RDF to deploy choppers in Darfur

Rwanda Air Force has started a three-week training programme to prepare its pilots, technicians, maintenance officers, air logistics staff and medical services for deployment to the African Union-United Nations hybrid operation in Darfur (UNAMID). According to a statement from the Ministry of Defence, Rwanda will early next year deploy five helicopters in Sudan for peacekeeping operations.The training of the 140-strong contingent being conducted at the Rwanda Military Academy in Gako, Bugesera District, was opened on Monday by RDF Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Lt. Gen. Charles Kayonga.The training is jointly organised by the RDF and the US Army under the Africa Contingency Operations Training and Assistance (ACOTA) programme. Rwanda maintains over 3,000 troops in Sudan since the peacekeeping operation was launched there in 2004.

Women feature among major Kanyanga dealers

Local Leaders in Rukomo Sector, Nyagatare District, have cited women as the top traders of the illicit local brew commonly known as Kanyanga.The leaders made the announcement after the arrest of suspected dealers in Rurenge Sector on Tuesday morning. Ignatius Ahishakiye, the Executive Secretary of Rukomo Sector, said the operation was organised as part of measures to fight against drug trafficking and illicit brew, especially in Rurenge trading centre. More than 20 people, most of them women, were nabbed in a swoop conducted by the police and army personnel. The suspects were taken to Gatunda Police Station.

Gov’t, EU sign Rwf27billion agreement for Gatuna highway

The government and the European Union (EU) mid this week signed a contract worth Rwf27 billion for the rehabilitation of the Kigali-Gatuna highway expected to start in May next year.The Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, John Rwangombwa, signed on behalf of the government while the Head of the EU delegation in the country, Ambassador Michel Arrion, represented the EU, in the presence of the contractors, Strabag International Gmbh. The amount which is equivalent to €32.9m will oversee the upgrading of the 78km stretch from the main roundabout in Kigali city centre to Gatuna.Strabag will also be required to upgrade the parking yard at the Gatuna Border Post as part of the wider initiative to create a single border post. The Kigali-Gatuna road project is part of the 600km road network supposed to be constructed over a period of seven years.

CEPGL decides on joint repatriation strategies

Demobilisation commissions from the three member states of the Economic Community for the Great Lakes Region (CEPGL) have agreed to combine efforts to repatriate armed groups.The agreement was reached at the end of a two-day meeting that brought together demobilisation commissions from the three member states; Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The region has for years faced the problem of numerous militia groups, mainly holed up in DRC jungles, which destabilise the three countries. Speaking to The New Times, the chairman of Rwanda Demobilisation and Reintegration Commission (RDRC), Jean Sayinzoga, said the three countries would work on a sensitisation plan to lure the combatants back to their respective countries. The meeting elected a joint bureau expected to closely follow up on the activities of the commissions, composed of heads of commissions from each of the three countries.

Kizinga border reopens, boosts trade

In 2008, a provincial security meeting ordered an immediate closure of the border post after it was discovered it had become a channel of illicit drugs smuggled from neighbouring Uganda. However, in May this year, the border was officially re-opened in a bid to encourage cross-border trade between residents of Rwempasha and their Ugandan neighbours in Kabale. All that is required from local residents is a national identity card to cross the border to Uganda. However, this does not apply to non residents.The Executive Secretary of Rugarama Cell, Louise Candali, said that prior to the re-opening of the border, residents from both countries often crossed illegally which posed a security threat.

Rwanda, Uganda strengthen ICT ties

Ministers in charge of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on Thursday met and agreed to jointly carry out initiatives like, cross-border connectivity and the National Identification Project. ICT Minister Ignace Gatare and his Ugandan counterpart, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, were meeting in Kampala as a follow up of an agreement signed in July this year during President Yoweri Museveni’s visit to Rwanda.The ministers identified cross-border connectivity as a crucial area of interest, and noted that telecommunication operators already have cross-border fibre links, but that the quality of service of the links remains inadequate.The two countries agreed to share information and experiences on establishing a conducive legal framework to promote ICT with emphasis on broadband policies, cyber laws and fighting child pornography. 

BRD ranked among top African dev’t banks

Rwanda Development Bank (BRD) has been rated A+ by the Association of African Development Finance Institutions (AADFI). The bank was rated during the annual forum of African Development held in DRC, where the bank was also ranked third among best development banks in Africa. AADFI brings together 73 financial institutions, including 61 national institutions and 12 regional ones. A+ rating means an institution has an exceptional financial condition, little or no nonperforming assets, and is highly capitalised with strong earnings. The grade is the highest level of financial soundness. BRD’s Chief Executive Officer, Jack Kayonga, explained that the final rating of this year’s review varied from the highest rating of 92.6 percent to the lowest of 32.3, and BRD scored 88.2 percent. The review ranked the bank third after Egypt’s African Export and Import Bank and IBILE Holdings Ltd of Nigeria.

Survivors enraged by Lantos Foundation

Genocide Survivours’ associations on Thursday came out to condemn Lantos Foundation for disregarding their petitions to go ahead and honour Paul Rusesabagina. During a joint news conference organised by the National Commission for the Fight against Genocide (CNLG), Ibuka, the Associations of graduate students (GAERG) and Genocide widows (AVEGA), expressed dismay towards the American foundation. Ibuka is the umbrella organisation of all Genocide survivours associations. According to the Executive Secretary of Ibuka, Janvier Forongo, survivours were offended by Lantos Foundation’s insensitivity, particularly, by not considering the testimonies of survivours at the Mille Collines Hotel during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. He noted that regardless of the factual information presented to the foundation, it persisted to intentionally honour Rusesabagina who is considered by Genocide survivours as an impostor rather than a hero.

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