Weekly review

Kagame Confident of RPF Victory President Paul Kagame, early this week said he was confident that the ruling party, Rwandese Patriotic Front (RPF), will win the August Presidential elections. Kagame, while addressing journalists at the monthly Presidential news conference, pointed out that the confidence is a result of the party’s role in what the country has achieved and the fact that it has fulfilled its mandate to Rwandans. Kagame said that RPF and its leadership will continue with their mission to spearhead the development of Rwanda.He also stressed that the government will ensure that there is a fair, stable and free election. Kagame Commends Gatsibo District President Paul Kagame, while on a tour of Eastern province this week commended the residents of Ngarama for their achievements but pointed out that challenges remain and that there should be no room for complacency. The President according to media reports reminded the people of Ngarama that they had the strength to transform their livelihoods as well as develop the country through concerted efforts. It was reported that Kagame said that Ngarama was, in the past, one of the most remote and impoverished parts of the country, but today it’s among the most developed. The president told the people of Gatsibo that their hard work is evident not only in the way their district has been transformed, but also in how their lives have changed for the better in the last seven years. He also visited Nyagatare district. Zambian President Petitioned On Genocide FugitivesIt was reported this week that three rights groups; Southern Africa Litigation Centre (SALC), African Rights and REDRESS, have all submitted a list to Zambian President, Rupiah Banda, of 16 key suspects of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi believed to be living in Zambia.According to a statement released recently, the groups sent a confidential list to Banda detailing the names and roles of 16 key suspects. In January, Banda visited Rwanda and expressed determination to take effective action and ensure that Zambia is no longer a safe haven for genocide suspects.Rwanda signs Nile pact Rwanda this week joined three other Nile basin states in signing the Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA) which took ten years of negotiations among partner states. The agreement, which has been boycotted by Egypt and Sudan, was also signed by Uganda, Tanzania, and Ethiopia. The CFA seeks to establish a permanent Nile River Basin commission which will set clear procedures of water sharing thereby replacing the two widely disputed colonial-era pacts deemed unfair by seven countries, including Rwanda. Member states like; Kenya, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) were represented at the event, and the Burundi envoy was reported to be away due to several engagements back home. Kamanzi regretted the fact that Egypt and Sudan weren’t able to sign but expressed optimism that there is still a whole year in which states can sign. MHC Seeks to Amend Media Law The Media High Council (MHC) this week called for the amendment of some articles of the new media law stating that the current legislation ‘seems to add value to media development and professionalism but could instead hinder its growth and development.’ The decision was made during the just-concluded two-day retreat of the board members of the media regulatory body. A statement released by MHC stated that the key resolutions of the retreat were to ensure that MHC becomes more transparent, communicative and consistent while discharging its mandate to professionalize the local media. Investment Forum Ends On a High Note The two day Rwanda Investment Forum ended this week on a high note with a number of international investors expressing keen interest to come and invest in Rwanda, according to media reports. Rwanda is reported to have presented over 35 projects worth over $5bn in investment in various sectors including ICT, Agriculture and agro-processing, manufacturing construction and real estate and a number of investors are already showing interest. The CEO of Rwanda Development Board (RDB), John Gara, told reporters that on top of investors who unveiled their long term investment plans, a number of them will stay around to register with his agency. Ends