UN Chief praises improved Rwanda-DR Congo relations

The United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon was in the country last weekend, and used the occasion to praise the improved Rwanda-DR Congo relations. According to press reports, Ban met President Paul Kagame, after which they addressed the media.

Ban was quoted commending the recently concluded joint military operations between the two countries, aimed at routing the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) militia.

At the same press conference, Kagame told journalists that the current cooperation between the two countries was not influenced by external forces.

Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo earlier this week, signed a joint operation final report of the concluded joint military offensive against rebels of the FDLR.

The report according to press reports included details of the recent operation and was signed in Goma, by Lt. Gen. John Numbi, who represented FARDC while Brig. Gen. Jerome Ngendahimana signed on behal of the RDF.

Numbi said the operation was a success, and thanked the Rwandan government for intervening in efforts to restore peace in the region.

Kenya blocks construction of new EAC HQ in Arusha

Kenya has requested that the construction of the multi-million dollar modern East African Community office complex be put on hold according to media reports early this week.

Kenya made its position known during a council of ministers meeting held in Arusha, Tanzania, last Friday.

Kenya contends that at the time the headquarters were established in Arusha, it was believed that Tanzania was located at the centre of the region. Kenya, now says that that assumption has lost relevance since the joining of Rwanda and Burundi into the regional body.

Bugesera airport project on course

Bugesera airport project is on course according to the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, James Musoni. According to press reports, the minister revealed that a British engineering company, TPS Consult, is working on a detailed design for the new airport to be constructed in Bugesera district, Eastern Province.

Government vows to clamp down on misuse of public funds

President Paul Kagame addressed the media this week and appealed to Rwandans to have a sense of accountability, regardless of whether they are in public or private sector. He said that they will be held accountable for whatever might go wrong at the end of the day.

He was reacting to recent developments, where several government institutions and officials have been in the spotlight over mismanagement of public funds.

Kagame explained the new approaches the country will take in a bid to shift from heavy dependence on aid to a self sustaining economy, noting that it’s in the will of the country and the people, to desist from the idea of depending on "someone’s” money for survival. He said that these approaches include hard work and utilising the available resources to achieve the country’s goals so that in the event those who give decide to take away, the country can sustain itself.

Japan to open embassy in Kigali

The Japanese government will soon open an embassy in Rwanda to facilitate the "good cooperation between the two countries”.

This was revealed by Amb.Shigeo Iwatani the Japanese ambassador resident in Nairobi.  He said the idea had been mooted by the Japanese government and now it awaits approval by the parliament.

FDLR leaders handed travel ban

A UN sanctions committee has imposed a travel ban and froze assets of four leaders of the FDLR rebels.

The four are Callixte Mbarushimana, Stanislas Nzeyimana, Pacifique Ntawunguka and Leopold Mujyambere. The move comes days after the end of the joint Rwanda/ DR Congo operations against the rebels.

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