Weekly Review

US Congressmen to root for more fundingA delegation of five members from the United States Congress who visited the country midweek vowed to advocate for more funding of the country’s progress, after being overtly impressed by the development trends in Rwanda. After visiting several projects funded by the US government, they were amazed by how they are managed and coordinated. This moved them and they promised to root for more funding of other projects due to the confidence developed. Kigali mayor under fireIt was reported that the former Minister of Local Government Christopher Bazivamo in a letter called for disciplinary measures upon Mayor of Kigali City, Dr. Aisa Kirabo if it is established that there was negligence in addressing the concerns of Jabana residents about a stone quarry in Gasabo District. The stone quarry, owned by a Chinese firm, is said to be emitting dust and smoke, hence exposing area residents to health hazards. It was also reported that the explosives the company uses to blast the rocks was causing cracks in houses belonging to nearby residents leading to damage and loss of property worth millions of francs. Kagame reshuffles cabinetMid this week President Paul Kagame reshuffled his cabinet that saw a few Ministers transferred to different ministries and others dropped from the new cabinet line up. In a statement released by Prime Minister Bernard Makuza, Louise Mushikwabo moves from the Ministry of Information to that of Foreign Affairs replacing Rosemary Museminali. Vincent Karega was elevated from State Minister in charge of Mines and Environment to full cabinet Minister of Infrastructure. Former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning and Secretary to the Treasury, John Rwangombwa got the biggest promotion taking over from his former boss, James Musoni as the new Finance and Economic Planning Minister. Gov’t welcomes fugitive sentenceThe Government of Rwanda welcomed a 30-year sentence handed down to a self-confessed top Genocide criminal by a Belgian Court The Assize Court sentenced Ephraim Nkezabera nicknamed the “Banker of the Genocide” to a 30-year prison term after finding him guilty of Genocide and crimes against humanity including murder and rape committed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Dubai World still on with business in RwandaIt was reported that a company affiliated to Dubai World is currently concentrating on two major projects which are already underway in Rwanda. The projects include, Gorilla’s Nest and Nyungwe Eco Forest Lodge. “Regarding investments in Rwanda, we have not received any indication of change of strategy from the previous report,” Chantal Rugamba, the deputy Chief Executive Officer in charge of ORTPN at Rwanda Development Board told Business Times UN security Council renews sanctions on FDLRThe United Nations Security Council early this week renewed sanctions against rebel groups operating in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The council adopted resolution 1896 (2009) which consists of an arms embargo against armed groups in the DRC, that are not part of the Government’s integrated army or police units, as well as a travel ban and assets freeze on those violating the embargo. While condemning the continuing illicit traffic of weapons in the DRC, the Council extended the arms embargo and sanctions to November 30, 2010. Rwanda and France renew restore tiesRwanda and France agreed to restore diplomatic relations three years after the two countries severed ties by an incident triggered by controversial indictments issued by a French Judge. Both Governments issued out communiqués announcing decisions to bury the hatchet and restore ties. Ends