Weekly review

Kagame to Chair ITU Commission President Paul Kagame is set to chair the new global broadband commission, an initiative that will be put in place by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to implement broadband initiatives. This was revealed this week by the Secretary General of ITU, Dr. Hamadoun Ibrahim Touré, after he paid a courtesy call on President Kagame at Urugwiro Village. Touré explained that his visit was mainly aimed at discussing the broadband development progress across the continent following the ‘Connect Africa Summit’ that was held in Kigali in 2007. Biodiesel bus makes maiden trip to Burundi The first biodiesel-powered bus in Africa this week made its maiden trip from Kigali to Bujumbura in the first of its frequent trips to the neighbouring country. The bus, according to the Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (IRST), will be run using 100 percent biodiesel, a development that is likely to give a major boost to environmental protection. The biodiesel in the bus is manufactured in Rwanda, whose production, according to IRST Director General, Jean Baptiste Nduwayezu, is one way of making the country self sufficient. The biodiesel which is currently being produced at IRST is obtained from palm tree oil, Jatropha and Moringa tress, and according to Nduwayezu, the institute is currently getting raw materials from the neighbouring countries of Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The institute presently has a daily production capacity of 2,000 litres. FDU’s Ingabire Attempts to Flee The leader of the yet-to-be registered political party, Forces Démocratiques Unifiées- FDU-Inkingi, Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza, was this week intercepted at Kigali International Airport, as she attempted to sneak out of the country. Ingabire, who was scheduled to report to the Criminal Investigations Department today, as investigations into her FDLR activities continue, was advised to return home.In an interview with The New Times, Government Spokesperson, Louise Mushikiwabo, who is also the Minister of Foreign Affairs, confirmed the attempted escape, adding that Ingabire has deliberately continued to disregard the laws of the country. Govt, Tanzania Enter One-Stop Border Deal Rwanda and Tanzania this week signed a bilateral agreement that will see the establishment and implementation of a joint one-stop border point and simplified trade regime at Rusumo border, Eastern Province. The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the 20th Meeting of the East African Community (EAC) Council of Ministers taking place in Arusha, Tanzania. The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Eugene Munyakayanza expressed optimism that the project would enhance trade, through efficient movement of goods, persons and services between the two countries. Nation, Ethiopia Strengthen Defence Ties Rwanda and Ethiopia this week signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which will see the two countries strengthen their defence and military cooperation. The MoU was signed by the Minister of Defence, Gen. Marcel Gatsinzi and his Ethiopian counterpart, Siraj Fegesa as well as the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. James Kabarebe, and his Ethiopian counterpart, Gen. Samora Yunus. The agreement will see the two countries strengthen defence and military cooperation in the area of training and education as well as sharing information on military operations and equipment. Gatsinzi said that Rwanda and Ethiopia have shared a long history of cooperation in the areas of defence and that the new bilateral deal will cement the already existing ‘strong relationship’ the two nations have been sharing. His Ethiopian counterpart said that his country is committed to maintain the long-lasting ‘sisterly’ relations the two countries have shared and that they will continue to work hand-in-hand to maintain high standards of stability and citizen protection. Ends