Weekly Review

UN report exposes FDLR accomplices A report from a UN team of experts exposed a network of accomplices of the FDLR rebels, documenting individuals, countries, companies and charities that have supported the ragtag rebel outfit. Among the countries mentioned were Tanzania and Uganda as transit centres for weapons and recruits. However, a top Ugandan army official strongly refuted the allegations terming them as “absolute nonsense”. The report says FDLR and RUD-URUNANA rebels have been recruiting massively from Rwandan refugee camps in Ugandan refugee camps of Nakivale and Kyaka two “under the noses of the Ugandan military” Cost of climate change revealed An expert report on economics of climate change revealed the numbing magnitude of impact climate change has had on the Rwandan economy. The report shows the level at which the agriculture sector, health, energy and the eco-systems have been affected by the phenomenon. South Korea pledges to double African aid South Korea pledged to double its development assistance to Africa to a tune of US$214 million by 2012. The areas of cooperation will include poverty reduction and sustainable development, agriculture, rural development, education and vocational training. Rwanda declared fit to join Commonwealth The Secretary General of Commonwealth, Kamalesh Sharma, declared that Rwanda’s achievements merit her joining the Commonwealth. Chances of joining this year’s CHOGM meeting in Trinidad and Tobago have also been increased by this development. Moslems celebrate Eid Al Adhuha Moslems around the country Friday morning woke up and trekked to their respective mosques to pray and celebrate Eid Al Adhuha. This holy day is when Moslems commemorate the gesture of Abraham offering his son Isaac to God. RDB gets new CEO Towards the end of the week a cabinet meeting chaired by President Paul Kagame appointed John Gara as the new Chief Executive Officer of Rwanda Development Board (RDB) replacing Joe Ritchie, an American businessman who has been the head of the parastatal for over a year. Rwandatel compensates its sacked employees It was also reported that Rwandatel agreed to pay Rwf 188 million to its former employees. This comes a compensation for what the complainants termed as “unlawful dismissal” which led to a persistent dispute between them and the company. The issue was resolved after arbitration by the lower chamber of parliament when the sacked workers filed a petition seeking the arbitration. Imberakuri joins forum for political parties It was also reported that Partie Sociale PS Imberakuri joined the Forum for Political Parties after shunning it for a long time. The Leader of the party, Bernard Ntaganda, based the decision on the need to advertise its programs and contributing to the general peace of the country and the forthcoming elections. Mineral revenues to fall It was reported that mineral revenues are expected to fall by 36 percent this year due to a fall in demand on the global market. Last year the mineral sector fetched 94 million dollars to the economy but as per the recent analysis it is likely to bring 60 million dollars. Ends