighted to have registered its first regional presence outside Kenya in Rwanda due to the country’s vibrant local economy and conducive investment conditions.

KCB’s Toroitich says despite the fact that return on investment in Rwanda is on average 12% while at 20% in the rest of EAC, Rwanda holds a cutting edge opportunity. “Future returns are expected to be higher, if companies are willing to invest for the future returns rather than for the present.”

Before flying back to Kenya’s Capital, Nairobi, Equity’s Mwangi said Rwanda is potential market for growth with a massive unbanked population. He promised injecting extra funds soon into the Rwandan subsidiary to raise the bank’s lending capacity up to $150m.

Even Oguto of Fone-Xpress, a medium business, has already seen the same green light and smelt a green future. He says Rwanda’s economy of $8b GDP, is indeed small, compared to Kenya’s $35GDP, but the country is growing at an average 8% with policies that are too good for any business to thrive. “They are straight forward,” he says.

Equity bank has registered about half a million subscribers in just 24 months. Has invested more than $100m, rolling out 700 agents across the country.

The World Bank ranks Rwanda as leading economy in East Africa with regulatory reforms that have improved the business environment. Rwanda’s stance on corruption makes the country the least corrupt in the region.

Uganda is ranked the most corrupt country in the region, followed by Burundi, Tanzania and then Kenya. The World Economic Forum’s competitive report of 2014 also ranks Rwanda 3rd in Africa, and leader in East Africa.  Areas where Rwanda is among the top 10 in the world include, among others, starting a business (2nd), government spending (4th), friendly Foreign Direct Investment rules (5th), procurement of advanced technology (5th) and burden of government regulations and least cost of crime and violence (both 6th).

With a high unbanked population, undeveloped agriculture, good governance, good security, a superb marketing hype, a growing middle class, from a business perspective, with such a profile, Rwanda becomes a business hot spot.

According to RDB’s Akamanzi, Kenya seen as a mature economy of the region, with formidable private investors with a strong business acumen, thus easily find Rwanda a unique opportunity and attractive to invest in.

“We know they are hardworking, they take time to study the market, that’s why we keep encouraging them to invest in Rwanda,” she says.

Indeed, Rwandans see Kenya as a mature and aggressive business country. Sina Gerard, is probably the most famous Rwandan millionaire, and regarded as a maverick entrepreneur.

Yet his respect for Kenyan businesses is unquestionable. “I have worked with Kenyans, they have improbable experience, that’s why they have managed to take the advantage.”

With more reforms in place, and a growing middle class, with more purchasing power, according to Sylvio Rajula, a Kenyan IT professional, Rwanda is seen as “the oasis of the region.” And yes, Kenyans can smell it from far.

Source: KT Press

HE Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda meeting with Confederation of Indian Industry – New Delhi, 4 November 2014

 Rwanda has been named regional best in governance, beating Kenya, which was ranked 17 in Africa, according to the latest continental survey.

Rwanda ranked 11 with a score of 60.4 while Tanzania ranked 15 with an overall score of 58.2 in the 2014 Ibrahim Index of African Governance.

The report was based on four major determinants; safety and the rule of law, participation and human rights, sustainable economic opportunity and human development.

Kenya had a score of 57.4, beating Uganda, which was ranked 19 with a score of 56.1. A scrutiny of the report indicates that over the last year, Kenya has experienced a decline in national security, public management and the quality of education.

The country’s biggest strides were in public participation and infrastructure. Ironically, Rwanda which is a small economy compared to Kenya, scored highly in gender mainstreaming.

The report ranked Mauritius as the best-governed state in the continent with a total score of 81.7, followed by Cape Verde at 76.6 and Botswana at 76.2. The poorest performers were the war-torn Central African Republic and Somali

Le Président Kagame devant les industriels indiens à New Delhi

Le Président Paul Kagame en visite de travail en Inde, a rencontré le 04/11/2014 la Confédération indienne de l’industrie dans la capitale, New Delhi. Les discussions ont porté sur les opportunités et les modalités d’investissement au Rwanda et dans la région (EAC).

« Vous connaissez très bien la région  et vous savez faire le business. Les économies sont prêtes, nous avons besoins de plus d’indiens au Rwanda et en EAC. Je ne peux seulement que vous inviter à investir et travailler en ensemble pour y arriver. Nous sommes en train d’investir lourdement dans le capital humain au Rwanda. Nous travaillons aussi pour permettre notre pays et la région d’être un lieu sûr pour le business ».

Le Président Kagame a dans son discours orienté ses idées en trois dimensions telles que  les relations commerciales existantes depuis longtemps entre l’Inde et l’EAC. Kagame a parlé  des relations commerciales entre l’Inde et le Rwanda, leur contribution au développement et le souhait de les étendre dans d’autres domaines. La dernière dimension est celle du renforcement de l’intégration régionale ainsi que les grands projets régionaux, qui sont des opportunités pour l’Inde.

Selon Kagame, l’Inde et l’EAC dont fait partie le Rwanda ne sont pas étrangers pour l’un ou l’autre. « Le partenariat dans le business entre l’Inde et le Rwanda et par extension l’EAC, est assez fort. Nous sommes engagés dans le commerce depuis longtemps. La contribution dans l’économie faite par l’EAC et les Indiens est un facteur important dans le dynamisme de notre région ».

Même si le commerce entre le Rwanda et l’Inde a augmenté ces dernières années, a dit Kagame, « la valeur totale est encore très peu, il y a lieu alors d’investir dans plusieurs facteurs, surtout dans les services, l’industrie et l’agro-business ». Le dénominateur commun pour le Rwanda et l’Inde est la croissance des exportations.

Les grands projets régionaux visant à renforcer l’intégration régionale vers la croissance économique ont été présentés. « A travers le Corridor Nord impliquant le Rwanda, Kenya, Ouganda, Sud Soudan et plus récemment l’Ethiopie, nous avons l’objectif de connecter nos peuples et le marché. Je pense que connecter cette région à l’Inde serait bénéfique pour les deux côtés ». Il a aussi parlé des projets déjà opérationnels entre le Rwanda, l’Ouganda et le Kenya. « Aujourd’hui, les citoyens traversent la frontière sans passeport, et un touriste peut avoir un seul visa valide pour les trois pays. Ce qui facilite le commerce, la libre circulation des personnes dans ces trois pays. Nous avons harmonisé les procédures douanières, ce qui a rendu les marchandises plus rapides et moins chers. Nous sommes en train de travailler ensemble sur des projets d’infrastructures  comme le nouvel aéroport, le chemin de fer, pipeline et  une ligne électrique transfrontalière ».

Ces idées a-t-il déclaré, ont été discutées depuis longtemps sans mais jamais se matérialiser. « Nous avons pensé que c’était le moment opportun de mettre en application nos intentions », ajoutant que la réussite de tout cela est une forte volonté politique de la région qui veut un développement.

Quel est l’importance de Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) ?

Fondée en 189, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) qui a 7300 membres, est une association d’entreprises indiennes œuvrant pour la création d’un environnement propice vers la croissance de l’industrie dans le pays. Elle joue un rôle proactif dans le processus de développement de l’Inde dirigé par l’industrie. CII comprend plus de 90,000 entreprises de près de 257 corps industriels des secteurs nationaux et régionaux.

CII travaille en étroite collaboration avec le gouvernement sur ​​les questions politiques. Elle renforce l’efficacité, la compétitivité et les opportunités des affaires pour l’industrie à travers une gamme de services spécialisés et des liens stratégiques mondiaux.

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