France arrests Barahira
After years of indifference towards the pursuance of Genocide fugitives and suspects living on its soil, France finally acted by arresting Tite Barahira, a former commune leader in eastern Rwanda accused of conspiring to commit Genocide against the Tutsis.
Rwanda had issued a warrant for his arrest and his lack ran out last week. Barahira is now due to face trial – hopefully in Rwanda.
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2,000 police officers promoted
A total of 2,000 police officers were promoted to various ranks by President Paul Kagame and the Minister of Internal Affairs, Musa Fazil Harelimana, on Wednesday. 618 of them were promoted by Kagame, whereas 1,650 non-commissioned officers were promoted by Harelimana.
Stanley Nsabimana was promoted to the rank of Deputy Commissioner General of Police, while 10 officers were promoted to the rank of Commissioner of Police.
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Gasana assumes UN Security Council chair
Rwanda’s representative to the UN Security Council will be Ambassador Eugene-Richard Gasana, who also serves as Rwanda’s permanent representative to the United Nations and Minister of State for Cooperation.
Rwanda on Monday assumed the rotating presidency of the UNSC, replacing Russia, three months after joining the most powerful UN organ. The last time Rwanda was on the seat was in 1994. But despite this, the government then did nothing to influence UN’s involvement in quelling the Genocide.
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US$5 million for Mudacumura’s capture
The United States staked $5 million (about Rwf3.2 billion) for information leading to the arrest, transfer and conviction of Sylvestre Mudacumura, the leader of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR). Mudacumura is currently wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes, including murder and rape.
He now joins the list of most wanted war criminals, including Félicien Kabuga, Protais Mpiranya and Augustin Bizimana – all wanted by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), as well as the Ugandan notorious murderer and child abductor, Joseph Kony.
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PAC sets eyes on economic transformation
The meeting of Presidential Advisory Council (PAC) recommended the government to concentrate its efforts on strengthening drivers of economic transformation, such as export promotion and infrastructural growth.
Kagame’s advisors encouraged the government to proceed with its plans to invest in drivers of a fast economic transformation, rural development and massive skills development while ensuring accountability in governance.
They also commended government’s efforts in fostering people centered programmes, such as the country’s community-based health insurance scheme (Mutuelle de Santé) and the Nine-Year Basic Education programme.